Sturmpanzer
Moderator
Anyone tried this stuff out? The gun mags are all in a tizzy about this ammo, but I never trust them.. Has anyone used this new ammo? Is it reliable?..etc....
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New ARX polymer 9mm ammo..
- Thread starter Sturmpanzer
- Start date
I've only tested it in one gun (Bond Bullpup9), but it's been 100% reliable for me so far (just over 100 rounds).
It definitely recoils less than standard 9mm rounds.
It has amazing performance in gel tests compared to traditional defensive rounds, particularly when fired from a short-barreled pistol (where some hollowpoint rounds fail to expand reliably). Whether that translates to performance in real tissue is still hotly debated.
It does not appear to perform well against barriers (doors, windows, etc) because of the extreme light weight of the bullet.
If you can find the version marketed by Ruger, it tends to be relatively inexpensive compared to other quality defensive rounds, so you can try it without breaking the bank...
It definitely recoils less than standard 9mm rounds.
It has amazing performance in gel tests compared to traditional defensive rounds, particularly when fired from a short-barreled pistol (where some hollowpoint rounds fail to expand reliably). Whether that translates to performance in real tissue is still hotly debated.
It does not appear to perform well against barriers (doors, windows, etc) because of the extreme light weight of the bullet.
If you can find the version marketed by Ruger, it tends to be relatively inexpensive compared to other quality defensive rounds, so you can try it without breaking the bank...
TruthTellers
New member
If we're talking about the ammo across all calibers, not just 9mm, I think it works. It's not the best defensive ammo out there, except in .380 where I do think it is the best because most .380 ammo is going to suffer from low expansion or no expansion. With .380 ARX, expansion isn't a concern and it penetrates pretty well.
With all the other choices in .38, .357, 9mm, .40, .45 and whatever else, there's better ammo out there for defense. There are good hollow points that will expand under a variety of circumstances, will penetrate very well, cause a lot more damage than this ARX ammo does.
The few benefits the ARX has is it should be reliable in feeding because it has a smooth bullet profile and it will have a bit less recoil.
I'm not too sure that the fluted nose stuff really means anything or does anything because the bullet weighs so little and is moving faster than traditional bullets are that once they hit tissue, they tumble, so the flutes aren't doing anything. Makes me wonder if the "practice" ammo wouldn't be a better choice given it costs half as much and you can practice more with the exact same ammo as you carry.
Overall, I like that the ammo exists, I think it has redeeming value, especially in .380. If overpenetration inside a dwelling is a concern, this ammo is frangible, so shooting through a wall will probably shatter the bullet and be less of a danger to others. It does significantly more damage than FMJ ammo does, but not as much as a hollow point does, so it's sort of in the middle there.
If you wanted to stock up on a lot of 9mm for whatever reason and you wanted an effective ammunition that did more damage than FMJ, but didn't want to spend the money on a bunch of JHP, this is an option.
It will do the same amount of damage out of a super short barrel as it will out of a full size barrel. So, for something like the 9mm LCR snub revolver, this would probably be one of the best choices to carry. Maybe the reduced recoil will prevent that bullet crimp people talk about in the 9mm LCR? Even in short barrel pistols, like 3 inch barrels, it will do fine.
So, yeah, there are some good reasons to keep this ammunition in mind. I do think though, that more traditional ammunition should be tested with first because I just think a hollow point is going to stop an attacker faster, more effectively than the ARX/Polycase ammo will, but that doesn't mean I think the ARX/Polycase ammo is a horrible choice. I just think there are some drawbacks to it that keep it from becoming this new wonder bullet.
With all the other choices in .38, .357, 9mm, .40, .45 and whatever else, there's better ammo out there for defense. There are good hollow points that will expand under a variety of circumstances, will penetrate very well, cause a lot more damage than this ARX ammo does.
The few benefits the ARX has is it should be reliable in feeding because it has a smooth bullet profile and it will have a bit less recoil.
I'm not too sure that the fluted nose stuff really means anything or does anything because the bullet weighs so little and is moving faster than traditional bullets are that once they hit tissue, they tumble, so the flutes aren't doing anything. Makes me wonder if the "practice" ammo wouldn't be a better choice given it costs half as much and you can practice more with the exact same ammo as you carry.
Overall, I like that the ammo exists, I think it has redeeming value, especially in .380. If overpenetration inside a dwelling is a concern, this ammo is frangible, so shooting through a wall will probably shatter the bullet and be less of a danger to others. It does significantly more damage than FMJ ammo does, but not as much as a hollow point does, so it's sort of in the middle there.
If you wanted to stock up on a lot of 9mm for whatever reason and you wanted an effective ammunition that did more damage than FMJ, but didn't want to spend the money on a bunch of JHP, this is an option.
It will do the same amount of damage out of a super short barrel as it will out of a full size barrel. So, for something like the 9mm LCR snub revolver, this would probably be one of the best choices to carry. Maybe the reduced recoil will prevent that bullet crimp people talk about in the 9mm LCR? Even in short barrel pistols, like 3 inch barrels, it will do fine.
So, yeah, there are some good reasons to keep this ammunition in mind. I do think though, that more traditional ammunition should be tested with first because I just think a hollow point is going to stop an attacker faster, more effectively than the ARX/Polycase ammo will, but that doesn't mean I think the ARX/Polycase ammo is a horrible choice. I just think there are some drawbacks to it that keep it from becoming this new wonder bullet.
The 9mm version is the only one I've personally fired so far. I would agree that it would likely be great for .380 though. I'll need to try that.
The lighter recoil is certainly a plus. It does seem to be quite accurate. I can't see it ever being better than HP's but I'll probably always have a few on hand.
The lighter recoil is certainly a plus. It does seem to be quite accurate. I can't see it ever being better than HP's but I'll probably always have a few on hand.
wild cat mccane
New member
What about the Lehigh Defense all copper version which came first? It also includes a normal weighted round-ie, in .380 there is the all copper 65gr and a 90gr. Comes in a deeper diving Defense and less penetrating Defender.
TruthTellers
New member
That stuff is pretty expensive, more so than than the Polycase. I've seen gel tests of it too and the bullet also tumbles, so it does the same damage and roughly the same penetration.What about the Lehigh Defense all copper version which came first? It also includes a normal weighted round-ie, in .380 there is the all copper 65gr and a 90gr. Comes in a deeper diving Defense and less penetrating Defender.
The 90 grain probably doesn't tumble because of its weight, but it overpenetrates.
wild cat mccane
New member
As I stated previously, Lehigh has two version: deep penetrator Defense and standard penetrator Defender.
Defense: 17"
Defender: 14"
Shape of bullet is different.
Defense: 17"
Defender: 14"
Shape of bullet is different.