IMMEDIATE ALERT: Buyer Beware (Know Before You Buy Part II)

   As everyone knows, I am starting to become quite the ammo ninja.  With that said, I received an alert for some Surplus 5.56 NATO SS109 Rounds.  Not knowing what SS109 meant, I did some digging and found out that they are exactly the same as the M855 Green Tipped Penetrator Rounds.minus the Green Tip.  These rounds are not allowed at Take Aim's indoor range because they can damage the backstops (they don't call em penetrators for nothing) 
   With that said, I spoke with the owner and they are finding that surplus ammo coming from former Eastern Bloc Countries are not bi-metal (i.e. copper jackets and lead cores) but they are ATP rounds that can damage the range.  These rounds usually come wrapped in paper, SPAM Cans, etc.  
   A lot of people are spending money on them thinking they are getting a good deal over paying for standard factory ammo.  This is only true in the sense if you are going to shoot it at an outdoor range or area.  If you spend 900.00 on surplus ammo rather than pay a little extra per round for standard ammo that you think you are going to get to shoot at an indoor range and suddenly can't shoot it, you now have 900.00 worth of junk.  Also something to be aware of is some companies are attempting to mask their ammo (still compiling data on this) and will paint the primer green to designate it as a penetrator round instead of the tips.  These are being found with magnets that are run over the ammo prior to being able to shoot it.
   One final note, a lot of ammo coming from former Eastern Bloc Countries is also mildly to highly corrosive on your firearm, and over time will eat the inside of your barrel.  What it boils down to, if you are going to buy surplus ammo: (1) know what you are buying, (2) know where you can/can't shoot it, (3) Know whether or not it is corrosive, and clean your weapon barrel to buttstock afterwards.
   More information will follow as I compile a list of Eastern Bloc Ammo.

Ammo Ninja Eddie

Daily Ammo 2/15/14

Today's Deals

Winchester Bulk Ammo 9mm - Cabelas

Herters 9mm FMJ - Cabelas

XM193 Ball Ammo 5.56 - Palmetto State Armory

Remington UMC 9mm and .40S&W  - Cabelas

TulAmmo .45 ACP - Ammunition Depot

Wolf .223 Remington Gold - The Armory (Brass cased boxer primed reloadable)

Ammo Ninja Eddie

The Daily Ammo 2/13/14

Here is what came through my email this morning.  I will update it throughout the day.

9mm - Cabelas (Free ship to store)

9mm - Sportsman's Warehouse (Limit 1)

Update: 3:01pm CST

9mm, .40 S&W and .45ACP  - Cabelas Free Ship to Store

Ammo Ninja Eddie

The Daily Ammo 2/12/14

Here is today's deals:

Fiocchi .223 (250rd and 500rd packs) - Sportsman's Guide

Fiocchi 9mm 50rd boxes  - Palmetto State Armory

CCI Blazer 50rd boxes (.11/rd w/shipping) - Natchezz Shooter Supply (10 box limit)

Magtech .40 S&W  - Sportsman's Guide

Ammo Ninja Eddie

Ammunition: Know before you buy

(If you guys want to learn more about up to date information or have firearm related questions please become a member of our Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/omahaguntech we have several gunsmiths and concealed carry instructors that are happy to help also please read our other posts on our blog, thank you for visiting)

Ammunition Types and Characteristics.

