How often should you replace your self defense ammo. An experiment.

[Quads]

This myth probably comes from the same people who believe that magazines need to be unloaded on occasion to prevent the mag springs from wearing out.

You misspelled Frog Lube Fanboy

[SADAacp]

This myth probably comes from the same people who believe that magazines need to be unloaded on occasion to prevent the mag springs from wearing out.

Uh Oh!!! My 3 mags for my EDC, Gen3 G22, have been loaded with the same ammo since the winter of 2011/2012. I guess the springs are pretty much "shot" by now.

[red442joe]

I gotta wonder about modern primers.
I pick up assorted leftovers at the range; I don't shoot
them, I pull them apart for the brass.
After wet tumbling a batch of 9mm, I found about a dozen
that had un-hit primers, prolly from pull-downs.

They all fired.

Joe

[Ol` Joe]

I gotta wonder about modern primers.
I pick up assorted leftovers at the range; I don't shoot
them, I pull them apart for the brass.
After wet tumbling a batch of 9mm, I found about a dozen
that had un-hit primers, prolly from pull-downs.

They all fired.

Joe

I am of the idea primers today are pretty well sealed.
A couple years ago, I think I posted here I know I did on a couple forums, that I had tried years ago to kill a few primed 44 mag cases. I sprayed WD40 inside the cases and let them set for about a week with a 1/4 inch of oil setting in the case bottom and then tried one in my revolver before starting to deprime on my press.
It went off!
I tried another it too went off.
This pretty well killed any ideas I had about finger oils, wet weather or gun oil migration killing primers in most normal conditions.
The primers had enough "Omph" to back out partially and put enough drag on my cylinder to require force swinging it out to unload the spent cases.

[10x25mm]

Why do I suspect that many of the experts recommending replacement of self defense ammunition have financially lucrative arrangements with ammunition manufacturers?

On a more serious note, propellant stability is the major cause of ammunition deterioration over time. The classic single base IMR propellants suffer the most rapid deterioration, but generally have a lifespan exceeding 50 years. This deterioration is most rapid in bulk storage. Propellants in cartridges have much longer lifespans because stabilizers like DPA cannot evaporate.

As long as you don't take your self defense ammunition for a swim and it is in good mechanical condition, you probably don't have to replace it.

[Jackam]

Why do I suspect that many of the experts recommending replacement of self defense ammunition have financially lucrative arrangements with ammunition manufacturers?

Just got mt oil changed in one of the trucks. Sticker says it's due for the next change in 2500 miles.

[solarguy]

Just got mt oil changed in one of the trucks. Sticker says it's due for the next change in 2500 miles.

Well you know, under certain circumstances, like using your left blinker too much, that puts your engine under severe service requirements. Better get it done....

[dirtmcgirt76239]

Why do I suspect that many of the experts recommending replacement of self defense ammunition have financially lucrative arrangements with ammunition manufacturers?

On a more serious note, propellant stability is the major cause of ammunition deterioration over time. The classic single base IMR propellants suffer the most rapid deterioration, but generally have a lifespan exceeding 50 years. This deterioration is most rapid in bulk storage. Propellants in cartridges have much longer lifespans because stabilizers like DPA cannot evaporate.

As long as you don't take your self defense ammunition for a swim and it is in good mechanical condition, you probably don't have to replace it.

Well it is better, it has to be better. Its just barely the tinest bit better and costs a bunch of money. Its a bad value, and unless you are paranoid and cash rich and OCD I would not do it.

I never hear them weight the options. Just a finite its better you should do it.

[matt11]

Well you know, under certain circumstances, like using your left blinker too much, that puts your engine under severe service requirements. Better get it done....

You do know they came out with a synthetic blinker fluid last year, so that should not be a concern.

[Ol` Joe]

You do know they came out with a synthetic blinker fluid last year, so that should not be a concern.

You still have to change the filter at regular manufactures suggested intervals though.