Newbie Ammo Question ...

2975 Views 14 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Gregchico, Nov 20, 2006

cet

Discussion Starter · Oct 18, 2006

2

Hoping to get an M&P 9mm from Bud's when they get their next shipment in (overdue now) ...

Reading through the forum, it appears that Winchester White Box has presented some problems.

The best ammo buys I've seen in the threads worked out to around $0.17 or thereabout per round with orders of 1K rounds or greater.

Following the mantra, you should practice with what you intend to shoot, at least to a comfort level of accuracy and reliability, I wanted to find a JHP round that was inexpensive enough to practice with, but could do the job when it came to SD.

I've been looking at CheaperThanDirt and found the following Remington cartridges:

9mm 115-Gr JHP, 1135 fps, 100 Rds.

Item #: 34881

Our Low Price: $23.29

Remington - Mfr# L9MM1B

Being new to this, it sounds fairly reasonable at $0.23 per round ... Inexpensive enough to practice with for comfort, and a JHP round to boot.

Has anyone had any experience with this particular cartridge?

Are there any other recommendations for inexpensive 9mm rounds (practice & SD)?

Granted, I'd be hard pressed to spend $0.50 - 1.00 per round to practice with Hydras and other top-shelf cartridges on my meager budget.

Also, I was looking into the LaserLyte sub-compact and Quick Disconnect lasers, which can be had for about $115 and $85 respectively with a little bit of google price searching.

Does anyone have any experience with either? While the sub-compact is very low profile, I do like being able to quickly remove the laser from the rail ... perhaps to change batteries? I'd hate to have to dig out a tool to do so.

The LaserLyte discussion may get moved to another thread in a more appropriate category, but heck, I was on a roll, so I just kept typing!

Also, I'd really like to know if there are many Central Florida shooters over here. Please let me know. We're just starting out and would really like to have a few knowledgeable friends to say, "Hey, you're doing that wrong!" or "Here's a trick to make cleaning much easier!"

Thanks Much, Best Regards, and Happy Groupings!

Cet.

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G56

· #2 · Oct 18, 2006

That's basically a classic 9mm defense load, while there are newer designs that could be more effective, you have to balance that with the ability to practice with the load you carry, that's a good thing.

IMHO that's a pretty good compromise, my 2 cents...go for it.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/34881-46166-287.html

Jester

· #3 · Oct 19, 2006

What I try to do is save my pennys and buy a case of ammo, 500 rounds. Any dealer will usually give you a good discount too. I will shoot 200 of those in practice and reliability checking, and keep 300 for BU. I will cycle some through sometimes to get fresh loaded unchambered ammo, but that is it.

May I suggest against a quick disconnect laser. I have found in the past that they don't hold a zero, and are more of a PITA than worth it. Wait for crimson trace to come out with something.

cet

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 19, 2006

2

On the topic of lasers ...

I'd like to have one as an option, but Crimson Trace products are most likely beyond my budget (close to the price of the M&P itself from looking at web prices for similar grips).

I'm also a big fan of the stock M&P grips from just handling them. We'll see when I get a chance to rent one if the comfort factor remains.

For home SD, I want the lady-of-the-house to comfortably and successfully be able to hold her own if circumstances present themselves where I'm away or otherwise incapable of being the first line of defense.

Funny thing, she loves the sound deterrence of racking a shotgun, but is overly fearful of handling one ... I must say that as a newbie, I'm a bit intimidated by them as well.

Back to the laser ... I believe it would be an asset in a home SD situation, given nerves, etc. not to mention lack of time to find corrective eyewear.

If QD isn't the best approach, what are your thoughts on Laserlyte's sub-compact?

From their website description, does it sound like it will just slide onto the M&P 9's picatinny rail?

Anyone have one?

Thanks again!

Cet.

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Jester

· #5 · Oct 19, 2006

My father had one of those, the on/off button only works if you fool with it for 5 min, and the Adjuster screws fell out after 4 shot in a 40 S&W.

Get a good flash light that will attach to the pistol if you want a deterrent.

Not sure I follow on the corrective eye wear. Shooting from the hip with a laser will more than likely get you some powder in the face where shooting from eye level is less likely.

YukonGlocker

· #6 · Oct 19, 2006

For practice I usually use CCI Blazer.

For self defense you need to use the load you plan on carrying. I prefer the Speer Gold Dot. You can buy 50rd. boxes of Gold Dots pretty cheap from http://www.miragetechnologies.net/

I have used the Remington load you posted before. I don't care for it. It is really dirty shooting, and has a lot of muzzle flash.

JB426

· #7 · Oct 20, 2006

The WWB from walmart is really hard to beat. You'll be hard pressed to find anything cheaper and for the most part it performs very well for practice. Like YukonGlocker, I use the Speer Gold Dot from miragetechnologies. Excellent defense ammo at an excellent price.

G56

· #8 · Oct 20, 2006

If you go to a WalMart for WWB ammo, check to see if they have the 100 round box, it's a lot better deal than the 50 round box, twice as many rounds for about 50% more money.

cet

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 20, 2006

2

Continuing my Newbie Questions!

It sounds like some folks do and some folks don't have problems with the Winchester White Box cartridges. I don't see them on Walmart's website, but I guess I can make a call to the local store or supercenter.

My next question concerns the weight of the bullet. Being new to shooting, what would you suggest, the 115 or 124 grain for 9mm?

I've read that the 147 is prone to problems and isn't a good idea regardless of manufacturer.

