Posted: 2/12/2016 1:41:06 AM EDT
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So I just had my second malfunction in my G43 with Federal 124gr HSTs. The first one was within the first 100 rounds and I thought it might just be from break in, but now I had another of the exact same malfunctions - FTE with brass stuck between breech face and top of chamber. So I definitely need some different carry ammo.
I'm interested to hear from those with a G43 who have at least 100 trouble free rounds with their carry ammo and what you're using. I'm not interested in hearing what type of carry ammo everyone likes in general; I can just consult "the list" for that. Only interested in hearing from those who have actually tested their carry ammo in their G43 and what worked and didn't work. I'm thinking of trying either Gold Dots 124gr+P or 147gr or Critical Duty 135gr standard pressure or +P. Or open to other suggestions. I'm also interested in hearing recoil comparisons between these loads. Has anyone tested those Gold Dot and Critical Duty loads and can comment on recoil? In the G43 with that small grip it's helpful having lower recoil as the gun wants to twisting and move around in your hand during recoil. Thanks! |
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So you're both saying you've effectively had "horizontal stovepipes" or failures to fully eject the spent casing?
That's surprising to me, as I've run everything from Remington 115gr JHP to my own soft shooting 147gr target loads through my 43 without a single failure. There's not a lot to hold onto...maybe you're effectively "limp wristing" it? I've done most of my shooting with mags with Pearce +1s base plates. |
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Yeah sort of a horizontal stovepipe, but the round wasn't sticking out of the ejection port at all. The top of the case was hitting the top of the chamber.
My G43 has worked fine with factory FMJ and my own light reloads; just having the issues with the HST so far. If it were limp wristing it would have more issues with the light ammo. Maybe the hotter loaded carry ammo is cycling the slide too fast not giving it enough time to eject? I dunno, just want to find some carry ammo that works in it... |
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I've shot around 100 rds of critical defense and a couple hundred rds of my light 124 gr. Reloads. Not a single malfunction.
You mentioned critical duty? I think that stuff is optimized for a little longer barrel. That's why I bought the critical defense. I could be wrong though. |
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Quoted:
Yeah sort of a horizontal stovepipe, but the round wasn't sticking out of the ejection port at all. The top of the case was hitting the top of the chamber. My G43 has worked fine with factory FMJ and my own light reloads; just having the issues with the HST so far. If it were limp wristing it would have more issues with the light ammo. Maybe the hotter loaded carry ammo is cycling the slide too fast not giving it enough time to eject? I dunno, just want to find some carry ammo that works in it... I suppose that's possible, but my assumption was the heavy recoil and small grip made it more likely a grip issue. I used to have a G27, shot it quite a bit, and the only ammo it ever had trouble with was GA Arms Shear Power Plus, and it would do the same type of horizontal stovepipe ejection failure several times per magazine. |
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I've run 300 rounds of 124gr HST through mine. Flawless, and very accurate. HST is my EDC.
I've also run 124gr Hydra Shock. Flawless. I''ve run 124gr Speer Gold Dot. Flawless. I've run 124gr Fiocchi XTP. Flawless and very accurate. I've also run at least a dozen different types of FMJ in 115gr and 124gr, including some cheap-ass steel case stuff somebody gave me. I've run four different kinds of ammo in the same mag, even. All flawless. |
Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm jealous of all of you who've had zero malfunctions with your G43 
I'm leaning towards trying the Critical Duty, mostly because I can't find 50 round boxes of Gold Dots available anywhere. Anyone know who's got the best prices and in stock selection of carry ammo? Quoted:
You mentioned critical duty? I think that stuff is optimized for a little longer barrel. That's why I bought the critical defense. I could be wrong though. I also may be wrong, but my understanding was Critical Duty is designed to penetrate deeper than Critical Defense. I don't think one or the other is made specifically for shorter barreled guns? I thought the Critical Defense was known to under-penetrate and won't reliably make it 12". Also is the Critical Defense available in the 50 round boxes? If not that makes it a lot more expensive than Critical Duty. Carry ammo is expensive! I'm kind of tempted to buy some Gold Dot bullets and load my own. Now after these issues I'm having with my G43 I'm going to want to put a couple hundred rounds of whatever new carry ammo I pick through it, that'll be $$$. Quoted:
I suppose that's possible, but my assumption was the heavy recoil and small grip made it more likely a grip issue. I used to have a G27, shot it quite a bit, and the only ammo it ever had trouble with was GA Arms Shear Power Plus, and it would do the same type of horizontal stovepipe ejection failure several times per magazine. I guess anything's possible. Although that would be quite ironic since last night when I had the 2nd malfunction I was at the range with my cousin helping him with his new G43. He told me it was ejecting brass back at his head and wanted to see how it ejected for me. When I shot it they all ejected nicely to the right so it was his grip that was the issue. |
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Quoted:
I also may be wrong, but my understanding was Critical Duty is designed to penetrate deeper than Critical Defense. I don't think one or the other is made specifically for shorter barreled guns? I thought the Critical Defense was known to under-penetrate and won't reliably make it 12". Also is the Critical Defense available in the 50 round boxes? If not that makes it a lot more expensive than Critical Duty. The Critical Defense is advertised as better performing in short barreled guns. Both of the Critical D offerings come in 25 round boxes. |
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Quoted:
The Critical Defense is advertised as better performing in short barreled guns. Both of the Critical D offerings come in 25 round boxes. Quoted:
Quoted:
I also may be wrong, but my understanding was Critical Duty is designed to penetrate deeper than Critical Defense. I don't think one or the other is made specifically for shorter barreled guns? I thought the Critical Defense was known to under-penetrate and won't reliably make it 12". Also is the Critical Defense available in the 50 round boxes? If not that makes it a lot more expensive than Critical Duty. The Critical Defense is advertised as better performing in short barreled guns. Both of the Critical D offerings come in 25 round boxes. Thanks. Yeah I did some more research on the Critical Defense after posting that and see you're right. Critical Duty, Gold Dots, HST, and some others are also available in 50 round boxes for around $27 while it seems the Critical Defense is only available in 25 round boxes for around $17, so a good bit more expensive since I'm going to want to put quite a few of them through my G43 before trusting them. Anyone know who's got the best price on Critical Defense? |