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Glock with Russian ammo

2K views 28 replies 23 participants last post by  BADOS 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi,

I am about 3k of shots since new with my G19 gen 4 and I am mostly shoting it with cheap Russian Wolf or Bear with it, no issues so far and it is even better than with Fiocchi brass causing FTE/FTF.
It is dirty ammo but who cares? :) Should I expect issues or barrel wear while continue shoting this ammo? Prices are up and I can't afford brass anymore. I see no difference with my results with any ammo, astigmatism ....

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
Not sure on this and round count of WHEN.

More likely to scar chamber. More likely to stick to hot chamber, especially if dirty. Brass is softer than steel. Steel is all about the Benjamin's. Buy another barrel and move on if you like steel cases, IMHO. I shoot only brass (reload).
 
#3 ·
Of all the ammo I fire, I would guesstimate 15 to 25% is steel. I say go for it and don't worry about it, especially with a Glock. Glocks nitrided components will not be affected easily.

Regarding the "hotness" of steel vs brass, I had a Ruger P95 that hated 115gr 9mm since the slide and spring was a little heavy, but it ran wolf 115gr steel just fine.

Plus when when I see 1000 round cases for $150, I tend to bite.
 
#7 ·
This seems to be the most frequent complaint using steel-cased ammo. If you use it sparingly, probably not a big deal. If you use it a LOT, keep a new extractor handy (just in case...) for like $10 and still not a big deal. Cost of new extractor is easily off-set by savings on ammo. I just ordered 500 rds of Wolf WPA ammo for my 45's.
 
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#8 ·
Steel cased ammo was developed in WWII and used by the Germans, Soviets and even the US in .45 ACP and .30 Carbine. Steel was never the preferred material but used as a substitute. Militaries view their weapons as expendable commodities. I do not. I never shoot steel cased ammo. I don't buy Russian products period. Maybe after Putin is deposed, but not now. It's your money suit yourself. Penny wise and pound foolish still applies today.

Best Regards,
ADP3
 
#9 ·
This seems to be the most frequent complaint using steel-cased ammo. If you use it sparingly, probably not a big deal. If you use it a LOT, keep a new extractor handy (just in case...) for like $10 and still not a big deal. Cost of new extractor is easily off-set by savings on ammo. I just ordered 500 rds of Wolf WPA ammo for my 45's.
I am not a fan of the steel cased ammunition but I agree that the reduction in cost will easily pay for an extractor. I am not convinced that a Glock would wear out that much quicker with steel ammunition but as near as I can tell if steel cased ammunition caused the life of a Glock to be cut in half from say 100k rounds to 50k rounds if the price difference was say two dollars a box, one could buy a new gun and still come out ahead.
 
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#13 ·
Yep, I agree. I, personally, have NOT had trouble with steel-cased ammo wearing anything prematurely. I've read it from some but not seen it myself. BUT ... either way, the cost of the extractor is so slight as to be easily offset by savings in ammo cost. Or a new pistol, like you say, if ya shoots enough of the stuff!!!
 
#16 ·
This seems to be the most frequent complaint using steel-cased ammo. If you use it sparingly, probably not a big deal. If you use it a LOT, keep a new extractor handy (just in case...) for like $10 and still not a big deal. Cost of new extractor is easily off-set by savings on ammo. I just ordered 500 rds of Wolf WPA ammo for my 45's.
This seems reasonable. But yes keep a spare extractor handy. As I reload, I don't have any reason to shoot steel but if I came into a bunch of it as a gift I would certainly shoot it up in my Glock. Some speculate it might scratch the chamber over time.

I certainly would not rely on it for combat.
 
#21 ·
I shoot a lot of TulAmmo, mostly 45acp, never a problem. Its all about hardness, Glock parts are hard and steel ammo cases are soft.
Shoot it, you will be fine.
Ditto, The barrel and the extractor a significantly harder steel than the cases. The real difference with steel case ammo is that although is is a soft steel, it does not have the same expansion properties of brass. As such, it is not a re-loadable case.

The Russian ammo is a bit dirtier round for sure, If you shoot a couple hundred rounds using steel case ammo the rounds might stick because of built up carbon in the chamber (that's where expansion properties also play in). A quick swipe with a bore snake will make it good for another couple hundred rounds.

Some brands of Russian ammo made have hard primers. My friend has a G17 that has soft hit sometimes, however my G19 and G26 don't seem to mind.

And no, the lacquer on the cases will not cause the cases to stick in the chamber.....unless you are shooting full auto and the chamber gets red hot.

Steel cased ammo is great for practice because it is cost effective, yet considering the statements above, I don't recommended it for carry or defense. Besides, if you get an FTE at the practice range, you get some good malfunction practice. Something many shooters don't do.
 
#24 ·
I'll admit I prefer brass. Partially because I'm still under the illusion I may reload one day. Honestly though I wouldn't hesitate to shoot steel out of my Glocks. I seriously doubt you could wear one out even on a steady diet with steel and even if you could parts are cheap.
 
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#25 ·
My G23(3) and my G19(4) both get a steady diet of the cheapest range ammo available. Mostly Tula locally.

I've never had any issues with either weapon, and don't look to have any. I shoot a lot, and less-expensive ammo is a bonus to me.

Good luck
 
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#28 ·
I used to wonder why folks would buy a premium gun then shoot the cheapest crap ammo in it. Well.........the ,market for ammo has changed a lot and a strong dose of reality set in. Now, I'll buy just about any brand as long as it's brass cased as I want to save the brass. It's more about getting what's available in 2016.

Related...........I also asked TR Graham about shooting lead bullets in the polygonal rifling in the Glocks. Lots of shooters say that they shoot lead bullets in the Glocks with no negative effects. Graham's reply? "Don't do it."

That was good enough for me so I slowly built up a collection of Lone Wolf barrels which have a standard land & groove rifling. We're all set up here to reload anything we shoot except rim fire rounds. That should keep us in business with lead projectiles (store bought and home grown).

Flash
 
#29 ·
I have a friend who has a SW Shield. One day he bought some Russian ammo and shot about 50 rounds thru it. The pistol was so fugged up, it wouldn't fire due to the dirt. Not for me. I'll stick to Federal or Winchester when shooting at the range.
 
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