40 year old bullets????

[doghouse]

My M.I.L. is staying up here in College Station and she brought her Browning 9mm. She asked me if I thought the bullets were still good and I asked how old were they and she said probably 40 years old. I don't know if they are or not but I'm sure someone here knows????

TIA

[biggyin]

I have fired ammo left over from WW2 with no problems, providing it has been stored correctly and has no obvious outside corrosion I don't see a problem. If in any doubt get new stuff!

[dave_in_austin]

I have expended many, many rounds of Korean-war era vintage and Vietnam-era ammunition without any problems, but in a potential defensive situation where your or others' lives may depend on its proper function, I would spring for some new replacement. Use the older rounds at the range.

[biggyin]

for home/personal defense, newer ammo is a must! For range ammo it should be fine!

[waynev]

I've got some Lake City from 1952 for my M1 carbine. I hesitate to shoot them because the LC stuff is getting harder and harder to come by.

To echo the others, get new stuff for defense and use old stuff at the range where it doesn't matter if it goes bang or not.

[doghouse]

SOunds good thanks folks. I may try and go to the range and fire it and then get some new bullets for her. Looks like she needs a new clip as well. Do they still make stuff for a browning 9mm gun? She said the gun was bought in 1966 so I know not what the model is???

[nuparadigm]

I'm still working off the better part of a case of Super Vel 9mm cartridges (95 gr.) made in the early 1970's. Every one of them ignites reliably. I would have no problem using them in a carry mode - that is, if 9mm was what I carried.

Regarding her future magazine purchases, If the Browning is a Hi-Power, there are literally loads of aftermarket brands from which to choose. There is, also, the option of buying factory Hi-Power magazines.