[VictorLouis]

This fodder caused my M-28 to lock-up at the range yesterday!


Unfortunately, the lot number is obscured due to the adhesive tears on the inner box flaps. The 'model' of the ammo in question is "L357M12", which appears on each end-flap of the box and on a UPC sticker on the back. IIRC, I bought this late last year at Wally World, and I'd only fired 10rds out of a J-frame previously. It's been stored inside in a cool closet, and weather was quite mild at the range.

The first round's primer was ballooned out to the rear(convex) with a tremendous cratering effect around the firing-pin indent. It looked as though the firing-pin had stuck to the shell, preventing me from opening the cylinder. After a few minutes of fiddling with it, it did come open easily, and extracted without effort.

I loaded up three more, and it locked again on the very first round. The trigger could move the hammer back about a 1/4", so the firing-pin wasn't stuck. Howver, when held up to the light, I could see that the primer must have flown back into the firing-pin hole in the breecface. The other two rounds remained in the cylinder.

I then shot 3 through the J-frame figuring "What the heck, I'm a glutton for punishment". They shot and extracted fine, except one was significantly cratered, though not as bad as the first one from the N-frame. I then checked the first 10 empties left in the box and noticed similar cratering on one of those. Needless to say, this is unacceptable in a box of 50rds.

I sent this off to Remington with a link to this post. Meanwhile, I thought I'd clue you in as to the potential for a problem. As for the gun, I had to disassemble it and tap the primer cup back down with a punch inserted through the firing-pin hole. Aggravating, but simple, and it worked. I don't ever want to have to go through that again.
:cuss:

[foghornl]

I refuse to use Remington's [ahem] value priced UMC brand ammo in any weapon I own. Dirty, and not consistant velocity, as indicated by the sound.

If I had to use UMC, I think I would use it as ammo for my "Wrist Rocket" slingshot........:rolleyes:

[VictorLouis]

If anyone has a direct e-mail addy or phone number for Remington, can you let me know, off-line if you wish? I hate wondering whether or not they received my e-mail through that convoluted contact page on their site, and then having to wait a few days.

[doctorj]

UMC is the generic stuff my range uses. I'd be really interested in knowing what caused this, and particularly whether the problem can be detected in unfired rounds-- like the primers not being seated properly, or something.

[usnavymasterchief]

Victor, I've have a box of them, same batch number, bought at Wally World. Sure glad you brought this up as I was just about to use them in my brand new Ruger .357 Blackhawk.
By the way in the really fine print on the box it says"Visit us in Remington Country at www.remington.com" maybe there's a "Contact Us" e-mail address there.
Thanks again for the timely info. By the way I bought mine in Tampa FL.

[VictorLouis]

Yes, that's what I alluded to. There's NO telephone number on their site, and only a vague notice that it may be several days before they respond to your e-quiry.

Funny, I've had no problems with UMC 9mm ball ammo, their .37 110gr. JHPs, nor their 125gr. Golden Saber.

[yesterdaysyouth]

i've got 2 boxes of the stuff... i've only shot 20 rnds of it in a m-66... i looked at all the brass and everything looks normal...

i've shot hundreds of umc rnds with zero deffects so far...

[caz223]

Beware of UMC in 38 apl and 357 magnum.
I've personally seen jackets sticking in barrels, etc.
Core/jacket separation seems to be just too common for my comfort.
I've shot at least 1000 rounds of it in 357 magnum and it seems ok to a little hot, and it seemed harmless at the time, but at the same time, a jacket can stick in your barrel, and you won't notice any difference.
The problem is, you fire the next round, and your barrel splits open, wrecking your gun if you're lucky.
If you're not so lucky, it could mean a trip to the hospital.
If you examine a jhp or jsp from umc, you can easily see how the jacket splits from the lead.
I have a batch of .41 mag remington ammo that I am afraid to even try because it shows charastics of the easily split jacket.
Beware.

[MCNETT]

I've shot a few boxes of the 125JSP through my 4" GP-100 and was satisfied with it.
1414fps avg.

[RON in PA]

In almost fifty years of shooting I've had more problems with Remington manufactured ammo than all other brands combined. Mostly duds but my favorite was a cartridge from a box of .250 Savage ammo that was headstamped .308 Win.

[I'm3rd]

Remington isn't the only company which has let overcharged ammo get out. I had the same problem with a box of PMC 6.5x55 FMJ ammo. The first 4 rounds kicked way too hard, but I thought maybe I was just over sensitive that day for some reason so I kept shooting. The range officer advised me to not shoot any more of it but I didn't take his advice. The 5th round blew the primer, and the cocking piece of my Swede Mauser blew back hard and gave me a bad bruise on my thumb joint. I also got a smudged face from powder soot. Needless to say I didn't shoot any more of them.

I called PMC and the guy I talked to said, "Yeah, we had a bad batch of those, send 'em back and we'll replace them." I didn't want to take a chance on another batch so I just salvaged the bullets and brass and reloaded the cases with a starting load of 4350. The brass was fine. I've reloaded it many times and it's still OK.