Cor-Bon 38 special ammo

jim.greenesr · January 17, 2021, 03:47 PM

I was at gun shop today and bought just about the only box of ammo they had. It was a Cor Bon 38 special +p+ 158 lead hollow point 50 round box. The box did not even have a UPC code on it; have a feeling it was more than a few years old. Does anyone know when the manufactured this load? I paid 30 dollars which with todays prices is a real deal.

**JohnKSa** · January 17, 2021, 05:05 PM

There's probably a lot number/date code printed inside one of the box flaps. If not, it's anyone's guess.

If you post a picture, someone might be able to key off the box appearance.

jim.greenesr · January 17, 2021, 07:37 PM

Thanks Sept 2 1992. I am guessing that someone sold it to gun shop and they resold it to me seeing they weren't
around in 1992.

DT Guy · January 18, 2021, 10:01 PM

In those days, Cor-Bon was generally the best and hottest ammo going...it was all I would carry in my duty guns (a couple decades ago.)

Larry

rc · January 19, 2021, 01:10 AM

The owner could have also cashed out their personal stash but most likely they got the ammo free when someone sold them a gun.

Sanch · January 19, 2021, 01:46 AM

Hi jim greenser,

It sounds like Cor-Bon's version of the FBI load. W-W FBI load used to sell for about 20 bucks for a box of 50.

The FBI load was the definitive .38 Special law enforcement load. For self-defense, for many reasons I used it in preference to .357 Mag rounds. In fact, I never use .357 Mag ammo for dirt bag self-defense.

Within the past year, an armorer of a large So Cal law enforcement agency told me that Speer Lawman 135 grain .38 Special +P has replaced the once famed FBI load for law enforcement use, which is moot because I know of no law enforcement agency that allows its cops to carry revolvers.

Radny97 · January 19, 2021, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanch

Hi jim greenser,

It sounds like Cor-Bon's version of the FBI load. W-W FBI load used to sell for about 20 bucks for a box of 50.

The FBI load was the definitive .38 Special law enforcement load. For self-defense, for many reasons I used it in preference to .357 Mag rounds. In fact, I never use .357 Mag ammo for dirt bag self-defense.

Within the past year, an armorer of a large So Cal law enforcement agency told me that Speer Lawman 135 grain .38 Special +P has replaced the once famed FBI load for law enforcement use, which is moot because I know of no law enforcement agency that allows its cops to carry revolvers.

Lots of cops carry an LCR or a j-frame as a BUG. I know several CA cops who do.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sanch · January 20, 2021, 02:24 PM

Radny97,

I'll clarify for you:

I know of no law enforcement agency that allows its cops to carry a revolver as primary duty weapon. Do you?

wild cat mccane · January 20, 2021, 02:43 PM

Without a picture...

Real Cor-Bon rounds go in and out of production for some reason and always has done this since I recall while buying DPX for my P3AT. Cor-Bon was sold in 2017, but NEVER has been consistent in putting out volume. Even Buffalo Bore was in shops at almost Federal level volumes its first couple of years than Cor-Bon which was around much longer. Even online, DPX wasn't always easy to find when the P3AT and DPX were the gold standard of pocket carry.

Their bullets seem to be around more than their actual rounds.

I have seen many different boxes for Cor-Bon, but all have been rather old/boring packaging. DPX has been the only Cor-Bon packaging that I've seen that didn't look dated by 20 years, even when it is new.

In my experience of lots of ammo buying, Cor-bon is the smallest production manufacture that has ever existed. Even Barnes got bought quick and went large. It gets bullets to the bigger manufactures for loading, but none have ever put out less quantity of their own loads.

I wouldn't be surprised if what you bought WASN'T old.

zplinker · January 20, 2021, 04:10 PM

A few years ago, testing for my personal curiosity, I shot some Sierra 38 cal. hp's into water jugs, and they failed miserably. A few more years later, the Cor-Bon folks were at a retail outlet, demoing their ammo in gelatin blocks. I looked at the 38 bullets, and they appeared to be the same as what I'd tested, but theirs did very well. When questioned, yes, Sierra made that bullet for them...but to their specs! A rather small operation, but good folks, and good product.

