Defective Factory Ammo Questions

R

rbruce777

Inactive
I was shooting some factory Winchester WinClean .357 mags yesterday and after cleaning up my 50 casings to leave the range, I noticed that the backs of all the casings were smooth and flattened and the primers looked smeared to the side. I asked the operator of the range about this and he very concerned when I showed him one of the casings. He said that the loads were so hot they were pushing the primer outwards toward the back of the gun. Also, he pointed out several casings that had punctured primers because the blast from the powder blew it out backward. The range operator thought I had handloaded them with too much powder, but it was bought new at Wal-Mart. I let him keep the casings because he wanted to look at them, but maybe I should have kept the box to report it to Winchester. It would be easy to retrieve the info like serial numbers on it. The gunsmith/operator told me I was lucky I was using a big framed .357. I just emailed them, but is it my responsibility to call them and warn them about this? Also, should I be concerned about damage to my pistol that fired them? (which is a large N-frame S&W mod. 27-2) Maybe this is a common occurance and I am getting upset about nothing, any comments?
 
Your description clearly sounds like excessive pressure. I would call the ammo maker and ask them about it. I had a box of Winchester .44 Specials that split every case upon firing. They wanted them back for sure.
 
Years ago I had some 40cal Winchester ammo (White box) that was too short. Thus when the firing pin would contact the primer, it would drive the whole bullet forward, results: light strikes and FTFs.
They requested it to be returned and promptly replaced it with "Premium" ammo. They were very professional and more than fair, hopefully you will receive the same. Please contact them and let us know the results.
 
One thing to check on your gun after you've pierced some primers is the nose of the firing pin. Look at it with a magnifying glass to make sure it didn't erode a little bit with the hot gas that escapes the pierced primer. This can leave a sharp corner on the pin. I've had this happen to me. If it's damaged you can usually smooth it out with a very fine stone without needing to replace the pin.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys, very helpful. I regret I did not keep the ammo, so have no photos. Next time I'm at that range (it's almost 2 hours drive there) I'll get pictures and retrieve the box to report it's lot number to Winchester. I emailed them and they promtly sent me a nice letter and a special prepaid mailing sticker to send the casings and ammo box back to them. I checked the firing pin and it looked ok, thanks again for the advice - Reid
 
or

Maybe the ammo is fine but your gun is crap, er, I meant not compatible with that crappy, er, 'environmentally correct' ammo.

Yeah, that's what I meant :D


I developed a load in my pair of KGP's; worked great, but when I tested it in oneamy 357 Redhawks it blew primers. Repeatedly. Fine in GP's, bad in oneamy Redhawks.........
Know what I mean?
 
Pierced primers or those with the firing pin indent ironed out may indicate very high pressure, but more likely indicate a light firing pin strike. Have you had that experience with other ammunition? Have you had the hammer or mainspring lightened or have you had a "trigger job" done on the revolver?

I wouldn't worry about the gun; you would really have to work to hurt a Model 27.

Jim
 
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