Guns & Outdoors Forum

I went through and swapped out all my 9mm carry ammo last week just before I picked up my Dagger. The ammo from my G19 was so old I'm not even sure how long it had been in the mag. Other than knowing it was Remington, I can't tell you anything about it. I will say it's been a LONG time since I've carried the 19 (10+years)
The ammo in my pocket pistols (PM40, EC9s) gets changed out at least yearly, since it's exposed to more sweat on a regular basis.

My seldom carried pistols ( 45ACP and 10mm) may go longer between changes, since they're normally kept in the same conditions as my reserve ammo.

So, how often do you change out yours?

Also, have you ever had a squib/dud when you were firing your old ammo?
I did with some 357mag Glaser Safety Slugs back in the 80s. First round went "pop" and the bullet landed about 5 feet in front of me. Second round went "click" I was GLAD I'd never needed that 357 for SD, since all I did was take it out of the holster and fire it. Those would have been my first two in an emergency

Edited to add: Never bought another round of Glaser ammo, and have never had another misfire with my "old" carry ammo

My last misfire was in the 80s, it was the round that had been in the pipe for months, and Federal wanted the round for testing. They called me back and asked if I used CLP for lubrication in my SIG. I said yes and they said that’s what they found in the primer. Since then I lube my carry pistols with grease, have never had a click since then.

I don’t have any carry ammo that is decades old. I normally buy about a years worth at a time for a particular gun and fire off whatever is in the gun at the beginning of my range session before I switch to range ammo, quick wipe down, touch of grease and reload the mags with fresh carry ammo.

"It depends." But not very often. If a round is noticeably disfigured from being loaded and unloaded, away it goes. Otherwise, I am not too worried about ammo going bad. The last time I cycled out my carry ammo it was because I found a great deal on a new batch and shot up the old stuff to get reps.

I also have carry ammo that is pretty ballistically similar to 9mm NATO spec (Federal HST 124gr +P) so I'm not worried about replicating how the ammo recoils or any such silliness. I do verify my RDS zero with the carry ammo, but have yet to have an issue.

When I go to the range with it.

I always plan on cycling through it every six months......

In reality, probably every two years.

1-2 years typically.

Depends on the gun. Most about annually, little pocket roçket .380 guess I should, it's been about 3 years.

Used to be once a year but since I've retired I stretch that a bit...

I dug one of my old carry guns (Kahr MK9) out of the depths of the safe, and found it was still loaded with the 115 Grain silvertips that I was carrying in it back when HydraShoks were still “new”.

So I fired off all 4 mags of it at the range on Friday. Every round went bang and it was still a very accurate round in that gun…. And that stuff had to be 20-22 years old.

When I change to a new style brand or caliber.

Must be the carry environment or cleaning/lube already mentioned. Some time back I found a long forgotten misplaced box of Federal .44 mag that had to be at least 40yrs old. Loaded the super Blackhawk it worked perfectly I know by the recoil.

Must be the carry environment or cleaning/lube already mentioned. Some time back I found a long forgotten misplaced box of Federal .44 mag that had to be at least 40yrs old. Loaded the super Blackhawk it worked perfectly I know by the recoil.

Zee wrote: ↑Wed Sep 13, 2023 9:02 pm When I go to the range with it.

Says the man with an ammo factory dedicated to him!

I bet I have a couple of Glock 27s that have been loaded for 6 to 8 years. I should take them to the range and mag dump to see what happens. I bet lots of bangs will happen.

jkp wrote: ↑Sun Sep 24, 2023 10:36 pm

Zee wrote: ↑Wed Sep 13, 2023 9:02 pm When I go to the range with it.

Says the man with an ammo factory dedicated to him!

Does this count as range time?

Only if you sling the lead out of the gun every time like you’re whipping the pistol.

Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 12:57 pm Only if you sling the lead out of the gun every time like you’re whipping the pistol.

It gives the bullet another 2-3 feet per second

When I go to the range, I fire the magazine in the gun. And the spare magazine. Then after I clean, I reload with fresh rounds. I'd say my carry gun gets exercised every couple months.