Handguns With Ammo Restrictions

[skt239]

Hello all,

There are many handguns out there that have restrictions, limitations or specifications on what type of ammo will or will not function in the gun. For example, the Kimber recommends 124gr premium SD ammo for their Solo and S&W warns against using bullets weighing less than 125gr in their 340PD.

My question, are these restrictions or specifications deal breakers or does the need or want out weigh the limitations?

Thanks.

 

[rcmodel]

Not deal breakers.

The guns you mentioned are made for specific purposes, and the ammo recommended best fits those purposes.

In the case of the little Kimber, the gun is tuned to function best with those loads.

In the case of the ultra-light S&W revolver.
The loads are recommended to prevent flame cutting of the Scandium Alloy frame with lighter bullets and more burning powder behind them.

It's a non-issue.
If you want a gun that can shoot anything?
Don't get a 10 oz revolver or a sub-sub-compact auto.
Get a duty size combat auto or medium to full size steel frame revolver that can shoot anything.

rc

 

[skt239]

I agree with you, rc. While I have no problem with the Airlite revolvers (I've owned one in the past) I don't like the Kimber type recommendations. Bullet weights are easy to get around but being regulated to premium SD ammo can get expensive.

 

[9mmepiphany]

When you start reducing the size of platforms, you start narrowing their window of functionality. So there is a smaller envelope, balance of springs, slide mass and velocity that they will reliably operate within.

The Kimber Solo, like the Seecamp pocket pistols before it, have had their action timing carefully balanced to function with a optimized choice for its intended purpose...personal defense. This would be the responsible choice for the market they have targeted.

Their recommendation doesn't mean the Solo won't work with other loadings, but it does mean that they won't guaranty it's reliable function if you don't follow that recommendation

The applicable old saying is, "If you can pay the entry fee, you shouldn't play the game"

Their recommendation has cause my appraisal of the company to go up quite a bit

 

[bigfatdave]

When you start reducing the size of platforms, you start narrowing their window of functionality. So there is a smaller envelope, balance of springs, slide mass and velocity that they will reliably operate within.

I was going to post pretty much this

 

[Lawdawg45]

Hello all,

There are many handguns out there that have restrictions, limitations or specifications on what type of ammo will or will not function in the gun. For example, the Kimber recommends 124gr premium SD ammo for their Solo and S&W warns against using bullets weighing less than 125gr in their 340PD.

My question, are these restrictions or specifications deal breakers or does the need or want out weigh the limitations?

Thanks.

I've noticed the other side of the coin. The 1911 for example was designed to operate with a 230 grain bullet, but manufacturers like Hornaday mainly offer a 180 grain in SD, what's up with that?

LD

 

[PabloJ]

Hello all,

There are many handguns out there that have restrictions, limitations or specifications on what type of ammo will or will not function in the gun. For example, the Kimber recommends 124gr premium SD ammo for their Solo and S&W warns against using bullets weighing less than 125gr in their 340PD.

My question, are these restrictions or specifications deal breakers or does the need or want out weigh the limitations?

Thanks.

I have my own "restrictions". It must function well with: Tulamo, Federal 'Champion', and
Blaser FMJs. Sadly 'Norinco' is no longer available as that was my fav test ammo. If it does not function well with that ammo the gun is no good to me.

 

[Walkalong]

The Kimber Solo, like the Seecamp pocket pistols before it, have had their action timing carefully balanced to function with a optimized choice for its intended purpose...personal defense.

I have a Seecamp, and have never felt limited with it. Just use ammo it likes. As posted, it is a specialized tool.

 

[BSA1]

All of my semi-automatics have ammunition restrictions until I test them in that gun. With the wide variety of ammunition out there this means there are brands and styles which I consider unknown simply because I have not personally tested it in my gun.

 

[skt239]

I can see why guns the size of the Seecamp and R9 would work well with a short list of ammo as they really push the envelope when it comes to size. However, I just don't get the Kimber. Is it really that much smaller than say, a PM9? I've only seen one under a case but never had a chance to fondle one or compare it to other guns in its class.

 

[Rexster]

If the recommended ammo is suited for the defensive task, why should that be a deal-breaker? It can be a bit expensive to use a specified premium JHP for the "break-in" of, and training with, a pistol like my Seecamp, rather than cheap FMJ, but that if I really believe the individual weapon is worth the trouble, well, I can eat fewer steaks.

Luckily, training with my other DA handguns seem to carry-over well to Seecamp shooting, lessening the number of .32 ACP JHPs I need to buy for training.

 

[C0untZer0]

A 380 Auto has ammo restrictions - it's restriced to 380 ACP

I'd rather have a pocket nine that shoots standard pressure 9mm than a 380 Auto.

 

[C0untZer0]

Hey - how about the Boberg XR9-S Shorty ???

That's a totally different kind of ammo restriction !

 

[JohnBT]

My R9 has shot everything I've tried since I bought it in 2007. Just like Rohrbaugh says.

