IMI Samson 357 ammo..question please

[opos]

Anyone here have any experience with the old Samson IMI 357 mag ammo? I got several boxes (all factory...not reloads) of it..it's brass cased..SJHP bullet...primer has a faint red sealant...looks like dandy brass...Being as the ammo is some years old I can't find anything on it but do know that IMI did make some pretty hot ammo for military use...I'll either shoot this in a Blackhawk or my GP100 so not using a "marginal" revolver...just curious if any one has shot any and if they have reloaded the cartridges was it decent' brass...many thanks
opos

 

[Cheesewhiz]

Never shot any of their .357 Mag, but plenty of their 9mm and .41 AE, they make high quality ammo. My guess is some of the components used for those .357's are American made, just because their main focus for brass and bullets would be for military calibers.

 

[Jim Puke]

Never shot it, but I have seen a several good reviews on it.

 

[dougader]

I've shot some. It is loaded hot, but nothing overboard IME... no sticky cases or flattened primers as I recall. And you're right about the brass; it's good stuff!

 

[WIL TERRY]

GOOD AMMUNITION. GOOD BRASS.
Now, kindly explain to us, Sir, what a " marginal " 357MAG sixgun might be., or which one is.

 

[opos]

GOOD AMMUNITION. GOOD BRASS.
Now, kindly explain to us, Sir, what a " marginal " 357MAG sixgun might be., or which one is.

Ha...well, I don't think I'll step into that trap...but I'd guess an old shot out loosey goosey revolver might not like really hot loads like Buffalo Bore or some of the others...With IMI being a military ammo maker my concern was that the hot load ideas of things like the NATO 9mm might just carry over and I wouldn't be comfortable shooting hot loads in a less than quality firearm....I have a couple of "economy" 357's that are "marginal" as far as I'm concerned..they are on the "to do" list but not getting shot right now...lots of end shake..timing is off..a lot, and just plain not safe...marginal is really a misnomer.. junk would be better. I think IMI made some military ammo for machine pistols and machine guns(9mm) and such that could be really a problem for many handguns.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

I can't speak to the quality of their ammo, but have picked up a moderate amount of 9mm range brass with their headstamp, and agree it's as good as any of the rest of 'em IME.

Rick C

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Marginal.... A shooter up at our gun club this summer had a SS DA .357 made in South America that he said was binding up in double action . He asked me to take a look at it. Well after I found I could unscrew the barrel from the frame with hand pressure only I handed it back to him with a suggestion that it needs to go back to the factory for repairs and when he got it back to dump it and buy a real gun. That is what I would call "marginal".

 

[1RugerFan_33]

Way Back When (early 90's), I had a 44mag Super Redhawk; shot ALOT of their 180/240gr jsp....good stuff, and lots cheaper back then!

...At one point shot up a few boxes of that 357 you mention. Was just as good...