How many defensive rounds do you test in your handgun?

[PabloJ]

Pretty self explanatory. How many hollow points do you run through your gun to test reliability? I run 100 at a minimum (typically 150-250) to verify reliability in my auto loaders. In a revolver it has been as few as 20, mostly checking for crimp jump in the lightweight snubs.

I know several people that only run 1 magazine of hollow points and call it good. I couldn't possibly feel confident in my defensive ammo/gun with so few rounds tested.

I pretty much buy second hand guns in very good shape. Last purchase was Glock with free yet fully functional night sights. I took box of my beloved 150gr HRT loads and had salesperson run couple magazines through the gun. The gun passed and is ready to serve as personal protection arm. Saves me time plus $20 range fee.

 

[cfullgraf]

If the gun shoots 100% reliably with ball ammunition, I'll shoot a few magazines but no more than a 50 round box of the fancy stuff to verify its reliability. If it is not reliable with ball, I never make it to step 2.

I carry a 380ACP alot and use ball ammunition in part for the reliability of function.

 

[Deus Machina]

Unfortunately I can't always afford a whole box to test.
In the revolver, I test a couple for point of aim and the rest of the cylinder a bit limp to see if they jump and bind it up.
In autos, I'll test a mag or two and, in an unknown auto, find something with the closest-but-not-smoother profile (Winchester 147gr JHP white box is a good design slightly tougher to feed than HST, that I can afford) and shoot a box of that.
Any issues or a clunky feeling at all and I repeat it. I can barely afford to, but better to scrounge up another box than find out a bad feeling was right.

Of course that's after running a couple boxes of FMJ of various brands through it, as well as my soft-loaded handloads if the range allows. If it will feed the cheapest, dirtiest loads and some of the closest I can get to bunny farts through it, the only hangups are going to be bullet shape.

 

[huntsman]

For me there’s no magic number, I start with 2 boxes(100) shoot a few mags if there’s nothing to give me pause and accuracy is what I expect I may stop there or if I’m in the grove I may finish the box less one mag.

After a week or so I repeat my “test” if results are the same then I’ll buy more ammo, this time 4 boxes and continue to shoot a mag when I practice.

I can only afford to do this with cheaper jhp so I don’t even look at magic bullets.

FWIW I can’t remember the last time I had ammo issues whether it was jhp or cheap fmj plinking stuff.

 

[fastbolt]

How many defensive rounds do you test in your handgun?
Pretty self explanatory. How many hollow points do you run through your gun to test reliability? ...

Given my druthers?

If it's a major American ammo maker's line, and especially if it's something that's seen a fair amount of testing, or use for either duty or off-duty/secondary roles, I'm usually satisfied if I can run 25-50rds per magazine of it through my pistol (using at least 2 magazines). I also prefer to do the same thing with each new magazine I may acquire.

I'll often check random rounds now and again as I work my way through different commercial individual boxes, or cases, to check for any issues that may show up in different production lots. I'll visually inspect each round loaded into magazines for normal carry use.

Since I commonly use a few different "premium" type JHP's in my centerfire pistols (depending what's been issued or approved for use at my former agency), I'll often mix rounds in magazines during range sessions for confirmation of feeding/functioning, too.

Revolvers? If it's a major American ammo maker's line, I'm usually satisfied with a couple cylinder loads of rounds fired, checking for consistency of ignition, recoil/muzzle blast and POA/POI. I'll visually inspect each round loaded into cylinders and speedloaders/strips, for carry use.

 

[bullseye308]

The only thing I shoot are my loads, so I shoot about 6-800 per month for “function testing “ once I know they work I still shoot 6-800 per month to ensure they still function, are accurate, and I can still put them where they need to go.

I carry a stock Glock 9 with Glock mags and proven loads. I trust all my equipment with my life.

 

[bassjam]

It used to be just a box (25), recently I've upped that to 50 rounds. The few times I've noticed an issue it's always shown up in the first magazine or 2.

I also shoot the rounds that have been in my carry gun every year just in case sweat or anything has deteriorated them, so they do get a periodic check-up as well.

 

[MikeInOr]

I know some say not to do it for SD but I load my own. I use the same make of brass primer and bullet. Run it at recommend velocity for the bullet

I load my own self defence rounds for my .45 XDs (230gr Gold Dot bullets, Bullseye powder and Remington Primers). I know they are reliable and it allows me to practice with SD loads a LOT more than if I purchased SD loads. For my .380 I buy ammo... since I am not setup to load it.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

2 mags. I sleep like a baby. Heck, I only shoot my carry gun a few times a year.

 

[C0untZer0]

I test each magazine - a full mag and one in the chamber. So that could be from 14 rounds to 42 rounds depending on the gun.

 

[Varminterror]

Pretty self explanatory. How many hollow points do you run through your gun to test reliability? I run 100 at a minimum (typically 150-250) to verify reliability in my auto loaders. In a revolver it has been as few as 20, mostly checking for crimp jump in the lightweight snubs.

I know several people that only run 1 magazine of hollow points and call it good. I couldn't possibly feel confident in my defensive ammo/gun with so few rounds tested.

