I bought a few hundred round of Independence ammo in .45ACP 230gr FMJ. I usually buy PMC, or S&B. Figured I'd take a chance on this stuff. I've never heard anything about it prior to shooting it. However, I was left rather disappointed. I put 100 rounds total through my Glock 30 and M&P45. The recoil felt almost like a 9mm. I had my G19 out with me and really the difference was very little between the S&B 9mm I was shooting and the Independence .45 I was shooting. At one point my G30 did experience a malfunction. I shrugged it off and noticed from shot to shot the recoil was different. A few shots I could almost feel the slide come back very slowly, like the slide velocity was slow. I picked up my M&P45 and felt the exact same thing. Inconsistent recoil feel, and some shots the slide felt like it moved just enough to chamber the next round. A few I thought were squibs. The shells were ejecting maybe a foot away.
Unfortunately, I still have 350 rounds of this stuff. Thinking about just pumping it out through my 1911 to get rid of it, because if my Glock or M&P malfunctions (even if it's due to something OTHER than the gun itself like mags or ammo), it makes me sad. If my 1911 malfunctions (and I know it'll be ammo related), I shrug it off as my 1911 is nothing more than a range gun. Though it it usually reliable, except with one specific mag.
Also had either a mag or human error malfunction in my AR. Tried to chamber a round from an open bolt when practicing reloads, I didn't seat the mag properly due to wearing gloves. But that's beside the point... I just had a bad range day.
But has anybody had any experience with Independence Ammo? It's loaded in CCI brass, however, I read that Federal is somehow involved. I've read reviews similar to my experience, some say it's overpowered, and some seem to have no problems at all. I had two separate guns experience the same problems with this stuff.... Even though it's practice ammo, I will say, that I'll likely never purchase it again. I've had one bad primer with PMC, but otherwise it's been perfect. Never a problem with S&B. Independence just seems too inconsistent. It also seem very dirty. There would be a very dirty patch on the brass, as it the case wasn't expanding properly.
I'm going to head back to the range tomorrow with S&B to try and ease my mind about my G30 and M&P45 running poorly. Though I still trust them as defensive guns, as it was the fault of the ammo, I don't like to end on a bad note :)
