Turan Ammo Review: Turkey's Hit or Miss FMJ
Turan ammo isn’t a household name in America, so don’t be surprised if you’ve never heard of it and have questions about how good it really is. Turan is a Turkish company that only produces three types of range ammo (i.e. full metal jacket rounds); 5.56 NATO, 9mm, and 223 Remington.
A lot of shooters have asked us if Turan ammo is any good. As experts on the subject, we decided to bring you this Turan ammo review.
If you’re looking for 9mm or 5.56 range ammo at a great price, you may be interested in Turan. Finding it can be a little challenging, but you can easily check out what’s in stock HERE. If you just want to learn about Turan, keep reading!
Is Turan a Good Brand for Ammo?
Asking whether Turan cartridges are good ammo or not is subjective. Some will disparage the economical ammo for its greater malfunction rate than premium American-made stuff. Others will tout it as being great precisely because it is economical.
You can pick up a 50-round box of 9mm FMJ Turan ammunition for less than $17 (at the time of writing). All of the Turan’s bullets have steel-free lead cores and brass jackets (with the exception of 5.56 SS109, which is loaded with a steel-core projectile). You won’t get anything fancy from Turan, like JHPs or polymer-tipped bullets. But ammo isn’t cheap, so Turan ammo may be your best choice if your budget doesn’t give you much room for pleasure. All Turan ammo is loaded with brass cases. If you’re into reloading, that’s a plus.
All in all, it’s pretty run-of-the-mill ammo. Let’s take a deep dive into each ammo-type so you can get a clearer picture.
Turan Centerfire Handgun Ammunition
Turan makes handgun ammunition for the range. Shooters can get 9mm NATO 124 grain FMJ, 9mm Luger 124 grain FMJ, and 9mm 115 grain FMJ rounds.
Specs:
- 9x19mm NATO 124 grain FMJ: 1,213 fps muzzle velocity, 405 ft-lbs muzzle energy
- 9x19mm Luger 124 grain FMJ: 1,131 fps muzzle velocity, 352 ft-lbs muzzle energy
- 9x19mm Luger 115 grain FMJ: 1,150 fps muzzle velocity, 337 ft-lbs muzzle energy
It should be noted that 9mm NATO and 9mm Luger are two different rounds. The NATO load has a higher chamber pressure and muzzle velocity, even though it fires the same bullet. To read more about the differences, check out this article: 9mm vs 9mm Luger.
Although Turan 9mm ammo is great for target practice and plinking, it isn’t great for self-defense (you’d much rather have a jacketed hollow point or other projectile specifically designed for two-legged varmints).
We’ve heard stories about these rounds failing to fire. While we haven’t personally experienced this, another low-cost brand like PMC, Winchester, or Blazer 9mm might be a safer bet if you're planning on taking a training course or shooting competitively.
Turan Centerfire Rifle Ammunition
Those who prefer blasting 5.56 NATO rounds through their AR-15 or Ruger Mini-14 will be happy to know that Turan also makes 5.56 SS109 (M855), 5.56 M193, and 223 Rem.
Turan’s M855 ammo has a muzzle velocity of 3,165 fps and muzzle energy of 1,380 ft-lbs. Its M193 55 grain FMJ ammunition has 3,160 fps muzzle velocity and 1,204 ft-lbs muzzle energy.
The company also offers a 223 Rem 55 grain full metal jacket load. It has a tombac (brass) jacket and lead core. Unline the issues often reported with Turan’s 9mm ammo, we haven’t received many negative reviews of the company’s rifle ammo.
The main drawback to Turan 5.56 NATO and 223 Rem is that it’s nearly impossible to find in stock these days. If you’d like to keep checking for it, you can see what we have in stock. Our entire inventory of 5.56 ammo is here, and our 223 Rem ammo is here.
Pros and Cons
All ammo companies have ups and downs. Turan ammo is no exception.
Pros
- Brass cases that are acceptable for reloading
- Non-corrosive Boxer primers
- Full metal jackets with lead cores
- Cheap
Cons
- Availability
- Mixed reviews on FTFs and reliability
- Limited calibers
Which Calibers are Available?
For those interested in these popular calibers, we offer an extensive selection in bulk quantities. Explore our bulk 9mm ammo page, bulk 5.56 ammo page, and bulk 223 ammo page for competitive pricing and a comprehensive range. Buying in bulk not only helps you save money but also ensures you have a reliable supply for all your shooting needs, whether for recreation, training, or defense.
Where is Turan Ammo Made?
The Turan manufacturing plant is located in Üzümlü, Turkey. The company produce millions of rounds of ammunition annually with support from the Turkish government.
FAQ
Is Turan ammo corrosive?
No. Turan ammo isn’t corrosive. It is loaded with contemporary noncorrosive Boxer primers.
What’s the difference between M855, M193, and SS109?
M855, M193, and SS109 are the military designations for standard issue 5.56 NATO ammunition. M855 and SS109 are the same (although the latter’s tip isn’t painted green). Both are loaded with a 62 grain mild steel core penetrator bullet. The names are different due to military designations. M855 is the U.S. military name for the round, while other NATO countries call it SS109. The 5.56 M193 cartridge is loaded with a lighter 55 grain full metal jacket projectile, which does not contain steel.
Is Turan’s M855 ammo armor piercing?
No. Contrary to popular belief, M855 ammo is not armor-piercing. Rather, it’s capable of reliably penetrating barriers that M193 cannot. Because the M193 lacks the M855’s partial steel core, it won’t penetrate as well as. But that doesn’t mean that M855 is armor-piercing. It just pierces common barriers more effectively.
Can I use the 9mm Parabellum and 9mm Luger interchangeably?
Absolutely! The 9mm Parabellum and 9mm Luger are the exact same round, just with different name). They have identical specs and are compatible with the same 9mm handguns (everything from Glock to SIG Sauer, etc.).
Is Turan 9mm ammo good for self-defense?
No. Full metal jacket bullets are not ideal for self-defense, partly due to the risk over-penetration. If you’re looking for low-cost personal defense 9mm ammo, get a jacketed hollow point round like Sellier & Bellot 115 grain JHP or Fiocchi 115 grain JHP. These rounds are designed for self-defense.
Does Turan make 45 ACP ammo?
No. At the time of writing, Turan doesn’t make 45 ACP or any other handgun ammo outside of 9mm. However, the company has been expanding over the past few years, so perhaps it will produce more calibers in the future.
Parting Shots
Turan is great if you want low-cost ammunition that may or may not fire. We wouldn’t recommend it for serious shooting activities like hunting or personal defense. We also wouldn’t invest in Turan as our go-to bulk ammo before trying it in all of our rifles and 9mm handguns.
Fortunately, low-cost FMJ ammo is pretty easy to find in the U.S. You’re never without numerous options. If someone gives you a case of Turan ammo, don’t turn it down, but there are far more preferable options available.
