I've been using Remington Golden Sabre (HPJ/BJHP, non-bonded) loads for several years, as it was on the state contract for a while.
I've seen some many ten's of thousands of rounds of it fired downrange in 9 (124gr +P), .40 (180gr) & .45 ACP (230gr), and a small number in secondary/off-duty calibers of .38 Spl (125gr +P) & .380 ACP (102gr).
I can only think of a handful of instances where some QC issue resulted in a round that wouldn't feed, chamber or fire. (A couple over-length, improperly trimmed cases, a couple mangled case mouths & inert/bad primers. That's not at all bad over the course of so many pallets of cases being fired, I'd think.)
I did read a notice sent out to LE customers a few years ago, involving 2-3 production lots of LE-Only production, reportedly involving some short-loaded rounds (reduced powder charges), which I was told had resulted in key-holing during training/quals at a couple of agencies ... but I can think of other major ammo makers who have had similar occurrences over the years, too.
Yes, the brass jacketed bullets can sometimes appear tarnished or darker colored. I've seen many bins of loose Golden Sabre rounds exhibit assorted "mottled" and darker tinged brass jackets, as well as some of the black case mouth sealant having oozed up and over the case mouth. The primer pocket sealant has varied a bit in appearance, as well.
I can also think of some "finish & cosmetic appearance" issues I've seen in some other rounds produced by other major ammo makers, too.
You see enough pallets of cases of various loads come through a range over the years, you see some cosmetic variations.
I've seen my fair share of gel test shots done during agency hosted manufacturer gel shoots, and the Rem Golden Sabre rounds have generally done comparably to other premium-type hollowpoints being offered by the major American makers as LE/duty/defensive loads.
One advantage the regular consumer is offered in the Rem Golden Sabre line is being able to buy 25-round boxes instead of 20-rd boxes. FWIW, I've ever only seen the 9 & .45 duty loads arrive in cases of 25-rd boxes, but occasionally the .40 loads would arrive in cases packaged in 50-rd boxes.
I don't know if they're still using it, but as I recall, for some years the .45 230gr standard Golden Sabre was the choice of duty ammo by the FBI (for agents using 1911's).
The muzzle flash is fairly subdued in reduced light, but there are often some orange "burning embers" thrown off. While not what I'd necessarily call "dirty" loads, I'd not exactly think of them as being the "cleanest burning" of loads, either.
Some internet gun enthusiasts like to espouse the "advantages" of the bonded version, but last time I talked to Rem LE rep, he said they'd only started making the bonded version to be able to get that piece of the LE market, and that most agencies were more interested in buying the standard non-bonded rounds. Maybe so. I don't have a particular affinity for the bonded version, myself.
I know there's some private "tests" done and available online that show jacket loss among some of the lines, and some folks have expressed a concern about it, but it isn't something that worries me. In the gel tests I've observed (4-layer denim & windshield glass scenarios) jacket loss was a very infrequent event (and not limited to the Rem loads, either).
I'm sort of anxious to see when the new Rem HPJ Golden Sabre load makes the rounds, the new "belted" design. Last I saw, the commercial name was "Black Belt", seemingly derived from the black metal band that "belted" the bullet on the outside of the jacket, reportedly to help the jacket better hold onto the lead ingot under a wide range of conditions, while not restricting or impeding expansion. Seemingly, the best of both types of LE bullets, meaning standard/non-bonded & bonded. Interesting to see how it does, I'd think.
In the meantime, I'll continue to use both the Rem Golden Sabre and Win SXT/T-Series, both of which have been issued rounds at various times over the years. Both have been on the CA state contract at different times in 9/.40, and the T-Series contract was extended a year until this Fall. I haven't yet learned about the next contract.
Just some thoughts.
