Shooting hollow points

Bud · 06-07-2002, 06:34 AM

I shot some jacketed hollow points today, loaded up by a friend of mine previously for 1300fps(hope that wasn't too hot), and they fed just fine. I did have one jam though, but seemed like the usual magazine jam, since I really need some good aftermarket magazines, instead of the beat up and rusted ones I have.
Seems to me hollowpoints feed well, but seems like I read somewhere that lugers don't like hollow points. Could it be that since the barrel is nearly shot out that it helped out in the feeding of hollowpoints?
My 1937 functioned real well though, and next week, I send off the upper assembly to get rebarreled at Hugh Clarks', into a six incher(praise the lord).

unspellable · 06-07-2002, 08:07 AM

It's my experience that hollowpoints with an overly large opening and a sharp edge on the opening will hang up in the magazine. If you can get them to go through the magazine you're two thirds of the way home.

unsepllable

AGE · 06-07-2002, 11:16 AM

I've tried about 7 or 8 types of ammo in my 1936 shooter including 2 types of hollow points. All the roundnose stuff is reliable, both types of hollow points (Federal and Russian import) had occasional feed failures.

I like the cheap Wallmart stuff. The Luger isn't for defense anyway. The hollow points work flawlessly in my S&W 3914.

AGE

kidvett · 06-09-2002, 01:05 PM

My experience with hollow points is a lot of jams....But the JAM CHAMPIONS are Winchester Factory 124gr Flat point jacketed...it's sad cause they have superb accuracy in LUGERS, even those with a bad bore. I shoot 125gr FMJ's backed up by a hefty charge of BLUE DOT ( necessary for the Toggle action ). Some of them LUGERS give me 2-2 1/2 inches accuracy at 25 yards which I consider very good....Only my P-38 HP Commercial ( 1943 ) beats this....

AGE · 06-09-2002, 09:54 PM

Thats funny, the 124 gr. flat nose Winchester (marked target ammo.) that I have (15 years old) works flawlessly in my P-08. I only fired about 40 rounds through this gun because I'm about out. You're right--very accurate.

AGE

kidvett · 06-10-2002, 01:50 PM

Sorry, I did make a mistake on that JAMMING WINCHESTER ammo. It's a batch of recent production 147 gr MATCH TARGET....Sorry for the inconvenience... <img src="graemlins/sleep.gif" border="0" alt="[sleep]" />

Bud · 06-11-2002, 12:08 AM

I just sent off my upper assembly to Hugh Clarks to get rebarreled to six incher, and it will be interesting to see the different characteristics associated with the barrel.
Jeese, having the same ammo for about fifteen years? Don't shoot your lugers much, huh?
I even opted for that square notch treatment of the rear sight.
I always end up with alot of odds and ends of 9mm's, like a friend of mine got tired of shooting his lead nosed reloaded low pressure rounds, and having to delead barrels of guns, so I had over 500 rounds of that stuff to shoot through my Browning High power. Even got handed some low cost Israeli surplus ammo once.

AGE · 06-11-2002, 02:20 PM

The reason I had the 124 gr. match Winchester stuff for 15 years was because it cost so durn much when I bought it (special order at the time). I shoot cheap stuff a lot, mostly Wallmart 115 gr. 9mm roundnose. Also, my only luger has had only about 250 rounds through it since I bought it 2 mos. ago (my S&W 3914 gets lots of use, probably 2500 rounds in the last couple of years). As for old ammo, I have some surplus 30-06 from the 40's--works great. And a few years ago I shot 500 rounds of 1939 .45 ACP. Properly stored, ammo lasts a long and old stuff is great for plinking. I wouldn't use it for serious social purposes, however.

