Keith
Member
I was scratching my head about this one until I read this:
Bingo!
Keith
Bingo!
Keith
CCI Blazer Exploding Casings?
- Thread starter NewShooter78
- Start date
- Status
Esky
Member
I guess I'm the only one...
Glad to hear that almost everybody that's posted has had no problems with Blazer ammo, and I sure like its price, but I have had trouble with it in my new CZ 75B in 9mm.
I couldn't make it through a magazine without getting a case hung up in the chamber. Eventually I went through 4 boxes of Blazer, all that I'd bought, but it was a real hassle. Each time I had to drop the mag, action the slide & then I'd get the spent casing out, usually along with an unfired round. Didn't have any problems with the cases splitting, though, and I didn't have any misfires or duds.
This problem didn't happen with any other ammo I've tried, including Magtech, Winchester & the range-reloaded stuff, and now I'm going to try out some Fiocchi and some Sellier & Bellot. (The S & B was actually recommended in my CZ manual.) I do hope they both work, as I got 500 rounds of each! Earlier, I'd ordered 1000 rounds of Wolf 9mm online, for a real good price; and I got it on the day I could pick up my new gun (this is California, so I had to wait 10 days) but I haven't been able to try it out yet. The Wolf has steel cartridges, but I was assured by the people at Turner's Outdoors that it's good ammo, though they did say that it couldn't be reloaded because it doesn't stretch like brass does.
My nearest range, the Iron Sights, doesn't have any problem with Blazer, and I've fired a lot of it (mostly .38 Sp) there in my Taurus wheelgun without any problems. But the range won't let me use the Wolf 9mm, they have a sign at the entrance asking that you leave any Wolf ammo in your car. I asked about this, and I was told that the Wolf ammo had caused injury at the range- that some rounds had "exploded"- but I don't know how it was supposed to have happened. (It was really busy there at the time, and I just wanted to shoot my new gun, so I didn't go into details.) They were adamant about this restriction, and insisted on looking in my gun bag to see what ammo I was going to use.
I still expect to try out the Wolf, but have to find someplace that'll let me shoot it that isn't too far away. I don't know of a lot of ranges around here (Carlsbad, CA) so would welcome any suggestions.
And if anyone can give me any good reason why I shouldn't shoot the Wolf ammo, I'd really appreciate it! I do plan to be real careful, anyway....
Esky
NRA Life Member
Glad to hear that almost everybody that's posted has had no problems with Blazer ammo, and I sure like its price, but I have had trouble with it in my new CZ 75B in 9mm.
I couldn't make it through a magazine without getting a case hung up in the chamber. Eventually I went through 4 boxes of Blazer, all that I'd bought, but it was a real hassle. Each time I had to drop the mag, action the slide & then I'd get the spent casing out, usually along with an unfired round. Didn't have any problems with the cases splitting, though, and I didn't have any misfires or duds.
This problem didn't happen with any other ammo I've tried, including Magtech, Winchester & the range-reloaded stuff, and now I'm going to try out some Fiocchi and some Sellier & Bellot. (The S & B was actually recommended in my CZ manual.) I do hope they both work, as I got 500 rounds of each! Earlier, I'd ordered 1000 rounds of Wolf 9mm online, for a real good price; and I got it on the day I could pick up my new gun (this is California, so I had to wait 10 days) but I haven't been able to try it out yet. The Wolf has steel cartridges, but I was assured by the people at Turner's Outdoors that it's good ammo, though they did say that it couldn't be reloaded because it doesn't stretch like brass does.
My nearest range, the Iron Sights, doesn't have any problem with Blazer, and I've fired a lot of it (mostly .38 Sp) there in my Taurus wheelgun without any problems. But the range won't let me use the Wolf 9mm, they have a sign at the entrance asking that you leave any Wolf ammo in your car. I asked about this, and I was told that the Wolf ammo had caused injury at the range- that some rounds had "exploded"- but I don't know how it was supposed to have happened. (It was really busy there at the time, and I just wanted to shoot my new gun, so I didn't go into details.) They were adamant about this restriction, and insisted on looking in my gun bag to see what ammo I was going to use.
I still expect to try out the Wolf, but have to find someplace that'll let me shoot it that isn't too far away. I don't know of a lot of ranges around here (Carlsbad, CA) so would welcome any suggestions.
