The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: scott.ballard on March 09, 2010, 09:53:42 AM
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Hello All,
It seems that Spring is fast approaching and like the batteries in the smoke detector, and those in your radon detector for those in the People's Republik of MA, it is time to change carry ammunition.
I'm wondering what you may think about a few things:
1) How often do you refresh the ammunition you have in your carry/defense guns?
2) How often do you replace the springs in your carry/defense magazines? Including shotgun tubes and rifle/carbine mags.
3) Do you shoot off your old carry/defense ammunition as part of your practice sessions?
4) Do you "Drop Check," your carry/defense ammunition before loading it in the magazine? Drop checking is the practice of checking the fit of each round by stripping the barrel out of the semi-auto pistol and manually placing each round in the chamber to check for fit.
5) Do you use different ammunition in colder weather environments?
6) Do you reload a round which has been previously chambered, back into the rotation or is it relegated to practice once it has been chambered?
7) How often do you clean your carry/defense weapon(s)?
I replace my carry/defense ammunition and springs in the Spring and the Fall. I drop check every round before I load it for potential use. I clean my carry/defense guns every week and I never reload a carry/defense round once it has been chambered. That ammunition is checked for set back and then used for practice if it appears safe.
What are your thoughts and practices?
Please feel free to break any item off to a separate thread if you like. However, if you do, please let us know the new title.
Thank you for your insights!
Stay Safe,
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Well, let's see now...in no particular order.
Nope I don't switch out my carry ammo unless it looks like it is bad (setback) and I might get new if I'm able to find enough of the same lot#.
Nope again, I do not chamber check. I have shot enough of it to feel confident.
I shoot IDPA with my primary CCW gun and deep clean once a year and wipe off the heavy stuff and lube after IDPA. My secondary revo and pocket gun will be shot and checked and cleaned regularly depending on how often I am able to get to the range (DAMN SNOW).
I haven't had to change springs because they remain 100% during matches.
I have settled on certain loads and do not carry special cold weather ammo at this time except a reload of ball for my semi and pocket gun. Will be looking at cold weather/heavy clothing ammo for the revo in the future. It is not +P rated so I am limited.
The opinions expressed above are mine and in no way reflect those of the management or any other forum member. They are based on my experience and mine alone!
JMNSHO
Richard
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The opinions expressed above are mine and in no way reflect those of the management or any other forum member. They are based on my experience and mine alone!
JMNSHO
Richard
Atleast he stayed away from "Your mileage may vary" and "Real men carry full size 1911s even in the shower"
;D
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Atleast he stayed away from "Your mileage may vary" and "Real men carry full size 1911s even in the shower"
;D
I bring my 1911 into the shower with me. That's why I want Ruger to make a polymer one. ;D
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Well, let's see now...in no particular order.
Nope I don't switch out my carry ammo unless it looks like it is bad (setback) and I might get new if I'm able to find enough of the same lot#.
Nope again, I do not chamber check. I have shot enough of it to feel confident.
I shoot IDPA with my primary CCW gun and deep clean once a year and wipe off the heavy stuff and lube after IDPA. My secondary revo and pocket gun will be shot and checked and cleaned regularly depending on how often I am able to get to the range (DAMN SNOW).
I haven't had to change springs because they remain 100% during matches.
I have settled on certain loads and do not carry special cold weather ammo at this time except a reload of ball for my semi and pocket gun. Will be looking at cold weather/heavy clothing ammo for the revo in the future. It is not +P rated so I am limited.
The opinions expressed above are mine and in no way reflect those of the management or any other forum member. They are based on my experience and mine alone!
JMNSHO
Richard
Thanks Richard!
Why same lot #?
Stay Safe,
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I bring my 1911 into the shower with me. That's why I want Ruger Glock to make a polymer one. ;D
;)
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I bring my 1911 into the shower with me. That's why I want Ruger Glock S&W to make a polymer one.
;)
Glock aint never going to be a 1911, M&P might be! ;D
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Glock aint never going to be a 1911, M&P might be! ;D
Actually, didnt kimber make the 1st polymer 1911 a while back..... also there is the wilson combat and the charles daly polymer 1911s
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Actually, didnt kimber make the 1st polymer 1911 a while back..... also there is the wilson combat and the charles daly polymer 1911s
YES if you have to be honest about things, Para also makes one. But what fun is that?? ::) :P
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YES if you have to be honest about things, Para also makes one. But what fun is that?? ::) :P
GLOCK!
