Fiocchi 115gr FMJ?

[Tamara]

I have been a fan of Fiocchi for just regular blasting ammo for a long time. If one owns guns in chamberings like .30 Luger or 7.62 Nagant, it's hard not to be.

But this latest batch of 115gr 9mm ball (9AP) that I got was disappointing. Spent brass dribbling out of the port, multiple FTEs and FTF(eed)s in only 25 rounds fired, and a velocity spread over a ten round string that ran from 982.7fps to 1087fps.

Sub-1000fps 115gr 9mm ball doesn't run autos well.

Anybody else seen this?

[HopetonBrown]

Where was it made? I've been finding the prices from Freedom Munitions hard to beat.

[Chuck Haggard]

That would be the first bad Fiocchi I had seen if it was me shooting it.

[Jeep]

I shot maybe 500 rounds of Fiocchi 115 gr a year or so ago without any problems (indeed, I'd say it was a bit hotter than normal range ammo), but given your report I'm not sure I want to buy any more. That velocity spread alone obviously raises some real questions about their quality control.

[Tamara]

That would be the first bad Fiocchi I had seen if it was me shooting it.

I'm wondering if they didn't have their nine line cranked up faster than they could effectively QC, trying to fulfill demand?

(I mean, the Fiocchi .30 Luger I was shooting the other day had a SD under 14fps for a 10-round string, which is damned good for factory pistol ammo.)

[Chuck Haggard]

Might be.

They also seem to be making ammo for other folks. That "Perfecta" ammo being sold in Wal Mart looks to be Fiocchi stuff

[Kyle Reese]

Interesting. I shot 300 rounds of recently procured Fiocci 9mm 115 grain range fodder this week, and it felt as snappy as ever in my Glock 17.

[littlejerry]

Hmm... I had both 124 and 115 stuff earlier this year. All of it ran fine. The 115 felt exceptionally mild but produced some of the best groups I've gotten out of my 3rd gen 19.

[TumblinDown]

I had about a 1% failure rate with Fiocchi last year and stopped using it. Worse, and puzzling for me, was that I experienced keyholing with it but not with any other ammo. It may have just been a bad batch. I had no issues with Fiocchi prior to last year.

I tried some Freedom Munitions, but it doesn't burn cleanly for me (could be light loads -- I have no good way to measure) so probably not going there again after I finish using the remainder. I stick to Speer Lawman or American Eagle now. I'm considering reloading (good move, now that prices are falling!), but only because I'm thinking about it for carbine and rifle, so if I can at least break even for 9mm, it's all good. That is if we can ever find powder again.

[Totem Polar]

I have been a fan of Fiocchi for just regular blasting ammo for a long time. If one owns guns in chamberings like .30 Luger or 7.62 Nagant, it's hard not to be.

But this latest batch of 115gr 9mm ball (9AP) that I got was disappointing. Spent brass dribbling out of the port, multiple FTEs and FTF(eed)s in only 25 rounds fired, and a velocity spread over a ten round string that ran from 982.7fps to 1087fps.

Sub-1000fps 115gr 9mm ball doesn't run autos well.

Anybody else seen this?

Oh yeah. I think there may be something to the idea of makers just plain being pressed to get product out. Fiocchi has typically impressed me as hot, especially in rounds like .32 and .380, but I had some FTEs with 115 9mm ball that sound like yours. I hasten to add that the same can be said of 115 grain PMC of recent vintage, and only when shooting in positions that can compromise my grip. In fact, I gave up the 2000 round challenge with my Glock 17 over this. I'll try that one again once I have 2000 rounds of NATO and carry ammo stocked back up. No problem with 124. I dunno... FWIW.

[Tamara]

...it felt as snappy as ever...

Velocities?

(Seriously, here's a forum where "my splits felt as fast as ever" or "my draw felt as quick as ever" would immediately be challenged with "And how fast is that?" ;) )

[Kyle Reese]

Velocities?

(Seriously, here's a forum where "my splits felt as fast as ever" or "my draw felt as quick as ever" would immediately be challenged with "And how fast is that?" ;) )
Haha [emoji1] . I didn't have my chronograph handy, but this batch of Fiocci fodder shot and grouped normally for me from two Glock 17 Gen 4's. Nothing about this ammunition drew my attention or ire in any way.

[Tamara]

FWIW, lot number on the box I was shooting is "5406188", and the ten round string over the chrono was:

LO: 982.7
HI: 1087
AV: 1035
ES: 104.2
SD: 33.09
This was out of a Ruger pistol with a 4.14" barrel on a 56°F day.

Got it from Gander Mountain. Only bought the one box.

[Kyle Reese]

FWIW, lot number on the box I was shooting is "5406188", and the ten round string over the chrono was:

LO: 982.7
HI: 1087
AV: 1035
ES: 104.2
SD: 33.09
This was out of a Ruger pistol with a 4.14" barrel on a 56°F day.

Got it from Gander Mountain. Only bought the one box.

Wow. I'd definitely contact Fiocci and see what they say.

[Tamara]

I've got another box in the basement, bought from a different local retailer, from lot number 5405122. I'm gonna be taking it to the range here in the next couple days...

[El Cid]

I recommend contacting Fiocchi directly. A buddy and I bought cases of 5.56 a few years ago from the same vendor. We kept having issues with popped primers. The folks at Fiocchi were very interested. The rep we talked to even keeps track of issues like that as far as rifle brand, chamber, etc. They also replaced the ammo at no charge to us and paid to ship the unused ammo back to them.

I'll give them my money for years because they take care of their customers.

[fixer]

I think there may be a systemic issue with Fiocchi ammo here lately.

I had an unusually bad range day with TulAmmo Brass Maxx. As I come to find out after researching this stuff is Fiocchi rebranded as Tul Ammo Brass Maxx.

My EDC set up is a Glock 23 gen 4 and my range/training/beater gun is a Glock 23 gen 3. The G23 gen 3 has about 2000 rds through it and has never failed to cycle. Ever. With any ammo. I've even had new shooters use it (major limp wristing possibility) and it has worked.

Two weeks ago I ran 250 rds of Tul Ammo steel case through it and it worked fine.

Yesterday I ran 100 rds of Brass Maxx and I had 7-8 fail to feeds.

Happened with two different newer magazines.

[LtDave]

Re Fiocchi ammo
Where was it made? I had shot some Fiocchi .380 that worked very well in my G42. Went to buy more and when I received it, it didn't have the cannalure on the brass to prevent setback like my old ones. Looking closer at the box, my initial ones were made in Italy. The new boxes were made in Hungary. Could this be part of the problem?