1. Cartridge, 5.56-mm, Ball, M193. The M193 cartridge is a center-fire cartridge with a 55-grain, gilded metal-jacketed, lead alloy core bullet. The M193 round is the standard cartridge for field use with the M16A1 rifle and has no identifying marks.
2. Cartridge, 5.56-mm, Tracer, M196. (Used in the M16A1 rifle) The M196 cartridge has a red or orange painted tip. Its main uses are for observation of fire, incendiary effect, and signaling. Soldiers should avoid long-term use of 100 percent tracer rounds, which could cause deposits of incendiary material, or chemical compounds that could damage the barrel. Therefore, when tracer rounds are fired, they are mixed with ball ammunition in a ratio of no greater than one-to-one with a preferred ratio of three or four ball rounds to one tracer round.
3. Cartridge, 5.56-mm, Dummy, M199. (Used in all rifles.) The M199 dummy cartridge is used during dry firing and other training. This cartridge can be identified by the six grooves along the sides of the case beginning about 1/2 inch from its tip. It contains no propellant or primer. The primer well is open to prevent damage to the firing pin.
4. Cartridge, 5.56-mm, Blank, M200. (Used in all rifles.) The M200 blank cartridge has no projectile. The case mouth is closed with a seven-petal rosette crimp and shows a violet tip.
5. Cartridge, 5.56-mm, Ball, M855. (Used in the M16A2/3/4 and M4-series weapons.) The M855 cartridge has a 62-grain, gilded metal-jacketed, lead alloy core bullet with a steel penetrator. The primer and case are waterproof. This round is also linked and used in the M249. It has a green tip. This ammunition should not be used in the M16A1 except under emergency conditions, and only at targets less than 90 meters in distance. (The twist of the M16A1 rifling is not sufficient to stabilize the heavier projectile of the round).
6. Cartridge, 5.56-mm, Tracer, M856. (Used in the M16A2/3/4 and M4-series weapons.) The M856 tracer cartridge has characteristics similar to the M196 tracer with a slightly longer tracer burnout distance. This cartridge has a 63.7-grain bullet. The M856 does not have a steel penetrator. It has a red tip (orange when linked 4 to 1 for the M249). This ammunition should not be used in the M16A1 except under emergency conditions, and only at targets less than 90 meters in distance. (The twist of the M16A1 rifling is not sufficient to stabilize the projectile of the heavier ammunition).
7. Cartridge, 5.56-mm Short-Range Training Ammunition (SRTA), M862. (Used in all rifles.) The M862 SRTA is designed exclusively for training. It can be used in lieu of service ammunition on indoor ranges and by units that have a limited range fan that does not allow the firing of service ammunition. SRTA ammunition must be used with the M2 training bolt.
8. Although SRTA closely replicates the trajectory and characteristics of service ammunition out to 25 meters, it should not be used to set battle sight zero of weapons to fire service ammunition. The settings that are placed on the sights for SRTA could be different for service ammunition.
9. If adequate range facilities are not available for sustainment training, SRTA can be used for any firing exercise of 25 meters or less. This includes the 25-meter scaled silhouette, 25-meter alternate qualification course, and quick-fire training. SRTA can also be used for Urban Operations training. 

 Reference

Army Study Guide

Note: Be aware that 5.56 X 45 NATO SS109 is equivalent to the M855

Ammunition Recall...

(If you guys want to learn more about up to date information or have firearm related questions please become a member of our Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/omahaguntech we have several gunsmiths and concealed carry instructors that are happy to help also please read our other posts on our blog, thank you for visiting)

Olin Corporation, through its Winchester Division, is recalling two (2) lots of M*22™ 22 Long Rifle 40 Grain Black Copper Plated Round Nose rimfire ammunition.

Symbol Number: S22LRT

Lot Numbers: GD42L and GD52L

Winchester has determined the above lots of 22 Long Rifle rimfire ammunition may contain double powder charges. Ammunition with double powder charges may subject the shooter or bystanders to a risk of serious personal injury and/or death, or cause firearm damage, rendering the firearm inoperable.

DO NOT USE WINCHESTER® M*22™ 22 Long Rifle RIMFIRE AMMUNITION WITH LOT NUMBERS GD42L or GD52L.

The ammunition Lot Number is imprinted (stamped without ink) on the left tuck flap of the 500-round carton as indicated here. The 1000-round intermediate carton does not have a Lot Number.