Roadkill · 06-11-2002, 09:03 PM

I've been shooting the Walmart stuff in my 1918 Erfurt and it works great, had to do a lot of fine tuning to get it right though. Just picked up a P1 made in 1964, feeds anything, Wolf (last two boxes), Speer 115g, Finnish Mil Surp, but I have a real accuracy problem. Cannot get better than a 8" group at 30', maybe just me, Luger is a 2" consistent. I'm shooting LC 30.06 made in 58 in my 03,03A3,P17, and M-1. Works great, never a misfire. Was shooting CZ ammo made in 56 in my Tokarev, too hot so I traded it off.
RK

Lonnie Zimmerman · 06-13-2002, 10:38 AM

I shoot nothing but 115 gr Win JHP in all my Lugers and have NO problems. Try 1.150 oal.
Lonnie

John Sabato · 06-13-2002, 10:58 AM

Roadkill,

No flames... just facts.

It is not YOU, it is the P-1 (P-38) because it doesn't have a stationary barrel it will NEVER be as accurate as a Luger... at least at longer than combat pistol ranges (25 yards or less).

While the Luger trigger is no match target mechanism, The P-38 designed trigger is a far cry from what is needed for accurate shooting. It will certainly get the first shot off in a Close Quarters combat situation... and is a great defensive pistol up to about 10 yards, I wouldn't use one for plinking at 50 yards... it would be a waste of ammunition...

I have owned 4 p-38's and shot a lot more of them. They are great for carrying, but to quote a now deceased gun magazine writer..."they are like lightning... they never strike twice in the same place."
<img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />

You will note that you have never seen a TARGET quality pistol built from a P-38... 1911A1's and Luger's yes... but not the P-38

Roadkill · 06-13-2002, 04:03 PM

Since I last posted I went back out and shot another 200rds, I'm doing better but not as good as with the 1918 Erfurt. With the Luger I have to drop the barrel down so I make the front sight disappear, then pull, with the P1 I have to completely fill up the rear sight plus a little then carefully pull and then its still off a little to the left an inch or so. This is about 20 yds, more than adequate for handgun work and my progressive lens bifocals. I replaced my PP .32 with this one for hunting use, weight is the same as is mag capacity, firepower for those animals which will remain unnamed is better.
RK

Dwight Gruber · 06-13-2002, 10:05 PM

[quote]Originally posted by AGE:
<strong> ...As for old ammo, I have some surplus 30-06 from the 40's--works great. And a few years ago I shot 500 rounds of 1939 .45 ACP. Properly stored, ammo lasts a long and old stuff is great for plinking. I wouldn't use it for serious social purposes, however.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I just managed to find some 9mm Largo mfg. in 1948 so's I can finally shoot my Astra. My sore hand can attest to just how well that stuff has held up!

--Dwight

AGE · 06-13-2002, 11:20 PM

Dwight,

Be careful--the '40s 9mm Largo amo is probably corrosive. The '39 .45ACP and '40s 30-06 ammo was corrosive. Clean your gun carefully and then clean again after several days with the proper solvent or water followed by oil. Check this or other forums for cleaning technique after firing corrosive ammo.

Dwight Gruber · 06-14-2002, 12:41 AM

Already on it, thanks, thats the reason for my question earlier downscreen. I've arranged for a couple of boxes of Blazer at the Portland gun show, they don't make it any more. Frankly, this gun is not very much fun to shoot, I expect I'll hang it up pretty soon and then corrosion won't be an issue.

--Dwight

Roadkill · 06-14-2002, 12:16 PM

Had a Largo 400 a few years ago. It shot 9mm, 38 special, and 9mm Largo and I've heard it will also shoot .380. Ugly as everything and heavy beyond belief but reasonably accurate. Also difficult to take apart. Powerful spring. Try the 9mm & .38 sp.

RK

Dwight Gruber · 06-15-2002, 04:26 AM

I've heard from people whose opinions I respect that you can safely shoot all these various rounds in an Astra 400. I have heard form other people whose opinions I respect equally that it is dangerous and you shouldn't do it. Occam's Razor cuts down the conservative side that tells me I should only shoot ammunition that a particular gun is designed for.