Here's the Rohrbaugh FAQ on ammo:

"What kind of ammo can I shoot from my Rohrbaugh pistol?

Use only original high quality factory manufactured (no reloaded) 9mm standard pressure parabellum ammunition in good condition."

 

[tryshoot]

Some revolvers pull bullits out on recoil. the heavyer bullits tend to stay where the are at while handgun recoils. For evey action there is an opposite reaction. NEWTON.

 

[Old Fuff]

It's a deal breaker only if I decide I don't want to stay within the limitations.

Usually whatever I buy will be expected to be ammunition friendly (meaning I can use anything within reason that will fit in the chamber(s)). If an exception to the rule meets my needs I may make an exception.

But so far I haven't.

 

[Bubba613]

I've noticed the other side of the coin. The 1911 for example was designed to operate with a 230 grain bullet, but manufacturers like Hornaday mainly offer a 180 grain in SD, what's up with that?

Actually it was designed for a 200gr bullet, to match specs of the 44-40. Short barrel guns will work better with lighter ammo.

If a company publishes a recommendation, that's one thing. Ruger does not recommend +P in their LC9. To me that would be a deal breaker.
But worse than that are guns that are simply finicky, and wont work with some brands or types. That is a poor quality firearm in my book.

 

[Lawdawg45]

Actually it was designed for a 200gr bullet, to match specs of the 44-40. Short barrel guns will work better with lighter ammo.

If a company publishes a recommendation, that's one thing. Ruger does not recommend +P in their LC9. To me that would be a deal breaker.
But worse than that are guns that are simply finicky, and wont work with some brands or types. That is a poor quality firearm in my book.

#1 Did not know that. My Remington R1 instruction booklet said 230.

#2 Agree completely, and for me that would be the LCP and the Kahr PM-9

LD

 

[Bubba613]

Colt had been working with Browning on a .41-caliber cartridge in 1904, and in 1905 when the Cavalry asked for a .45-caliber equivalent Colt modified the pistol design to fire a .45-caliber version of the prototype .41-caliber round. The result from Colt was the Model 1905 and the new .45 ACP cartridge. The original round that passed the testing fired a 200 grain (13 g) bullet at 900 ft/s (275 m/s), but after a number of rounds of revisions between Winchester Repeating Arms, Frankford Arsenal, and Union Metallic Cartridge, it ended up using a 230-grain (15 g) bullet fired at about 850 ft/s (260 m/s). The resulting .45-caliber cartridge, named the .45 ACP, was similar in performance to the .45 Schofield cartridge, and only slightly less powerful (but significantly shorter) than the .45 Colt cartridges the Cavalry was using.

Wiki, yeah I know.
The 230 came a little later but became the standard weight.

 

[CountryUgly]

I have my own "restrictions". It must function well with: Tulamo, Federal 'Champion', and
Blaser FMJs. Sadly 'Norinco' is no longer available as that was my fav test ammo. If it does not function well with that ammo the gun is no good to me.

I'm the same way if it fails and pukes on the cheapest nastiest ammo I can buy I have no use for the gun.

 

[bigfatdave]

Absolutely

If it won't run cheapo range fodder, it had better fill a very special niche, and then I get used to the occasional malfunction with cheapo junky range ammunition.

One should be aware of what their gun likes to eat (or "what their guns like to eat") and what it runs close to 100% with.

For example, the Mrs has a Sig P238** she really likes. It runs about 1 in 20 malfunctions with Tula ammo, and runs all day on hotter brass-case loads we've tried. Whenever that gun goes to the range, first and last magazine are the good stuff, with cheapo in between ... because we know and accept the limitations of the little thing. Obviously when she carries it for "social purposes" it is loaded up with one of the most reliable options, AND she's proficient at clearing various "crap ammo induced malfunctions". Sometimes the cheap stuff is good for training, sort of an "unplanned ball & dummy drill".



** (blech .380acp ... .32acp is my mousegun load of choice and they're toys mostly ... but the Mrs likes the silly little mini 1911 so I suck it up and buy .380 ammo once in a while)

 

[beag_nut]

There were several references to manufacturers suggesting or specifying exact loads their guns would function with (not best, but simply function).
The recent response I got from S&W about the new 9mm Shield (and viewing the online owner's manual) is somewhat instructive: the Shield will work with ANY (my emphasis) factory load less than +P+....! For further support of their statement see the very recent review of the Shield by Jeff Quinn in gunblast.com. I, for one, am somewhat impressed, to say the least. And tomorrow I will rent one at my local range and see if all the hype (?) is true.
How does S&W make a pocket rocket which will work with "anything", but others can't ?

 

[JohnBT]

"Ruger does not recommend +P in their LC9. To me that would be a deal breaker."

Why? From a full-size pistol barrel +P is about 50 fps faster than standard 9mm. The LC9's 3" barrel will give you what, an increase of maybe half that - 25 fps?