Why load 9mm ammo?

With the ONE powder and bullet I tried in 9mm, there was NO difference by primer in 6 of 7 cases; chronograph readings overlapped. Remington 1 1/2 small pistol standard was a LITTLE faster. You could say that pressure might have varied without affecting velocity noticeably but since I am below maximum, I don't care.

Virginia Jim said:

Good luck finding dies and components at a reasonable price.

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That’s my rule... if I get the gun I get dies as soon as I can. There are some I have never used, and some I have used once or twice. Some dies I got first and haven’t got the rifle yet, but if I’m shooting, I’m reloading. Right now is not the time to buy a gun, or a set of dies, so I buy rimfires.

My situation is a little different. I doubled-down on factory ammo last year. My dilemma now.....when should I cash-out.

Hope this helps. Also posted on another thread. Could be worthwhile for some to get it on order...even if you don't need it now. Works out as $34/brick.

Small Pistol Primers can be backordered from fedarm.com (Fort Smith - FSAAP) - Bulk Pack (5,000) primers delivered for around $170 ($32 shipping for each pack). No indications on when backorders are filled....but CC is charged immediately.

Because the only place I was able to find 9mm in stock wanted $30 for a box of Remington UMC?

Actually bought some at Bass pro (200 rds) for $13.99, no limit last week with more choices to pick from. No components though.

Bought my SDB 30 years ago have all the dies for all the pistols I shoot,also cast my own lead slugs have enough lead to last me the rest of my life, knew these times were coming. to He** with the ammo high Prices

Bat Rastard said:

They will fit, but there are things to watch for.
1. They throw more flame. That will affect your pressure.

2. They are harder. Does your pistol have strong enough springs to fire them? Some do, some don't.

It is certainly not a plug and play option. I experimented with it, and abandoned the project.

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I agree, you will need to test and experiment when going to small rifle primers in pistol use. I tried some CCI Small Rifle in 9MM and they would not reliably fire on striker fired pistols, Glock and a couple others, but did fire from a Beretta 92, 9MM AR, and Beretta CX4. Conversely, I have used a bunch of Rem 6 1/2 in 32 ACP, 40 S&W, 38 Spcl, and 9MM out of various pistols with no issues.

So, it may or may not work depending on several variables.

And to the question of why load 9MM?

Because I do! 9MM is what I load and shoot the most. 9MM accounts for nearly 50% of my reloading. Even when ammo was "cheap" I still loaded 9MM.

Not to disagree but I haven't had any misfires in a couple hundred reloads using sfp. they have worked reliably in all three of my 9mm handguns including may Gen 2 Glock 19. I have also used them with varying levels of powder but have settled more for lower level to conserve powder. I'm presently using hp-38 at 5.1-.2, 100 gn berry's at 1.112 oal., and 124 gn hp berry's.

Jonb, if the disagreement is directed towards me, no worries, that's why I was agreeing with Bat Rastard that

Bat Rastard said:

It is certainly not a plug and play option.

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He mentioned some issues/questions, and I mentioned my testing, and what I found.

And now, if I'm understanding correctly, you're mentioning your testing of SRP in pistol use and no problems encountered.

That's why I listed the two tests -- CCI SRP and the Rem 6 1/2. In fact, since the Rems worked well, and I couldn't use them in 223 Rem, I have loaded and shot over 2K of the Rem 6 1/2 SRP in pistol cases with no issues.
Others have also tested using Tula, Wolf and other SR primers in pistols.

As usual with shooting and reloading -- YMMV -- what works for me, may not for you, and the reverse is true as well.

I'm cheap, that's why. I did the math years ago and found that I was loading 9MM with my cast bullets for about 2 bucks a box of 50. I'm still pretty close to that now. .32 S&W is even cheaper than that and that ammo has ALWAYS been expensive.

Another reason is that I can reload better and more consistent ammo than I can buy. More accurate and right at my fingertips. No need to go to the store and fret if they have what I need or not. Just pull the handle and done deal.

markr6754 said:

Hope this helps. Also posted on another thread. Could be worthwhile for some to get it on order...even if you don't need it now. Works out as $34/brick.

Small Pistol Primers can be backordered from fedarm.com (Fort Smith - FSAAP) - Bulk Pack (5,000) primers delivered for around $170 ($32 shipping for each pack). No indications on when backorders are filled....but CC is charged immediately.

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Dang it! I just now tried to back order 5k SPP and it was a no go.

Back 25 or more years ago I bought out a guy and one of the things was a set of 9MM dies. I also saved my brass for years when I shot it. Then I took the time to make up some ammo that worked well and was accurate in my 9's when supplies were plentiful. When the price started climbing or shortage happened I still could load and shoot as I wanted. I probably have the componants to load 50,000 9MM rounds now if I wanted to but keep my stock at 4-500 ready to go.

ArchAngelCD said:

Why load 9mm? So you can shoot as much as you want and to train.

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Amen, brother!!

I reloaded 9mm even before the pandemic because I enjoy reloading. It's slow going on a single stage but I don't mind at this point. It's been nice to not have to worry about going out and buying factory ammo to practice with.

ArchAngelCD said:

Why load 9mm? So you can shoot as much as you want and to train.

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Like a boss!

Because I can tailor it to my needs and save money,
and right now I could make another 10 boxes in 2 hours....

mstreddy said:

And to the question of why load 9MM?

Because I do! 9MM is what I load and shoot the most. 9MM accounts for nearly 50% of my reloading. Even when ammo was "cheap" I still loaded 9MM.

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Same here. Most of what I load and shoot. Much cheaper and better than factory ammo.

Why? because I love reloading.

I reload 9mm for several reasons.
1. Accuracy - my reloads are generally 1/2 the spread of factory loads
2. I don't have to worry if the store is open and/or low on inventory.
3. I can reload 100 rounds in less than an hour.
4. If I can get away to the range on short notice, I can reload on short notice (see #3).
5. I ENJOY reloading

With today’s prices, why not reload?

Though of another answer. Because I have a hard time shooting enough center fire ammo to keep myself in a "need" ammo situation justifying my quiet time away from the wife upstairs in the "gun" room. 9mm is easier to expend in quantity and create a "need."

My reasons for reloading ANY cartridge
A. because I wish to
B. because I can
C. to tune it to my preferences of shooting comfort and/or accuracy in each gun
D. It might cost less.

Cheaper ammo is not now and has never been and never will be my primary motivation to reload. It's just the gravy on the taters.

My solution to not having to reload was buying factory ammo when it was cheap.

If you currently have all of the components and tooling, then it now makes perfect sense to use it.