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TMJ 9mm Makarov Ammo

Manoa-FishermanManoa-Fisherman Member Posts: 190 ✭✭✭
edited July 2013 in Ask the Experts
I ran across some old ammo in 9mmm Makarov with aluminum cases and marked 95gr. TMJ bullets. I remember shooting some when I first got my Makarov to test the functioning and accuracy of my East German Mak.

I remember the ammo and gun being quite accurate and I kept the remainder of the ammo around. I am not sure what the TMJ bullets are like, but I think these might be considered "frangible" by some.

Does anyone know how these TMJ bullets perform in a self-defense situation? If they are frangible, would they act like a hollow point or do they act like the old Glaser Safety bullets?
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Comments

  • mcasomcaso Member Posts: 1,119 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I hope this helps
    Answer
    1. The FMJ bullet still has the base of the lead core exposed, a TMJ head is usually used in match shooting and has the lead core completely encased in copper.


    2. The full jacket of the TMJ or Total Metal Jacket prevents separation of the lead core with the copper jacket, preventing the lead from blowing out.
    It is being used more and more as it also prevents much lead pollution as most of the lead expelled in the air by a firearm comes from vaporization of lead at the base of the bullet, which is covered by copper in the TMJ design.
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If it's the old CCI Blazer stuff with the aluminum cases? It's not frangible. Just soft lead bullets that have been copper plated. Even though the copper plating is much thinner than a normal copper jacketed bullet. They won't expand at 9 mm Makarov velocity.

    I have heard of folks drilling a hole, to create a HP in these TMJ bullets. Then filling the hole with grease, to initiate expansion upon impact with these soft TMJ bullets. Don't know if it works though?
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  • andeanincandeaninc Member Posts: 28 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mcaso is right. What you have is definitely not frangible ammo. It is basically full metal jacket practice ammo.
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  • Manoa-FishermanManoa-Fisherman Member Posts: 190 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thank you all for your experience and expertise on this subject. I guess I will have to look at finding some good hollow points. Any recommendations?
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  • RobOzRobOz Member Posts: 9,523 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hornady makes two

    http://www.hornady.com/store/9X18-Mak/
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  • victorj19victorj19 Member Posts: 3,642 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've shot about 500 of the Silver Bear 94 gr JHPs without any issues. It's a hot little load (well it seems to have more recoil than the Wolf 95 gr FMJ).

    That old TMJ ammo is junk. [:0] Have heard that the powder is very dirty and there's a lot of FTFs. Send it to me for proper disposal! [:D][:D][:D]
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