And if anyone can give me any good reason why I shouldn't shoot the Wolf ammo, I'd really appreciate it! I do plan to be real careful, anyway....
Esky
NRA Life Member
Valkman
Member
Even though I suspect that the real reason is so that they don't have to pick it out of the brass, I had a .357 case split on me long ago and haven't used Blazer since. I've seen ranges do this before and it was not for safety reasons - it just causes them alot of work!
75b and S+B
Hi Esky, Your 75b will love S+B ammo. I use it exclusivly for mine. It is close enogh to Winchester white box in price but I think it shoots better. It hit 2 inches higher at 15 yards than some Federal ammo I had. I buy it from www. natchezss.com by the case. It just seems to have more pop to it.
pete
Hi Esky, Your 75b will love S+B ammo. I use it exclusivly for mine. It is close enogh to Winchester white box in price but I think it shoots better. It hit 2 inches higher at 15 yards than some Federal ammo I had. I buy it from www. natchezss.com by the case. It just seems to have more pop to it.
pete
mummac
Member
I'm a member of a range simply because it's two miles from my house. They don't allow Blazers and will flat out tell you it's because they can't reload them and they have to be cleared out of the brass-seperator machine by hand. It really peeved me at first but the range is so close I deal with it.
Lennyjoe
Member
Only time I shot blazer was when a buddy gave me some left over .357 rounds.
I shot 6 out of my S&W 686 and one of the rounds blew a hole out the side of the casing bout half way up. It scored the cylinder and I wasnt happy about it.
Im sure alot of folks have used it with no problems but I wont use it again just because I dont trust it. Anyway, would rather spend a buck or two and shoot reloadable brass.
Expecially now since Im getting into reloading
I shot 6 out of my S&W 686 and one of the rounds blew a hole out the side of the casing bout half way up. It scored the cylinder and I wasnt happy about it.
Im sure alot of folks have used it with no problems but I wont use it again just because I dont trust it. Anyway, would rather spend a buck or two and shoot reloadable brass.
Expecially now since Im getting into reloading
Dean Speir
Member
Coincidentally…
…there's been a similar thread over on KTOG's Carbine Forum where the resident X-purt ("Flyer") can't quite seem to get his story straight.
I was very interested in this issue as I've been happily using CCI Blazer for 20 years or so, and with the exception of some ignition problems with the early ]Cleanfire rounds, I've never had any problems with the stuff in 9 X 19mm, .45 ACP or .357 Magnum.
I asked one of CCI-Speer/ATK's engineers about this case expansion/rupture issue, referred him to that thread, and he responded:
…there's been a similar thread over on KTOG's Carbine Forum where the resident X-purt ("Flyer") can't quite seem to get his story straight.
I was very interested in this issue as I've been happily using CCI Blazer for 20 years or so, and with the exception of some ignition problems with the early ]Cleanfire rounds, I've never had any problems with the stuff in 9 X 19mm, .45 ACP or .357 Magnum.
I asked one of CCI-Speer/ATK's engineers about this case expansion/rupture issue, referred him to that thread, and he responded:
I'll be checking with two other Tech Services guys at CCI-Speer/ATK this week on this as well.
Jayman
Member
Add me to the list of people that have been shooting thousands of rounds of CCI/Blazer with no problem. I've been shooting it in both my Glocks. I have a friend with a HK that shoots it as well, also no problems.
Have two friends:
1. Kimber user
2. CZ user
Both of them seem to have extraction problems. I think those guns have tighter chambers than the Glock and HK USP, but have not measured to find out for sure, so that's just my working theory.
Have two friends:
1. Kimber user
2. CZ user
Both of them seem to have extraction problems. I think those guns have tighter chambers than the Glock and HK USP, but have not measured to find out for sure, so that's just my working theory.
NewShooter78
Member
Just playing devil's advocate here...
and its my own thread...
But what if one of the guys that work at the range had a problem with Blazer in say a wheel gun, since that's where the problems mentioned here seem to be, and the range owner just decides to totally ban the ammo for fear of legal issues? I could probably buy that, but am pretty sure its for reloading issues. A few ranges back home tolerated Blazer, but made it clear that they reloaded or sold the used brass from their ranges. The one range I belonged to in New Orleans even made you sweep up your own brass so they could sort throuht it easier! But it was a pretty crappy range anyway. Maybe I can talk to the owner of the range when I'm in there next and find out from the horse's mouth exactly why they have the ban.
and its my own thread...
