Why big price diff between Remington 380 ball and Rem-UMC 380 ball?

D

DG45

New member
Is Remington 380 ball ammo, Remington product # R380AP (at $33.50 per box of 50) worth the $15.50 more it costs than Remington-UMC 380 ball ammo, product #L380AP (which costs $18.00 per box of 50?) If so, why? Are there head spacing questions with the UMC stuff? Feeding problems in autos? The stats quoted for both rounds are identical; 955 fps and 190 ft. lbs.of energy.

I've used Rem-UMC 45 ball in my old S&W Brazilian contract Revolver revolver for years, with no problems ever noted, but head spacing isn't the kind of issue in my revolver that it can be in semi-autos. Right now, I'm using the expensive Remington stuff in my Kel Tec P3AT because I don't want any feeding/ejection problems, but I hate paying that huge price difference. Anybody have any experience with the UMC 380 in a P3AT?

(The prices I've shown are those that were advertised online today at Outdoor Outfitters).
 
Well, Remingtons site states they're made with the same components and quality. I'd try a box of the cheaper stuff to see how the gun does with it. If no problems, then I'd switch.

Jim
 
Thats a really good question. Brass quality? Head space? I would contact Remington to get a definitive answer. FWIW I have only used American Eagle 95gr FMJ in my LCP with no gun related problems. The only 2 "jams" I ever had were shooting one handed (weak hand) on the first box. I was probably limp wristing it, as I have been able to do the same thing ever since with no more problems.
 
I can't imagine that they are worth the extra $15. I'd buy a box of the UNC and give them a shot. I've never had an issue with the UNC ammo other than it's a tad bit dirtier than some of the other stuff.

You've got to clean it any way so no harm at all.
 
Same brass mill, headspace is not likely to be a problem
Roundnose bullets, feeding is likely to be as good with one as the other.

Cheaper powder in UMC might give more muzzle flash and velocity might not be as consistent. Lighter QC might let an odd UMC get through.

I'd keep a box of the high priced spread for carry and practice with the cheap stuff. Or do you get in so many gunfights that the price of ammunition is a factor?
 
It's all just marketing! If they can convince you that one ammo is better then another and you "Buy" it then they are more then happy to take your money.

Many businesses offer then same product in different packaging at different prices to meet different markets and peoples budgets.

Generic does not always mean a lesser product!
 
Xfire... I would love to see some examples of who uses that business strategy. I would be interesting.
 
I would love to see some examples of who uses that business strategy.
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Store brand groceries are always like that. Even though they are cheaper and not more expensive the stores get a bigger margin on them. They are marketed in such a way to get you to buy them, usually eye level on the store shelves, money back guarantee, etc.
 
I would love to see some examples of who uses that business strategy. I would be interesting.
Click to expand...

"Branding" is used all the time. Clothes with a brand tag on them can sell for XX amount of money where the same clothes without the brand tag on them are sold at the discount stores for much less but they ARE the same minus the tags!

This is done throughout the world on everything from food to computers.

HKFan9, you need to be a better shopper!:rolleyes:
 
It's called marketing.....

My father worked 40+ years for Safeway Stores (back then the world's largest grocery chain). Much of his career was in Grocery Merchandising.

Safeway's source for its store brand products..............the national brands. The ONLY difference was the packaging.
Godchaux Sugar- same sugar as in the Safeway Store "store brand"
Bush's Beans- yep, same beans in the store brand
Store brand soft drinks were bottled at Coca Cola or Seven Up bottlers, but DID NOT use the same recipes for cola, lemon lime, etc.


Handgun ammo seems to be merchandised the same way.
 
No Jim, I don't get in that many gunfights; never been in one in fact. Just try to be careful with my money, get value for it, and not foolishly pay almost double for one product if another is just as good. But, is it just as good? That is the question.

I used UMC 230 grain ball 45 ACP ammo in moon clips in my old S&W 45 revolver until the last couple of years when Black Hills and a couple of other ammo manufacturers began making some better loads in 45 Auto Rim. (That's a rimmed revolver cartridge made to fit revolvers that are chambered for 45 ACP.) I never had a problem with the UMC stuff though, other than it was plain vanilla ball and required moon clips. I still use it for target shooting and back-up HD duty.

I just wanted to know if anyone was successfully using UMC 380 ammo in their semi-auto mouse gun, because while revolvers will shoot almost anything, semi-autos are notoriously finiky about what they are fed, which seems to go double for mouse guns. Ammo that is just slightly out of spec can cause jams, ftfs, and/or fte's in a tiny automatic.

I'm not sure UMC and Remington ammo is really made in the same factory to the same tolerances and with the same level of quality control. I thought UMC was made in Arkansas somewhere and Remington was made somewhere else. Could be wrong though.
 
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