Underwood ammo - Practice with it - Your life may depend on it.

[OCpeacemaker1]

I bought Underwood ammo for my .45 acp, 9mm and .380 auto. It was supposed to be my carry (protection) ammo and not for target practice; however, the .380 out of an LCP failed miserably. I had light fires (dimples on the primer but did not detonate the primer) in 2 out of 3 rounds. I did not have any problem with 3 other types of ammo (Fiochhi JHP, PMC FMJ and FreedomMunitions new FMJ)

Someone at the range said CCI and Underwood ammo use heavy primers and maybe using a heavy spring or making modifications to the gun would work. I do not want to adjust my gun for one kind of ammo.


I would have bet my life on Underwood. I am glad I tested it first but it is an expensive ammo to just use for target practice.

I contacted Underwood and they pointed the finger to the gun and to send any left ammo and gun back to Ruger. I reached out again a couple times and they have not replied. I have waited several days and I am now more upset about their poor customer service than buying on the hype of the ammo.

I thought I would share my experience. If you think about using underwood ammo, find someone that has some that you can use in your own gun before buying, or if you already own their ammo, practice several rounds if you plan to use it for your defense weapon.

I am using the remaining Underwood for target practice (expensive ammo for paper) I would not in good conscience sell it or give it away for free to anyone- knowing it could fail on them too. Your experience may differ. Just sharing mine and hope you consider it as a word of caution.

[McGuiver]

Have you tried Buffalo Bore ammo?

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=29

I would use this in a 380.

Customer service seems very good. I have not used Underwood ammo.

That is why they say practice with what you carry.


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[OCpeacemaker1]

Thanks for the suggestion! A man at the range that seems knows his stuff said that: "If the primers go off when reshot, you can almost bet that the primers were not fully seated during manufacturing".
I would have expected more from a high priced ammo.

[johnthomas]

OP, have you contacted them? Maybe they have a problem they don't know about. Here is their number from their web site. (618) 965-2109

[jeffyhog]

Not saying there is or isn't an issue with this particular lot of ammo, but you should always run several hundred rounds of your chosen carry ammo through your gun to ensure that it is 100% reliable. Never assume that any ammo is going to run flawlessly in your weapon, no matter it's reputation.

[kcstott]

Not saying there is or isn't an issue with this particular lot of ammo, but you should always run several hundred rounds of your chosen carry ammo through your gun to ensure that it is 100% reliable. Never assume that any ammo is going to run flawlessly in your weapon, no matter it's reputation.

Very true, I find it funny that the OP is concerned about the ammo "Would have bet my life on it" as he said but yet fails to do due diligence.

OP What's your life worth? I'f you're really carrying you need to test and prove your weapon functions.

[OCpeacemaker1]

@John: I only tried contacting them via email -send them a picture of the box and they said they run a test with that batch number and they did not have problems. (I would still give the customer the benefit of doubt)
@KC: Yeah from the info I got from the internet about this ammo, I got excited about it and thus purchased it - and with high hopes - tested it before making it my defense ammo, and thus sharing the results here. It is not what is on my LCP now.
Thank you for the replies and interest! Stay safe and thank you Calguns for this forum!

[kcstott]

@John: I only tried contacting them via email -send them a picture of the box and they said they run a test with that batch number and they did not have problems. (I would still give the customer the benefit of doubt)
@KC: Yeah from the info I got from the internet about this ammo, I got excited about it and thus purchased it - and with high hopes - tested it before making it my defense ammo, and thus sharing the results here. It is not what is on my LCP now.
Thank you for the replies and interest! Stay safe and thank you Calguns for this forum!

There is a hand full of ammo that I would use without question.
Speer gold dot or lawman
Winchester ranger

[dwalker]

Meh, buy fancy unproven ammo and you get what you get. Hornady TAP and Winchester XPT/Silvertips is what my .380 and 9mm carry guns are loaded with.

[trackcage]

Not saying there is or isn't an issue with this particular lot of ammo, but you should always run several hundred rounds of your chosen carry ammo through your gun to ensure that it is 100% reliable. Never assume that any ammo is going to run flawlessly in your weapon, no matter it's reputation.

I'm with this guy. Need to run more than 'a few rounds' of your defense ammo through the gun before I'd bet my life on it. Glad you found out now, as opposed to when you really needed a BANG.

Sucks that you have ammo your gun doesn't like, but the cost - even for expensive ammo - is all part of the game when finding the right carry ammo. I've used Underwood in several different calibers with nothing but spectacular results. I wouldn't write them off as a company based on one gun and one experience. Do you have friends that could shoot the rest for 'testing?'

[OCpeacemaker1]

@Trackcage: The 45 ACP did well on paper. But we did try it the remaining ammo on a second LCP (original) and they both had a failure to fire - the first time - After they were put on the magazine for a second or third time they all went BANG. The consensus is that the primer was set wrong. I am glad it is working for you. What caliber do you use? I went with Fiochhi XTP and 50 rounds without a problem today.

[rodblder]

I've put several thousand rounds of Freedom Munitions 380 new thru my Glock 42 & Sig 238 with zero problems...

[Rorge Retson]

Gold Dot and Federal HST are my go-to HD rounds.

Fired many rounds before elevating it to HD duty.

I'd trust factory defense ammo before the boutique stuff.

[OCpeacemaker1]

Just an Update and possibly the last entry on this Thread.

A person at the range who also ready my posts brought his LCP and Underwood ammo- He bought it for when the SHTF but never used it. Luck it has it - it went BOOM in both of our guns no problem. I did not have problem with the .45 ACP either

Underwood did reply to my emails eventually, apologizing for the delay and they were empathetic to my problem. I will continue to buy ammo from underwood.

The moral of the story still the same. Whatever ammo you want to use for defense - Buy more and practice with it. It may sound like an expensive proposition but it is worth it long term.