--Dwight

06-07-2002, 06:34 AM	#1
Bud User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Shooting hollow points I shot some jacketed hollow points today, loaded up by a friend of mine previously for 1300fps(hope that wasn't too hot), and they fed just fine. I did have one jam though, but seemed like the usual magazine jam, since I really need some good aftermarket magazines, instead of the beat up and rusted ones I have. Seems to me hollowpoints feed well, but seems like I read somewhere that lugers don't like hollow points. Could it be that since the barrel is nearly shot out that it helped out in the feeding of hollowpoints? My 1937 functioned real well though, and next week, I send off the upper assembly to get rebarreled at Hugh Clarks', into a six incher(praise the lord).

06-07-2002, 11:16 AM	#3
AGE User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 597 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've tried about 7 or 8 types of ammo in my 1936 shooter including 2 types of hollow points. All the roundnose stuff is reliable, both types of hollow points (Federal and Russian import) had occasional feed failures. I like the cheap Wallmart stuff. The Luger isn't for defense anyway. The hollow points work flawlessly in my S&W 3914. AGE __________________ Al Eggers (AGE) NRA Life Member

06-09-2002, 09:54 PM	#5
AGE User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 597 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thats funny, the 124 gr. flat nose Winchester (marked target ammo.) that I have (15 years old) works flawlessly in my P-08. I only fired about 40 rounds through this gun because I'm about out. You're right--very accurate. AGE __________________ Al Eggers (AGE) NRA Life Member

06-11-2002, 02:20 PM	#8
AGE User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 597 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The reason I had the 124 gr. match Winchester stuff for 15 years was because it cost so durn much when I bought it (special order at the time). I shoot cheap stuff a lot, mostly Wallmart 115 gr. 9mm roundnose. Also, my only luger has had only about 250 rounds through it since I bought it 2 mos. ago (my S&W 3914 gets lots of use, probably 2500 rounds in the last couple of years). As for old ammo, I have some surplus 30-06 from the 40's--works great. And a few years ago I shot 500 rounds of 1939 .45 ACP. Properly stored, ammo lasts a long and old stuff is great for plinking. I wouldn't use it for serious social purposes, however. __________________ Al Eggers (AGE) NRA Life Member

06-13-2002, 10:38 AM	#10
Lonnie Zimmerman User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 523 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I shoot nothing but 115 gr Win JHP in all my Lugers and have NO problems. Try 1.150 oal. Lonnie __________________ Lonnie Zimmerman

06-07-2002, 08:07 AM	#2
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	It's my experience that hollowpoints with an overly large opening and a sharp edge on the opening will hang up in the magazine. If you can get them to go through the magazine you're two thirds of the way home. unsepllable

06-09-2002, 01:05 PM	#4
kidvett User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 584 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	My experience with hollow points is a lot of jams....But the JAM CHAMPIONS are Winchester Factory 124gr Flat point jacketed...it's sad cause they have superb accuracy in LUGERS, even those with a bad bore. I shoot 125gr FMJ's backed up by a hefty charge of BLUE DOT ( necessary for the Toggle action ). Some of them LUGERS give me 2-2 1/2 inches accuracy at 25 yards which I consider very good....Only my P-38 HP Commercial ( 1943 ) beats this....

06-10-2002, 01:50 PM	#6
kidvett User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 584 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Sorry, I did make a mistake on that JAMMING WINCHESTER ammo. It's a batch of recent production 147 gr MATCH TARGET....Sorry for the inconvenience... <img src="graemlins/sleep.gif" border="0" alt="[sleep]" />

06-11-2002, 12:08 AM	#7
Bud User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I just sent off my upper assembly to Hugh Clarks to get rebarreled to six incher, and it will be interesting to see the different characteristics associated with the barrel. Jeese, having the same ammo for about fifteen years? Don't shoot your lugers much, huh? I even opted for that square notch treatment of the rear sight. I always end up with alot of odds and ends of 9mm's, like a friend of mine got tired of shooting his lead nosed reloaded low pressure rounds, and having to delead barrels of guns, so I had over 500 rounds of that stuff to shoot through my Browning High power. Even got handed some low cost Israeli surplus ammo once.

