Magtech 9mm 124 Grain FMJ Review: The Midrange Range Ammo
If you’re in the market for cheap 9mm range ammo, then you aren’t alone. A lot of people ask me which 9mm FMJ ammo chambers well, has minimal duds, emulates the performance of carry ammo, and is cheap enough that they can afford a case without having pawn their dog ahead of time.
I always tell them that Magtech 124 grain FMJ ammo is a viable option – and that they can pick it up HERE. If you'd rather know a bit more about this ammo before spending your hard-earned on it, then you will never forget the day you read this illuminating review of Magtech 124gr FMJ ammo: an ideal accompaniment to any Glock, SIG Sauer, S&W, or other 9mm pistol (or carbine).
Magtech 9mm 124gr Ammo Overview
Magtech is a subsidiary of Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos (CBC). CBC was founded in São Paulo, Brazil by the Matarazzo brothers, whose country of origin is so obvious that I won't insult your intelligence by naming it. The Magtech brand itself wouldn't appear until 1990.
Since its inception, the Magtech brand's mission has been to fill chambers without emptying pocketbooks. Is it so cheap that it flat out doesn't work, like Zinc Point? No sir (or ma'am – whatever). Despite all my years of sending Magtech downrange, I've yet to forumalate a complaint about it. I’ve never had a problem with Magtech, and many shooters share my experience with it.
CBC produces more than 1.5 billion rounds annually. Its products are available in more than 50 countries. The company has factories in Brazil, Germany, and the Czech Republic, as well as a non-manufacturing presence in Minnesota (a state which is very much unlike Brazil).
Magtech produces more than just range ammo (it offers SP and JHP projectiles, too). That said, Magtech's 9mm 124gr full metal jacket (FMJ) ammo is solely marketed for target shooting. The nonmagnetic round's virgin brass case and noncorrosive Boxer primer make it repeatedly reloadable. Know what I call that? "Great value."
Like Sellier & Bellot (another ammo brand owned by CBC), Magtech isn’t dirty, and is unlikely to give you issues with misfires, duds, and FTEs (failures to eject). Some 9mm handguns don’t like Magtech, although this is true for any ammunition. I recommend buying one or two 50-round boxes before making a bulk 9mm ammo purchase.
Our Magtech 9mm 124gr FMJ Ammo Review
Magtech has many things going for it. The first is accessibility: It’s easy to find for sale online (even if you shop at abhorrent websites, such as ones that aren't Ammo.com). It's also cheap, reliable, easy to reload (Magtech makes the reloadidata readily available). But is it right for you?
Despite all the complimentary stuff I'm writing, possibly not. The 124gr FMJ can be either lighter or heavier than some shooters prefer. If you've got a strong preference for 115 or 147 grain bullets, 9mm then – prepare to be shocked – 124 grain bullets won't quite do it for you.
Your head would begin to smoke like an old dried out jack-o'-lantern if we detailed every little thing about 9mm bullet weights, so we’ll touch on just one of them: perceived recoil. The general consensus here is that Magtech 9mm 115 grain FMJ ammo has higher felt recoil than the 124 (or 147) grain alternative. In short, you can reasonably anticipate gentler kick by going with the middleweight option.
If you’re new to shooting, just going plinking, or accustomed to carrying 124gr self-defense loads like Speer Gold Dot – and in need of training ammo that performs similarly – then Magtech 124gr FMJ ammo ought to do right by you.
If you want a higher muzzle velocity out of a 4" barrel than 1,109 fps, then the 115gr alternative will suit you better. Some shooters claim Magtech is a bit spicier than other 124 grain full metal jacket rounds, but most of them keep within a relatively narrow window of 1,050 fps to 1,200 fps.
It’s important to note that muzzle velocity is dependent on barrel length. If you’re playing around with a pistol caliber carbine (PCC), then Magtech 124gr will achieve higher muzzle velocities than if you had fired it in a handgun. The longer the bullet stays in the barrel, the more time exploding propellant gasses will have to accelerate it. Even if fired out of a 4" barrel, 124gr Magtech 9mm ammo easily maintains quadruple-digit velocity beyond 50 yards.
Magtech 124gr ammo is loaded with a standard full metal jacket (FMJ) projectile: lead core, copper-alloy jacket. Note that the base of the FMJ's lead core isn't jacketed. It emits vaporized lead in response to the intense heat of ignition, which isn't exactly a health supplement.
If you're trying to minimize youre exposure to heavy metal – or just keep your barrel and/or suppressor cleaner over the course of a range day – then you may prefer ammo loaded with total metal jacket (TMJ) bullets instead. Speer Lawman is the gold standard 9mm TMJ ammo.
What Is It Best For?
Magtech 124gr FMJ ammo is perfect for plinking, target practice, stockpiling, and reloading. It’s good ammo at a great price. You can fill your range bag with it and perfect your shot placement, or shoot milk jugs all day without excessive buyer’s guilt.
This affordable handgun ammunition is typically in stock, making it great for buying in bulk and high-volume target shooting. Furthermore, Magtech brand 9mm ammo is similar to Remington 9mm 124gr FMJ and Winchester 124gr FMJ, making it a suitable backup if your preferred American-made materiel isn't available.
Disadvantages
I have nothing bad to say about Magtech ammunition. It fires when I need it to, which is all I want my range ammo to do. I have talked to other shooters who’ve had issues with the rounds. Ultimately, my own expeirence with Magtech won't necessarily be your own – the reason why you should order one or two boxes before filling as space the size of Citi Field with it.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable
- Available
- Boxer primers and reloadable brass cases
- Performs well
- New production
- Middleweight bullet
Cons
- Magtech ammo does not feed well in some handguns
Specifications
Your life will never be the same after examining our exquisite Magtech 124gr FMJ spec chart.
Ballistics For Magtech 9mm 124gr FMJ Ammo
Below is a ballistics table for Magtech 9mm 124gr FMJ ammo out to 150 yards. Please note that Magtech provided these date. Acutal performance will vary depending on barrel length, atmospheric conditions, and multiple other factors.
Parting Shots
What's better than cheap and effective target ammo? That's a trick question. Nothing is better than cheap and effective target ammo. That's the sincerest belief I have.
Magtech ammo is a great solution for anything short of defense, hunting and competition. If you’ve found that your favorite brand isn’t in stock, then you're almost certain to discover that Magtech 9mm Luger 124gr FMJ ammo is a perfectly acceptable substitution.
FAQ
Behold: a list of our beautiful customers' most common questions about about Magtech 9mm 124gr FMJ ammo.
Is Magtech 9mm 124gr FMJ ammo worth buying?
Absolutely! It's a tried and trusted solution to all things target shooting.
What is the range of a Magtech 9mm 124gr FMJ bullet?
For detailed comparisons of Magtech 124gr performance against other 9mm ammunition options, our comprehensive 9mm ballistics database offers extensive data from all major manufacturers.
Magtech 9mm ammo performs reliably out to 50 yards.
Is Magtech 9mm 124gr ammo good for self-defense?
No. FMJ ammunition isn’t great for self-defense. The jacketed hollow point (JHP) is the preferred bullet type for personal defense, as it is capable of terminal expansion which (A) inflicts more harm to the target, and (B) reduces the risk of over-penetration.
Does Magtech make rimfire ammo?
Yes. Aside from centerfire ammunition, the company also makes rimfire ammo. However, it isn’t as widely available as the company’s centerfire cartridges.
Is Magtech ammo available in California?
Yes, although the Brazilian company's FMJ, SP, HPBT, and other traditional bullet designs contain lead and therefore aren't legal for hunting in California.
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