I've only put 240 rounds through my R9, but it's had zero failures, although I've not tried Winchester Silver Tips, so I can't say if they function well or not. I use Gold Dots for SD ammo and just about anything cheap for range ammo.
I assume by FTF you mean failure to feed and not failure to fire. Along with the FTE's that gives you a clue.
If the mag spring is over strong (pushes next round up too hard) or recoil spring is a bit over strong that could cause the slide to move more slowly in recoil. This often causes a FTE. Try loading three rounds (less spring pressure) and see if it functions.
The solution for a mag spring is to load and unload it fully several times then leave it loaded for a few days.
An easy solution to "loosen up" the firearm is to rack the slide 100-200 times.
You'd be surprised how many "broken" pistols I've fixed this way. The factory just may be using a heavier bullet or a slightly stronger recoiling round that the Silver Tips, this would impart more thrust to the slide and force a tight gun/spring to function reliably. Hence the factory says the gun works but you say it doesn't. The factory also may not load the magazine fully, putting less upward pressure on the slide.
One last possibility, the above scenario with the slide not cycling with enough momentum to feed/eject can be caused by a poor grip that allows the frame to recoil to much/too quickly and reduce the movement of the slide relative to the frame. This could also be caused by a thumb dragging on the slide. An extremely common error, even with experienced shooters using very small framed auto's.
I've had many folks say the gun was defective, only to have it work perfectly clamped in a rest. Basically the frame has to remain motionless for long enough for the slide to cycle. In these small guns, this is a big issue for some people. My PM45 is flawless in my hands, but more than half of the people that shoot it have FTE issues because the 230gr .45 ACP in such a light firearm is too much for their grip/strength/style, or they drag their thumb on the side of the slide.
Try this to eliminate yourself as the cause of the trouble:
1.) Shoot one-handed, if it functions correctly your support hand is dragging on the slide at some point when shooting two handed. If not, try #2.
2.) Clamp the pistol in a rest and fire it. If it functions correctly your allowing the pistol to move too much with your grip. If it still malfunctions, you're not the issue.
Good luck and feel free to drop me a message if I can help out.