In reading this, it sounds like you're only shooting defensive rounds as a "pre-carry" test... You mean you feel confident in your defensive ammo/gun based on one or two sessions? Don't you shoot the same ammo in the same gun monthly, or more often, to maintain your proficiency with your defensive weapon and ensure your weapon is still in proper working order?

See what I did there?

 

[SteadyD]

In reading this, it sounds like you're only shooting defensive rounds as a "pre-carry" test... You mean you feel confident in your defensive ammo/gun based on one or two sessions? Don't you shoot the same ammo in the same gun monthly, or more often, to maintain your proficiency with your defensive weapon and ensure your weapon is still in proper working order?

See what I did there?

I don't see what you did there. Perhaps you can enlighten me?

 

[Jack B.]

Every week I run at least 100 rounds through my carry gun. Practice never stops.

 

[ILCornFarmer]

At least 50.

 

[bassjam]

I don't see what you did there. Perhaps you can enlighten me?

I think he was implying that one person's feeling of superiority based on their testing can always be scoffed at and one-upped by the next person.

 

[SteadyD]

I think he was implying that one person's feeling of superiority based on their testing can always be scoffed at and one-upped by the next person.

I certainly don't feel superior to anyone, I just feel more confident in the ammo/gun combo, and wouldn't feel confident with a small number of rounds tested. If anyone had the impression that I feel superior, or that I am scoffing, I apologize.

 

[hdwhit]

For the semi-automatics, once the load is developed I run a full magazine of all magazines I own for the gun. For my 45, this us two magazines, for my 9mm, three, etc.

This is not the end of function testing however because I regularly shoot SD loads so that I am building proficiency with what I will actually use, so with the passage of time the number grows into the hundreds or thousands (for everything except 25 ACP where scarcity keeps the round count in the dozens).

 

[Balrog]

I just bought a S&W M&P 45 v2.0 and have put 150 rounds of Federal HST and another 150 rounds of Federal Hydra-shock through it, with no malfunctions of any kind. I consider this gun to have passed the test.

 

[ray15]

I will have run a lot of FMJ and plated factory and handloads through the gun by this point to establish it's reliability. I use the 50 round SpeerLE boxes of gold dots. If I see no malfunctions and can hit my target I'm convinced after 2 mags in a 15-shot gun that the design of the ammunition is compatible. If the gun is new, I will run another 2 mags once it's thoroughly broken in or at any point if I see any change in the gun's behavior with other ammunition. From there I largely trust the QC of the manufacturer. Hopefully the relatively expensive defensive products are at least as reliable as $9/box Blazer Brass, of which I've run several thousand rounds through my guns with zero malfunctions.

I shoot out any defensive ammo I have every year or two and replace it with fresh stock which is tested the same way.

 

[bikerdoc]

Couple of boxes each mag at first and then every 3 months

 

[sota]

1000 of ball, and at least 100 of preferred carry ammo.
I haven't had to do it in a while though, since I now have my "carry group" of handguns settled and sorted (P30 x2 & P2000SK x1)

 

[BSA1]

My new and new-to-me semi-autos to be used for self-defense are tested first with 500 rounds of FMJ ammo that I reloaded. The gun must pass 500 rounds trouble free excluding non gun problems I can identify which is very rare.

After the gun passes this test (no point in shooting expensive ammo if the gun has not proven itself to be reliable) then I progress to shooting premium ammo. I currently am using Hornady124 gr. XTP American Gunner 9mm. I have tested Hornady Critical Defense and consider it good-to-go.

Waiting in the wings for testing is Hornady Critical Duty. Spare money is going into Christmas so it won't be until next year (most likely Spring. That North winter wind can be brutal) before I can run 200 rounds through my gun.

Hornady American Gunner is a excellent performer. I big plus is I wait and get it on sale from Cabelas so testing is not too expensive.

A bargain JHP that has excellent reviews is Winchester White Box 115 gr. JHP. Unfortunately no one around here stocks it so that means a Internet order. If I don't like it that means I am stuck with 999 rounds.

Since The Lady got her S&W M&P we are shooting a lot of FMJ 9mm so our guns are well broke in.

 

[jstert]

my centerfire handgun practice and defense rounds are the same: fmj or wadcutter; i have nothing else. what i take to the range is what i carry everyday. 45 years ago the army taught me with ball ammo and that is essentially what i stick with.

 

[rskent]

Couple of mags initially and a couple mags every month or so.

Pretty much this for me. I feel you have to make sure they run OK. And make sure they keep running. At the same time, I don’t see the point in shooting bunches of them.

Dont know... Dont use Hollow points as a defensive round (I can hear the gasps now)

I would be interested to hear why?

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

Pretty much this for me. I feel you have to make sure they run OK. And make sure they keep running. At the same time, I don’t see the point in shooting bunches of them.


I would be interested to hear why?

I carry .38 snubs I'd say about 90 percent of the time, the rest I am hunting and fishing and have a long gun. I have not seen in 10 years a snub load HP that is consistent in expansion results (yes I've seen insert whatever brand here) I prefer to use wadcutters or semi wadcutters in the winter after reading books on fighting with said guns in police shootings like Jim Cirillo, I want penetration first and foremost everything else is an additive I will say however Federals newer .38 micro which is basically a hollow based wadcutters plated and upside down is intriguing me.