Dents in .45 ACP cases

[WSM MAGNUM]

I have some .45 ACP brass that have been fired only once. They were factory loads. In the middle of the cases, some cases have heavy dents and some have slight or no dents. What causes this? I think it is the ejector.
Will these dents cause reloading die problems? Or other problems? Do you keep reloading the cases with dents? I have included pictures of these dents.

 

[shooter1]

Looks like your cases are hitting the ejection port on the way out of the gun. An out of tune extractor can cause this problem. Try tuning the extractor before you do anything else. If you have a mil spec or government type pistol the ejection port in rather small complicating the problem. Most 1911s other than the afore mentioned, have the port already enlarged.
str1

 

[Roadkill]

I reload them. Ususally resizing will smooth most of it out. The cause is when they are ejected they are banging against the ejector port on the way out. Its annoying but the cure can be worse. You can replace the ejector spring, modify the ejector, or have the ejector port opened. I have a P38 that will put them between your eyes every shot. Its hard to shoot and flinch at the same time. I reload 7.62x39 for an AK, the spent cases from that gun look like they have been beat up with a hammer. The case rims are bent and there are dents. I just smooth them out with a file and rezsize.

 

[WSM MAGNUM]

My pistol is a Kimber Stainless TLE II. Just got a week ago. I do not know if the port is already enlarged or how to go about modifying the ejector. Is there information I can look up online on how to fix this problem?

 

[Walkalong]

Looks like your cases are hitting the ejection port on the way out of the gun.

Exactly. And I agree, some tuning of the extractor and or ejector by a talented fellow would fix that. They will load just fine the way they are though. If they are getting out of the gun OK and are not interfering with function or dinging you between the eyes it's no big deal.

 

[shooter1]

Try the 1911 forums.
str1

 

[Walkalong]

Try here.

 

[WSM MAGNUM]

Thanks everyone. I just ran some cases through my carbide size die and it smoothed out most of the dents and does not harm the die. The worst ones now look like just a dimple. Thanks for the info.

 

[dmftoy1]

FWIW - If I remember correctly all of the kimber's have a relieved ejection port. Typically the only time you find an unrelieved ejection port is if you buy a mil-spec pistol.

I wouldn't sweat the dings as I get them from time to time. I would look at tuning the extractor.

Have a good one,
Dave