Radny97 · January 20, 2021, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanch

Radny97,

I'll clarify for you:

I know of no law enforcement agency that allows its cops to carry a revolver as primary duty weapon. Do you?

No I don’t.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

DMK · January 20, 2021, 08:16 PM

I just shot up some old Cor-Bon 9mm +P that I had for a long while. That stuff was pretty hot. That used to be my SD load in my CZ-75. It was good ammo. It's still good ammo if it was stored properly.

wild cat mccane · January 21, 2021, 11:09 AM

Yep. Typically hot stuff.

Cor-Bon is in business still, but like mentioned, not a single round of 9mm in the world right now: https://ammoseek.com/ammo/9mm-luger/Cor-Bon

I would bet 50/50 your strange no upc box is actually current production.

Master Blaster · January 21, 2021, 03:34 PM

Try it before you trust it.

Long ago I had the very same ammo from corbon which was recommended to me for my S&W 642.
I took said ammo out to the range and loaded my 642. by the time I had fired the third round the other two had the bullets back so far out of the cases that the gun was tied up.

I called Corbon to complain and they said it was normal!!! It never happened with any other +p ammo I carried or shot in the gun.. And no the Corbon was not that hot to me I had federal +p 110 gr that had much worse recoil.

wild cat mccane · January 23, 2021, 12:58 PM

Interesting!

Though, a 110gr +P is always going to snap like a monster

buck460XVR · January 23, 2021, 03:21 PM

This from Michael Shovel from Corbon from a 7 year old thread on the S&W Forum.......

Quote:

We used Remington bullets back when we loaded the 38 with the 158 gr LHP. The reason we stopped production was that the swagged bullets were so soft, we ended up with many rejects due to damage of the bullet nose when loading.

He goes on to state it was something produced 20 years ago or so.

I would have to assume, that if the bullets were swagged and that soft, that +p+ velocities would tend to lead to severe leading.

Nanuk · January 23, 2021, 03:34 PM

Quote:

I know of no law enforcement agency that allows its cops to carry a revolver as primary duty weapon. Do you?

http://directives.chicagopolice.org/...cb24a817d.html

At least one.

Here is an older poll. I thought I heard that a good sized department in the south was going back to revolvers a couple years ago.

https://www.officer.com/tactical/fir...olver-wont-die

January 17, 2021, 03:47 PM	#1
jim.greenesr Member Join Date: January 8, 2011 Posts: 30	Cor-Bon 38 special ammo I was at gun shop today and bought just about the only box of ammo they had. It was a Cor Bon 38 special +p+ 158 lead hollow point 50 round box. The box did not even have a UPC code on it; have a feeling it was more than a few years old. Does anyone know when the manufactured this load? I paid 30 dollars which with todays prices is a real deal.

January 17, 2021, 05:05 PM	#2
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,994	There's probably a lot number/date code printed inside one of the box flaps. If not, it's anyone's guess. If you post a picture, someone might be able to key off the box appearance. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

January 18, 2021, 10:01 PM	#4
DT Guy Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2001 Posts: 959	In those days, Cor-Bon was generally the best and hottest ammo going...it was all I would carry in my duty guns (a couple decades ago.) Larry __________________ He who fights and runs away had better run pretty damn fast. Government, Anarchy and Chaos

