First gun, Need ammo

[Duckslayer87]

just purchased my first handgun. Gen 4 Glock 17. Got it for range and HD use.

I know nothing about pistols or buying ammo.

Is there any certain ammo I should or should not be buying? I was thinking about getting a few hundred to start with. Grain size? Fmj? Brand? I'm lost. Are some web sites better than others?

If anyone can point me in the right direction it would be greatly appricated.

[DMotivate]

For the range and just plinking I have had good success with Freedom Munitions. They sell both remanufactured and new, good prices and normally you can get free or $5 shipping. Stick with 115 or 124gr.

http://www.freedommunitions.com/9mm-Luger-Ammunition-s/1818.htm

[FresnoRob]

For self defense ammo try a few different brands to be sure you gun functions with them. With a Glock you shouldn't have a problem they will eat most ammo. I like Gold Dot for my .45s used Ranger T for my 9mm

Oh and welcome to handgun ownership.

[SkyHawk]

I only use new manufacture ammo in brass or aluminum cases and I never use steel case (except in Russian AK), reman/reloads, nor do I use ammo from small time makers. But that's just me and my personal minimums.

You can get Federal aluminum case 115grain FMJ at Walmart for 9.99 per 50. It has been is stock there lately every time I have gone. Hard to beat that price by ordering online, even after you pay tax at Walmart. But I do also order from Gander Mountain, Cabelas, and Palmetto State Armory when they have free ship deals. Blazer aluminum or even brass 115gn FMJ can be found for $12 to $13 per 50 rounds on those sites and others.

PS - awesome first gun choice!

[faterikcartman]

Where are you? Maybe an experienced person could volunteer to meet up and give you some basic handgun safety instruction?

I think a new shooter would do well with Speer Lawman 115 grain for practice, and heavier grain Gold Dot for self defence. Many believe you need a track record of hundreds of rounds of flawless function in your gun before you rely on it for defence.

There are many other options, of course. I buy in bulk -- 500 - 1000 at a time -- to save money.

[5ZS]

Just in case, new shooters gets this confused all the time with this. Grain is the bullet weight, it has nothing to do with how much power it produces.

115 grain will is the cheapest, since it's the lightest. For just range use, just find your best deal per round.
Try this site: http://www.gunbot.net/ammo/pistol/9mm/

Some ranges do not allow steel/aluminum cases. Most ranges do not allow steel or steel core bullets, so for now just stay away from them for now.

Federal HST in my book is one of the top hollow points available today. Winchester T-Series, Hornady Critical Defense, Speer Gold Dot all have a good following. Does it really matter?...not really. Buy some and make sure they run 100% in your gun and your magazines.

[redmarble]

As mentioned earlier from some, use new manufacture ammo to make sure your gun functions properly (which it should.) Then, you can go ahead and buy remanufactured ammo (reloads) after if you want. I usually run 200 rounds from new 115 gr Fiocchi or Magtech. Then, just use reloads from Freedom or Surefire.

[claylakers]

I'd suggest some decent manufacturer ammo for plinking, but for actual home defense pop for something more specifically designed for that purpose (Ranger SXT, Gold Dot, etc). Welcome!

[centennial]

Review posts by DocGKR

http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?4337-Service-Caliber-Handgun-Duty-and-Self-Defense-Ammo

[Libtard]

First gun, Need ammo

just purchased my first handgun. Gen 4 Glock 17. Got it for range and HD use.



I know nothing about pistols or buying ammo.



Is there any certain ammo I should or should not be buying? I was thinking about getting a few hundred to start with. Grain size? Fmj? Brand? I'm lost. Are some web sites better than others?



If anyone can point me in the right direction it would be greatly appricated.

I have a 9mm Glock 19, very similar to yours. I buy FMJ ammo from Freedom Munitions. I recommend you buy 1,000 rounds of their New 115 gr 9mm ammo. To put that in perspective, I went through 200 rounds at the range today. So 1,000 rounds is not all that much, and should cost you about $200.

Freedom makes this ammo as "Reman", or remanufactured, which costs a little less. I've had good luck with this as well, but I ran it today and 1 round jammed my gun. For range practice, this is no big deal at all, but for home defense, no way.

The first time you go to the range, if you've never shot a gun like this before, ask somebody for help. People will be happy to help you. I recommend that you just put one round in the magazine the first few times, then two rounds. Then fill up your magazines. It's just that these semi-autos do have some kick, and you can accidentally hit the trigger two or more times. Just get used to it and you're fine.

I assume that when you get home, you're going to keep this weapon loaded, probably in a fast-access safe or pistol box, such as a Fort Knox. For home defense, most people recommend a different type of ammo, which is called hollow point. This kind of ammo costs more. Just buy a box of 25, Hornady's or another brand. Run ten or fifteen at the range, to make sure the selected brand feeds well. Then, if you can afford it, keep the 10 hollow points loaded into a dedicated magazine you keep at home. This way, you remove the mag, take the unloaded gun to the range, and reinsert the loaded mag when you get back home.

But, honestly, ask a gun friend of yours to go to the range with you the first time. You'll need to wear hearing and eye protection when you go, and a baseball cap is a good idea. I recommend an Oakland A's cap, since they're going to win the World Series next year.

[jjs1025]

Duckslayer87,
Libtard gave you some very good advice; I agree with everything he said except for the fact you'll be far ahead wearing a LA DODGERS cap instead!!
☺☺☺
Enjoy the Glock, it's a great gun!