New Federal "Aluminum" ammunition - problems!

[ohio lock]

Went to my local Walmart and saw the new Federal aluminum ammo behind the counter with really low prices on it. I picked up a box of 50 for my PM45 for $14 - went to the range to try it out and had nothing but problems with it. I shot three mags full (15 rounds) and had 6 fte's, with the slide jamming so bad that I had to struggle to pry the bullet out. I thought it had ruined my Kahr. Still have 35 rounds left and will not shoot them again. I fixed the jams and proceeded to shoot 3 mags of Hornady zombie 185 grain HP's and had NO problems whatsoever. Anybody else having the same issue with this ammo?

[Bill K]

Thanks for the heads up. Over the years you early adapter types have saved me a lot of money and aggravation. :)

[kenemoore]

Thanks for the heads up, I have been considering the aluminum ammo, based on price. I still might try it in my CZ, it eats steel cases without issues.

[RRP]

I saw this stuff for the first time at my local Walmart about 3 weeks ago. I've shot more than 1000 rounds of 9mm without a hiccup. At less than $200 per thousand, I'm happy to buy what you guys turn your noses up to.

[ohio lock]

I saw this stuff for the first time at my local Walmart about 3 weeks ago. I've shot more than 1000 rounds of 9mm without a hiccup. At less than $200 per thousand, I'm happy to buy what you guys turn your noses up to.

I like to save money too. I almost bought all 6 boxes they had, but thankfully just bought the one. I am glad it works for your gun. I will not risk it again in my PM45.

[deadeye]

Thanks for the heads up on this stuff. I came close to trying it but my Kahr has been 100% for 2 years and over 2500 rounds. Don't want to mess it up experimenting. Might try it if I had a beater but not my CCW. I see guns like lawn mowers. If they don't work right, they are long gone.

[berettabone]

I am proud of the fact, that I have never used anything but brass...............ever.......................... .

[targetshooter]

I have not seen the Federal Aluminum cased product but thanks for the input. I have a Hi-Power, 1987 vintage, which I use as a range pistol, shooting 9 mm ball ammo only. I've shot hundreds of rounds of CCI Blazer aluminum cased ammo thru this unit with no issues. By any chance did you keep any of the cases that would not extract ? It would be interesting to measure the pre-fired diameter and the fired expansion.

[ohio lock]

I have not seen the Federal Aluminum cased product but thanks for the input. I have a Hi-Power, 1987 vintage, which I use as a range pistol, shooting 9 mm ball ammo only. I've shot hundreds of rounds of CCI Blazer aluminum cased ammo thru this unit with no issues. By any chance did you keep any of the cases that would not extract ? It would be interesting to measure the pre-fired diameter and the fired expansion.

I did keep the cases - will let you know after I get the little guy out of the bath and into the bed. Will post the results. I too have used Blazer aluminum ammo for a while and have never had any problems.

[kenemoore]

Since Federal and Blazer are owned by the same company. ( They both use small primers). You would assume there was some type of knowledge sharing, maybe not.

[garyb]

Went to my local Walmart and saw the new Federal aluminum ammo behind the counter with really low prices on it. I picked up a box of 50 for my PM45 for $14 - went to the range to try it out and had nothing but problems with it. I shot three mags full (15 rounds) and had 6 fte's, with the slide jamming so bad that I had to struggle to pry the bullet out. I thought it had ruined my Kahr. Still have 35 rounds left and will not shoot them again. I fixed the jams and proceeded to shoot 3 mags of Hornady zombie 185 grain HP's and had NO problems whatsoever. Anybody else having the same issue with this ammo?

I am guessing that they are oversized for the chamber. Try pulling your barrel and see if the loaded bulled drops easily into the chamber. I had this same problem with my PM40 using bulged brass that was previously shot from an unsupported Glock. Once I figured it out, I now individually test bullets by dropping them one at a time into my pulled barrel. Just a thought.

[b4uqzme]

I tried the Blazer aluminum in a 45lc revolver and the cases were difficult to extract. So I've never tried it in a semi auto

[340pd]

One of our guys came into our range this week with the announcement that Walmart had Federal 9mm at $9.97/box50. I suspect it was this stuff but I have yet seen any of it show up yet. We have very few ammo problems be it brass, steel,or aluminum cased. Personally, I would have no fear of products with a Federal label.

[Pointblank]

I was wondering about that stuff, thank you.

[jblackfish]

I've shot the steel and aluminum ammo too but not in my Kahrs.

FYI, from the Q&A section of the Kahr site:

Q. Which ammunition is recommended for use with Kahr firearms?

A. Kahr Arms does not endorse any particular brand of ammunition. However, not every brand of ammunition produces the same results. Please check the markings on the barrel hood of your firearm to determine the proper caliber. Kahr suggests a visit to a pistol range to test fire different brands of ammunition in the proper caliber. Kahr do not recommend steel case, reloads or un-jacketed ammunition. The Kahr pistol is rated to +P.

(but...I've shot more of my own reloads without any problem whatsoever than any other ammo.)

[Earle]

I've also shot three boxes of the aluminum Blazer ammo without problems and I can turn my head slightly and see three more boxes. No FTE (or FTF) so far...

