Independence Ammunition

[soapee01]

I'm not sure if this is the appropriate thread or not, but I think it is.

My wife picked up some Independence 45 auto 230 gr. FMJ ammo at the High Caliber gun show at Will Rogers in Fort Worth last week.

She bought it from Southwest Ammunition Supply, which is who I also purchased a bunch of primers and bullets from.

I'm curious as to whether or not these are poorly loaded (reloaded) cartridges or just junk ammo. I just got back from the range where I was practicing with my 1917, and the bullet in the chamber came apart.

It spilled gunpowder everywhere and jammed up the action. I got everything unclogged, and put the empty case back in the revolver to discharge the primer (as I had been shown by a knowledgeable fellow teaching me how to reload). The primer backed out of the case and jammed the action again. Thankfully there was a gunsmith there who was able to help me unstick it.

I'm guessing that the ammo didn't have a good crimp on it, but what would cause the primers to back out and stick the action? I did have the bullets in moon clips if it makes any difference, and I saved the bullet and will try and provide a picture if necessary.

The gunsmith claimed it was junk reloaded ammo, and gave me a warning about never buying reloaded ammunition at gun shows. He appeared rather against reloading in general, but I let him rant as he kindly fixed my gun. Also curious in case it ever happens again; he whacked the revolver cylinder with the back of a screwdriver to open it. I'm a little paranoid about this gun since it was my great-grandfather's. Is there a better way to do this?


Thanks,

soap

 

[45ACPUSER]

Independence ammo is the econ line from CCI. Initially, it was made by Mag Tech for CCI. It is good ammo!

 

[Dean Williams]

It's not unusual for a primer to back out of an empty case when fired. There's nothing to keep it firmly in place when it ignites. Normally, recoil from a loaded round will push the cartridge back against the recoil shield (or bolt face) to keep the primer seated, or to re-seat it if it starts backing out.

It could have been just one defective round. It happens, even in brand name off the shelf stuff.

 

[Unflappable]

I've shot about 1000 rounds of Independence and they have been fine.

 

[ReloaderFred]

There is nothing patently wrong with Independence ammunition. When you consider the millions of rounds loaded by the various ammunition companies, the odds are that an occasional one will slip by the inspectors. I've had bad ones from all the companies over the years. Independence is factory new ammunition, not reloaded, as evidenced by their name on the headstamp of the case.

As mentioned, just about any time you fire a primer in an empty case, it's going to lock up a revolver. When the primer detonates, the pressure drives the primer out of the primer pocket. When the powder ignites and produces pressure, that pressure drives the case back against the back plate (or bolt face) and reseats the primer.

Using a soft object to open the cylinder won't hurt it. Just be glad you didn't get some ham fisted amateur who wanted to use a hammer or rock to open it.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[soapee01]

Thanks for the advice. I've never had a factory cartridge do that, and apparently neither had anyone else at the range.

I'll skip my buddy's recommendation on firing off the primers, and check my reloading manuals and see what they recommend.

I'll also let the gunsmith and range master know these were factory cartridges next time I'm there.

Thanks for the comment on the screwdriver being appropriate. That puts my mind at ease, and I feel like I've learned something useful in this.

Still ticks me off that the bullet came apart... Especially since I was teaching a friend how to shoot, who'd never done so before (22 pistol). I think it worried here quite a bit, and I've never seen a bullet come apart in the tens of thousands of rounds I've shot or overseen. At least I now have an explanation for her.

Thanks again for the help,

Soap.

 

[rcmodel]

I strongly disagree that beating a revolver cylinder open with a screwdriver handle is appropriate!

If the *bullet had been lodged half in the cylinder, and half in the barrels forcing cone, he could have sprung the crane doing that.

* Bullet = The Projectile that flys out of the barrel.
* Round or loaded round = Loaded ammo.

I have never seen a backed out primer yet that couldn't be opened by hand if you manually turn the cylinder toward the top of the frame as it starts to swing open.

Once you get it started, it will easily open the rest of the way without undue force.

The other option, if the bullet isn't stuck in the barrel, or still in the case, is drop a brass rod down the muzzle and give the empty case a light tap. That will re-seat the fired primer, and the gun will open normally.

rc

 

[ReloaderFred]

RC,

The only reason I said it was appropriate to use the screwdriver handle was because he only fired the primer off, not a loaded round. In any other circumstance, it would not have been appropriate, but in this one it was.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[soapee01]

FWIW, the cylinder actually stuck twice. The bullet initially lodged between the cylinder and the forcing cone. This was easily unstuck by rocking the cylinder back and forth, and then it swung open. The powder over the shooting table was a dead giveaway as to what had happened.

I have never seen a backed out primer yet that couldn't be opened by hand if you manually turn the cylinder toward the top of the frame as it starts to swing open.

When the casing/exploded primer got stuck, I tried doing this for quite a while. It didn't work. I also tried to gently pry the casing forward to help ease the cylinder out. I gave up, and the gunsmith showed me the screwdriver trick. I am still open to further suggestions, should this ever happen again.

Regards,

Soap