Russian 9mm Ammo in Lugers

Century Arms is now listing the following ammo:


9mm Russian Lead Core ball (124 gr)

$5/box $94.87/1000


Anyone try this in their Luger yet? If so, how did it work?


The ad doesn't say, but I'm assuming it's steel case ammo. Are Lugers picky about steel case ammo?


My 1938 is sort of picky. Likes PMP but hates Winchester. So I'm wondering if anyone has tried this Russian stuff?

[Herb]

I bought some russian 7.63 for my Broomhandle and on the third round the bolt blew apart. I later found out that it was Russian sub-machine gun ammmo which is considerably more powerful. I personally am going to avoid any kind of Russian ammo.

[Uncle Mike]

Hi,It's been my experience that steel cases are harder on chambers than brass.I would hesitate to shoot this in a picky feeder.I shoot steel cases all the time in my Makarov with out problems but if your pistol likes PMP why change?I have friends that shoot all kinds of ammo(corosive,Bulgarian,Russian,pre-war and post-war)which can be interesting but I try to shoot only quality ammo or my own reloads.Happy Shooting,MC.

The Makarov, of course, was designed from the onset to fire steel-case ammunition. The P.08 was not. Be kind to it, or, as I said to a guy who stomped on a spider - 'hey, that was good, now make another one....'


terry foley

First, let it be said that I do not shoot any collectible guns, let alone precious Lugers. However, I do have a WWI all matching shooter (50% finish, pitted, poor bore), and have just put 200 rounds of steel cased Russian Wolf ammo through it with not one malfunction or problem of any kind. It just loves that ammo!

[john]

I shot 250 rounds of the Wolf steel cased 115 grain ammo through my shooter s/42 1938 pistol. It functioned flawlessly and off the bench at 25 yds had 7 out of 10 rounds touching each other. I thought this was a great ammo/pistol combination. I don't understand why a steel case would be harder on a chamber? I assume the case just expanded and gripped the walls to prevent gas leakage. If I'm wrong please let me know.

John

[JAMES]

The steel that is used for cases is much softer (mild steel) than the steel of the chamber and barrel. (hardened or forged tougher grades) However, it is not as soft as brass. It could cause a little more wear, especially if the laquer is missing. Take a file to a spent case, then take the same file to a good quality worn out wrench or screwdriver to demonstrate this. The file will eat the softer steel and just slide over the harder steels. However, it is not as soft as brass. It could cause a little more wear, especially if the laquer is missing. My personal experience is that the laquer is messy; it leaves powdery residue everywhere and can sometimes build up in the chamber and cause jams.

As this Russian 9mm has 124 gr. bullets, wouldn't that be closer to the original bullet weight for the Luger?


Century no lists PMP 9mm in their recent catalogs.


My 1938 (Gothic "S") Luger's a mis-matched Vopo shooter. It's not a museum piece.


I may try some of this Russian 9mm.

I don't know about 124 grain bulletss, but my Russian Wolf ammo is 115 grain, and it works perfectly. Maybe they make both weights.

The Century ad is frustratingly brief. No manf. or anything. Steel cases are not mentioned either, but they probably are. Even the 124 gr. bullet weight could be wrong knowing as I do how often Century goofs up. Calling probably won't do any good either, but I should try for more info. It's a new listing and I doubt if too many guys have gotten any yet.

[JAMES]

There is another big ammo maker in Russia, cant remember the name but its not Wolf. I've shot their .223 and seen several others, but never paid much attention to it. Could be theirs.