Ammo casing steel, brass or allum? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Neilp · 04-12-2007, 09:45 AM

Apologies if this is a "dead-horse" topic....

I have a newbie question about ammo casings: Will non-brass rounds damage my XD?

Comparing prices locally their is some savings to be had by using steel cased ammo (Monarch brand about $6) vs Alloy cased (CCI Blazer about $6.50) over brass (Monarch brand $7).

I'd like to get more rounds / $ but do not want damage my new pistol!

I appreciate advice and comments

Thanks

Neil

jednp · 04-12-2007, 09:56 AM

Brass will be the friendliest to your extractor.. Aluminum 2nd friendiest... steel will be the least friendliest. Steel can damage the extractor. I also believe steel has a better chance of getting stuck in your chamber.

Some gun manuals say to not fire aluminum or steel. If this is an XD.. there are people who shoot all of this out of their guns. Brass is the best way to go, otherwise on the XD.. due to not being able to get spare parts without sending the gun in.. I'd stay away from steel if I had the choice. I run steel wolf ammo sometimes in my AR.. but.. I can purchase an extra extractor for that and replace it quickly.

BBunin · 04-12-2007, 10:24 AM

The aluminum Blazer ammo is just fine.
The downside to aluminum is that it's non-reloadable.
Which is no big deal if you don't reload.....

GypsyBill · 04-12-2007, 10:29 AM

I have been shooting CCI aluminum almost exclusively thru my XD without any problems... well, one FTF and one FTE but that was early in the break-in period... the last 2 boxes went off (pardon the pun) without a hitch.. (350-400 rnds so far). I have noticed the price creeping up at Academy so it is getting closer to WWB every day but aluminum is still a little over a buck a box cheaper..

**Hooz** · 04-12-2007, 10:35 AM

I have run THOUSANDS of rounds of CCI Blazer (aluminum) through my various XDs without a single issue. I steer clear of the steel stuff for any of my guns, though.

jeff221 · 04-12-2007, 10:37 AM

My Feelings:

STEEL - BAD
ALUMINUM - OK
BRASS - BEST

Doesn't get any eaiser than that.

Neilp · 04-12-2007, 11:13 AM

Thanks for the replies. Very informative.

Gonna buy some ammo and take the wife to the range tonght!

N

04-12-2007, 09:45 AM	#1
Neilp XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 22	Ammo casing steel, brass or allum? Apologies if this is a "dead-horse" topic.... I have a newbie question about ammo casings: Will non-brass rounds damage my XD? Comparing prices locally their is some savings to be had by using steel cased ammo (Monarch brand about $6) vs Alloy cased (CCI Blazer about $6.50) over brass (Monarch brand $7). I'd like to get more rounds / $ but do not want damage my new pistol! I appreciate advice and comments Thanks Neil

04-12-2007, 10:24 AM	#3
BBunin XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 2,029	The aluminum Blazer ammo is just fine. The downside to aluminum is that it's non-reloadable. Which is no big deal if you don't reload..... __________________ . When seconds count, the police are only five minutes away. ------------------------------------ MY PARTIAL TOY LIST XD-9 5" (Production) XD-40 5" (Limited10) SA 1911 Loaded (Limited10/SingleStack) STI Spartan (Limited10/SingleStack) Kahr PM9 (CCW) KT P3AT (CCW) Remington 11-87 (Trap) Remington 870 Express (HD/Trap) Misc Rifles for fun and hunting

04-12-2007, 10:29 AM	#4
GypsyBill XDTalk Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spanish Fort, AL Posts: 32	I have been shooting CCI aluminum almost exclusively thru my XD without any problems... well, one FTF and one FTE but that was early in the break-in period... the last 2 boxes went off (pardon the pun) without a hitch.. (350-400 rnds so far). I have noticed the price creeping up at Academy so it is getting closer to WWB every day but aluminum is still a little over a buck a box cheaper.. __________________ Bill SA XD9SC Bersa Thunder 380 Bersa/Firestorm FS22 Walther P22 Walther P1 ___________ Onward my friends, onward through the fog...

04-12-2007, 10:35 AM	#5
Hooz XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hilliard, OH Posts: 1,920	I have run THOUSANDS of rounds of CCI Blazer (aluminum) through my various XDs without a single issue. I steer clear of the steel stuff for any of my guns, though. __________________ XD-9 Tactical : XD-45 Tactical Member: IDPA, USPSA, ASSA, NRA, GOA

04-12-2007, 10:37 AM	#6
jeff221 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 2,364	My Feelings: STEEL - BAD ALUMINUM - OK BRASS - BEST Doesn't get any eaiser than that. __________________ Springfield XD40 Sub-Compact Bi-Tone (.40S&W) Springfield XD9 Tactical Black (9mm) Springfield G.I. Milspec Stainless 1911-A1 (.45 ACP) Kimber Raptor II 1911 (.45 ACP) Kel-Tec P-3AT (.380 ACP) Charter Arms "Off Duty" Revolver (.38 Spl) Ruger 22/45 Mark III (.22 LR) Smith&Wesson M&P15A 16in AR-15 (.223/5.56 NATO) BushMaster Carbon-15 (.22 LR) BushMaster XM15 E2S 20in AR-15 (.223/5.56 NATO) Stoeger P350 Tactical Pump Shotgun (12 Gauge) Winchester Black Model98 Canon (10 Gauge)

04-12-2007, 09:56 AM	#2
jednp XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 4,691	Brass will be the friendliest to your extractor.. Aluminum 2nd friendiest... steel will be the least friendliest. Steel can damage the extractor. I also believe steel has a better chance of getting stuck in your chamber. Some gun manuals say to not fire aluminum or steel. If this is an XD.. there are people who shoot all of this out of their guns. Brass is the best way to go, otherwise on the XD.. due to not being able to get spare parts without sending the gun in.. I'd stay away from steel if I had the choice. I run steel wolf ammo sometimes in my AR.. but.. I can purchase an extra extractor for that and replace it quickly.

04-12-2007, 11:13 AM	#7
Neilp XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 22	Thanks for the replies. Very informative. Gonna buy some ammo and take the wife to the range tonght! N

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