Bulk ammo preferences for wife's G-43 practice

[rickyc]

Have decided on G-43 for wife who has never shot pistols. Am open to suggestions for brand/weight for bulk 9mm for her to practice with. Can't see using Gold Dot or Saber until proficient.

I have never shot 9mm so appreciate all help.

Thanks - Rick

[Joe in PNG]

I'm partial to the Speer Lawman 148grn- has a nice, flat tip for making nice, round holes in the target.
Lucky Gunner has it at for $250 for 1000 (https://www.luckygunner.com/9mm-147-gr-tmj-speer-lawman-1000-rounds)

[HopetonBrown]

That's a generally unpleasant gun to shoot.

[Totem Polar]

PMC 115 ball is cheap, and quasi-mouse farty, assuming that it cycles the gun.

http://www.sgammo.com/product/pmc/1000-round-case-9mm-luger-115-grain-fmj-pmc-ammo-9a

[FNFAN]

Speer Lawman, Geco, MEN, Federal Eagle, Sellier & Bellot, PMC, Remington & Winchester, Aguilla in pretty much that order of preference. The Geco stuff may be my favorite as they seem to take extra steps to polish their ammo before packaging and it shoots very clean. Gold Dot or HST Federal 124 grain JHP for carry when she gets to that. As previously noted that's a snappy little gun for a new shooter.

[Kyle Reese]

That's a generally unpleasant gun to shoot.With respect, OP, why not a Glock 17/19 Gen 5? Smaller habdguns like the G43 are indeed more difficult for a novice to shoot, especially compared to their full sized brethren.

Worst case, it's an excuse to buy two guns. [emoji16]

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

[HopetonBrown]

I'm not trying to derail your thread OP, but having a G43 as their first pistol is a pretty surefire way to make them frustrated and hate shooting.

[JHC]

My wife and two daughter in laws manage the G43 very well but they have some exposure to 9mm in larger pistols and .45 in 1911.

It might work out. If it doesn't no worries. Keep it and add the G42 into the mix. That's a soft shooter.

[camsdaddy]

I find freedom munitions a good place to buy practice ammo. They often offer free shipping so that makes it an even better deal. I have found that my 43 prefers 147 grain accuracy wise. While their shipping isn't the fastest I have never had issue with their 9mm ammo reman or new.

[ST911]

There's nothing wrong with the G43 unless she has poor arm/hand strength or other neuro problems. Put some good sights on it, use OEM mags. The Federal AE 147 AE9FP is a particularly soft shooter, and an awful lot of other stuff will work just fine as well.

[RJ]

My wife shot a G43 rental at the range and did not like it one bit. According to her, it was "very squirmy."

Anyway, to the OP's question: I have ordered quite a bit of ammo from www.sgammo.com. Federal AE, Lawman, S&B, PMC Bronze. All of it has been very reliable. Shipping has been fast.

On the other hand, I recently had to buy a quantity of Federal Champion 115 for a class from WalMart. I had 4 FTFs in the class (approx 700 rounds over two days).

[Robinson]

The Federal AE 147 AE9FP is a particularly soft shooter...

That's pretty much all I use for practice, and it also shoots pretty much the same as my 147gr HST carry ammo.

[nate89]

I also vote for the American Eagle 147 grain. You can find it right now for 200 shipped per case, plus the rebate which is about the best price you will see on factory ammo, especially considering the quality. I shoot it through my 43 and have used a good chunk of the case I bought. I need to get a couple more before the end of the year.

[JBP55]

I concur, 147gr. American Eagle.

[rickyc]

She was very intrigued with the G-42 but I'm hoping to rent a G-26 as soon as our range opens again. I want her to have something she will carry and not just go to the range for target practice. That lets the G-19 out. I'm planning on getting a G-26 for myself.

[HCM]

She was very intrigued with the G-42 but I'm hoping to rent a G-26 as soon as our range opens again. I want her to have something she will carry and not just go to the range for target practice. That lets the G-19 out. I'm planning on getting a G-26 for myself.

Rent a 26 but if she likes the 42 she is more likely to carry it and shoot it.

I am not a .380 fan but I must admit the 42 is noticeably lighter to carry and easier to shoot well than the 43.

A G42 carried beats any other gun left at home.

As the great Chef and philosopher Justin Wilson used to say- “The kind of wine that goes with a meal, is the kind of wine you like! “

[ranger]

My wife started with a G42 but she moved to the G43 with no issues.

[rickyc]

One more question. I have never fired 9mm - only .45, .40, and .357/38. How do you guys decide on bullet weight? Is there a recoil difference between 115, 124, and other weights? What about .380 if sh goes that route?

[Duelist]

One more question. I have never fired 9mm - only .45, .40, and .357/38. How do you guys decide on bullet weight? Is there a recoil difference between 115, 124, and other weights? What about .380 if sh goes that route?

Recoil is a balance of things, and bullet weight and speed are a large part of it.

I like 147gr in the 9mm. I like penetration, and accuracy, and that load seems to give me what I need there.

The .380 G42 is a great place to go if recoil is a problem. I usually carry a G26, and my wife a G42. But I'll carry the G42 if my wrist hurts, and intend to get one for myself.

[JBP55]

One more question. I have never fired 9mm - only .45, .40, and .357/38. How do you guys decide on bullet weight? Is there a recoil difference between 115, 124, and other weights? What about .380 if sh goes that route?

In the same line of ammunition the heavier weights 147 in 9mm, 180 in .40 and 230 in .45 normally have less felt recoil.

[M2CattleCo]

My 43s have eaten mostly Federal American Eagle 124, but I've fed 'em just about everything and they're not ammo picky at all.

They are snappy with 124, but I like it because it makes my carry load (147 HST) a little bit mild in comparison.

[Velo Dog]

I found the Federal American Eagle Suppressor 124gr. fmj to be quite pleasant to shoot from a Glock 43. AE9SUP1 is listed @ 1030 fps from a 4" barrel.
Just under $15.00 for 50 rounds
https://www.wholesalehunter.com/Product/Details/11123873?source=A10003

[LtDave]

One more question. I have never fired 9mm - only .45, .40, and .357/38. How do you guys decide on bullet weight? Is there a recoil difference between 115, 124, and other weights? What about .380 if sh goes that route?

Whatever weight the gun likes and shoots to POA. My preference is heavier for self defense, 124 and up. In my testing across a bunch of guns, I’ve found that most of my guns shoot most accurately with either 115 or 147 grain bullets. 147 grain ammo can be softer shooting if recoil is a concern. In general, heavier bullets will shoot higher than lighter ones.

In .380, haven’t noticed much difference in standard 95 grain ball loadings. Some of the boutique “+P” stuff is pretty stout. My favorite ball load is the Italian produced Fiocchi, 380AP. Not the Hungarian made Fiocchi stuff which is 380APC IIRC.