I experienced some fail-to-ejects with a new (not Sig) 9mm pistol I purchased.

I was told that the likely reason was that my pistol was engineered to military specs and that "domestic" ammo wasn't powerful enough to push the slide back, stretch the spring, etc.

This person recommended I run 300-500 rounds of Fiocchi 124 grain through the pistol. They said Fiocchi was the closest I could get to military spec ammo and it should be powerful enough to "break in" the pistol and clear up the FTEs.

My problem is I haven't been able to find any of the Fiocchi anywhere. I ordered some from MidwayUSA several weeks ago, but it's on back order and who knows when, if ever, it'll show up.

Is there ammo (preferably available) out there that will fill the role of the Fiocchi?

I agree that Fiocchi is pretty peppy.

This would be pretty close:

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/...o/cName/9mm-fmj-ammo

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Here is some Fiocchi 124 gr JHP:

http://www.dansammo.com/ammo.asp

Scroll down about halfway.

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Whats the pistol? Maybe the regulars here could give you some good advice specific to it. I'm guessing that you have a 9mm Beretta? How about trying the Winchester Ranger NATO ammo. I'm sure that folks will correct me if I miscall it, but I think it's suppose to be a little hotter than regular 9mm as they load the powder to the Nato, not the Sammi specs.

It's just as likely that your pistol needs to be broken in. I had a Sig X-5 (I think) that was jamming when I first got it using brass cartridges, and started to use the wolf Steel stuff based on Bruce from Grey guns recommendations to me on the Sig Forum. (Thanks again Bruce!!!) The gun then started running 100% with the cheap steel shelled stuff. No joke! Go figure. Bruce said that Grey guns had stopped test firing with Wolf when they did work on guns, as a few times other ammo would jam once it got back to the owner.

Later, I started trying to use the brass again, and used like 12 different brands, weights, etc etc etc and they all ran flawless.

I've heard that new Les Baers can frequently jam as well due to the tightness of the Mfg tolerances. I bought that used and it's been 100% for me, but I keep reading that you need to fire at least 500 rounds to break them in.

Very frustrating to get a high end gun and have it jam!

quote:

Originally posted by billcoe:
Whats the pistol?

Sorry for being mysterious. It's an HK P30. Since it's not a Sig, I was unsure of the etiquette re bringing another gun into the discussion.

Did you clean and lube the gun before shooting it? New guns are usually coated in a rust preventative that's not a lube though it may feel or appear to be an oil. This should be cleaned before firing and the gun properly lubricated to insure proper function.

Are you sure you are not limp wristing the pistol and absorbing too much recoil energy in wrist movement to allow the action to operate property? This is specially a problem with lighter weight polymer frame pistols. Try a firmer grip and don't break your wrist up when shooting.

A friend of mine has one of the new H&K polymer 9mm's though it may be a P2000 but it certainly wasn't fussy about ammo. When we where at the range we where using WWB and Federal American both of which functioned flawlessly.

Higher velocity ammo will often make up for bad technique or a dirty gun but it doesn't fix the root cause of the problem.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve C:
Did you clean and lube the gun before shooting it? New guns are usually coated in a rust preventative that's not a lube though it may feel or appear to be an oil. This should be cleaned before firing and the gun properly lubricated to insure proper function.

Good point. I don't recall doing so (and probably didn't). My son gave it a good cleaning after clearing it, but I haven't tried it since then.

quote:

Are you sure you are not limp wristing the pistol and absorbing too much recoil energy in wrist movement to allow the action to operate property? This is specially a problem with lighter weight polymer frame pistols. Try a firmer grip and don't break your wrist up when shooting.

Don't think so. I only had this problem with the HK. I've not had it happen with other pistols (Springfield XD45, XD 9mm, Glock 17).

Thanks to all for the good suggestions and insights. I really appreciate it.

quote:

Originally posted by billcoe:
How about trying the Winchester Ranger NATO ammo...

That's what I'd suggest, too. Search GunBroker for RA9124N and you'll find plenty for sale.

quote:

Originally posted by 7DC:

quote:

Originally posted by billcoe:
How about trying the Winchester Ranger NATO ammo...

That's what I'd suggest, too. Search GunBroker for RA9124N and you'll find plenty for sale.

Great suggestion. I have a note into them now about getting them a copy of my IL FOID card (req'd to do anything re firearms here in the Socialist Republic of Illinois).

quote:

Originally posted by CoolRich59:

quote:

Originally posted by 7DC:

quote:

Originally posted by billcoe:
How about trying the Winchester Ranger NATO ammo...

That's what I'd suggest, too. Search GunBroker for RA9124N and you'll find plenty for sale.

Great suggestion. I have a note into them now about getting them a copy of my IL FOID card (req'd to do anything re firearms here in the Socialist Republic of Illinois).

Thanks again for the suggestions. I bought 500 rounds of the Winchester Ranger ammo this morning; got an e-mail this afternoon that it was shipping today.

My son will be visiting next weekend and we'll do our best to give my Sig and the P30 a thorough work-out!

Thanks again guys for the great insights and suggestions.

quote:

Originally posted by CoolRich59:

quote:

Originally posted by billcoe:
Whats the pistol?

Sorry for being mysterious. It's an HK P30. Since it's not a Sig, I was unsure of the etiquette re bringing another gun into the discussion.

That is a bit unusual ~ I have never had an HK that wouldn't shoot everything you fed it (I have 10 HK's BTW). The P30 should by no means be picky on ammo. Perhaps a good detail cleaning will help.

There was some Remington +P ball floating around a little while ago that was either 124 or 125 grain. It's worked well in the Sigs I've tried it in.

You probably won't have any problems with the HK, but be aware that not all pistols feed the truncated cone Fiocci FMJs consistently. I'm pretty dang sure Fiocci makes roundnose as well.

Federal American Eagle 124gr. FMJ.

If your pistol will not run with Federal American Eagle 124gr. FMJ standard pressure ammo then something is amiss with your gun. Every 9mm I have ever had liked that particular loading including a rather picky 9mm Colt LW Commander.

This also includes my 9mm BHP, Several Beretta 92's and a Stoeger Cougar.