Ammo kept in pocket......

[TonyB]

I carry a revolver,and a speedloader in my front pocket.Lately I noticed that the cases of the ammo in mypocket are discolored,probably from sweat.Will this ammo eventualy be not as reliable????Or is it just tarnishing??thanks...

 

[Old Fuff]

I think it's just tarnished. In any case if this is factory ammunition from any of the main companies the primers are sealed with lacquer. If you are worried about it I would replace that which you are carrying with new stuff and use the others for practice.

Incidently this is part of the reason that some makers (Winchester comes to mind) nickel plate the cases on certain popular law-enforcement revolver cartridges.

 

[Brian Williams]

Just tarnishing, but if hollow points, check the hollow to see if it fills with lint. You only have to worry if you have a job where you deal with solvents or oils that would get on your clothes. I carry either a 940 moonclip or a HKS speed loader of 357.

If you reload the tarnish goes away during tumbling.

You only really need to worry if the tarnish gets green and powdery. then the brass is corroding and it is questionable if you should even fire it because the brass is being disolved slowly.

 

[C.R.Sam]

Probably shouldn't but...

I have been carryin ammo in pockets for over half a century with no ill effects. (Well, other than outside lubed .22s which get to lookin like small mice with all the fuzz stuck to em )

Sam

 

[Brian D.]

C.R.:

Put 'em in your MOUSEgun do ya?

 

[clubsoda22]

shouldn't be a problem, when my buddy can't carry his glock 19 he usually carries a S&W .38 with 2 speedloaders in his pocket.

I've had a big itching for pocket guns in the past few months. I can't carry as i'm only 18, but i can legally own them. I just got a bersa which I am incredibly happy with it and have been thinking of getting a bulldog-style revolver. I don't own any revolvers, but love the look and need practice with them. I really think i want a small revolver in .45LC They just have a certain look to them. If I was carrying one (gimme 3 years), i wouldn't think twice about throwing speedloaders in my pocket.

Obviously your defence ammo doesn't use nickle plated brass....if it was you wouldn't even have the tarnish problem and there would be no chance of corrosion

 

[Jim K]

I did read about a case where a cop was carrying a few loose .38 Special rounds in his pocket, along with a spare 9v battery for his police radio.

One terminal of the battery touched the side of the case. The other touched the primer. Bang! Ouch! A painful, though not serious injury, but embarassing to have both a burned leg and a hole in the pants to boot.

Jim