Defensive Ammo Poll.
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Shawn Dodson
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It depends on magazine capacity.
See - Personal Defense Ammunition Functional Reliability Test for Semiautomatic Handguns
See - Personal Defense Ammunition Functional Reliability Test for Semiautomatic Handguns
MICHAEL T
Member
I have found if my autos don't like a round it will show up before 50 rounds. Normally in 1st or 2nd mag.
I voted 100-200 rounds-this is assuming of course, that it has had no FTF/FTE with a number of cheaper practice rounds, then swapping over to maybe a couple of boxes of SD rounds also with no malfunctions.
And before folks start arguing 'bout needing to shoot more rounds than that before using, in these economic times I guess Homer Simpson put it best?
Salesman: But surely, you can't put a price on your family's lives?
Homer: I wouldn't have thought so either, but here we are.
DOH!
And if you haven't seen The Cartridge Family episode...well, at's just funny-I don't care who you are!
And before folks start arguing 'bout needing to shoot more rounds than that before using, in these economic times I guess Homer Simpson put it best?
Salesman: But surely, you can't put a price on your family's lives?
Homer: I wouldn't have thought so either, but here we are.
DOH!
And if you haven't seen The Cartridge Family episode...well, at's just funny-I don't care who you are!
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valorius
member
In a known reliable weapon (like my P7) that is known to fire a variety of hollowpoints without issue (Like my P7), i'll fire anywhere from 25-50rds to verify that nothing goofy is going to happen with a given load. I have Corbon Powrball rounds right now. I've bought 3 boxes of them through for my P7 (60rds), and fired all but 17 of them. That way i had enough left over for 2 loaded mags. I also keep a mag loaded with DT 147gr+P FMJ flat nose as well. I've fired 50 of those through my P7.
In a new gun, 100 is the target i shoot for.
In a new gun, 100 is the target i shoot for.
gwnorth
Member
When I have had issues with a cartridge it has shown up within 10 to 20 rounds. So I voted 20-50. Just my experience, but it just doesn't seem to take a lot to turn up feeding or ejection problems with my pistols (SIGs, a CZ and a pair of Colt's), if they're going to have any.
RevolvingGarbage
Member
If the gun doesn't choke after 50 rounds, then I think the likely hood of it having an actual problem, either mechanically or with the ammo is very low. After 50 rounds ,I think its just a matter of how dirty the gun has to get before the buildup causes stoppages.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
New gun & new ammo & new magazines?
250 or more.
Old proven reliable gun & mags with new different ammo?
A couple three mags is plenty for me.
rc
250 or more.
Old proven reliable gun & mags with new different ammo?
A couple three mags is plenty for me.
rc
Gryffydd
Member
With guns I know, I can often get an idea how well a new round will work just by dropping the slide on a full magazine. If it's not going to work well it usually has a crunchy jerking feeling.
possum
Member
i use corbon dpx, and they are expensive, however i run about 50rds through the gun that i am going to carry them in.
mljdeckard
Member
200, but honestly I have cheated on that when using a gun and ammo I am already familiar with. (Glock 22.)
chieftain
Member
I require any pistol I carry to shoot 1000 rounds of ball, and then at minimum 200 rounds of my carry round without a single FTF (Failure to Fire). I have friends that prefer 1500, 2000 or one who chooses to use 2500 rounds without a FTF. (not at one setting) The key is no FTF for any reason. One FTF and the count starts all over, again.
For CCW in my 45's it is Gold Dot 230 JHP, and in my 9mm's it is Cor-Bon DPX 115+P JHP.
Getting a gun set up to fight isn't cheap, regardless of the cost of the gun itself.
There is no short cut to setting up and "Proofing" a gun for battle. Sure you don't have to do it. But then that is the difference between a pro and an amateur.
Go figure.
Fred
For CCW in my 45's it is Gold Dot 230 JHP, and in my 9mm's it is Cor-Bon DPX 115+P JHP.
Getting a gun set up to fight isn't cheap, regardless of the cost of the gun itself.
There is no short cut to setting up and "Proofing" a gun for battle. Sure you don't have to do it. But then that is the difference between a pro and an amateur.
Go figure.
Fred
huntsman
Member
I buy SD cartridges two boxes at a time, for the first time I shoot 2 boxes to evaluate, if I decide to use it I keep buying 2 boxes (then start carrying them) and try to shoot 1 box every couple of months so, not only do I end up shooting it regularly but I also build up a stash incase the company changes or goes out of business.
I also shoot the round chambered when I practice so I’m only unloading mags which rotates SD loads in the mags.
I also shoot the round chambered when I practice so I’m only unloading mags which rotates SD loads in the mags.
230therapy
Member
Sometimes I do less than 20 rounds, depending upon the gun and circumstance.
General procedure on a proven gun:
1) Load the first round as a JHP. This is the last round in the magazine when the spring pressure is weakest.
2) Randomly mix in one or two JHP rounds among standard FMJ practice ammunition.
3) Top round is JHP.
4) Load an FMJ round into the chamber via different magazine.
5) Insert magazine and test.
Conditions:
1) Gun is proven and I just want to test for peace of mind.
2) Ammunition is a different brand and I want to verify that it functions in a proven gun.
3) Gun is new, started the session clean, has successfully fired 100 rounds of practice ammunition (or number of rounds recommended by the manufacturer) and is not a 1911.
If the gun is a 1911, or has a history of problems, then:
1) Determine function with FMJ practice ammo. Issues should come up within 100 rounds or less. This is not break-in; it's testing for a specific problem. If it jams, stop testing. Return to factory or gunsmith.
2) Run one magazine of JHP ammunition through the gun. If it jams, no further testing is needed. Return to factory or gunsmith for correction.
