Why do you "need" outrageously expensive specialty ammo for
maybe having to shoot an aggressive stray dog with your used $200 Spanish pistol? Just get some of the vouched-for Remington HTPs. JMO.
I have four of the BMs but I have never run anything but FMJ thru them, so no help there ... sorry!
I wouldn't say I "need" ARX ammo but I do like unusual things to test and try out. As for the price, I wouldn't say it's inexpensive and it certainly cost more than FMJ. However, $42 or so for a 125 round bundle (100 non-fluted ballistic equivalent practice rounds and 25 fluted defensive rounds) is still cheaper than 125 rounds of HTP from the same vendor (around $58 for a 25rnd box plus 50/rnd boxes x2). That said, if the BM I receive feeds my preferred JHPs (124gr HST & 124gr Golden Saber bonded), I'll use those as I have
plenty of both. I don't really have a problem using fmj for this particular role either but I do like new neat fun stuff if I can find a reason to buy it. This BM may be a reason to purchase a case of HTP, who knows.
I can never too much ammunition.
Where have you seen they don't feed normal old hollow points? Never heard that from any of my readers. Very reliable guns with a broad range of stuff.
A Google query using the words Star BM JHP or Hollow Points will bring up plenty of folks mentioning they are experiencing issues with JHPs (the thread JWF III mentioned above, for example). I research all new acquisitions thoroughly to learn of all the interesting quarks or issues I may encounter to mitigate any surprises/disappointments. So far, I understand that most BMs being sold now are in "good" conditions with some of those described as "very good" not meeting most folks definition of "very good" (I'm sure some here know the distributor I'm alluding to). Besides reading the issues some have with JHPs, I also gleaned that dry-firing is best done with snap caps as there are reports of broken firing pins due to this practice.
I do plan on receiving my BM first before concluding my specimen is among those that dislike JHPs. I would like to know what others are using if they indeed do also have a JHP-finicky BM. So far, ARX and HTPs have been included as options. FMJ only is also a solid option albeit a boring one (I like shiny things).
I have about a dozen other 9mm handguns and many would be, in all honesty, "
better" options for the yard-work carry role as they are higher capacity, lighter and function with any JHP. However, if I subscribe to the philosophy that a redundant purchase is a waste of money, my collection would not grow and I would, inevitably, become sad. My past purchases for the "yard work" role include a Cz-52, SP101 .357, a couple Yugo M59s, a RIA 10mm and XDm 5.25 converted to .460 Roland (bears and boars, you know?) as well as several other C&R eligible handguns. This BM would replace the current on-the-mower handgun, a stainless slide white/cyan frame Spectrum that my wife decided not to like.
Again, carrying this pistol while on my mower to defend against an aggressive dog or two is only for the warm and fuzzies. When it comes to carrying concealed in public, especially with family in tow, I take my options
far more seriously. That's a Sig P365/124gr HST +p and will be for some time. No rotation here.