WildBill wrote:I am surprised at the low number of rounds for 60% of the voters.
I think since it is specific to ammo and not guns, the OP has the expectation that the replies will be from those who have already thoroughly checked new guns etc. This would only be for testing different ammo. I know how my gun should respond to varying ammo, so unless there are major issues with a new type, I can quickly determine if there will be any issues. I am OCD about it though so I test some from each new box and rotate my EDC regularly.
JMHO
Take away the Second first, and the First is gone in a second
I will put 100 rounds through a pistol before I carry it, but I try to hit the range once a month and put a 100 rounds or so through whatever pistol I am favoring for carry at the time. I have been carrying Speer Gold Dots in my .40s and 9mms. In my .45s I normally use Federal Hydra-Shok and in my 5.7 I carry Elite Ammunition SM4 or TB6. In my .357 I have been loading Critical Duty. It seems random I suppose, but I have had good performance with those loads.
“While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.” ― Samuel Adams
WildBill wrote:I am surprised at the low number of rounds for 60% of the voters.
I don't remember is there has been a thread about how many total rounds before trusting a gun as an EDC.
I am surprised at the low count also. I asked the question because it came up in a classroom discussion I was in a few weeks ago talking about my P239 not liking the Federal HST.
We talk about not trusting an EDC gun until it is proving. I personally feel that way about my SD ammo. If I am going to run 1,000 rounds of FMJ why not run 300 rounds of SD rounds instead.
I admit that i clicked on the 50 rounds above. But i shot lots of FMJ before carrying my EDC. I also make sure to continue to shoot a mag of my defense ammo every time i go to the range, about once a month.
In an ideal world (meaning, already proven reliable gun and mags, money and time for sufficient supply of the ammo for testing and trip to range and competitions)
- a box of ammo at indoor or outdoor range to see where the new ammo hits at 10 ft, 50 ft, and 75 ft compared to the old ammo (do I need to adjust my sights, or change my hold for fixed sight gun)
- shoot at least three competitions using the new ammo (IPSC or IDPA) to see if there are any function issues that only show up in a less than perfect grip/stance situation
so 50 rounds for range testing, and +- 3x75=225 rounds competition would make for about 275.
Did I ALWAYS do all of this? No. But it is my rule of thumb for at least a minimal comfort level with the new ammo........
member of the church of San Gabriel de Possenti
lay brother in the order of St. John Moses Browning
USPSA limited/single stack/revolver
Gold Dots is what I have not tested much, FBI did that paid by Uncle Sam. HST is highly recommended too but I have none.
Carry Pistol PX4SC, Bedroom Pistol HKP30. Both would digest GDs with no issue.
Beiruty,
United we stand, dispersed we falter
2014: NRA Endowment lifetime member
I generally run 2-300 fmj through a gun first and then 2-4 mags of my SD ammo. I shoot fewer rounds of both fmj and SD ammo when I test it for a revolver.
I base my ammo choice off of tests like the site listed above and off of reviews of real life use of the ammo particularly from Evan Marshall's site but other sources as well.
Right now I use corbon DPX 115, Barnes TAC or Federal BPLE 115 in my 9mm and either Speer or Corbon DPX in my J Frame.
I also use RBCD for the bullet in the chamber and the first bullet in my mag in the gun.
I tested the RBCD in a pork roast some time back and was satisfied with the penetration and size of the wound at least for my first two shots. With a 9mm I got 7-8 inches of penetration and a cone about 5 inches in diameter at the widest point. Each to his own.
I would say the norm for a new EDC would be 500 rounds of FMJ and around a 100 of SD ammo before it gets moved into the rotation. If I am on the range, it gets at least one mag of ammo through it. I also make an effort to do as much of that initial in one round as I want to make sure anything I have to depend on can take a licking and keep ticking. Not a huge fan of guns known to be picky about ammo, but to be far, I use the same SD ammo for essentially all of my SD needs.
Do you have to test it if it's a Glock?
Seriously though for my S&W Bodyguard .380 I ran a couple hundred rounds of fmj and for carry I use Remington Golden Sabre.
I rotate between 3 different guns for EDC. Each one I began with 300-400 rounds of FMJ ammo, and anywhere between 50-100 rounds of SD reliably out of multiple magazines before I will carry the gun. If no problems with this formula, I feel I can depend on it.
Your thread poses two different questions
"How Do You Choose Your Self Defense Ammo"
"How Many Rounds Of Defense Ammo Do You Shoot Before You Decide To Carry That Ammo With Your EDC?"
To the first question
It fits the chamber, it is a modern name brand, it cycles well, it has known reported, peer reviewed results.
To the second question.. My personal number is 100 rounds no failure, feed, fire or extract. The number 100 is not based on any science,,, just my experience that if it is going to have a failure it'll happen in the first two mags.. so if I have no failure in several mags (100 rds) Im confident it'll go bang when I press the trigger.
The question not asked is how many rounds through a new gun before you're ready to test a carry ammo?
again for me it's an arbitrary non scientific number... of 1000 rds of FMJ . I start with a gun detail stripped, cleaned in a sonic tank, lubed, and assembled and then test shot using known quality FMJ,,,Shot till failure NO cleaning. Clean, then shot till failure no cleaning ... wash, rinse, repeat till 1000 RDS are fired,
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I'm one of the 2 that selected 300 or more. My reasoning is because I use Winchester Train & Defend for all of my carry & home defense pistols. The FMJ training rounds are manufactured to the exact specs as the JHP defend rounds. Before switching to them, I shot several boxes of both individually. Then I shot several more boxes with the T & D rounds randomly mixed & loaded into mags. I couldn't tell the difference between the two. When all was said & done, I probably ran close to 400 rounds total through each gun before switching.
My practice now is to shoot at least 1 box of training rounds per range trip. I also periodically shoot the rounds I've been carrying & replace with fresh defense rounds.
Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice.
NRA TSRA TFC CHL: 9/22/12, PSC Member: 10/2012
If you doubt a pistol would not be ready when you needed to retire it for a range duties. Pay a bit more and get a Beretta or HK, or Glock for that matter.
Beiruty,
United we stand, dispersed we falter
2014: NRA Endowment lifetime member
If it's not sold in bulk, I don't consider it. THat's the only way I can afford to shoot enough of them for a real convincing test.
I start with a reliable gun that is already proven on FMJ.
For carry ammo- I start by researching the SD loads that are available in bulk. Once I settle on the load I "want" to shoot I'll buy a single box and if it runs 100%, I'll buy a bulk pack (500) and run a couple hundred through it. If the first box didn't work 100% I would buy the next on on the list. I keep the rest of that lot for carry and always run the chambered round at range sessions (to avoid setback) and shoot the mag every couple range trips to ensure my sights are still on. This keep my carry ammo of the same lot number and no variance on specs from multiple lot numbers. (for a couple years anyway)
