[tblt]

I am looking at trying some in my taurus mod. 38.I found three different loads for the 38 spl.This ammo is hot light loads but a lot of speed and energy.Very expensive 16.00 bucks for 8 rounds.
has anyone tested this ammo?

[CWL]

Please use the Search feature, we've just finished 2 hotly debated threads about this junk only this month.

[Moonclip]

My main use for magsafes/glasers in the past is in circumstances wher I wanted very limited penetration in a defensive load such as in an apartment or in the case of an obscure caliber that generally is not available in jhp configuration.

I used to have some 7.62tok magsfes for this reason. Also magsafe did or does make ammo in .38S&W

[RustyShackelford]

If you want to learn more about how powerful the different Magsafe loads are, research the Strasburg tests. This was a testing program in the early 1990s where large goats were shot with different loads from different calibers. Magsafe beat out many other ammo designs in even the smaller calibers. It was impressive. I used .357magnum Magsafe loads and years later used the .38spl +P+ MAX load in my snub .357magnum and K-frame .38spl.
I would not suggest Magsafe for regular duty or CC use but it is a great choice for some places; urban areas, places with many people(offices, malls, hospitals, corrections, courts, etc).

Rusty

[jaholder1971]

I've fired a few in the past, usually on someone else's dime as they're godawfully expensive for what all involved. They do work as intended however be prepared for a huge difference in Point of impact from standard ammo due to the high velocity. As much as a foot from as short a distance as 7-10 yards.

Personally, shot placement is #1. I don't want to take the time to compute this difference from my front sight during a moment of grave extreme. There are too many good factory personal protection fodder out there.

[Moonclip]

I've heard people say the Strausburg tests didn't really occur but if they did, the glaser/magsafes did very well.

The test may have been set up and optimized for this type of ammo at the shot angles done but it does make you think.

[RyanM]

FWIW, I remember reading awhile back an actual story from some guy who attempted to use Glasers in self defense. He kept his gun loaded with a Glaser in the pipe, and real ammo in the magazine. He shot some guy at point-blank, during a grapple, with the Glaser. The Glaser was not able to cycle the gun, and he didn't have his other hand free to clear the jam, so he could not make any followup shots. It took several minutes for his attacker to "wind down" after being shot, but he did die eventually.

Cycling problems are pretty common with the ultra light stuff. They just don't have enough momentum to properly cycle a recoil-action gun, unless you use reduced power recoil springs.

[Moonclip]

The very few times I have shot glaser/magsafe thru an auto pistol it cycled fine.

[RustyShackelford]

I never heard anyone ever question the big Strastburg testing. I read the 5 page item with all of the charts/graphs in a issue of Handguns from 09/1993 or so. Many brands/loads in different calibers were tests on large goats(175lbs+). The small frame .38spl loads were also tested but the animals took to long to go down and the researchers correctly decided to stop using the j-frame revolvers/.38 loads. Magsafe did extremely well and showed a large wound but not very deep wound channels.
Special purpose loads like ExtremeShockUSA, Magsafe and Glaser Silvers are not the top choice for many duty/CC uses because they may not have enough "punch" to take down an armed criminal who may be behind a barrier or metal. Many firearm/tactics experts do suggest a Glaser/Magsafe type round for a second or "back up" gun.

As far as the feeding/cycle issues, both companies have changed the bullet designs and improved the feeding. Magsafe clearly explains what rounds work best in the different handguns. If you really are unsure about some special loads then I suggest only using them in modern well made revolvers.
Rusty S

[slzy]

the perp may have had a hold of the gun,or jammed against him,or something other that may have stoped the cycle.

[1KPerDay]

The very few times I have shot glaser/magsafe thru an auto pistol it cycled fine.
Worked fine in my Combat commander, also. Glaser blue. Rapid firing of one mag to check function.

[Rampant_Colt]

Magsafe ammo is rubbish. Period.

The "Strassbourg Goat Tests" never happened.

If you want to protect your family and loved ones, avoid using Glasers and Magsafe, and get lots of trigger time with standard JHP ammunition.

At $20 for 6 cartridges, you will not be able to know if it properly cycles your autoloader. Cycling one mag isn't sufficient

In a Taurus snubby, they will not achieve proper penetration.

Use 158gr +P lead hollowpoints from Winchester, Remington and Federal, or 135gr Speer short-barrel load.

[RustyShackelford]

To call Magsafe "rubbish" is one thing but to deny that the testing on large goats took place is a reach, :rolleyes:. If you contact Magsafe's HQ or go to the website you can learn more about these rounds, how they are made and the Stasburg tests in the '90s.

Rusty S
:D

[kmrcstintn]

back in 2002 when I was less seasoned and considered the latest fads to be the greatest things...I tried Magsafe in 2 guns and after that I changed my tune really quickly; first gun was a Glock 30 in .45 acp; the back end of the cartridges are not supported fully on the lower end where the feed ramp is located...I fired one round and found the brass...the case was bulged out exactly where the feeding ramp opening was; I fired the remainder of the package in a Springfield 1911...no bulges, but the primer caps were not dimpled...they looked like they were never fired...

the ammo is overpressured!!! :fire:

[Moonclip]

Where is the proof that the goat thing did or did not happen?

