Makarov Keyholing?

[geckcgt]

So I bought an IJ-70 (my first Makarov) the other day for 150$, and wanted to test it out. Cursory field stripping indicated a very strong rifling, with clear cut grooves. However, when I fired S&B 95gr ammo that came with the pistol, the bullets were keyholing all over the place. Switching to Hornady JHP rounds, it fired correctly. Does all S&B ammo usually keyhole? Any opinions?

 

[TNBilly]

I've had mixed results myself. Just on the odd chance is the S&B 380 rounds?

 

[geckcgt]

No, I actually saved some of the brass to "refer back to" when buying more ammo. Its 9x18mm

 

[NCsmitty]

Is it possible that the S&B bullets are a bit undersize? As you probably know, the 9x18 is .363-.364 bore size, and an undersized bullet can give you a keyhole on target.

Maybe slug the barrel to see what it actually measures.



NCsmitty

 

[TNBilly]

Well... reason I mentioned it in the first place, when I first got my 9mm x 18 the shop I bought it from told me 380 ammo worked fine in it. I was just ignorant enough to buy it. Those thing would do every thing ya can think of including keyhole to barely making it out of the barrel. The S&B's I bought acted the same way but I never thought to measure things up. With my reloads and I think Wolf, one of the import brands anyhow, never give any problems

 

[tyeo098]

Never put a round in a gun it isnt chambered for...

Or you might have to learn to be left handed.