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GLOCK!
Hey Glock makes a good gun, but they really screwed up the grip angle! The M&P fixed that! :o
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Glad you asked...It has been suggested that you identify your carry ammo as such and mark the box just in case you have to use your CCW. The police can take ammo from the same box yours came from and run tests if necessary to compare Apples to Apples. Same lot = same results.
FWIW
Richard
Sorry I got back on track here instead of continue the thread drift!
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Sorry I got back on track here instead of continue the thread drift!
Sorry Scott ::) :P :-[
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Sorry Scott ::) :P :-[
Take the discussion any way we all want it to go. It's all fun!!!
I should have actually said make an affordable polymer 1911.
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every time I go to the range, either my 1st or last mag is what is in my carry gun/HD gun. normaly its my 1st.
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Glad you asked...It has been suggested that you identify your carry ammo as such and mark the box just in case you have to use your CCW. The police can take ammo from the same box yours came from and run tests if necessary to compare Apples to Apples. Same lot = same results.
FWIW
Richard
Sorry I got back on track here instead of continue the thread drift!
Hey Richard,
Have you ever heard of this actually happening? Recently?
I have heard the old "Ayoobism" that one should not load their own defense ammunition. I adhere to this only because I can't do as good a job as Corbon does.
I'm wondering if there is actual evidence of not having extra ammo for testing being a problem for a shooter.
Any ideas?
How's that for thread drift?
Stay Safe,
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Take the discussion any way we all want it to go. It's all fun!!!
I should have actually said make an affordable polymer 1911.
In that case you need an M&P45. LOL
I agree with what TAB just said. I don't actually mark the box, though that's a good idea and I might start doing that. I do rotate my mags. I do a form of drop checking each round, by that I mean I load my mags then I cycle the slide running each round though to ensure it chambers them all correctly. If a problem is going to occur it's usually at the feed ramp! Then I reload the mags and the gun until the next range session. Whether that be 2 weeks or 6 months. I clean my carry guns as necessary witch often just means a can of compressed air to clear out any dust bunnies every few days. And maybe a tiny bit of oil/lube. ;D
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Never heard of it happening but why chance it? I have a guy at the local gun shows who is pretty good about having what I want/need. He has sold a ton of ammo since the crunch and never seems to run out. Good prices too.
Richard
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I do a form of drop checking each round, by that I mean I load my mags then I cycle the slide running each round though to ensure it chambers them all correctly. If a problem is going to occur it's usually at the feed ramp!
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Do you worry about bullet set back by doing it that way?
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Good questions.
Yes I rotate my carry ammo, about every other month or so.
I also allow my mag springs to rest, and do not keep them loaded to capacity for extended periods. 15 rd. mag gets 10, with a back up.
I inspect every round prior to loading into mag. or revolver.
After a rotation, I designate it to the "range time"... side of the ammo boxes.
The previous thread regarding checking mags, and ammo is important and relevant. As my former instructor mentioned, "You wanna bet your life on it?"
Cold weather doesn't apply where I am now, but in NC, when it was cold, I rotated mags and ammo more frequently.
Cold outdoors, warm indoors, condensation is NOT something I want(ed) on my ammo.
When I field strip a given pistol for cleaning with the barrel separate from the slide, or cylinder removed from the frame, I "load a round" to check fit, uniform seating, and no "red flags".....
Plus I love to fondle them all.... ;)
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I do a form of drop checking each round, by that I mean I load my mags then I cycle the slide running each round though to ensure it chambers them all correctly. If a problem is going to occur it's usually at the feed ramp!
Do you worry about bullet set back by doing it that way?
Nope, I've been using that technique for over 15 years and never had any problems with it. Also I only use quality factory loaded SD ammo. My current load is the Winchester 9mm 127gr Ranger STX +P+. It's probably one of the most popular LEO carry loads around, and I'm a fan for carrying what the Cops do if you can get it. Although I understand some places restrict sales to LEO's only.
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Actually, didnt kimber make the 1st polymer 1911 a while back..... also there is the wilson combat and the charles daly polymer 1911s
Ah... The Kimber BP Ten! I have one and love it, but being double stack, AND government model size, It's not a summer CCW. Even with my baggiest shirt, that long, fat grip prints enough that those who know me know what it is. Shoots beautifully too...... ;D Here's what mine looks like....
(http://www.rc-trucks.org/Kimber-1911-BP-Ten-II.jpg)
But didn't STI make the first Polymer framed 1911s?