9mm overall length?

[stevemis]

I know this is a basic reloading question... but I don't reload (yet). I went to the range this afternoon with my family and my mother-in-law noticed there were some "short looking" 9mm's.

I've identified them as UMC L9MM3, purchased a couple of weeks ago at Dick's. These are significantly shorter than Winchester White Box from WalMart.

I measured both with my dial micrometer and found the WWB's to be right around 1.15" overall length, while the UMC's are just a hair under 1.1" (1.092).

I believe both the WWB and UMC are 115 grain.

My wife had a failure to feed today, which is highly unusual. I've been thinking it's time for new magazine springs, and perhaps this was an indicator.. perhaps it was the shorter UMC's.

Thoughts?

Steve

 

[Sunray]

A different bullet shape will do that. Say a 115 RN vs a 115 HP. It's nothing to worry about. Max OAL with the bullet is 1.169" though.

 

[stevemis]

Hi Sunray.

Thanks for the quick reply... I understand a HP would be shorter than a RN... these are both RN, which is that I don't get.

Looks like I need to order some less worn-out springs!

Steve

(added pic, sorry... all I have with me is my camera phone)

 

[Sunray]

Hi. Those bullets are shaped differently. The one on the left is a bit longer. Has more of a point. That's not unusual.
I wouldn't worry about mag springs unless the failure becomes chronic. It takes a lot of use to work harden the bends of a mag spring.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have reloaded rounds for the 9mm where the OAL is 1.15" and 1.09" depending upon what the reloading guide calls for. Different powders and primers will create different pressures so the OAL can be used to compensate for the differences. Like said above, it's normal.

 

[stevemis]

ArchAngel, that makes perfect sense.

Thanks to both of you for your input.

Steve

 

[baz]

My reloads in 9mm are shorter yet. Somewhere along the way I got the idea that 1.000" was the minimum, but I cannot now confirm that, and looking at my "loadbook" for 9mm I see an occasional load just under 1.000". My reloads run from about 1.030" to 1.060" depending on the bullet, and so far have all cycled fine in my Taurus 24/7.

I've shot a lot of the "shorter" (in your case) -- 1.09" -- UMC's through my Taurus without FTF's. Until I started to reload recently, that was almost all I ever used (though in 124 grain, not 115 grain).

If this was a single FTF, I think its pretty hard to draw any kinds of conclusions. I've probably shot 2000 rounds through my Taurus now. I had two FTF's within the first 50 rounds. Since then, I've had a single FTF. And who knows why? Only if it becomes a consistent and/or repeatable problem would I begin to worry about it.

 

[Roadkill]

I load 9mm for several old military guns - use different OALs based on what feeds best. Luger demands a long cartridge, P38 will usually feed anything. Radom feeds best with a short cartridge and BHP will tumble them in the magazine if they are too short. I fixed one up at correct OAL for each gun, color coded them with fingernail polish, and when I load for that gun set the OAL to match it.

 

[Walkalong]

I load Ranier 115 Gr. RN bullets at 1.135 O.A.L. and they shoot just fine in a High Power, an EMP, a Benelli, a Kel-Tec Carbine, & a CX4 Storm.

 

[Luggernut]

One thing we shouldn't overlook- the 9mm UMC rounds are MUCH less power than the Winchester White box stuff from my experience. This certainly could be a factor.

 

[GunAdmirer]

UMC are loaded shorter than WWB. UMC are often 1.115" and WWB are 1.155". Typical. No problem. Shoot with confidence.