[Rustynuts]

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t67/Krustyboomer/peeing-man.gifANY frangible type ammo.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t67/Krustyboomer/25191896puke.gif

[meef]

The "Strassbourg Goat Tests" never happened.I have it on good authority that we never went to the moon either.

:cool:

[flyby]

http://www.thegunzone.com/strasbourg.html

[Gun Slinger]

I thought that Magsafe at some point also offered a type of ammunition that they called 'Fast Hardball' (in the mid to late 1990's) that was meant to address the lack of penetration by their hollowpoint ammunition. I did a couple of searches on the 'net and came up with a Spanish language site that made some passing reference to it in .380 ACP but I believe that they made it in 9mm and .45 ACP also.

Any body remember this stuff and it specific performance in terms of bullet weight and muzzle velocity?

[Owen Meany]

meef said:

I have it on good authority that we never went to the moon either.

:D:D:D

I have a couple packs of Magsafe .357 70-grain Defender loads that I haven't gotten the nerve to light off yet, since the only .357 revolvers I own at present are J-frame snubs, and I'm a little leery of the pressure levels in this ammo and don't want to shake my little guns loose :uhoh:.

On a related note (pressure-wise, that is), I thought I've heard that Magsafe rounds are really, REALLY loud - way louder than conventional rounds. Can anybody verify this?

[doc540]

I carried it for years (when Joe was making it) until I read something that clicked my common sense bulb.

If a MagSafe round impacts a forearm or shoulder or any obstacle in the path of a vital organ the round is done. All it's effective energy is expended, and it will not penetrate whatever target I've intended.

I no longer take that chance.

The odds are too high against getting clear, unobstructed shots in a close-quarters, quickly unfolding, personal defense situation.

I now have my PD guns loaded with 135gr Speer Gold Dot's.

YMMV

btw: I shot a few in practice and they were no louder and no more recoil than any +P .38 specials I'd ever fired.

[pbearperry]

I believe if you were able to hit the bad guy in the neck or face with a Magsafe or Glazer round,it would be over in a second.However,shooting them through heavy clothing or trying to hit vitals would be very iffy.That's why I would only carry one of them first out with standard ammo behind it.

[Rampant_Colt]

click on pic for a good laugh:
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/2827/magsaferubbishmz3.th.jpg (http://img181.imageshack.us/my.php?image=magsaferubbishmz3.jpg)

I believe if you were able to hit the bad guy in the neck or face with a Magsafe or Glazer round,it would be over in a second.However,shooting them through heavy clothing or trying to hit vitals would be very iffy.That's why I would only carry one of them first out with standard ammo behind it.
It is my opinion you are making a grave mistake. Reread doc540's post for a reason; but the other reason is because you're comprimising your handgun reliability by using an ammo that shoots to different point of aim, and known for failure to feed stoppages.
You can't possibly stake your bets on getting a headshot.

[Gun Slinger]

That is not a document that I would like to have falling into the hands of an overly-ambitious Prosecutor during the aftermath of a shooting in which I had used Magsafe ammunition and been charged in due to the highly political anti-gun environment that exists in my City.

I can just see him sneering as he says:

...and, Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, the defendant shot the victim as he was breaking into his home. But, regular ammunition was just not enough for him, no, no, no,....he shot the hapless victim who was breaking in with only the intention of getting enough money to feed his children who hadn't eaten in days with Magsafe ammunition which even the manufacturers themselves label as "Incredibly Nasty Ammunition". Just read the advertisement folks, it is all right there...:what:


Kinda makes me glad that my Glock 17 is loaded with plain old Hornady 147 grain XTP JHP's...

[Rustynuts]

Just read an encounter where a jeweler shot a robber 5 times with frangible ammo (revolver, can't recall the caliber, 38sp or 357mag). Doctors pulled the "shrapnel" out of him and he went to jail the SAME DAY!! First shot was at the heart, but through car window glass. Almost ANY other ammo type, and the BG would have been done right there.

Jeweler went out and bought a 44 the next day.

[SimpleIsGood229]

I don't use Magsafe, since true tactical operators exclusively utilize Exreme Shock! :neener: :barf:

[mattk]

I will never use MagSafe.
The brand is owned by a local dealer. His stores are well stocked with guns, ammo and employees who lie and price things so far out of reason its insanity.

The rudeness and complete lies disgust me.

I went in once and asked if they sold reloading supplies and was told that "New Laws" prevent them from selling powder and primers!!!!

[RustyShackelford]

Armed security/G officers are NOT allowed to carry Magsafe, Glaser Safety Slugs, Extreme Shock USA etc for G type duty use, :cuss:.

I think this is a dumb policy but I'm sure some zipperhead security officer would run out and get some goofball load that is filled with TNT or some type of warhead, :rolleyes:.

RS:cool: