Any Harm Done By Using Cheap Ammo?

M

MIKE10538

New member
I was curious if by using cheaper "dirty" ammo like Wolff, PMC, Magtech etc.,is there any damage caused to the gun if it is cleaned after each use? :)
Thanks,
Mike
 
There should be no damage, there is some surplus that will give misfires and you'd have to check for barrel obstructions pt prevent bulging.

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Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
"If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"
 
Not here.

Shoot PMC .223 (as its a good deal at a local shop) without any problems at all.

Actually, its been 100% reliable and accurate too!

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God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!

oberkommando sez:
"We lost the first and third and now they are after the Second!(no pun intended)"
 
The only stuff that I have heard of actually being bad for the gun is some of the military stuff. I think this is due to the corrosive primers that they use. Anyway, the people over at makarov.com recommend soaking the gun in boiling water for a few minutes prior to cleaning since this will dissolve the acid residue left behind. Of course this is only for the corrosive stuff. They recommend boiling water because the gun dries faster. They also recommend doing this as soon as possible after shooting.

As for the cheap factory ammo, the worse thing about it is the nasty smell of all the smoke it makes. My room mate bought some cheap .38 special stuff called Condor or Concord or something like that. It was packeged with 50 shells poured loose in the box like they do with .22 ammo (actually .22 ammo is pakaged better since all the bullets face straight up or down). This stuff was the foulest smokinest stuff I had ever seen. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought that he was shooting his black powder 1860 Colt revolver and not his .357 magnum.

Good shooting.
 
No problems using inexpensive ammo. You might spend longer cleaning the gun; some of this stuff is pretty dirty (Wolf, from what I hear, is messy).

Problems using poorly made ammo. Of course. I stick to stuff I know has a good rep.
 
Of the brands you mention, I only use PMC in my pistols. Inconsistent cartridge loading can produce nasty explosions. Speer Lawman ammo can also be had for a good price. Consider buying in bulk for better prices on quality ammo.

Regards,

Ledbetter
 
My concern with Wolf is not dirt but overloads, which certainly can harm the firearm (not to mention the shooter). There have been several TFL threads that mentioned Wolf rounds with apparent double-loads of powder. That's plainly dangerous.

And it begs an important question: Why risk an injury and/or damage to a fine -- and expensive -- firearm, when quality ammo (S&B for one example) is readily available and almost as cheap?
 
My favorite gunsmith justtold me a couple of days ago that WOlf Steel Jacket ammo is not very good for an auto pistol. It is fine in an AK... I will take him at his word, since he gives good advice. I have had no problems with PMP, PMC, or S&B, and have put 1000's of rounds thru my Glock. I buy whichever of 3 is best deal.

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galt
Speak Out on the Net http://www.netcitizen.org
 
Just for Sh*ts and giggles, I pulled a bullet from a round of Wolf 9mm. Ain't no room for a double charge in the case. Powder comes right up to the base of the bullet.

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Good shootin to ya
Plateshooter
 
Plateshooter,

I appreciate your disassembly of the Wolf 9x19 round and the information you provided.

Just for giggles myself, I went to the TFL archives and found several threads with some posts that are critical of Wolf ammunition. Two of the most comprehensive are: [Link to invalid post] [Link to invalid post]

What is really amusing, however, was my discovery that you reported a possible problem with Wolf ammo last February ;) ;) (your quotation follows):
"I have used about 2 cases of Wolf 9mm in a Ruger P89, a Taurus 92, and a Hi Point carbine. It seems hot, had huge muzzle flash but is very accurate in my guns. I did have a case blow out in a P89 with the first box of ammo I tried, but I don't know if it was the gun, or the ammo. Ruger replaced the barrel and ejector at no cost, and the gun had shot at least 1000 rounds since with no problems.
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Good shootin to ya
Plateshooter"

Therefore, based on your post and others, I will continue to stay away from Wolf.


[This message has been edited by RWK (edited September 14, 2000).]
 
Howdy RWK, Your right, I did have a problem that "may" have been the ammo. I think we can find articles that are critical of any gun or ammo on this board. I guess the bottom line is do you want to go with the positive articles, or the negative ones. That's why this board is so great. We can get the benefit of many peoples experiences. I just had to check the double charge report. I've been reloading 9mm for many years, and most of the loads fill the case or are compressed. I thought maybe those Ruskies were using some left over reground artillery propellant or something. (it does smell like a barn yard when you shoot it.) Thanks for the search articles, I appreciate your efforts.

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Good shootin to ya
Plateshooter
 
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