To determine if your ammunition is subject to this notice, review the Symbol Number and Lot Number. If it is Symbol Number S22LRT with a Lot Number containing GD42L or GD52L immediately discontinue use and contact Winchester toll-free at 866-423-5224 or visit http://www.winchester.com/Product-Service/Pages/Contact-Us.aspx for free UPS pick-up of the recalled ammunition.

This notice applies only to Symbol Number S22LRT with Lot Numbers GD42L and GD52L. Other Symbol Numbers or Lot Numbers are not subject to this recall.

If you have any questions concerning this 22 Long Rifle rimfire ammunition recall please call toll-free 866-423-5224, write to Winchester (600 Powder Mill Road, East Alton, IL 62024 Attn: S22LRT Recall), or visit our website at www.winchester.com.

We apologize for this inconvenience.

WINCHESTER

January 26, 2014

Daily Ammo 2/11/14

Here is the latest and greatest as of 9:22am CST

Cabelas 9mm 14.99 (Free Ship to Store)

Gander Mountain 9mm (Free Shipping)

Gander Mountain 5.7 X 28

Sportsman Guide Remanufactured .45 ACP

Palmetto State Armory 9mm

Update added 1:41pm CST

Sportsman Guide 40 S & W

Ammo Ninja Eddie

The Ammo Ninja.

   First I want to thank the blog owner for allowing me to be part of this blog.  I will do my best to keep track of the ever changing world of ammunition.  As we all know there are gougers out there ripping off new shooters who think "they are getting a good deal."  Being involved in a few transactions myself, I know how that can be, and believe me, I have been burned as well because I failed to do my homework.  Live and learn right?

   In case I don't get online to update ammo prices, I want to provide you with a list of links that I use personally to find and post ammo:

Slickguns - With this link, I have signed up for email alerts that will send me an email when the price per round is under a maximum amount I am willing pay.  Currently I have the following alerts set up:

22lr, 9mm, .380 ACP, 40 S&W, .45 ACP, and .223/5.56.  If there is a caliber that is not listed that you wish to see on here, please let me know in the comments.

Gun Bot - Works the same way as Slickguns, but I do not receive email alerts.

Ammo Seek - Works the same way as Slickguns, but I do not receive email alerts.

Ammo-can - This seeker tracks the ammo that local Walmarts get in once the ammo is scanned into the store.  Here is an excerpt from my notes from my personal FB Page in regards to this link:

1. Type in your State and Ammo Caliber you are searching for.
2. Click Go.
3. This should bring up a page of Walmart Store numbers and availabity of the round you are looking for.  This site's disclaimer is that it is NOT 100% accurate.  I found that it is fairly accurate.
4. In a separate tab in the same browser...
5. Go to Walmart.com.
6. Go to find a store.
7. Type in your zip code to bring up the nearest store.
8. Type in the caliber ammo you are searching for in the search box.
9. Click Search.

It should bring up the caliber you are looking for.  Look for the type of ammo that you have pulled up on ammo-can.net and they should co-inside.

If both show in-stock, call the store to now triple verify that it has that particular caliber in stock.

Go to the store and buy the ammo.

I tried this  8/2/13 and when I arrived at the local Walmart and talked to the clerk, he then dissappeared to the back and after a few minutes, out came him and the manager.  I showed him the information on my mobile and he still tried to tell me that it wasn't in stock but on a truck on its way there...(In stock shows up once its scanned at the store) Also, he stated that if its not on the shelf at the counter, its not in stock...I told him that I knew the deal and that the ammo was off the truck and in the back.  He then told me that to be fair to all the customers (hmm I thought I was the customer) that the ammo gets stocked at around 7/8am the next morning and that was their "policy". (I call bullshit)  Knowing that I wasn't going to get any ammo tonight, I thanked him for the information and will make my way back in the morning.

Using the websites and calling are not 100% perfect as I found out, but at least I know if I am first in line in the morning, I will get the ammo I am looking for.  I suggest this for anyone looking for ammo.

This is my first of many contribution posts to this blog.  Stay tuned.....

Ammo Ninja Eddie