Background on Blazer Ammunition
Blazer ammunition is produced by CCI (Cascade Cartridge Inc.), a division of Vista Outdoor, with roots dating back to 1965 when CCI was founded to manufacture rimfire and centerfire cartridges. In the early 2000s, Vista Outdoor consolidated its ammunition brands under the CCI umbrella, positioning Blazer as a go-to budget offering for high-volume shooters. Today, Blazer 9mm FMJ is one of the most widely available brass-cased, reloadable target cartridges on the market—valued for its consistent performance, ease of feeding, and wallet-friendly pricing.
How Blazer 9mm Compares to Competitors
In the realm of affordable brass-cased training ammo, Blazer 9mm FMJ competes directly with Winchester White Box, Federal American Eagle, and PMC Bronze. Against steel-cased imports like TulAmmo or Tula, Blazer stands out with reloadable brass cases. Although it lacks the ultra-tight tolerances of match-grade rounds (e.g., Lapua or Federal Gold Medal), its balance of reliability, brass-case reloadability, and sub-$0.30 per round cost makes it a favorite among range rats and training schools alike.

CCI Blazer Brass 9mm 115gr Fmj
$12.99
at Pro Armory
Prices accurate at time of writing
Blazer 9mm Ammo Specifications
- Caliber: 9×19mm Luger
- Bullet Weight: 115 grain FMJ
- Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket (round nose)
- Muzzle Velocity: ~1,140 fps
- Muzzle Energy: ~333 ft-lbs
- Case Type: Brass-cased
- Primer Type: Boxer-primed, non-corrosive
- Reloadable: Yes
These ballistics and case features align with most full-power training loads, delivering predictable recoil and reliable cycling in a wide variety of platforms.
Performance at the Range
For a training round, Blazer 9mm FMJ delivers more than adequate accuracy and consistency for defensive drills and general practice.
- Group Sizes: Expect roughly 2–2.5″ groups at 15 yards and 3–4″ at 25 yards in typical service pistols.
- Shot-to-Shot Consistency: Point of impact remains stable across strings of fire; lot-to-lot velocity variance is minimal.
- Platform Versatility: Runs smoothly through semi-autos (Glock, Sig Sauer, CZ) and 9mm PCCs (AR-9, MP-5 clones).
- Training Suitability: Ideal for high-round-count sessions—double-taps, draw drills, and pattern work—especially when mixed with higher-grade carry ammo to build resilience to ammo variation.
Price and Value
- Price per box (50 rounds): Approximately $12–$15
- Price per case (1,000 rounds): Roughly $240–$280
- Cost per round: $0.24–$0.28
Blazer’s brass-cased design and reloadability position it near the top of the value list for serious range work—only marginally more expensive than steel-cased surplus but with the clear advantage of collecting spent brass for reloading.
Best Uses for Blazer 9mm Ammo
- High-Volume Training: Ideal for fundamentals, drills, and qualification runs.
- Defensive Drills: Sufficiently realistic recoil impulse for indexing carry-grade pistols.
- Firearm Instruction: Cost-effective for classes and group training.
- Reloaders: Brass case quality accommodates multiple reload cycles with minimal trimming.
While service-grade rather than carry grade, Blazer’s reliable function makes it a go-to for any shooter focused on skill development without breaking the bank.
Blazer 9mm: Reliability and Function
Like all budget offerings, Blazer 9mm FMJ comes with a few caveats to keep in mind:
- Fouling: Powder choice results in moderate carbon and copper build-up—plan for regular cleaning.
- Primer Hardness: Occasionally requires a firmer hammer/striker spring to ensure reliable ignition in older or low-powered striker systems.
- Packaging: Boxes are sturdy, but bulk bulk-packs sometimes have loose rounds; inspect for dents before loading.
- Bullet Seating: Seating depth is generally uniform, though very rare minor variances can occur—unlikely to affect typical training ranges.
None of these issues are show-stoppers, but awareness and routine gear maintenance will maximize reliability.
Quick Pros and Cons
Pros
- Reloadable brass cases
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio
- Consistent functioning across platforms
- Widely available
Cons
- Slightly dirtier burn than premium powders
- Occasional hard-strike primers in some guns
- Bulk packaging can include loose/dented rounds
- Not intended for carry or match use

CCI Blazer Brass 9mm 115gr Fmj
$12.99
at Pro Armory
Prices accurate at time of writing
How Blazer 9mm Ammo Scores
Category |
Rating (out of 5) |
Reason |
Price |
5/5 |
Among cheapest brass-cased 9mm on the market |
Reliability |
4/5 |
Largely dependable, minor primer strikes possible |
Accuracy |
3.5/5 |
Good for training, not match-grade tightness |
Cleanliness |
3/5 |
Moderate fouling; typical for budget loads |
Packaging |
3.5/5 |
Decent boxes; bulk packs sometimes loose rounds |
Reloadability |
5/5 |
Brass and Boxer-primed—excellent for reloading |
Gabriel’s Overall Rating:
Score: 4.0/5
Verdict: Reasonable Purchase
Rating Breakdown: (Poor: 0–1.6), (Not Bad: 1.6–2.6), (Decent: 2.7–3.5), (Reasonable Purchase: 3.6–4.1), (Buy This!: 4.1–5.0)
Should You Buy Blazer 9mm Ammo?
If you’re burning through hundreds of rounds per month and need reliable, reloadable brass-cased 9mm without the premium match-grade price tag, Blazer is an outstanding choice. It strikes the right balance between dependability and economy for most training scenarios.
While it won’t replace your carry ammo or win you bullseye competitions, Blazer 9mm FMJ earns its keep on the range—delivering solid function, acceptable accuracy, and the ability to reload your brass.
Blazer 9mm Ammo: Real-World Feedback
We surveyed online shooters, instructors, and retail reviews to gauge consensus as of April 2025:
Positive Experiences
- Clean cycling and few stovepipes in Glock and Sig platforms
- Brass case collection for reloading programs
- Cost savings over steel-cased imports
Mixed Feedback
- Some reports of hard-strike primers in weathered striker assemblies
- Occasional bulk-pack dents requiring inspection
Negative Reports
- Rare failures to eject tied to weak extractor springs
- A handful of misfires—emphasizing routine gear checks
Summary of Findings:
Blazer 9mm FMJ performs reliably enough for most training uses, with the usual caveats of budget ammunition—moderate fouling and the occasional primer issue.
Best Practices for Shooting Budget Ammo
- Pre-Shoot Inspection: Visually check for dents, deformed bullets, or loose primers.
- Regular Cleaning: Offset fouling with more frequent bore and breech cleaning.
- Spring Tuning: If you encounter light strikes, evaluate and upgrade hammer/striker springs.
- Ammo Rotation: Alternate Blazer with other brands in drills to stress-test reliability.
- Observation: Note any changes in recoil or report—could signal lot-specific variations.
These simple routines keep your training smooth and your gear ready for duty.
Final Verdict on Blazer 9mm Ammo
Blazer 9mm FMJ proves that budget doesn’t have to mean unreliable. With brass-cased reloadability, consistent performance across a range of platforms, and razor-thin per-round pricing, it’s a smart pick for high-volume training. Just factor in a bit more cleaning and occasional spring tweaks, and you’ll get tremendous value out of every case.
Shoot smart, stay safe—and keep those brass collection bins full!