3) If #1 and #2 pass, then I will fire more FMJ practice ammunition through the gun. This could be 100-400 rounds more, depending upon what I have available.
4) If #3 passes, then I'll run the general procedure on the dirty gun. If it passes, then it should be good to go.
Finally, I periodically shoot the self-defense ammo out of my gun to see what would have happened.
General procedure on a proven gun:
1) Load the first round as a JHP. This is the last round in the magazine when the spring pressure is weakest.
2) Randomly mix in one or two JHP rounds among standard FMJ practice ammunition.
3) Top round is JHP.
4) Load an FMJ round into the chamber via different magazine.
5) Insert magazine and test.
Conditions:
1) Gun is proven and I just want to test for peace of mind.
2) Ammunition is a different brand and I want to verify that it functions in a proven gun.
3) Gun is new, started the session clean, has successfully fired 100 rounds of practice ammunition (or number of rounds recommended by the manufacturer) and is not a 1911.
If the gun is a 1911, or has a history of problems, then:
1) Determine function with FMJ practice ammo. Issues should come up within 100 rounds or less. This is not break-in; it's testing for a specific problem. If it jams, stop testing. Return to factory or gunsmith.
2) Run one magazine of JHP ammunition through the gun. If it jams, no further testing is needed. Return to factory or gunsmith for correction.
3) If #1 and #2 pass, then I will fire more FMJ practice ammunition through the gun. This could be 100-400 rounds more, depending upon what I have available.
4) If #3 passes, then I'll run the general procedure on the dirty gun. If it passes, then it should be good to go.
Finally, I periodically shoot the self-defense ammo out of my gun to see what would have happened.
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Defensive Ammo Poll
I'll run several magazines through an autoloader to ensure they function reliably and I can shoot them accurately. In a revolver, several cylinders accomplish the same thing for me.
I see where some claim 200 is the right number. Man, that's a lot of expensive ammo to ensure a weapon does what it's designed to do. I agree that it's not too much to ask that a pistol spits out 200 rounds w/o a hiccup. I just don't see myself in a position to buy that much costly ammo to prove it to myself.
If I had the resources I would, though.
I'll run several magazines through an autoloader to ensure they function reliably and I can shoot them accurately. In a revolver, several cylinders accomplish the same thing for me.
I see where some claim 200 is the right number. Man, that's a lot of expensive ammo to ensure a weapon does what it's designed to do. I agree that it's not too much to ask that a pistol spits out 200 rounds w/o a hiccup. I just don't see myself in a position to buy that much costly ammo to prove it to myself.
If I had the resources I would, though.
searcher451
Member
The last thing I'd do is load it up and hope for the best. I always run at least 100 rounds through any pistol I want to used for a concealed carry piece, just to make sure that it works flawlessly with my choice of ammo. If I experience any hiccups whatsoever, that ammo is off my list -- all else being equal, of course.
wally
Member
For me about 150-200 if its a new gun and its first time with JHP. After its proven with a couple different brands of JHP, a couple mags worth is enough if I have to switch.
I buy in quantity when its on sale and have enough Ranger SXT on hand for several more years.
I buy in quantity when its on sale and have enough Ranger SXT on hand for several more years.
omegaflame
Member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2010
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- 186
I do 100 rounds with maximum loaded mags. One FTE/FTF and it's out.
ambidextrous1
Member
I answered "20-50 rounds" - that's for a 'seasoned' gun. That's what I do, especially for factory ammunition. I must confess, I don't really think that amount really gives me the confidence I should have.
I reload my own defensive ammunition for some guns & calibers, and in that case, I qualify the load with 100 rounds, and fire a magazine or two of that ammunition whenever I take that pistol to the range. Firearms "age", and a cartridge that once fed & fired reliably may not continue to do so.
I reload my own defensive ammunition for some guns & calibers, and in that case, I qualify the load with 100 rounds, and fire a magazine or two of that ammunition whenever I take that pistol to the range. Firearms "age", and a cartridge that once fed & fired reliably may not continue to do so.
gun guy
Member
There is at least a decade of evaluating ammo before deciding what to carry: http://stevespages.com/page8f.htm
After selecting a carry load, a magazine a week added to my normal shootin stuff. Basically at the range, set up a sil, pull the pistol in the condition its in, fire it off. Note any problems. Then plink or whatever, after the range, clean, examine the weapon, reload it with the carry ammo. It works for me.
After selecting a carry load, a magazine a week added to my normal shootin stuff. Basically at the range, set up a sil, pull the pistol in the condition its in, fire it off. Note any problems. Then plink or whatever, after the range, clean, examine the weapon, reload it with the carry ammo. It works for me.
i answered 20-50, but the truth is it depends...
as others have mentioned, if i am shooting a "seasoned" gun with "seasoned" mags, then i feel pretty confident with only about 20 rounds. i will typically take one shot, then inspect. then i will shoot the next 20 or so rounds with quick double-taps or the mozambique drills (trying to mimic SD-style shooting).
for new guns, or even old guns with new mags, i will run around 50 rounds through THAT PARTICULAR MAGAZINE to ensure function. but i would only use that mag after running a good 200 rounds of FMJ through the new mag first.
make sense?
as others have mentioned, if i am shooting a "seasoned" gun with "seasoned" mags, then i feel pretty confident with only about 20 rounds. i will typically take one shot, then inspect. then i will shoot the next 20 or so rounds with quick double-taps or the mozambique drills (trying to mimic SD-style shooting).
for new guns, or even old guns with new mags, i will run around 50 rounds through THAT PARTICULAR MAGAZINE to ensure function. but i would only use that mag after running a good 200 rounds of FMJ through the new mag first.
make sense?
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