XDm .40 FTF using Winchester Ranger Ammo

[rabbitXDM40]

Well, I didn't think I'd ever have a FTF to report, but I do.

No pics...sorry, but my phone just isn't capable of that level of sophistication. Y'all are just going to have to take my word for it. ;o]

I went to the range with a Border Patrol friend of mine, and apparently they issue Winchester Ranger ammo as "practice" rounds. I'd never shot Winchester Rangers, so figured it'd be like every OTHER hollow point I've fed to my M, but NO...

5th magazine fed almost all the way through, but the final round lodged too high in the barrel, and the slide put a dent in the case. It wasn't a stovepipe FTF...the bullet was physically lodged towards the top of the barrel, and the case was hooked on the extractor.

The round cleared just fine, and did not fire, so I call it a win. I field stripped the pistol to make sure there were no other hidden issues and, when fully satisfied, I reassembled it and continued plinking.

That friend of mine is ALSO a certified firearms instructor for Border Patrol, and he told me he's not impressed with the Winchester Rangers because of FTF issues all around.

Conclusion: With my friend's input, as well as my previous reliability with XDm, I have to say it was the round, not the pistol.

[Renshai]

Totally agree...Rangers are WAY over-rated...A victim or beneficiary of a lot of press (ie Black talon super bullets and such) but I've NEVER been a fan of them...too slow, too much recoil and don't expand sometimes..FTF? Never had one with them, but not a fan in any way and certainly wouldn't put my life in their hands...

[rabbitXDM40]

Originally Posted by Renshai

Totally agree...Rangers are WAY over-rated...A victim or beneficiary of a lot of press (ie Black talon super bullets and such) but I've NEVER been a fan of them...too slow, too much recoil and don't expand sometimes..FTF? Never had one with them, but not a fan in any way and certainly wouldn't put my life in their hands...

+1

I carry Federal HST 155gr.

Oddly enough, that same friend ALSO carries Federal HST 155gr, as issued by Border Patrol. Apparently the Winchester is just their "practice" ammo...

...prudence would suggest practicing with the same round that you carry, wouldn't it?

[thelongone13]

I carry Gold Dots for this reason, as I've heard nothing but bad about the Winchester Ranger. Gold Dots haven't failed me.

[FRANK CASTLE]

I shoot the Ranger 180 gr. out of my G23, and xd 40sc with no ftf or fte, maybe ya`ll know something I dont....I guess I`ll shot up all my ranger rounds and find me something like fed. hs or gold dots...

[rabbitXDM40]

Originally Posted by FRANK CASTLE

I shoot the Ranger 180 gr. out of my G23, and xd 40sc with no ftf or fte, maybe ya`ll know something I dont....I guess I`ll shot up all my ranger rounds and find me something like fed. hs or gold dots...

If you do go to Federals for carry ammo, I recommend the HST instead of the Hydra Shok round. Oh, and don't get the box marked "Tactical", as all they did was make the Hydra Shok box look like you're getting HST rounds. *lol*

There are several expansion tests that people have done on this forum that I really enjoyed, which led to my decision to carry HSTs.

[Renshai]

Yep, if you HAVE to choose between them, the HST's are FAR superior to the amazing Hydroshok non-expanding hollowpoints (Pun....No screaming fellas...LOL) Of course, if you've seen my other posts, I won't carry ANYTHING but Corbons, so no HST's for me either...LOL...I will however practice with them if they happen to be cheap at the time. Again, just won't stake my life on them. Double tap makes great high velocity ammo and of course the corbons that I love, and there are a billion loads with Gold Dots in them. have also suprisingly, had good luck with the Golden Sabre rounds from Remington...Go figure...Just won't bet my life on them...

[agalindo]

I've never seen any independent tests that have shown Rangers don't expand. From what I've read Rangers tend to penetrate and expand better than HST or at least that's what some of the people that have done independent IWBA and FBI tests say.

How can a round be too slow and have too much recoil? Physics says if a round has X weight and X velocity and gun weighs X it will have X recoil not matter what brand it is.

[onelochevy]

Rangers are the only round I've ever had FTF's with in my XD45. But they only occur when I shoot a mag full at the end of a range session. If the gun is clean they work great. But if it's dirty, they will not feed.

[mike0001]

I also had nothing but problems with Winchester Ranger ammo in my XD-40sc. After only about 30 rounds so much debree was in my slide that it wouldn't go into battery without help and then started to stove pipe the new round right out of the magazines. (later found that all 3 of my magazines feed lips were bent out from using this ammo) I had to finish the rest of the box by manually putting each round directly in the chamber. I had to replace all 3 magazines to be able to shoot anything.

I've used American Eagle, Magtech, CCI blazer (both aluminum and brass case), Independence and Federal Hydra-Shok's with out a problem. Only had problems with Winchester Ranger and Aquila ammo.