Will 115 grain ammo work?

katch · 07-07-2007, 11:36 PM

I read that Lugers prefer 124 grain 9mm but the 115 is much more common. Is it really that important?

Dwight Gruber · 07-07-2007, 11:42 PM

I shoot exclusively 115gr.

--Dwight

Hugh · 07-08-2007, 12:25 AM

yes, if you get the Winchester white box like Wallmart carries.

katch · 07-08-2007, 08:08 AM

ok, thanks. I was at a gunshow yesterday and picked up a box of S&B 115 and a box of Winchester NATO spec 124 grain to try out. I assume the 115 will be easier on the pistol, not to mention that its cheaper and more plentiful.

shadow · 07-08-2007, 12:55 PM

I understand from reading this forum that S&B works good too. The wallmart near me does not sell ammo so I tried what I could get. My luger feeds 115 gr. Remington from Dicks pretty well although from what I have read it should not.

Chris

Ron Smith · 07-09-2007, 10:39 AM

It's my understanding that the Navy SEAL teams went back to .45 ACP because the NATO spec. ammo was cracking slides on the U.S. issue Berettas.

Vlim · 07-09-2007, 11:50 AM

Interesting,

I've been testing some IMI produced 9mm ball ammo in several P08's, some fellow shooters also tested it in P08 and P38's. We found no difference in feel and recoil compared to, say, 9mm 124gr GeCo (club standard) or 9mm 124 gr S&B. In fact, it had more in common with the GeCo and felt a bit milder than the S&B.

This particular ammo is being used by the Dutch army in the Glock 17 service pistols without problems.

Vlim · 07-09-2007, 05:26 PM

Tac,

Indeed, stranger things have happened and I for one would not use surplus Nato 9mm ball as a main supply of ammo.

I'll try and see if I can find some ballistic info on this more recent stuff. The Dutch KNIL ruined a lot of pistols using the 9mm ammo loaded for the Sten in the late 1940s, so I know it happened in the past as well.

Can't be too careful!

katch · 07-09-2007, 05:36 PM

tacfoley, thats certainly interesting. I'm glad I didnt purchase more of this ammo. Also, the S&B goes for about $8/box at gunshows, the nato spec is $10. If you actually had an ammo related failure and then witnessed one, I'll take your word for it.

Ron, I believe the SEALs were breaking the Berettas because they were shooting them underwater.

Thank you all for your responses!

byf43 · 07-19-2007, 04:23 AM

I have fired 250 rounds of Magtech FMC 124gr. through 2 P08s. Worked fine. Never tried with 115gr. I'd stay away from military ammo though, regardless if it's old or new.

07-07-2007, 11:36 PM	#1
katch User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Will 115 grain ammo work? I read that Lugers prefer 124 grain 9mm but the 115 is much more common. Is it really that important?

07-08-2007, 12:25 AM	#3
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 166 Times in 65 Posts	yes, if you get the Winchester white box like Wallmart carries. __________________ *TRUMP FOR PREZ IN '20!*

07-08-2007, 12:55 PM	#5
shadow User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down The Shore Posts: 245 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	I understand from reading this forum that S&B works good too. The wallmart near me does not sell ammo so I tried what I could get. My luger feeds 115 gr. Remington from Dicks pretty well although from what I have read it should not. Chris __________________ The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good. George Washington

07-09-2007, 10:39 AM	#6
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	It's my understanding that the Navy SEAL teams went back to .45 ACP because the NATO spec. ammo was cracking slides on the U.S. issue Berettas. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

07-07-2007, 11:42 PM	#2
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	I shoot exclusively 115gr. --Dwight

07-08-2007, 08:08 AM	#4
katch User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ok, thanks. I was at a gunshow yesterday and picked up a box of S&B 115 and a box of Winchester NATO spec 124 grain to try out. I assume the 115 will be easier on the pistol, not to mention that its cheaper and more plentiful.

07-09-2007, 11:50 AM	#7
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,990 Times in 1,205 Posts	Interesting, I've been testing some IMI produced 9mm ball ammo in several P08's, some fellow shooters also tested it in P08 and P38's. We found no difference in feel and recoil compared to, say, 9mm 124gr GeCo (club standard) or 9mm 124 gr S&B. In fact, it had more in common with the GeCo and felt a bit milder than the S&B. This particular ammo is being used by the Dutch army in the Glock 17 service pistols without problems.

07-09-2007, 05:26 PM	#8
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,990 Times in 1,205 Posts	Tac, Indeed, stranger things have happened and I for one would not use surplus Nato 9mm ball as a main supply of ammo. I'll try and see if I can find some ballistic info on this more recent stuff. The Dutch KNIL ruined a lot of pistols using the 9mm ammo loaded for the Sten in the late 1940s, so I know it happened in the past as well. Can't be too careful!

07-09-2007, 05:36 PM	#9
katch User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	tacfoley, thats certainly interesting. I'm glad I didnt purchase more of this ammo. Also, the S&B goes for about $8/box at gunshows, the nato spec is $10. If you actually had an ammo related failure and then witnessed one, I'll take your word for it. Ron, I believe the SEALs were breaking the Berettas because they were shooting them underwater. Thank you all for your responses!

07-19-2007, 04:23 AM	#10
byf43 User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 69 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have fired 250 rounds of Magtech FMC 124gr. through 2 P08s. Worked fine. Never tried with 115gr. I'd stay away from military ammo though, regardless if it's old or new.