Old School
I mentioned a bit back that I got my first carry gun back. Dad came to visit today and he brought me the rest of the magazines he had for it. And look what I found (click to embiggenate):
Back in the old days, when I was a Sig fan boy*, those operators who operated operationally in operations in the know carried Hydra Shoks or Black Talons. And there’s two magazines loaded up with them. Modern carry ammo is better than both of those. Ah, nostalgia.
At a scientific, wild ass guess, I figure those magazines have been loaded since at least 2001. But more likely since 1998. And in the name of more sciency stuff, I’m going to run those magazines at the next range trip to see if really long-term storage of loaded magazines really mucks up the springs like internet commandos say. I’ve always thought it was compression cycles that did more to damage them.
I also got some after market magazine that I bought way back when. And I distinctly remember that magazine sucking rocks up off the ground. It was good for practicing malfunctions.
* Perusing my archives on the matter amuses me because I was that guy who would say YOUR GUN SUCKS. And nobody called themselves an operator. Even more nostalgia. How the gunny web has changed.
February 12th, 2017 at 6:21 pm
material science says it’s cycles that wear springs, not static loading 😉
February 12th, 2017 at 6:21 pm
Don’t be hating on the Hydra Shocks! They are still not a bad option (particularly in 45 acp). Much better than ball, or no ammo at all! I still have a few boxes laying around. Wouldn’t hesitate to use them.
February 12th, 2017 at 6:38 pm
I have been carrying Golden Sabers in 124 gr. 9mm. Anyone have a round they like better? Golden Saber is used by the local cops.
February 12th, 2017 at 6:52 pm
Still have 20 or so Black Talons. Used to use hydra shoks too.
February 12th, 2017 at 11:26 pm
While doing some “house cleaning” at a municipal warehouse my cop buddy found several cases of decades old Black Talon. Local pols had ordered them not to use the stock due to bad press. *eye roll* Needless to say, once the Black Talon ammo had been declared surplus, it was sold off and new Kevlar vests acquired.
February 13th, 2017 at 8:15 am
I’m a mechanical engineer working in the auto industry. Yes, springs that sit under load do relax or lose tension. If you buy new springs for these magazines, you’ll find the free length of the old springs are up to an inch shorter than the replacements. I replace magazine springs and recoil springs every 10 years for this reason. Say what you want but this restored three of my problematic pistols to good function.
February 13th, 2017 at 9:00 am
I’ve got old-school hydroshocks too, probably from 1999 or so.
Went skeet shooting with my brother in law last year. Used up some 25-year old #8 shot that I’d had since the early 1990s.
February 13th, 2017 at 9:09 am
I can’t wait for this test. Of course the internet commandos will claim that the lack of malfunction is due to the superior manufacturing of sig.
February 13th, 2017 at 9:23 am
Dont shoot the black talons. They are worth too much money.
February 13th, 2017 at 10:08 am
Joe is right – sell the stuff.
A buddy came over two years ago to shoot up some old ammo he got from LEO training. We shot off about 150 rounds. He left me a few boxes.
Two months later he texts me a link to Gun Broker listings showing those original 50/round boxes going for $750. Thinking it a typo I looked and found the cheapest was about $700. Those rounds we shot that day were about $15 each. He won’t take them back, and I won’t shoot them or sell them. He has the better part of a case sitting at home. I just looked online and the price is only about $250 now. Still crazy.
I didn’t know ammo was a collectible thing. Ask your dad if he has the original box.
February 13th, 2017 at 10:42 am
Make sure to tell us what you find with your magazines.
February 13th, 2017 at 2:08 pm
The times I wish I hadn’t checked out Uncle’s blog.
I have a 24 pack of Black Talons (.45 ACP) in the original box with the original price tag. Now frantically checking loaded mags for a payday. Thanks a lot!
February 13th, 2017 at 2:30 pm
Reality check. I was just on Gun Broker site and Black Talon in the original box is being offered at around $55 per box. Must have been a boom cycle. I think I’ll keep mine for trading stock.
February 13th, 2017 at 7:11 pm
Ammo is consumable and collecting it is absolutely silly. That’d be like collecting old oil cans with the metal spout, (which I’m sure some people collect). I just don’t see the value.
February 13th, 2017 at 9:59 pm
Do the subsequent SXT’s (Same eXact Thing) have any resale value? I don’t mean the current copper ones, I mean the first SXT’s that still had the Lubalox on them. I have a few. My suspicion is that – like the old 1970’s vintage Star Wars toys – the box is worth more than the rounds.
February 14th, 2017 at 2:22 pm
Dear Uncle and Other Readers,
I’m still new to defensive carry of a handgun, so can you help me out and suggest (three or five name brands) some modern 9mm pistol ammo, me and my family?
Sincerely, SYK
Thanks, in advance
February 14th, 2017 at 3:11 pm
Yeah well, less then ten years ago I fired gnarly-looking, black tip, mil-surp 50 BMG rounds headstamped from the 1940s. They went off without a hitch, so I think you’re OK on that “really long term storage” score.
February 14th, 2017 at 3:21 pm
SYK,
http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/