Defensive ammo

J

jaytothekizzay

New member
Hey guys, Im just tryin to get some other opinions on cycling Defensive ammo. Ive had 2 mags loaded to capacity with Speer gold dot HP. For use in my carry gun. Ive been carrying with these rounds for about 5 years now, and im planning on shooting them out and replacing them soon. I seem to cycle my defendive rounds about every 4-5 years... what do you guys think about that??? Good idea? Or not necessary?
 
After 5 years, I'd say shooting the ammo is a good idea. Even though the bullets may not be damaged, there have been instances of primer failures related to continual chambering/ejecting live ammo off the top of the mag. In addition, if you live in a climate where temps get cold and your gun/ammo goes through hot/cold cycles, there's a chance of powder degradation due to moisture condensation within the case.
Due to my specific circumstances, I seldom unload/reload my carry pistol plus the way I carry pretty well keeps the pistol from going through heat/cold cycles. I only change ammo 1-2 times per year and (at this point) have not had a problem with bullets being pushed into the case, primer failure, or powder degradation.
 
Every time I go to the range I'll run my carry ammo first. Then go with practice ammo. Top off with carry ammo before leaving. Revolvers same as the pistols. Don't know if that's necessary, but that's how I do it.
 
More often

I have read from some of the gurus that you should rotate your stock every 6 months. Shoot it and then replace with new. Don't know if you really need to do it that often but that's the standard that I have adopted. Does it make a difference? Who knows, but by shooting the actual carry loads that frequently you can see if there is a different point of impact than with your training loads.
 
I shoot and replace at two year intervals and I have never had a failure of the defensive ammo. Some people are adamant about doing it at shorter intervals; I have seen posts about doing it monthly even, but the cost of the ammo deserves consideration. I am not sure I would be comfortable with five years, but in the next breath I will say that my bet would be no failures when you shoot it.
 
I change mine every 6 months or less. Yes it is expensive, but not as expensive as a funeral....sorry couldn't help with the melodrama...
 
IMO, cycling defensive ammo every 4 to 5 years for a carry weapon is too long. I cycle primary centerfire every few months and BUG 22LR every week in warmer months and every couple of weeks in cooler weather.
 
^ this, I try and shoot my carry ammo monthly... and if I can't, it will get removed from the mags and placed in Tupperware container. Once I get 80-100 rounds I'll use it at a small local match with my carry gun.

I don't think most people practice enough, and most don't shoot there carry ammo due to the cost :( I buy defensive ammo by the case or 1/2 case if I can swing it. Soon I'll be reloading with the same bullet at a similar velocity :)
 
Well I shot off my 2 mags worth today. Every round went downrange with zero problems. I took advantage of some good prices and bought 100 rounds of defensive ammo, and plan to cycle it more frequently. Probably gonna go for cycling twice a year.
 
Every round went downrange with zero problems
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Guess my 3 year old Speer Gold Dots are good for another couple of years. :D

I rarely cycle the self defense rounds through the pistol, pay close attention to possible set back and don't worry if they will go bang when needed. Of course, I've fired off paper shotgun shells that were likely older than I am, with no problems.

Way I figure, the premimum cost of good self defense ammo should mean a tad longer life along with a good bullet.
 
I have a friend who works for the local PD in the their firearms unit and they change ammo once a year and said there are others that do it less frequently than that. As far as reliability in incumbent weather he told me they took a box of 50 rounds of their duty ammunition and placed it in a bucket of water for 24 hours and then shot it with no failures. Not sure if you can can more moisture than left in water for 24 hours. Not sure exactly which ammo that was exactly as of right one but I know it was a Federal JHP. Point is a high quality ammunition should hold up to the elements fairly well.
 
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Annually

I replace my carry ammo every beginning of winter. Which, thanks to this post, reminds me that I need to do that as soon as I'm finished here.

I live in a warm climate. And I'm in a situation where I often need to lock my carry weapon in a container under the seat in the hot car during the day. Not to mention the extra mag. The culprit (IMO) is heat. If I lived in a cool climate, it wouldn't concern me so much. But either way, I'd probably replace it annually just the same.
 
FWIW, our local police dept. requires new ammo once a year. Does it get cycled out more often due to duty use or practice? Maybe, but likely not. Either way all service weapons and magazines are topped off with new ammo every Jan. Nobody seems to know what happens to all the "old" ammo. :rolleyes:
 
FWIW, our local police dept. requires new ammo once a year. Does it get cycled out more often due to duty use or practice? Maybe, but likely not. Either way all service weapons and magazines are topped off with new ammo every Jan. Nobody seems to know what happens to all the "old" ammo.
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We shot our old ammo during quals...then topped off with new once a year. That way we got to shoot our Duty ammo for function and POI check. Good system
 
5 years seems like way too long for anything to be sitting in one place. Im not an engineer and have no idea of the science, but I would not leave them in there 5 years speaking personally. Even if the manufacturer of the ammo and the firearm states it would be good after 5 years I still wouldnt leave it in there that long.

The other question is how often do you practice with it? Shouldnt you practice with the firearm and ammo you intend on shooting in defensive situations?
 
I change defense ammo every month.

It's a small price to pay for possibly your life.

5 years is WAY too long IMHO. The powder can settle and the primers can absorb moisture in the air in that amount of time, yes even if "sealed". Ultimately it's your choice, but when the time comes to use that ammo you will hear the loudest sound you will ever hear... which is not a 'BANG' but a 'click'.
 
You are right about practice... cycling defensive ammo will enable to practice with it more often... I am definitely guilty of not practicing with my defensive ammo enough
 
I have some .45 ball that is pushing 30 years old, and it still works the same as if I'd bought it last week. It's stored outside in an unheated garage, and can go through daily freeze/thaw cycles.

I shoot a couple rounds of my Gold Dot carry ammo once a year or so, but that's mainly to flush those top two rounds that get chambered repeatedly.
 
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