Quick question - Al Blazer 230 FMJ OK for 1911?

[dmallind]

I have a new SW1911PD Commander size. CCI Blazer FMJ ammo runs really well through my Glock 9mm but I am somewhat concerned over the 1911s reputation for being a pickier eater. Any problems using aluminum cased FMJs in this thing with either stock or CMC magazines?

Thanks!

 

[halvey]

but I am somewhat concerned over the 1911s reputation for being a pickier eater.

That's internetlore from Glock Talk

The blazer runs fine in 1911's.

 

[dmallind]

Well in all honesty it's also from the caveats on the CMC magazines that say 1911s in general work better with barrels designed for specific ammo and mag combinations - although they say round nose and length are the important factors I thought I'd check. Bit of CYA on CMCs part I think

Thanks though - Natchez has a nice special on these for $140/1000 so I think I'll grab some.

 

[Aleko]

Blazer is OK for range ammo where 100% reliability is not a must. I've shot a few cases of it in both 9mm and .45ACP, it worked OK, but I've had some problems with bullet setback during feeding from a magazine due to not enough crimp. I've also seen a few primers pressured out of the case by burning powder. Because of that, I personally decided not to use Blazer anymore. YMMV.

 

[dmallind]

Which brings up two more points......

1 - Are JHPs really more prone to FTFs in 1911s or is this CMC covering themselves against potential complaints? This will be a carry gun in the winter at least so I'd like to use JHPs if possible.

2 - Somewhat off the cuff question but I suppose it's relevant and somebody must know. The range I go to, like all of them I suspect, sweeps up the cases from those who do not relaod and shoves them into a barrel to sell to a metal recycler. Do Al cases go in the same barrel or does some poor range worker have to sort the damn things out?

 

[at-home-daddy]

Blazer is about all I use for range practice...though I have switched to Blazer Brass for no other reason that I like the look better and they seem to eject in a more consistent pattern (the aluminum seems to have a more scattered ejection pattern). But before I switched, I use the aluminum stuff in 230-grain FMJ for a good year, and had no problems whatsoever.

 

[Frandy]

I've put 500 rounds of blazer with the alum cases through my Dan Wesson Patriot without a hiccup.

 

[stans]

I have shot aluminum cased Blazer with no problems, others have reported extraction problems, possibly due to the lighter weight aluminum case. As for hollowpoints in the 1911, some feed them just fine, some will snag the hollow cavity on the feed ramp and need a little work. Most modern 45 ACP hollowpoints feature a bullet with a rounded ogive for improved feeding. Hollowpoints of the 1970's through the early 1990's often featured truncated cone style bullets and I think these were among the most problematic.

 

[BluesBear]

I buy .45acp ammo 500 rounds at a time. I either buy Blazer Aluminum or Wolf depending on which is cheaper at that point in time. In the past two and a half years I have fired at least 5000 rounds of each and have yet to have ANY problems with either.


But then I use good magazines and my pistol is properly sprung.

 

[Berg01]

I have the full-size SW1911 with the adjustable sights, and I have put plenty of the regular aluminum cased Blazer, and the Blazer Brass through it with zero problems. I'm a big Blazer fan, especially the Blazer Brass.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Blazer for street carry.

The possible problem of case tension has been mentioned,and I have seen bullets displaced in aluminum Blazer cased .38 Special. I will not rely on Blazer in my revolvers, .38 or, especially, the magnums. I believe the auto cartridges use a cement (asphaltum??) in connection with the taper crimp.

My concern is with ammo that remains in a magazine for weeks at a time. Once the factory coating on the Al cases begins to wear off, or if ANY degree of oxidation sets in, the friction of one case against another is greatly increased. I worry that this could effect functioning. I've shot several thousand rounds of 9mm Blazer Al cased ammo in practice, and it has always worked properly in Glocks, Browning HPs, and a Kahr. I've only fired a few hundred rounds of .45 ACP and .40, though. My practice or match ammo only stays loaded in magazines for a short time. I'm willing to accept this limitation for range use. For personal defense, though, I use factory ammo with brass or nickle plated cases.

Yes, I believe in rotating carry ammo frequently. Sometimes, though, I simply take out the carry magazine, reload with range ammo for training or practice, and then reload with carry ammo. I may go for some time before shooting up the street loads, so I never use Blazer for that purpose.

Best,
Johnny

 

[mattk]

I have shot thousands of rounds of Blaser through a bunch of guns. I used it when I shot L10 at IPSC matches. Works well but its kind of hotly loaded and dirty. I have found it to be reliable and accurate though.

 

[DelayedReaction]

For plinking it's great stuff. You can't get .45ACP much cheaper than $8 a box (www.natchzess.com), and I've already gone through about 2000 rounds of the stuff in the last three months. I've had maybe 20 FTEs in total, which is pretty good for plinking ammo. Since replacing the extractor with a Brown Hardcore I haven't had a single problem, but I've only fired 200 rounds.

Mind you those 20 FTEs include rounds fired by new shooters. I think it's very good ammunition.

 

[dmallind]

Thanks all - and Delayed you may want to head back to Natchez. Right now if you buy 20 boxes they are 6.99 apiece - I have 1000 on the way.

 

[Berg01]

Blazer for street carry.

Hold up a minute...nobody said we were considering using Blazer for a CCW; its good basic range practice ("blasting") ammo! Defensive .45 ACP ammo is a whole 'nother subject. But here's an idea; Cor Bon 165gr Pow'Rball 45ACP +P in that 1911Sc will get it done for you!

 

[dogngun]

I have used Blazer in .45ACP, .44Mag, .44Spl, 9mm, .357mag, 38spl, and .25ACP. I have not had any problems with any of it in any pistol. I have on occasion used it for carry ammo, again with no reliability problems.

One thing - Keltec recommends that their pistols ( the P32, anyway) be used with brass cased ammo only because of possible FTE)

Mark

 

[dmallind]

Nah Berg I'm no ballistics guru by any shot but I couldn't pass up the specs on the Doubletap Ammo 200gr JHP for the carry load.

Yes just to restate I intend to use the Blazers only for range plinking - although I suspect plinking is possibly the incorrect word for .45 even in practice rounds!

 

[YammyMonkey]

I've used blazers, CCC remans, Wolf and a bunch of other random ammo in my SA nd Kimber 1911's with zero problems. Have yet to find any type of ammo that won't feed in my guns with the exception of the 200gr Speer Gold Dots that would occasionally get hung up on the feed ramp.