What Training Ammo Do I Recommend?

One of the questions I recently got from a student during our concealed carry class in Grand Junction, CO was:

“What training ammo do you like and use?”

It’s a great question, and the answer is actually pretty simple.

My Short Answer

For most people, I recommend the cheapest brass-cased, copper-jacketed ammunition you can find from a reputable brand.

When you're practicing regularly, the goal is to get consistent, reliable ammo that lets you train more without spending unnecessary money. The more you shoot, the more you improve—so keeping training ammo affordable matters.

Some common brands that work well for range training include:

• Magtech

• Fiocchi

• Blazer Brass

These types of ammo are generally reliable, widely available, and reasonably priced, which makes them solid options for routine practice. You can buy in bulk and save even more money.

Fiocchi 9mm Practice Ammo

Why Brass-Cased Ammo?

Brass cases have a few advantages that make them ideal for training:

• They expand and contract properly in the chamber, which helps with reliable extraction.

• They’re easier on the firearm’s extractor and chamber.

• They tend to run cleaner than many alternatives.

Most modern firearms are designed around brass-cased ammunition, which is why it tends to perform more consistently during training.

Magtech 9mm Range Ammo

I Recommend Avoiding Steel-Cased Ammo

While steel-cased ammunition is often cheaper, I generally suggest staying away from it for regular training.

Here’s why:

1. It’s harder on the gunSteel is less forgiving than brass, which can increase wear on certain parts of the firearm over time, particularly the extractor.

2. Lower overall quality controlMany steel-cased ammo options are produced to be inexpensive rather than consistent, which can lead to more malfunctions during training.

3. The case coating can cause buildupSteel cases are often coated with polymer or lacquer to prevent corrosion. Under heat, these coatings can leave residue in the chamber, which can contribute to reliability issues if the gun isn’t cleaned regularly.

The Real Goal of Training Ammo

At the end of the day, your training ammo should be:

• Reliable

• Affordable

• Consistent

If you can find reasonably priced brass-cased ammunition from a reputable manufacturer, that’s usually the best choice for most range training.

The most important thing is simple: shoot more. Regular practice builds safe gun handling, confidence, and real shooting skill far more than chasing the “perfect” ammo.

If you're attending one of our firearms training courses in Grand Junction, feel free to bring whatever reliable brass-cased range ammo you normally shoot. And if you ever have questions about gear, ammo, or training, I’m always happy to talk about it during class. Check out our upcoming courses here