January 20, 2021, 02:43 PM	#9
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,629	Without a picture... Real Cor-Bon rounds go in and out of production for some reason and always has done this since I recall while buying DPX for my P3AT. Cor-Bon was sold in 2017, but NEVER has been consistent in putting out volume. Even Buffalo Bore was in shops at almost Federal level volumes its first couple of years than Cor-Bon which was around much longer. Even online, DPX wasn't always easy to find when the P3AT and DPX were the gold standard of pocket carry. Their bullets seem to be around more than their actual rounds. I have seen many different boxes for Cor-Bon, but all have been rather old/boring packaging. DPX has been the only Cor-Bon packaging that I've seen that didn't look dated by 20 years, even when it is new. In my experience of lots of ammo buying, Cor-bon is the smallest production manufacture that has ever existed. Even Barnes got bought quick and went large. It gets bullets to the bigger manufactures for loading, but none have ever put out less quantity of their own loads. I wouldn't be surprised if what you bought WASN'T old. __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.

January 20, 2021, 08:16 PM	#12
DMK Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2001 Location: Over the hills and far, far away Posts: 3,206	I just shot up some old Cor-Bon 9mm +P that I had for a long while. That stuff was pretty hot. That used to be my SD load in my CZ-75. It was good ammo. It's still good ammo if it was stored properly. __________________ - Homeland Security begins at home: Support your Second Amendment - www.gunowners.org - www.saf.org - act.nraila.org - www.grnc.org

January 17, 2021, 07:37 PM	#3
jim.greenesr Member Join Date: January 8, 2011 Posts: 30	Thanks Sept 2 1992. I am guessing that someone sold it to gun shop and they resold it to me seeing they weren't around in 1992.

January 19, 2021, 01:10 AM	#5
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,769	The owner could have also cashed out their personal stash but most likely they got the ammo free when someone sold them a gun.

January 19, 2021, 01:46 AM	#6
Sanch Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2020 Posts: 154	Hi jim greenser, It sounds like Cor-Bon's version of the FBI load. W-W FBI load used to sell for about 20 bucks for a box of 50. The FBI load was the definitive .38 Special law enforcement load. For self-defense, for many reasons I used it in preference to .357 Mag rounds. In fact, I never use .357 Mag ammo for dirt bag self-defense. Within the past year, an armorer of a large So Cal law enforcement agency told me that Speer Lawman 135 grain .38 Special +P has replaced the once famed FBI load for law enforcement use, which is moot because I know of no law enforcement agency that allows its cops to carry revolvers.

January 20, 2021, 02:24 PM	#8
Sanch Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2020 Posts: 154	Radny97, I'll clarify for you: I know of no law enforcement agency that allows its cops to carry a revolver as primary duty weapon. Do you?

January 20, 2021, 04:10 PM	#10
zplinker Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2011 Location: way out here Posts: 262	A few years ago, testing for my personal curiosity, I shot some Sierra 38 cal. hp's into water jugs, and they failed miserably. A few more years later, the Cor-Bon folks were at a retail outlet, demoing their ammo in gelatin blocks. I looked at the 38 bullets, and they appeared to be the same as what I'd tested, but theirs did very well. When questioned, yes, Sierra made that bullet for them...but to their specs! A rather small operation, but good folks, and good product.

January 21, 2021, 11:09 AM	#13
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,629	Yep. Typically hot stuff. Cor-Bon is in business still, but like mentioned, not a single round of 9mm in the world right now: https://ammoseek.com/ammo/9mm-luger/Cor-Bon I would bet 50/50 your strange no upc box is actually current production. __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.

January 21, 2021, 03:34 PM	#14
Master Blaster Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1999 Location: One of the original 13 Colonies Posts: 2,281	Try it before you trust it. Long ago I had the very same ammo from corbon which was recommended to me for my S&W 642. I took said ammo out to the range and loaded my 642. by the time I had fired the third round the other two had the bullets back so far out of the cases that the gun was tied up. I called Corbon to complain and they said it was normal!!! It never happened with any other +p ammo I carried or shot in the gun.. And no the Corbon was not that hot to me I had federal +p 110 gr that had much worse recoil.

January 23, 2021, 12:58 PM	#15
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,629	Interesting! Though, a 110gr +P is always going to snap like a monster __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.