Regarding: Mag-Safe and Glaser Safety Slugs

I have several problems with specialty ammo like this.

IMHO, if you own a semi-auto you had better put 100 or more rounds of your carry ammo down the tube before you make a decision on ammo reliability. These light/fast rounds may not be entirely reliable or may fail to properly cycle if you "limp wrist" the gun. The cost of this ammo makes it an expensive proposition to do that much reliability testing. For revolvers I am more comfortable with fewer rounds tested, but these high pressure rounds do have a tendency to flatten the primers, sometimes leading to binding up the cylinder. So, it is still a good idea to test several dozen rounds before having the confidence you can stake your life on some ammo.

The next problem with this specialty ammo is also related to its light weight and high velocity. These rounds will rarely print to the same aim-point as standard ammo, nor is the recoil the same. You may find this ammo will print 6”-12” or more below the point of aim for your firearm with standard weight and velocity ammo. That is just not good enough for me. If you have adjustable sights you can make the adjustments between practice ammo and the specialty ammo, but you had better have it set up right before needing it to preserve life. My own experience is that this specialty ammo is also intrinsically less accurate than typical premium defensive ammo (Federal, Corbon, etc). Your groups may double (or more) in size with the mag-safe or Glaser.

Finally, I have found that it is not uncommon for these rounds to tumble before reaching the target. This is probably more common from short barrels, but I am not certain of this (too expensive to do much testing). From the reading I have done on this specialty ammo, the damage can be dramatic if the round functions as designed. The problem is, if the ammo does not enter properly, it is very likely to fail to fragment. When these rounds fail to fragment they are dismal performers. I have used both types of ammo through some especially accurate little snub nose wheel guns. When the targets were examined it was clear that several of the slugs passed through sideways (not good).

I consider Mag-Safe and Glaser Safety slugs to be exotic ammo with niche functionality. There are clearly good uses for this ammo, but I have decided to place ammo and firearm reliability/consistency above the possible stopping power benefits of this pre-fragmented ammo.

I think way too much attention is focused on “what caliber”, “what type of gun”, and
”what’s the best ammo”. (Although fun to discuss and ponder endlessly) Arguably, the most important component is the “nut holding the grip”. (Inside gun humor)

My big three:
-Shot placement
-Reliable firearm (Revolver or semi, what ever feels good and allows you to shoot well)
-Reliable ammo (hollow point or equivalent preferred)

Anything else is a distant fourth.

Good luck, TR