How often do you guys change out your personal-defense ammo in your guns?

Question

I have a lot of guns, but specifically I have 3 that I keep loaded with high quality personal defense ammo at all times. I've got a Kel-Tec P3AT .380acp that I carry in a pocket holster for when I really want to be well concealed, a Glock 23C .40 cal for most times concealed carry (or occasionally open carry) and a Springfield XD .45 acp in a quick access safe by my bed for home defense. I can't remember all the types of ammo in each but I think one is ranger sxt, one is hydra-shok, etc. When I bought the ammo and loaded it, I was careful to try and not "finger up" all over the primer area and I haven't exposed the ammo to any bad conditions, dampness, chemicals, fingering, etc.

Realistically, how long should I go before I change this ammo out? I mean, I know in a perfect world you would change it everyday if money was no matter. But ammo is getting very expensive, so I want to strike a good balance between safety and budget. Your thoughts?

Answer 1

Hmmmmm.... Do you regularly practice with your firearms??? If so just use the ammunition and replace it with new ammo. I shoot every 2 weeks so this would be a little silly to recommend that to everybody..... Every couple of months should be fine. Yeah the ammo may and probably will be fine for more than that but if your life depends on it then every 10 weeks should be fine. Practice with what you have and replace it...... Thats what I do......  

Answer 2

I am impessed with the weapons you have.  As far as the ammo goes, don't worry about it. The issue you may have is keeping a magazine loaded.  The Glock is something to be concerned about.  I know people will ague with me, but the springs get weak when loaded.  Shoot your weapons and buy new magazines.  The bullets will last for years, but the springs in the mags will not. .  

Answer 3

Never, I was in Viet Nam using ww2 ammo, as long as it is kept in a reasonably dry condition.

Answer 4

Carry ammo should be changed out at least once a year.  Six months to a year is even better.

H

Answer 5

I haven't changed mine in years. I keep Cor-Bon ammo in it, just in case. It packs a wallop and has some serious energy and great hollow points.

;)

Answer 6

do you realy want to know? or are you just asking random questions again....

Answer 7

I shoot the round that is in the chamber when I go to the range which is normally once a week.  Then I shoot my practice ammo.  Once a year I will shoot the magazine I have loaded for self protection.  If I ever needed a second magazine at home it is normally loaded with practice ammo.  I find it hard to think of many situations where I would need a second magazine.  17 +1 seems to be enough if you can hit a target under most conditions.  It is my opinion that you should not have to rotate more often.  I would even think a couple of years wouldn't be a problem as well.  Now if you are letting your gun get wet things are different.  Those rounds get shot at the next range trip and fresh rounds go in after a good cleaning.

It is always a good idea to make sure your gun reliably will cycle what ever round you plan to carry.  This means you need to shoot those high dollar rounds at least until you are certain they work in your gun.  You don't want any surprises when it is needed.

Answer 8

The ammunition will last for years but you should unload and disassemble the magazines several times a year if your in a dusty environment. The same with the pistol, keep it clean, dry and cool.  

Answer 9

I change it out about every six months to a year during regular carry situations where the ammo is not exposed to the elements. If I am on an outdoor excursion where my firearm and ammo are exposed to the elements I try to change it every three days to a week depending on how exposed they get. One reason for this is because I use penetrating oil/water displacers such as PB Blaster to remove water and then further use gun oil which of course can and will compromise the ammo in short order. I found this out the hard way after floating a river over the course of three weeks with the same ammo. After all of the exposure to the water, water displacer and lubricating oil I had an entire magazine of near squibs that barely would shoot further than 30 feet after exiting the barrel. If the gun never leaves the house I rarely change the ammo out and have gone up to five years with the same ammo. I have never experienced a misfire or squib with ammo that I have kept in the house and out of the elements that was up to 20 years old.

Answer 10

i say a year and no more or less. but i mean i like fresh ammo that i know wont fowl up on me. so ya that is my input. some guys will say longer for this type of ammo. i say no matter the ammo i can set aside 30 bucks a year to but new decent ammo in my gun(s). and have fun with the expensive ammo or save it for if you do have to use more than what you bough that year. hopefully it doesnt come to that but if does its always good to have.

Answer 11

Never, there is no reason to, the ammo, if kept dry, will outlast any of us!  I've shot ammo over thirty years old, (38 special and 30-30 Win) and had it shoot without a hitch and be just as accurate as the day it was made!