Correct terminology for burning ash on hand/arms?

9

9mm

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Hello, quick quesiton. When I am shooting sometimes I notice a burn on the arms or hand, some times near the face. What is this? left over powerd? It's like a pin needle pricking me but burning. I know others report this too.
 
Depends on what you are shooting. For an autoloader pistol, it probably is powder. If it is a revolver, you could be getting shaving (which is VERY bad) or it could also just be unburned powder.
 
Powder burns.:mad:
Powder granules ignited on firing but not consumed slow down leaving the action & because burn rate is pressure related they burn real slow (comparatively) when in open air. They are still burning when they contact the skin.
I used to have a .22rf auto pistol that frequently did this.:barf:
 
It's generally powder residue or bullet lube (from lead bullets), in centerfire handguns.
With rimfires, it can be powder, hot wax, or even lead shavings.

Either way... it means one of three things:
1. The handgun is disgustingly filthy, and needs to be cleaned.
2. The ammunition is crap, and should not be purchased again (or hand loaded with that load).
3. The handgun is malfunctioning, or has a mechanical issue (such as an over-sized bore, or firing slightly out of battery). It needs to be fixed.

With very short barrels, it's possible to get hot powder residue blown back from the muzzle. However, it's not very common. Solution: Don't shoot into the wind.
 
I was going to post a question about this in the rifle forum. When I shoot my Winchester model 94AE rifles, I get this on my right arm (I shoot left handed; my left hand is on the trigger and my right arm is outstetched so that my right hand holds the forearm of the rifle. Thus, my right arm is lined up with but not touching the ejection port). When I fire a round, I get that black stuff that spits out of the ejection port and splatters on my outstretched right arm. I shoot lead RNFP .38's from my .357/.38 lever rifle, and I shoot .44 Specials from my .44 Mag/Special lever rifle. I get that stuff spitting out at my arm with both rifles. I am sure it spits when I actually fire, not when I subsequently work the lever. And, how can stuff spit out if the bolt is closed when I am firing? It is a lever action, not a semi-auto.

By the way, my rifles are definitely not dirty. I am very careful about keeping them very clean. Also, I think this happens with firing FMJ ammo, too.

Thanks
I know I'm talking about a rifle issue in a handgun forum, but give me a break -- I am talking about handgun caliber ammo, and the topic was started in this handgun forum.
 
Sounds like possibly a headspace issue. I would definitely be concerned and have the weapon checked out by a competent gunsmith, before firing again.
 
Hello, valleyforge.1777 Since you said you are shooting lead RNFP .38 Spec. in your .38 levergun & .44 Spec. in the .44 mag. lever, I am assuming it is the low pressure that is causing this by not obturating the case completly against chamber walls. Does it do this when the magnums are fired?
 
You been rummaging in my gunsafe?

WilddontbecriticalcleanthemformeAlaska ™©2002-2011
Click to expand...

We all have our faults and "experiments". ;)

I recently cleaned most of mine.... It had been almost 2 years for many of the handguns. (It was a bad couple of years for shooting. :eek:) I only did it, because my Blackhawk was too filthy to work on, without a cleaning (fitted a SBH hammer). All the cleaning gear was already out... so I rounded up the herd, and went to town. I think the only straggler was my Buckmark Standard. It'll probably be pushed for a couple thousand more rounds with minimal cleaning, so I can replace the recoil buffer when I "dive in".
 
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1. The handgun is disgustingly filthy, and needs to be cleaned.
Not really it was cleaned thoroughly after every use.

2. The ammunition is crap, and should not be purchased again (or hand loaded with that load).
Eley Tenex .22RF can't be reloaded & if that is crap ammo I don't know what you'd call good.

3. The handgun is malfunctioning, or has a mechanical issue (such as an over-sized bore, or firing slightly out of battery). It needs to be fixed.
Pistol was a match target model. It had been to the smith a month previously for an unrelated issue & checked out with a clean bill of health.

A lot of blowback operated semi-autos seem to have this problem. I'm thinking it is just a limitation of the blowback action.
 
...Then you missed the unnumbered option:
With very short barrels, it's possible to get hot powder residue blown back from the muzzle.
Click to expand...
Don't shoot into the wind.


A lot of blowback operated semi-autos seem to have this problem. I'm thinking it is just a limitation of the blowback action.
Click to expand...

When operating properly, in clean condition, with decent ammo, they shouldn't do it. If your "match target model" continuously spewed powder residue, my first thought would be that your recoil spring was too weak (not operating properly - or, a "mechanical malfunction"). ;)
 
I'm pretty darn sure that Win 94's aren't supposed to "spit" from the ejection port. I've owned a shot many 22lr pistols and never experienced this type of burning residue spitting from the ejection port.
 
My Win 94AE's do this with .38's and with .44 Specials, but generally do not do it, as much anyway, when shooting .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum out of the same rifles, respectively.

However, now that i think about it, my Ruger 10/22 does this with every kind of ammo i've tried in it.
 
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