9mm ammo availability

[TTv2]

You *can* reload the aluminum. A couple times. They just work harden quickly.

Nobody reloads aluminum and if they do it's due to curiosity.

 

[Zerodefect]

I'll reload aluminum .40's for powder puff minor competition ammo.

It's no big deal. It'll crack up and fail during reloading when done.

 

[Rodfac]

You *can* reload the aluminum. A couple times. They just work harden quickly.

I wasn't aware that was possible? Isn't it Berdan primed? I reload all of mine and have never bought nor shot aluminum cased rounds...just askin' Rod

 

[Atavar]

Some are, some aren’t. Just like brass.

 

[Alllen Bundy]

While my local gun shop is still not carrying as many brands of ammo as before the pandemic, they now consistently stock Sig Elite Performance JHP 9mm box of 50 rds for $45.00, whereas Sig is selling Sig Elite Performance JHP 9mm box of 50 rds for $54.99.

I'm sticking with brass shell cases for now. Friction is your enemy and can cause your semi-automatic pistol to not cycle properly. Brass against steel is generally going to have lower sliding friction than an aluminum or steel shell case sliding against steel. The friction of the shell case sliding against the stripper rail is going to present the biggest issue. However, friction of the rear of the shellcase sliding across the breechface and sliding underneath the extractor adds to the problem.

https://www.engineersedge.com/coeffients_of_friction.htm

Coefficient of Sliding Friction

Brass on Steel - Dry: 0.50

Aluminum on Steel - Dry: 0.61

Steel on Steel - Dry: 0.80

 

[TTv2]

When it's meant for range use, what difference does the friction coefficient matter? I can understand it if we're talking about a revolver and trying to eject 5 or 6 steel cases at once (it's very difficult), but this is focused on semi autos.

 

[Alllen Bundy]

When it's meant for range use, what difference does the friction coefficient matter? I can understand it if we're talking about a revolver and trying to eject 5 or 6 steel cases at once (it's very difficult), but this is focused on semi autos.

I'd agree that the shell case material isn't very critical for range use, So what if you have a failure to feed? Except that steel cased ammunition might cause faster wear.

But for self defense I would want every possible advantage, safety margin, and redundancy. Polishing the stripper rail, the breechface, the underside of the extractor the left adjacent wall to the breechface, and using brass shell cases all result in lower friction. The MagGuts spring kits also reduce friction in opposition to the reward slide movement. That improves the margin of error, if by chance your thumb drags on the slide, or you get some crud inside the slide in a self defense situation. Your semi-automatic is much more likely to cycle properly under worst case conditions with brass shell cases.

So for self defense, brass is the only thing that I'll use for the moment. I don't know enough about stainless steel shell cases to have an opinion on them. Also, my local gun range only allows brass shell cases. I'll just use brass shell cases and it's one less thing to worry about.

 

[Nature Boy]

I’m starting to see brass cased range fodder showing up for under $0.60/round for the first time in a while

 

[jeff-10]

I’m starting to see brass cased range fodder showing up for under $0.60/round for the first time in a while

I mainly buy my ammo from SGammo. They have 115gr UMC for 44 cents a round in stock. There is no shipping charge over a certain amount I cannot remember right now. Reasonable considering the cost of ammo now.