ammo choice for break-in

[jlh2600]

Incoming pm9. Will first strip, clean, and lube (according to that awesome lube breakdown photo around here), then get to breaking it in with a few boxes of ball first; then start experimenting with a few different jhp's to find something it likes.

Any other suggestions/tweaks to this process? Would you think it's ok to get through a couple hundred at once with the pm, or will it need maint at every 100 or less? Was going to use some cheap cci al and wwb for this purpose, but if anyone knows of hotter fmj that might better facilitate breakin I'm open to suggestions.

[josp]

I used WWB fmj for my P9 break in. I recall cleaning it and re-oiling it in the major areas (barrel hood, barrel at muzzle contact point, slide rails, trigger group) after about the first 150 or so rounds and kept blasting away merrily.
I shot 300 rounds the first time out. No malfunctions, no dreaded peeneing, nothing but relaible function.
I like CorBon 115 DPX for carry, having shot 9, 45, and 380 through gellatin tests personally, so I am biased there.
The local range sells Fiocchi fmj by the case, and it's pretty hot. I suppose that might "wear in" you gun a bit quicker as would smoking off the original tires on your new car froma dealer, but I don't think it would necessarily be good for you or your gun.

[Kalmah]

The first time I fired my PM9, I ran a hodgepodge of different ammo through it. I used mostly WWB 115gr FMJ, but I also used Fiocchi 115gr FMJ, Federal 124gr Hydrashoks and 105gr EFMJ, as well as some Ultramax 147gr XTP hollow point reloads.

About 150 total rounds that day without any problems at all. I would've shot it more, but was running short on time. I waited until my second range session before trying my carry ammo.

To break it in, just use whatever you've got on hand. But if you're looking for something a little hotter, Fiocchi is loaded a little hotter than most.

[warmrain]

Get 200 rounds of reliable ball feeding and then move on... Keep a log of failures and details. Label magazines and include that information in you notes.

[tabor-pm-9]

I always buy Fiocchi. I get it for $120/1000rds locally. It is 10x cleaner than WWB. Most of the time they have 115gr FMJ in stock but one time they gave me 147gr JHP. I found out that my gun likes Federal Hydrashock and HST, and dislikes GoldDot +P.

Just clean and lube it before the first time out. I put 200rds downrange in the first sitting but after 75rds my hand starts to hurt from the sharp checkering on the backstrap. I had a buddy to help me out.

[jlh2600]

Good tip on logging what failures w/what mags etc. I'll do it.


Yeah I've noticed wwb is a bit dirtier than even my favorite cheap stuff ($4/50) aluminum cci. I have some of both on hand. If I see any fiocchi, maybe i';ll try that too.

[BackDraft]

Your gun sounds like mine when it comes to ammo.Only other ammo that mine likes is Golden Sabers 124 +P and with Federal its 124 or 147. 147 HST seems to be most accurate load out of mine with the Hydra Shok +P+ 124 running a close second.
Originally posted by tabor-pm-9
I found out that my gun likes Federal Hydrashock and HST, and dislikes GoldDot +P.