06-11-2002, 09:03 PM	#9
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,634 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	I've been shooting the Walmart stuff in my 1918 Erfurt and it works great, had to do a lot of fine tuning to get it right though. Just picked up a P1 made in 1964, feeds anything, Wolf (last two boxes), Speer 115g, Finnish Mil Surp, but I have a real accuracy problem. Cannot get better than a 8" group at 30', maybe just me, Luger is a 2" consistent. I'm shooting LC 30.06 made in 58 in my 03,03A3,P17, and M-1. Works great, never a misfire. Was shooting CZ ammo made in 56 in my Tokarev, too hot so I traded it off. RK

06-13-2002, 10:58 AM	#11
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Roadkill, No flames... just facts. It is not YOU, it is the P-1 (P-38) because it doesn't have a stationary barrel it will NEVER be as accurate as a Luger... at least at longer than combat pistol ranges (25 yards or less). While the Luger trigger is no match target mechanism, The P-38 designed trigger is a far cry from what is needed for accurate shooting. It will certainly get the first shot off in a Close Quarters combat situation... and is a great defensive pistol up to about 10 yards, I wouldn't use one for plinking at 50 yards... it would be a waste of ammunition... I have owned 4 p-38's and shot a lot more of them. They are great for carrying, but to quote a now deceased gun magazine writer..."they are like lightning... they never strike twice in the same place." <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> You will note that you have never seen a TARGET quality pistol built from a P-38... 1911A1's and Luger's yes... but not the P-38 __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

06-13-2002, 04:03 PM	#12
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,634 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	Since I last posted I went back out and shot another 200rds, I'm doing better but not as good as with the 1918 Erfurt. With the Luger I have to drop the barrel down so I make the front sight disappear, then pull, with the P1 I have to completely fill up the rear sight plus a little then carefully pull and then its still off a little to the left an inch or so. This is about 20 yds, more than adequate for handgun work and my progressive lens bifocals. I replaced my PP .32 with this one for hunting use, weight is the same as is mag capacity, firepower for those animals which will remain unnamed is better. RK

06-13-2002, 10:05 PM	#13
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	[quote]Originally posted by AGE: <strong> ...As for old ammo, I have some surplus 30-06 from the 40's--works great. And a few years ago I shot 500 rounds of 1939 .45 ACP. Properly stored, ammo lasts a long and old stuff is great for plinking. I wouldn't use it for serious social purposes, however.</strong><hr></blockquote> I just managed to find some 9mm Largo mfg. in 1948 so's I can finally shoot my Astra. My sore hand can attest to just how well that stuff has held up! --Dwight

06-13-2002, 11:20 PM	#14
AGE User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 597 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Dwight, Be careful--the '40s 9mm Largo amo is probably corrosive. The '39 .45ACP and '40s 30-06 ammo was corrosive. Clean your gun carefully and then clean again after several days with the proper solvent or water followed by oil. Check this or other forums for cleaning technique after firing corrosive ammo. __________________ Al Eggers (AGE) NRA Life Member

06-14-2002, 12:41 AM	#15
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Already on it, thanks, thats the reason for my question earlier downscreen. I've arranged for a couple of boxes of Blazer at the Portland gun show, they don't make it any more. Frankly, this gun is not very much fun to shoot, I expect I'll hang it up pretty soon and then corrosion won't be an issue. --Dwight

06-14-2002, 12:16 PM	#16
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,634 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	Had a Largo 400 a few years ago. It shot 9mm, 38 special, and 9mm Largo and I've heard it will also shoot .380. Ugly as everything and heavy beyond belief but reasonably accurate. Also difficult to take apart. Powerful spring. Try the 9mm & .38 sp. RK

06-15-2002, 04:26 AM	#17
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	I've heard from people whose opinions I respect that you can safely shoot all these various rounds in an Astra 400. I have heard form other people whose opinions I respect equally that it is dangerous and you shouldn't do it. Occam's Razor cuts down the conservative side that tells me I should only shoot ammunition that a particular gun is designed for. --Dwight

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