Primary purpose of my "soon to be" purchased M&P 9mm is for home defense by either myself or the lady-of-the-house. We are both very new to firearms, and I'm sure she'll get enough range time to know how to handle the weapon, but I'll try to put a bit more under my belt for accuracy and reliability. Who knows, it might become a habit!

I'm guessing that the lighter rounds offer less recoil, which would probably be good for starters, but I'd really like to know more in order to make an informed choice and stick with a particular selection.

Thanks to all who've responded thus far.

I wasn't able to see pricing on the Speer Gold Dots on the Mirage Technologies website -- just the $155 for the Speer Lawman and $18 buy 2 get 1 FREE Anniversary Special on the Ranger LE. I'll have to factor in 7% sales tax and shipping since I'm here in Florida as well. Still a good deal?

Finally ... We've had breathing problems in the past, allergies, asthma, and the like, so we do want to be careful of potential irritants. I never knew that some rounds were cleaner than others. Any thoughts or suggestions on this?

Does using a particular cleaner round result in less frequently required handgun cleanings? I know, it's supposed to be every time you shoot, but hey, I'll be the first to admit, I do get lazy from time to time.

Thanks Again!

Cet.

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G56

· #10 · Oct 20, 2006

My next question concerns the weight of the bullet. Being new to shooting, what would you suggest, the 115 or 124 grain for 9mm?

There are a lot of different opinions on this, personally I prefer the 115 gr in 9mm, that's the classic bullet weight for that caliber.

Finally ... We've had breathing problems in the past, allergies, asthma, and the like, so we do want to be careful of potential irritants. I never knew that some rounds were cleaner than others. Any thoughts or suggestions on this?

If you are shooting at an indoor range it could be a problem, depending on the quality of ventilation at the range, if you have a problem at a particular range, if possible...try a different range, it might be better ventilated. Outdoors it shouldn't be a problem, also lead bullets shoot much dirtier than jacketed bullets, so you might avoid lead bullets. Most jacketed bullets shoot pretty clean, lead bullets really do a number on a pistol, the lead vaporizes to some extent and then the lube used makes a lot of smoke and leaves a lot of residue behind in the pistol.

YukonGlocker

· #11 · Oct 20, 2006

I prefer the 124gr.-127gr. in 9mm. I think it is the best ballistic compromise between 115gr. and 147gr. I have been very pleased with the middle weights in all of my ammo testing.

If you compare the same manufactures lineup, the 115gr. will usually have more felt recoil than the 147gr. load.

147gr. loads are not prone to problems in most guns. You won't have a problem with them in the M&P.

There are known quality problems with WWB; mostly with the 100 rd. packs. It's fine for range ammo, but that's it.

You have to call Mirage to get prices for most stuff. Their prices are usually very good. The Winchester Rangers are excellent also; right up there with Gold Dots.

Federal American Eagle is the cleanest shooting practice ammo I have found. Remington UMC is the dirtiest, stay away from that crap. CCI Blazer and WWB are usually pretty clean shooting, but not as clean as Am. Eagle. I think CCI is a little cleaner than WWB. If you have problems shooting any of this ammo, try Winchester WinClean. It is kind of expensive, but designed to be "clean". I would definitely try Federal American Eagle and Speer Lawman(a little expensive also, but clean) before I tried the WinClean. As long as you are in a well ventilated range or outside, you shouldn't have problems.

Keep the questions coming.

We can save you time and money!!!

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JB426

· #12 · Oct 21, 2006

Yeah, I was referring to the 100 round value packs at Walmart, which are $12.88 at my Walmart. They are 115 gr. FMJ and certainly primarily for target / practice. If you have a source in your area for some of the CCI Blazer or Fed. American Eagle then you may be able to get that for comparable prices.

I use the 124 gr. Speer Gold Dot, which I also think is a good compromise between the 115 and 147. For a 50 round box they are $16 at miragetechnologies. Locally it's about $16 for a 20 round box so even with shipping that's a heck of a deal.

cb900f

· #13 · Nov 19, 2006

Ammo Used

For practice, since I'm cheap, I use the .40 S&W WWB 165 gr. FMJ in 100 round boxes. I use the Winchester Ranger JHP for carry. They both shoot the same POE in my pistol so this combo works well. The big problem is getting your hands on the WWB ammo. My local Walmart stores (2) only order in 3 boxes at a time so I and the other .40 S&W shooters are always fighting over this meager supply. I buy the store out and it usually takes 2-3 weeks for them to get 3 more boxes. Gander Mountain also sells the Winchester White Box ammo but at a much higher price.

YukonGlocker

· #14 · Nov 20, 2006

I stocked up on WWB 165gr. FMJ 100rd. boxes when they went on sale at Bass Pro. I bought about 8 boxes for $13.99 per box.

Gregchico

· #15 · Nov 20, 2006

2

Re: On the topic of lasers ...

Back to the laser ... I believe it would be an asset in a home SD situation, given nerves, etc. not to mention lack of time to find corrective eyewear.

If QD isn't the best approach, what are your thoughts on Laserlyte's sub-compact?

From their website description, does it sound like it will just slide onto the M&P 9's picatinny rail?

Anyone have one?

Thanks again!

Cet.[/quote]

Try looking into the TLR-2 if you insist on a laser right now. At $200 delivered and you get a laser and a great light too. I use a TLR-1 now on my M&P and will be buying a TLR-2 after Christmas shopping is over and I can spend my money the way I want to again.

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