But what if one of the guys that work at the range had a problem with Blazer in say a wheel gun, since that's where the problems mentioned here seem to be, and the range owner just decides to totally ban the ammo for fear of legal issues? I could probably buy that, but am pretty sure its for reloading issues. A few ranges back home tolerated Blazer, but made it clear that they reloaded or sold the used brass from their ranges. The one range I belonged to in New Orleans even made you sweep up your own brass so they could sort throuht it easier!
But it was a pretty crappy range anyway. Maybe I can talk to the owner of the range when I'm in there next and find out from the horse's mouth exactly why they have the ban.JCM298
Member
Blazer
I worked at a range for two years after I retired and all calibers of Blazers were used. I never heard of a problem other than clean up. Most shooters picked up their own casings because most were reloading. The Blazers were left behind but we periodically cleaned up the casings on "clean up days".
John
I worked at a range for two years after I retired and all calibers of Blazers were used. I never heard of a problem other than clean up. Most shooters picked up their own casings because most were reloading. The Blazers were left behind but we periodically cleaned up the casings on "clean up days".
John
thisaway
Member
I have fired thousands of 9mm, .40, 10mm, and .45 Blazers over the past 10 years and have had only ONE bad experience. I had a .45 "squib load" in my S&W 25-2. The case split about halfway from the mouth to the base of the hull and drove the bullet about 2-3 inches into the barrel (6.5-inch). Unlike a few of the folks here, though, my cylinder was not scored. I still have the bullet & hull as safety reminders.
Detritus wrote: "What was the other place in houston that didn't allow Blazers??"
I started to say that it was Top Gun in Houston, but wasn't sure. After reading your PM, I am sure that it was Top Gun.
The desk clerk (who appeared to be the owner, since he was the guy opening up the range that morning) was very arrogant and very condescending. I would have politely walked out and found another range, but the friend who was with me only had a little time that day for shooting, so we stayed.
I started to say that it was Top Gun in Houston, but wasn't sure. After reading your PM, I am sure that it was Top Gun.
The desk clerk (who appeared to be the owner, since he was the guy opening up the range that morning) was very arrogant and very condescending. I would have politely walked out and found another range, but the friend who was with me only had a little time that day for shooting, so we stayed.
another okie
Member
No problem with thousands and thousands of 9mm and 45, but like the others I have no experience with subguns or the high pressure .357. My range doesn't care what you shoot, but does ask you not to shoot Blazer in their MP-5 and other 9mm full autos, so maybe there's something to it. I hear guys at IPSC and IDPA bad mouthing Blazer all the time, but I think it's because they are used to getting free brass at the range from the guys who don't reload. Almost all the jams and failures I see at IPSC and IDPA matches are reloads.
I've never had a problem with Blazer. I just bought 2000 rounds of 9mm from Natchez for $4.59/box.
I ordered it shipped to my house along with a bunch of other calibers. They mistakenly shipped it to my work. (I had ordered some binoculars and had them shipped to my work.)
2750 rounds of ammo delivered at work. I'm really lucky none of the bleeding heart anti-gun liberals saw that!! Could have been a major problem for me.
I ordered it shipped to my house along with a bunch of other calibers. They mistakenly shipped it to my work. (I had ordered some binoculars and had them shipped to my work.)
2750 rounds of ammo delivered at work. I'm really lucky none of the bleeding heart anti-gun liberals saw that!! Could have been a major problem for me.
stevelyn
Member
My department uses CCI Blazer in our G-22s and 23s without any problems.
Esky,
What Turner's do you go to? Back when I lived in Carlsbad I don't remember any near there.
I used to shoot at Shooters Emporium in Escondido. I don't know if they are still in business or not.
Ever go to B $ B Sales in Westminster (near Huntington Beach)? That was the best gun store ever. I don't know if it's still there either.
What Turner's do you go to? Back when I lived in Carlsbad I don't remember any near there.
I used to shoot at Shooters Emporium in Escondido. I don't know if they are still in business or not.
