Old 9mm ammo acquired today

skeeter4206 · 03-29-2013, 11:54 PM

Today was out buying some ammo for my weekend gun range trip. Talking with one of the owners of a local gun shop about different guns. I was trying to get some 9mm ammo from him but he didnt have what I wanted. I told him the reason for being picky on brand is cause I'm shooting a luger. I told him how different brands jam in these guns, so I only shoot certain brands in it.

After chatting for a minute he went into the back and brought out a full box and a partial box of old 9mm ammo. On the box with writing it had FN labels on it. I did notice that between the 2 boxes the difference in the bullet itself. One was steel looking and the other copper.

He was curious how these bullets shot through the gun, so we worked out a deal.

I'm curious if anyone can tell me a little bit about this ammo. Should I or should I not shot it? What is the shiny steel looking bullet and why was it used instead of lead? Is it better to just keep in my collection and not shoot? which is probably what I'll do.

But if anyone can tell me a little something about what I got, I'd be very appreciative.

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Vlim · 03-30-2013, 10:44 AM

These were indeed produced by FN in Herstal near Liege, Belgium. In the early 1950s the European countries started to rearm, so the need for 9mm para ammunition started to grow again. Oxyless is the phrase used for the non-corrosive primer material that FN used.

The shiny bullets are nickle plated. You can test the presence of steel with a small magnet. Usually they employ a mild steel jacket which is nickle plated.

Personally I wouldn't shoot it. It is not that valuable to collectors, but why shoot vintage ammo when you can get and shoot modern ammo for less?

Edward Tinker · 03-30-2013, 11:19 AM

I pick up old ammo when I see it, have some a bit like yours, but different yrs

Dick Herman · 03-30-2013, 11:44 PM

I shot a lot of this ammo because it was cheap. I still have some of the empty boxes. Never thought that it would be considered collector ammo.

cirelaw · 03-31-2013, 09:32 AM

'GunAuction.com' has a box for sale, no bids, no reserve item #9220772~~Eric

alanint · 03-31-2013, 01:22 PM

Anything over 50 years old should be conserved and not used.
That being said, I can remember buying crates and crates of pre and WW2 ammo, both US and German, 20-30 years ago and shooting it up in the MGs. It was plentiful back then. But like all things, it eventually becomes scarce, then rare.

03-29-2013, 11:54 PM	#1
skeeter4206 User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Augusta, GA Posts: 448 Thanks: 52 Thanked 88 Times in 49 Posts	Old 9mm ammo acquired today Today was out buying some ammo for my weekend gun range trip. Talking with one of the owners of a local gun shop about different guns. I was trying to get some 9mm ammo from him but he didnt have what I wanted. I told him the reason for being picky on brand is cause I'm shooting a luger. I told him how different brands jam in these guns, so I only shoot certain brands in it. After chatting for a minute he went into the back and brought out a full box and a partial box of old 9mm ammo. On the box with writing it had FN labels on it. I did notice that between the 2 boxes the difference in the bullet itself. One was steel looking and the other copper. He was curious how these bullets shot through the gun, so we worked out a deal. I'm curious if anyone can tell me a little bit about this ammo. Should I or should I not shot it? What is the shiny steel looking bullet and why was it used instead of lead? Is it better to just keep in my collection and not shoot? which is probably what I'll do. But if anyone can tell me a little something about what I got, I'd be very appreciative.

03-30-2013, 11:19 AM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	I pick up old ammo when I see it, have some a bit like yours, but different yrs __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

03-30-2013, 10:44 AM	#2
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	These were indeed produced by FN in Herstal near Liege, Belgium. In the early 1950s the European countries started to rearm, so the need for 9mm para ammunition started to grow again. Oxyless is the phrase used for the non-corrosive primer material that FN used. The shiny bullets are nickle plated. You can test the presence of steel with a small magnet. Usually they employ a mild steel jacket which is nickle plated. Personally I wouldn't shoot it. It is not that valuable to collectors, but why shoot vintage ammo when you can get and shoot modern ammo for less?

03-30-2013, 11:44 PM	#4
Dick Herman User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 302 Thanks: 496 Thanked 354 Times in 138 Posts	I shot a lot of this ammo because it was cheap. I still have some of the empty boxes. Never thought that it would be considered collector ammo.

03-31-2013, 09:32 AM	#5
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	'GunAuction.com' has a box for sale, no bids, no reserve item #9220772~~Eric

03-31-2013, 01:22 PM	#6
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Anything over 50 years old should be conserved and not used. That being said, I can remember buying crates and crates of pre and WW2 ammo, both US and German, 20-30 years ago and shooting it up in the MGs. It was plentiful back then. But like all things, it eventually becomes scarce, then rare.