Competitive Shooting Official Ammo of the USPSA – Federal Syntech Action Pistol Candice Horner June 18, 2018 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. In May, Federal Ammunition introduced Syntech Action Pistol as the official ammo of the USPSA. Many USPSA competitors reload pistol ammunition in order to get lower felt recoil while still meeting power factor. Federal said, “Syntech Action Pistol is specifically designed for the action shooting sports and loaded to power factor requirements with heavy, flatter-nosed bullets for more reliable knock-downs on steel targets in competition.” Syntech loads feature a Total Synthetic Jacket (TSJ) projectile, which eliminates copper and lead fouling while also lowering friction because there is no metal-to-metal contact between the bullet and barrel. We reached out to USPSA president, Mike Foley, to hear his thoughts about the newly-adopted USPSA ammo: USPSA and Federal Premium Ammunition stepped forward together to launch the Syntech Action Pistol line of USPSA Division Power Factor specific ammunition bearing the USPSA logo and available on retail shelves! Currently, the ammunition is selling out at Brownell’s and Midway USA, but both online retailers allow backorder notifications. The line will include multiple 9mm loads with Power Factors in the 131-138 Power Factor range, and .40 S&W and .45 ACP in the 170-175 Power Factor range. I personally have tested the 9mm 150 grain, and the .40S&W 205 grain, and the .45 220 grain ammo in several different pistols and PCC’s in matches and over the chronograph, and it is very impressive. It was very flat shooting as well. Not only is the Federal Premium Ammunition relationship a revenue opportunity for USPSA, but it helps to lower the barrier of entry into the shooting sports for competitors who don’t reload, and allows even avid reloading enthusiasts to purchase match ammunition with similar performance to all of the popular loads in most divisions. In addition to a royalty program to USPSA for every round produced, potential member discounts on bulk ammo orders, title sponsorship to two USPSA National Championships in 2018, and two years of pre-paid advertising in USPSA’s Front Sight Magazine, Federal Premium will also be co-producing instructional videos with USPSA and NROI to further develop competitors and range officers, and sponsor matches at all levels. Jake Martens, Troy McManus, and I recently visited the Federal Premium Ammunition Plant in Anoka, Minnesota, and the folks there are very excited about joining forces with USPSA and Steel Challenge. The following variations of Syntech Action Pistol are currently available: AE9SJAP1 / 9mm Luger 150-grain Syntech Action Pistol / $18.95 AE40SJAP1 / 40 S&W 205-grain Syntech Action Pistol / $24.95 AE45SJAP1 / 45 Auto 220-grain Syntech Action Pistol / $30.95 To learn more about the USPSA, go to https://uspsa.org/. To learn more about Federal Syntech Action Pistol, go to https://www.federalpremium.com/ammunition/handgun/family/american-eagle-syntech/syntech-action-pistol/ Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. 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