Ever go to B $ B Sales in Westminster (near Huntington Beach)? That was the best gun store ever. I don't know if it's still there either.
Esky
Member
Wardog,
I live in Carlsbad, but work in San Marcos... and the Turner's I go to is just off Nordahl Road & Hwy 78. The address is 2085 Montiel Rd. #104, San Marcos CA 92069. It's a pretty good store, with lots to drool over, and the staff are friendly & helpful. They also have some used guns.
They also were selling Wolf 9mm for $3.99/box, but they don't want me to shoot it at the range I went to off Hwy. 76, called Iron Sights. They also have Blazer, I think it was around $7, still cheaper than most but like I said earlier, it won't feed right in my new CZ75b. Which is really a lot of fun to shoot, when I'm using any other ammo!
And thanks for the tips- I'll check out Escondido & Westminster, & hope they're still there.
Esky
I live in Carlsbad, but work in San Marcos... and the Turner's I go to is just off Nordahl Road & Hwy 78. The address is 2085 Montiel Rd. #104, San Marcos CA 92069. It's a pretty good store, with lots to drool over, and the staff are friendly & helpful. They also have some used guns.
They also were selling Wolf 9mm for $3.99/box, but they don't want me to shoot it at the range I went to off Hwy. 76, called Iron Sights. They also have Blazer, I think it was around $7, still cheaper than most but like I said earlier, it won't feed right in my new CZ75b. Which is really a lot of fun to shoot, when I'm using any other ammo!
And thanks for the tips- I'll check out Escondido & Westminster, & hope they're still there.
Esky
Greybeard
Member
An indoor range operator here. Steel and alum. cases can be a PIA since, eventually, SOMEONE needs to separate. With everyone at our place being expected to police their own non-downrage brass, the solution has been to keep specially marked containers for the stuff in the firing room. Then it goes into 5-gallon buckets, then to the recycler - for peanut money.
At least Oshmans and Academy here sell the 9mm Blaser consistently for around $4 a box. It seems to run fine in semis that are not extremely "tight". I have only seen one major problem with it - a live round lodged quite firmly about 3/4 way into chamber of a .25 "Baby Browning" - a gun that runs fine with other ammos.
But ... the Blaser stuff is indeed dirty burning. The folks who say they have never had a malfunction with their Glock may have just not shot enough of the Blaser. I can attest to the fact that around 30,000 rounds through a G17 without a "deep cleaning" CAN make the trigger go mushy and the gun NOT go "bang".
At least Oshmans and Academy here sell the 9mm Blaser consistently for around $4 a box. It seems to run fine in semis that are not extremely "tight". I have only seen one major problem with it - a live round lodged quite firmly about 3/4 way into chamber of a .25 "Baby Browning" - a gun that runs fine with other ammos.
But ... the Blaser stuff is indeed dirty burning. The folks who say they have never had a malfunction with their Glock may have just not shot enough of the Blaser. I can attest to the fact that around 30,000 rounds through a G17 without a "deep cleaning" CAN make the trigger go mushy and the gun NOT go "bang".
Esky,
I'll have to check out Turner's next time I'm back in CA. I know exactly where it is. Grew up just down the road from there in Bonsall. Lived in Carlsbad and Oceanside for a while too.
And yes, if you're ever up near Huntington Beach, you've got to check out B & B, if it's still there. Huge store, tons of guns, fantastic prices. You actually had to take a number to get service back then. I counted 26 sales people behind the counters at one point.
There's another shop not too far away from there too. Can't remember the name, "Gunroom" maybe? Anyway, tons more guns. Lots of collectable stuff. Engraved SAA's, Lugers, etc. Prices not too good, but a museum of fine guns.
I'll have to check out Turner's next time I'm back in CA. I know exactly where it is. Grew up just down the road from there in Bonsall. Lived in Carlsbad and Oceanside for a while too.
And yes, if you're ever up near Huntington Beach, you've got to check out B & B, if it's still there. Huge store, tons of guns, fantastic prices. You actually had to take a number to get service back then. I counted 26 sales people behind the counters at one point.
There's another shop not too far away from there too. Can't remember the name, "Gunroom" maybe? Anyway, tons more guns. Lots of collectable stuff. Engraved SAA's, Lugers, etc. Prices not too good, but a museum of fine guns.
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