RAMI - Felt Recoil, bullet weight and rail lube.

[jak]

I ran some SD ammo thru the RAMI at IDPA the other night; Gold Dot 124gr +P. Someone suggested trying Federal 147gr HST as it might have less felt recoil. So I experimented last week with a mix of Fed. 115gr, 124gr, and 147gr range ammo.

Results: I couldn’t tell much of any difference between 115 and 124. 147 seemed to have more felt recoil. I even tried strong hand only; similar results.

Question, would Fed. HST 124gr or 147gr ammo be any different than the corresponding range ammo?

Also, with only the 147gr, the slide “kerchunked” several times and I had periodic FTF - the slide locked open. I just pulled on the slide, let go and away she went.  The gun was fairly clean, only 50 rnds since last cleaning and about 425 rnds on current recoil spring

Could the 147gr be causing the slide locking back and/or the “kerchunk”?   Or the recoil spring?

I’ve been using Mil-Comm TW25 on slide rails.

Thanks in advance for you input.

[Earl Keese]

 I dont use +P ammo, but doing so will accelerate recoil spring and associated wear. For competitive use, you want the ammo/spring combo that allows for quicker follow up shots, felt recoil is secondary. Heavy bullets like 147gr can feel softer, but only with a reduced load. 
 If you want to be competitive, use match ammo like Federal Syntech Match or load your own. If you want to use competition to train for carry, I'd use a 124NATO spec fmj since it is a little hotter than cheap 115gr ammo. Fed HST is awful expensive for match use. Are you shooting the RAMI in bug matches?
 
 

[jak]

Maybe I should clarify. I’m not a competitive shooter. I have a CCW and shoot IDPA at a sportsman club I belong to as a way to hone/maintain my skills. As a rule, I run 115gr range ammo. I intend to eventually carry the RAMI, so I include it in the rotation with a couple other pistols.  I was doing this exercise to find maybe an alternative SD.

[Vinny]

Jak,
+1 Good advice from Earl.
The only thing I might add is I've had good luck with S&B JHP 115gr (#SB9C) in my compact CZ's and RAMI that I'm getting from SGAmmo.com for ~22cents/round. Ballistics testing I've seen seems comparable to JHP's at twice the price, yet it's cheap enough to use for practice. It's clean and always feeds. However, I do understand wanting to run your preferred SD ammo to insure it runs correctly.

[C. Andrew Dunning]

My 2¢US:

1)  For range and IDPA I run 124g FMJ - S&B NATO or "consumer" - or  MEN NATO.  All are LOT hotter than what many of the other shooters are running but those work well in my RAMI & Jericho.  And...from SGA, 19¢ or less a round.

2)  When my RAMI starts "kerchunking," that's my sign that the recoil spring assembly needs replacing.  FWIW, when you find those assemblies in-stock and are ordering, order several.  a) They're relatively inexpensive.  b)  RAMIs seem to go through them relatively quickly.  c)  They're frequently hard-to-find.

[Vinny]

My 2¢US:

2)  When my RAMI starts "kerchunking," that's my sign that the recoil spring assembly needs replacing.  FWIW, when you find those assemblies in-stock and are ordering, order several.  a) They're relatively inexpensive.  b)  RAMIs seem to go through them relatively quickly.  c)  They're frequently hard-to-find.

Good Point!  The outer recoil spring wears faster than the inner. When mine was new, I needed to replace the outer spring after just 500 rounds. Then again at 1000 and complete set at 1500. Now that it's worn in and running smooth with Slide-Glide grease, I only replace the outer spring every 1000 and complete set 2-3000.

[jak]

I checked my log.  I had 325 rounds on the recoil spring when I ran one box of 50 rnds 124gr +P Gold Dots, and had 375 rounds when I started my experiment w/ 115/124/147gr FMJs.  Prior to those two outings, all 115 FMJs on that spring.  I've read quite a few posts on this blog regarding the recoil springs, so I guess I didn't expect this one to take a dump so soon.

The felt recoil concern has to do with controlling muzzle rise and getting back on target quicker.

BUG match.  Every now and then we run a BUG match.  Definitely use the RAMI (and also a Shield).  But I like to use the RAMI for non-BUG stuff as well.

Also, what about rail lube.  I’ve been using Mil-Comm TW25 on slide rails.  Opinions?


Looks of good info on replies above.  Definitely have some more ammo choices to look into.

- thank you.

[cousinmark]

I keep a slide stop and recoil set up with <500 rounds installed for carry and have been running an alternate rig for the range. I've got 1300 on the range set up and things are running fine, ZERO failures of any sort with this pistol. The plan is to run those range parts till they fail...I had ordered a set of G10 grips but find the pistol is MUCH more comfortable with the stock black rubber panels.
...on the ammo there's a huge variance with 9mm. I've shot what's advertised as standard pressure and it seems hotter than Winchester's NATO offering? For carry ammo I've settled into Federal's "tactical" 124gr HST. It is offered in 50 round boxes (the "law enforcement" version) at a much better price than the 20 round plastic box version, it's the same ammo. Target Sports USA normally has the 50 round boxes in a variety of weights as well as +P for most.

[Claymore504]

The standard pressure SD rounds (HST, GOld Dot......) are going to usually be hotter than FMJ. Use whatever FMJ floats your boat. For an SD round I would work on finding the round that your Rami likes best. Sounds like 147gr may not be the way to go. Try different 124gr standard pressure rounds. Golden Sabre are great SD rounds and tend to run very reliable due to the more rounded nose on them.

[psion55]

For rail lube I use Mobil 1 grease.  A one lb tub is WAY less $$$ than the latest slickum that
promotes whiter teeth, a full beautiful head of hair and is the slickest thing since snot on a
doorknob.  And you'll have enough to last until the second coming.  If it can stand up to
80,000 miles in a wheel bearing it'll be fine on a gun rail.  With steel slides and Al frames
the main thing you need to watch for is galling.  Also don't get too OCD on WHAT you use,
get OCD on USING it!  Just like your car, regular maintenance is THE key to a long happy
life with your RAMI.

[psion55]

I almost forgot.  I saw a good piece of advice once, don't remember where.
If it rotates, oil it.  If it slides, grease it.