.38 Special ammo - MFS (Greek) brand in Model 64

[W.E.G.]

Before I even start, I need to say that I replaced the hammer assembly in my Model 64-5.

Took out the DAO hammer assembly, and installed a DA/SA hammer assembly
I purchased directly from Smith and Wesson.

Got several boxes of MFS (Hungarian) brand 158 FMJ ammo from Aimsurplus.
Very accurate ammo.

My concern is, out of 100 rounds fired, I got four pierced primers.

No, I have NOT tried the (Hungarian) ammo with the DAO hammer that originally came
with this gun when I bought it from the gun show... but I will at some point.

...and No, I have not tried other ammo yet... but I will at some point.

What I really want to know is whether anybody else bought any of this (Hungarian) ammo,
and whether anybody else is having problems with pierced primers?

I noticed that some of the primers on the (Hungarian) ammo appear to have been seated "roughly."
Here is a pic that shows the four pierced primers alongside four unfired rounds from one box of the (Hungarian) ammo.
I deliberately selected the four rounds that had the roughest-looking primers.

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Its this stuff.
Aimsurplus seems to be sold out of it now.
(or at least its no longer on their web site)

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Here is a pic that shows the same subjects as the prior pic,
but also shows the depth of the firing pin indentation from my Model 64-5.

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And here is the scorched (brand new) firing pin nose.
This is after I cleaned it with paper towels and Q-tips and Break-Free.


Interested in comments and thoughts.

PARTICULARLY interested in whether anybody else is having pierced-primer
problems with MFS brand (Hungarian) .38 Special ammo.
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[woad_yurt]

They look like extra deep dimples. None of my K-frames dent it that deep.

Good pictures, by the way.

 

[W.E.G.]

Tried the ammo one more time.

Its definitely going back.

More pierced primers, and now this.

 

[W.E.G.]

I shot 50 rounds of Winchester "White Box" too, and had NO PROBLEMS with the Winchester.

What is it with some ammo companies?
To screw up .38 Special, it takes a unique degree of ineptitude.

 

[W.E.G.]

I shot 50 rounds of Winchester "White Box" too, and had NO PROBLEMS with the Winchester.

What is it with some ammo companies?
To screw up .38 Special, it takes a unique degree of ineptitude.

 

[Onmilo]

'What is it with some ammo companies?'

First you exclaim the praises of the stuff being very accurate, then you complain of a few pierced primers and a cracked case.

Seriously, what do guys really expect of cheap ammo from former communist countries??

American ammo companies still produce, hands down, the best ammunition on the market today with the exception of some .22 Match Target stuff from Finland.

 

[W.E.G.]

Yeah, hey... what's a half-dozen pierced primers in 150 rounds fired?

Accurate... yes.

Brass defective... yes.

Ever buying that brand again... no.

Sending it back for refund... yes.

 

[Snubster]

Thanks for sharing this.