Blazer Brass FMJ Bullet is NOT a FMJ

[geo57]

Picked up a box of CCI Blazer Brass 180 gr. .40 S & W ammo recently. Listed on the flap as " FMJ " . Before firing it at the range and upon examination, it just didn't look quite right, so not wanting to risk it in my Glock 22, I refrained from using it. Once at home, I pulled 1 of the bullets, and discovered it looked to be just plated. Cutting it in two with a hacksaw confirmed my thought . It's not a true FMJ, but a plated over hard cast bullet. I'm not saying it's bad ammo . I would not hesitate to fire it in anything but a Glock. I chose not to however. Thought some of you may want to know. FWIW, I'm listing the remainder of the box ( 49 rounds ) in the classifieds here, with full discloser, at a reduced price.

 

[Ken Rainey]

It's ok to shoot that ammo in your Glock. As long as your not shooting exposed lead bullets (and even then, gasp!, if you clean it afterwards) there is no danger. The "plated" lead bullets are fine to fire in your Glock just as a standard jacketed bullet would be. Shoot and enjoy!

 

[Desertscout]

I have shot many, many thousands of plated bullets through all of my Glocks.

 

[GunNut]

Shoot it, you are fine.

 

[briansp82593]

im now hitting 5k of blazer brass with my glock

 

[cog099]

I recovered a .40 S&W Blazer Brass bullet from a back stop berm which was fired from my Beretta Px4. The bullet had rifling marks in it that went completely through the plating exposing the lead core. I have fired several hundred of those same rounds through my Glock 23 without a problem. I don't think the polygonal rifling of the Glock would cause the plating to peel as the Px4 did.

 

[Snarlingiron]

I bought a Glock 19 2 years ago. I have put around 10,000 rounds of Blazer through it without any issues. Works real good, lasts a long time.

 

[geo57]

I appreciate all your imputs and am glad to hear your success with the ammo in question. I admit I probably tend to error on the side of caution on matters where there may or may not be a potential issue. If this was not intended for a Glock .40, I would not think twice about it. Any other make of pistol in .40 or any Glock besides .40 and I don't bat an eye. I've used plated bullets in .45 acp in 1911's, Sigs, Rugers, etc. My post was not meant to flame Blazer Brass ammo. I merely thought some users of it may want to know that the projectile they are buying is a plated bullet. It's up to them to decide . Thanks again.

 

[possum]

nothing wrong with plated and i even know one person that shoots only lead through thier glock, it is advised against by glock but it can be done. i have shot alot of blazer brass through several glocks 2 19's and a 17 as well as rainier plated reloads and there has never been a problem.

 

[CPshooter]

Can someone explain the difference between a "plated" bullet and a standard FMJ? I've shot plenty of FMJ from various manufacturers and I've also shot my fair share of Blazer...never noticed a difference. Can someone enlighten me?

 

[evan price]

Std "FMJ" has the outer copper "shell" around the lead core as a thick, solid piece of copper that is then filled with lead. It is believed by some that the manufacturing process for FMJ's can cause imbalances.

"Plated" bullets such as described above, or Berry's, or Rainier Ballistics, use swaged lead bullets, meaning they take a lead rod and punch a chunk of lead into a mold and cold-mold it to shape and size. This means a more stable dense core and better control over weight distribution in the bullet. Then they electro-plate a thin layer of copper on top of the lead to bring it to final dimension. This plating makes a lead bullet act like a FMJ, but cheaper since there is no need to punch out a copper shell to pour lead into. Also a lot of indoor ranges won't allow cast lead due to lead hazards so the plated are a way to save money and get a better bullet without lead exposure.
Also, FMJ's by design have no copper at the base of the bullet (that's how they pour the lead in!) but plated bullets are coated with copper all over including the base. No exposed lead.

There is absolutely no problem firing plated in a Glock or any other handgun out there.