[DeaconKC]

The .45ACP stuff runs fine in my Sig220, ATI 1911 Commander and a 1928 Argentine Systema.

[targetshooter]

I stopped in the WM closest to my house this AM. I planned to buy a box of the Federal 9 to try. Alas, no Federal 9 Aluminum ammo. In fact no 9 at all, the shelves were mostly empty. Rumor is the sporting goods area fellows have close ties with a local gun shop and flea market seller.

[hardluk1]

I have shot blazer in all my pistol, no handguns and with 3 kahrs are in the mix. Never had problem but as long as I have been on handgun forums here always some that has problems.

[Longitude Zero]

Every range in my area bans both steel ammo and aluminum ammo since they recycle the brass shells.

[tom.p]

I saw the Federal aluminum 9mm at Walmart a little while back for less than $10/box. Couldn't pass that price up easily, so I picked up one box to test out. Went to the range today and fired that and Blaser brass in my CW9. No issues at all; I switched off between the two (one magazine brass, then one aluminum, back to brass...) and found no noticeable difference in accuracy either. With the price that low, I'll likely stock up on the aluminum for range ammo after this test.

[muggsy]

Try cleaning the chamber and run the aluminum cased ammunition again.

[RRP]

I've shot 3000 rounds of Fed 9mm Aluminum. Not a single hiccup; 100% reliable so far. Aluminum is softer than brass, so I am not concerned about the ammo damaging my extractor after repeated use, or any other component for that matter.

I bought another 500 rounds last night. I wanted a full case, but that's all they had. At less than $200/K, I buy it whenever I see it. It's a good alternative to use at ranges that won't allow the shooter to collect their brass, or when taking courses that have a similar policy.

[CPTKILLER]

My CZ PO1 does OK with this stuff but not my first choice.

[muggsy]

Aluminum is for beer cans. Brass is for cartridge cases. Thus ends the lesson.

[thefirearmguy]

My Kahr CT45 ate up federal aluminum just excellent. This video shows it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYK_ZfuFybU

[McE]

Went through 2 boxes of the Fed Aluminum cased stuff without a hitch in my M&P45, I believe the proper conclusion is to warn only against the aluminum cased stuff in Kahr PM45's, not denounce the ammo outright.

Anyway, you've got a good excuse to pick up another 45acp firearm so you can shoot the rest of that aluminum ammo ;)

[RRP]

Aluminum is for beer cans. Brass is for cartridge cases. Thus ends the lesson.

Hornady missed your lesson. They are loading match ammo (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/861113/hornady-steel-match-ammunition-308-winchester-155-grain-hollow-point-boat-tail-steel-case-box-of-50) in steel cases.

[pubtart]

I couldn't passed up the price myself, bought a couple box of fed aluminum for my cw40. No problem here..

[ltxi]

Aluminum is for beer cans. Brass is for cartridge cases. Thus ends the lesson.

Yeah, well. You also still think 70 series Colt's and the Woodsman are proper guns.

[smokersteve]

I saw this stuff for the first time at my local Walmart about 3 weeks ago. I've shot more than 1000 rounds of 9mm without a hiccup. At less than $200 per thousand, I'm happy to buy what you guys turn your noses up to.
Ditto

[ESAFO]

I just grabbed 2 more boxes of 9mm today all the aluminum they had, last week I grabbed a box of .40 & .45 all they had.
there's been more federal fmj ammo on my shelves than the aluminum, so it must be treating others in my area well also.

[ltxi]

What got me into Al cased stuff many years back was the flying ashtray. Would maybe never had tried any otherwise. I always ran well in my .45s. Bought a case of Al Blazer .40 practice ammo a couple years that's also run good.

[AnthonyC]

Thanks for all comments. I am always sceptical about trying new ammo in my CM9 but at less than $10 per 50 rounds it did pique my interest. I am going to give it try.

[ESAFO]

And when you don't like it, yes I'll cover shipping on what you have left. :biggrin1:

[revolvergeek]

That is disappointing to read. I shot many many cases of Blazer 9mmP in years past (back in the old days when Academy would put it on sale for $2.99-$3.99 a box when they had price wars with Sports Authority) and always had great luck with it.

[AnthonyC]

Just thought I would give an update on my experience with Federal 115gr Aluminum cased ammo. I bought only one box in case it didn't run in my CM9. All 50 rounds ran flawlessly through both my 6 round and my 7 round mags. The gun just ate them up, I daresay even better than some of the brass cased stuff! I am very pleased with it's performance and will be stocking up on the stuff.
Incidentally, I also ran 50 rounds 40 cal through my Smith&Wesson SD40VE and they also ran flawlessly. Very accurate too. Again, very pleased with this ammo.

[jocko]

Ditto

I would buy it, no problem from ol jocko with aluminum . Range fodder

[muggsy]

I reload for all calibers from .30-06 Springfield to .380 ACP, so brass is my only option.

[ESAFO]

went to the range yesterday & shot 9mm -.40 & .45 all flavors in the Federal alluminum vs brass, from 15 & 25ft all of my pistols shot basically identical & was very pleased with the performance of the alluminum cased ammo.
no hesitation in purchasing more when i run across it at Wally's.