how many rounds of SD ammo practice before carrying

[S281]

I'm going to start carrying my CM9 as my CCW soon. I plan on putting plenty of FMJ rounds through it before that, but what about self defense ammo. Considering its now so hard to even find, and at $1/rd, what would you cycle through it before calling it Good to go? I was thinking a box of 50?

[Longitude Zero]

With a brand new gun I burn at least 500 FMJ and then 100 of my chosen SD rounds. The SD rounds must be flawless with ZERO malfunctions allowed.

[JimC]

When I decided to test my choices for my SD ammo in my PM9, I fired about 200 rds. of three seperate loadings, all of which were 100% and any of which I would have picked until I settled on the Speer 124 gr. GDHP +P short barrel load.

I fired a total of 100 rds. of the Speer loading using 5 magazines. The PM9, magzines and ammo functioned 100%.

If I were to carry my PM9 again...it would be with that loading.

So, I guess what I'm saying is, a minimum of 100 rds. of the ammo of your choice. Your life may possibly depend on what you choose. ;)

[chrish]

My number is pretty much LZ's recommendation. I put as many FMJ range fodder rounds thru until the gun operates with no failures, leaving out those which I am 100% sure I caused (riding the slide release, loose grip, etc). Once I'm comfortable that the gun is broken in (Kahr in particular), then I put at least 2-3 boxes of my SD ammo thru if before I'll carry it. And I only carry w/ the mags I was able to test with, which is usually all of them, but you need to be sure the combination works flawlessly.

[Rubb]

I generally get it done with less than 50 rounds..I test SD ammo a little different though.
It may not be for everyone, but it works for me.

New guns get 200 flawless FMJ rounds prior to SD ammo testing.
Used guns get 50 flawless FMJ rounds prior to SD ammo testing.
The FMJ rounds should be at least 2 different brands.
SD ammo testing must be flawless or that round is out.

Single stack primary carry mag= 4 runs, loaded to capacity +1 as you would carry.
1-Slow aimed fire
2-Rapid fire
3-90 degree angle to right, one handed
4-90 degree angle to left, one handed

Each back up mag loaded to capacity = 2 runs.
1-50% slow aimed 50% rapid
2-50% 90 degree right, one handed 50% 90 degree left, one handed.

Double stack primary carry mag= 2 runs, loaded to capacity +1 as you would carry.
1-50% slow aimed 50% rapid
2-50% 90 degree right, one handed 50% 90 degree left, one handed

Each back up mag loaded to capacity= 1 run.
1-25% each, slow aimed/rapid/90 degree right/90 degree left

This testing is a personalized version of part II linked below.
http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs25.htm

After carry rounds are chambered x amount of times each they are fired and replaced.

[Longitude Zero]

chrish is so very correct on the magazine issue as it is the heart and soul of a semi-auto. Practice and prove what you will carry and then stick with it.

[geen]

I did not count but took MY CW9 to the range 10-15 times and went througha box of FMJ each time and then tested som JHP the only round that fed 100% were hydra shoks other JHP got cought up on the feedramp. When I carry I load two mags with hydra shoks and one FMJ.

[Sage]

After break in my guns must handle 200 consecutive rounds of carry ammo without a failure. Then after every range or plinking session I shoot a mag or two of my carry ammo. That way my carry ammo doesn't get old and is changed out pretty frequently. I don't change carry ammo brands. It's been Gold Dot for several years now.

[JrFreak]

I try to get 200 of fmj and 50 of carry load. 50 of carry load gets expensive nowadays.

[HighLander51]

500 rounds, it's not a Glock.

[rjt123]

1-Slow aimed fire
2-Rapid fire
3-90 degree angle to right, one handed
4-90 degree angle to left, one handed

I get the point of the angle to left/right...shooting to confirm the gun functions when shooting from an unusual position.

But I guess I'm just too, uh, "square" to shoot Gansta style with other folks around. :)

[JimBianchi]

200rds flawless rounds of operation with all mags then I run another 50rds of carry ammo and I include all carry mags, at least two or three full loads each mag.

This is how I weeded out the 8rd mags for the MK9 and K9 and the 7rd mag for the MK9.

The 7rd mags only failed in the MK9 when I am under stress. I grip the gun hard, and my pinky finger pushes the mag out of position. In a real world shooting I am sure I would have a bit of stress, so I try and be realistic when training.

[Rubb]

I get the point of the angle to left/right...shooting to confirm the gun functions when shooting from an unusual position.

But I guess I'm just too, uh, "square" to shoot Gansta style with other folks around. :)

Lay on your side and shoot under your car :D

[ParabellumJ]

My answer is however many it takes for you to feel confident in the weapon defending your life. For me its 500 flawless FMJ followed by 100 flawless JHP rounds through all carry mags before I will call it approved. I carry Gold Dot 124 JHP's in my G19 and PM9 and shoot a box every 6 months between the two guns to keep the ammo fresh.

[wyntrout]

After the pistol is broken in, fire at least of couple of magazines full from each carry magazine, starting with full mag + 1 in the chamber as you would carry it. $1+ to $2 for each SD round IS expensive, but you want your combination of loaded mags and pistol to work every time and Murphy loves to give you a hand! Sometimes it's possible to have problems trying to insert a full magazine and get it to lock in place with the slide forward, as with a round already chambered.

After chambering a round, remove the magazine and top it off with another round, making SURE that the top round is FULLY to the rear of the magazine... otherwise, it could nose over and dive against the feed ramp and jam the action open.:eek:

With 9mm, it's common in Kahrs to have the next round dragged forward a bit by the top round as it's pushed forward to be chambered. Then it can nose over and jam against the ramp.

Use a FIRM grip on the pistol when firing, OR CHAMBERING a round from slide lock or with a full, clean rack... no riding or dragging the slide as it is released. If the pistol is not held firmly, the pistol is moved by the slide movement and momentum is lost and you don't get a full chambering of the round.

You want to find any problems before you depend on your rig for saving your life.

I shoot my SD-loaded carry mags at the range a few times a year to test the ammo and replenish it with fresh ammo.

Wynn:)