Cheap 9mm Ammo?

T

traumac

Inactive
Hello, complete noob to handguns and this forum. This is a great way for me to learn. I have been to range several times, instruction, CCW etc. Purchased a glock 19 which works ok for now.

Found some relatively cheap ammo on natchezss.com: CCI Blazer 9mm Luger 115gr FMJ Ammunition 50/box, $13.99. (When they were out of stock, it was on sale for $10.99 a box, LOL).

My question is whether I have to worry about the lower cost. Have seen some posts about dirtier ammo (esp. Wolf), but how am I to know? thanks, sorry if this is basic, couldn't find post on this ammo and prices, although this page is linked in a previous post. Basically how do I know what is worth the reduced price or is most ammo the same (for range practice):confused:
 
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I've shot several thousand rounds of Wolf 9mm through my Glocks and have had no problems with it.

That said, the Winchester USA (white box) stuff from wal-mart is usally about the cheapest. ~$20.00 per hundred rounds in my area.
 
A local Wal-Mart has been stocking Federal 9mm FMJ for $9.97 per 50, not unusual per other TFL members. Makes it hard to justify reloading 9mm for $5 per 50 plus the time to do so.
 
Our local walmart is starting to get some of the winchester white box back in from time to time. Price also seems to be coming back down on it ever so slowly.....
 
The Federal or Winchester stuff is way better than the super cheap stuff, especially the trash from Pakistan from Sportsmans Guide. Most of the time you get what you pay for, or less. Shoot away and enjoy this.
 
I would try and stay with brass cases also. Most of the lower end ammo is a little dirty / but in general, not as dirty as Wolf. Wolf is almost like shooting black powder ...

Some ranges will not let you shoot any aluminum or steel cases / especially indoor ranges - and many of them will only let you shoot jacketed ammo as well. No soft nose lead bullets, etc ....

As you get into this a little more / don't overlook reloading as an option - a press like the Dillon Square Deal B is a very good handgun ammo press. My 9mm reloads right now / even with the cost of bullets, primers and powder being up is still around $ 12 / 100 rounds. So you can still save a lot of money reloading - if you like to reload. Most progressive presses - can easily turn out 12 - 20 boxes of 50 rds an hour....
 
The cost and scarcity of 9mm locally pushed me to start reloading/casting a few months ago. Now I have the stuff coming out of my ears!:p

And don't think it's expensive to reload. Aside from primer/powder costs, my reloading equipment totalled $120. Casting stuff, probably $100.
 
wow

Great answers. thanks. unlike other forums (forae?), you guys are welcoming noobs. nice refreshing change.

I will chk out Walmart and the next local gunshow (at the very least I can eat a turkey leg and enjoy elk jerky).

I still don't understand: what is the problem with steel cases (other than no trade in value). Do they not shoot well?
 
I still don't understand: what is the problem with steel cases (other than no trade in value). Do they not shoot well?
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There's worry that steel cased ammo, when it comes in contact with the aluminum internals of the firearm, may cause damage.
Also, some firearms don't cycle steel cased ammo reliably. They become "jam-o-matics."
 
From a different angle to your title - the cheapest, and best, 9mm is the stuff you reload yourself.

That being said - Winchester White Box is decent, as is some of the Euro brands like S&B, Fiocchi, etc., many of whom are now being made in the US
 
ammo

I've read a few posts about 9mm vs. .45 or .380 concerning which is best for home defense. What about the old tried and true .38 cal. Is it pretty much a thing of the past as far as revolvers are concerned ? I have Taurus 9mm,.357 Colt,.22Rugers.But I think my S&W .38's are my favorite.Thanks for listening to an old dog.
 
I still don't understand: what is the problem with steel cases (other than no trade in value). Do they not shoot well?
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Almost all small arms ammunition was designed to be brass cased not steel. The change of materials has a few effects on performance that mostly relate to gas seals and cartridge extraction.

(1) When a cartridge is fired a brass case will expand to seal the chamber and prevent gas from blowing around the case. So will steel. The difference is that as the pressure drops, the brass case will actually shrink back from the chamber walls. Most steels don't do this, they expand and stay expanded. This means with a steel case you either have to apply more force to yank a steel case from the chamber or seal the breach more loosely to start with.

(2) Steel is stronger and harder than brass. This means that the cartridge rim is stronger and harder on steel cases. The steel case rim won't deform as much as brass putting more load on the extractor. It also is harder and so while brass cases can be used as a sacrificial wear part, this doesn't work so well with steel. Combined with the fact that you may have to pull the case harder to extract it and you can get premature part wear or breakage.
 
So why don't some indoor ranges let people use steel cased bullets?

I can see if its for use in rental guns, but otherwise is there some reason for this.

My range bans all wolf ammo.
 
So why don't some indoor ranges let people use steel cased bullets?

I can see if its for use in rental guns, but otherwise is there some reason for this.

My range bans all wolf ammo.
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They probably sell the cases that are left after shooters leave and do not want to separate the steel cases out.
 
"I've shot several thousand rounds of Wolf 9mm through my Glocks and have had no problems with it.

That said, the Winchester USA (white box) stuff from wal-mart is usally about the cheapest. ~$20.00 per hundred rounds in my area."

I agree I've never har a single misfire with wolf that's not gun related, perfect range ammo.
 
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