Feed Ramp Polishing and HP Ammo

[Hurricane]

I recently bought a Ruger LC9 and it functioned flawlessly with FMJ round nose plinking ammo. However, when I attempted to chamber hollow points, the gun failed to chamber the first round from the magazine. This was the case with two separate magazines and two different brands of ammunition.

After some research, for this particular weapon the common solution is to polish the feed ramps. I followed suit and the problem is solved. It works great now.

My question is, how does a rough feed ramp affect a hollow point round but not an FMJ? I would assume resistance is resistance, but clearly there is something I have not observed.

 

[HoosierQ]

Well a hollow-point has something to catch on...that copper rim. It would take a very nasty snag to hook the smooth copper on a FMJ. Those rock climbers get a long way up grabbing on to some very small ledges. Presumably it wouldn't take much. OTH I have some very un-polished looking feed ramps that have never hung up an HP. May just be the angle of attack or whatever. A mirror polished feed ramp is a good thing as there's nothing to hang up on.

 

[gamestalker]

I hear of these problems on a pretty regular basis, but in all my years of reloading I have yet to experience an issue. I have loaded for Glocks, Rugers, Taurus, Beretta, S&W,and everything in between. The only time I experienced an issue was with a G17 back in the 80's, and that was with factory ammunition, not my reloads. I guess I must be one of the lucky one's?

GS

 

[SFsc616171]

I don't have that problem, and here's why:

(All new nuke-tipped HP users sit down, please)

I use old-school Remington L9mmx 115 grain JHP's.

The late Guru of BHP's, Stephen A. Camp (ave'!) suggested that for older BHP's, instead of attempting to play mechanic with your pistol, just use these rounds, since the ogive is near-as-possible-to-FMJ.

I have implemented his suggestion, and have made it part of my larder supplies.