Need 40S&W Help......

[bigsarg99]

Looking for Help here.... I have been reloading ammo for yesrs on a RL550 with no problem in all sorts of calibers; .45acp, .223, 9mm etc... Just decided to handload for my wifes M&P40 so I got some componets ( once fired fed brass, CCI primers, Win 231 and 165 gr JFP's) and loaded 20 or 30 to go test. Well the chamber would not fully close on about half of them and the ones that did chamber I caught hell trying to get the slide to unloack and cycle. I check my OAL and its within the limits according to Lymans 47th and Lee loading manuals. In lymans it did mention something about not reloading for Glocks and simular pistols with unsupported chambers. Im a 1911 shooter for life but wanted to try something different and cant figure it out. I am guessing it is something to do with the case sizing stage but just not sure. Looking for the infinate knowlege of THR......What and I doing wrong here guys?

 

[Walkalong]

The only time I have had loaded rounds almost completely chamber, lock up the gun, and be very difficult to extract was when some of my loaded rounds were to fat for the chamber in the ass end. ( Old slightly bulged cases where the die did not size it down quite enough. )

You may have sizing issues here.

You could try an undersize die.

EGW offers custom made, carbide sizing dies that are 0.001" smaller in diameter than typical dies. These dies also flair lower than some other sizing dies and size the case further down, which may prevent feed failures from cases bulged near the base as is typical of brass fired in Glock and other loose chambered guns.

http://egw-guns.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=40


You can also get a cartridge gauge to check your ammo.

http://egw-guns.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=44&products_id=172



Try this link for dimensions.

http://www.handloads.com/articles/cartridge.htm

 

[DragonFire]

Glocks do not have a fully supported barrel, and the chamber sizes are usually on the high side of the spec. So brass that has been fired several times in a glock end up a bit too wide to fit the chambers of other guns.

I had that problem when I tried using my Glock brass in a S&W revolver with titanium cylinder. Though the brass was still in spec, and looked okay when I put them through a check-gauge, they wouldn't work.

I measured a bunch of rounds and found a cut-off point where the cases would work in the revolvers and where they wouldn't. I now keep my revolver brass seperate from my auto brass. I also bought an inexpensive Lee single-stage press with a full length resizing die, and put my revolver brass through that. I no longer have the probem.

The thing is that my brass had been reloaded several time. I didn't seem to have the problem with brass truly fired "once" in a Glock. Where did you get the brass? From factory rounds you fired through the M&P, or range pick-ups, or did you purchase "once fired brass"? Pick-ups and buying brass can be a crap-shoot. Maybe they were really fired only once, or maybe several times or more.

I would suggest either getting a check-gauge, or use the barrel from your M&P and see if the rounds drop in and out of the barrel easily. Do they go in all the way, easily? Sounds like they won't. If you've checked OAL, then check diameter.

Depending on what you find, you might want to try relaoding a few round with cases from factory rounds fired through you gun and see how they work.

 

[bigsarg99]

Thanks guys for the quick response I was really knocking my head aginst the wall because I have been doing this for so long with .45 and .223 and never have any issues. I think i will try the EGW undersize die. Much of the brass i have I purchased from one guy (4000 pcs) and he picked it up from a police range I think and I can only imagine how many were glocks (all). I do need a case gauge for .40 smith. Maybe I'll just use this as anexcuse to buy me a Para P16 or simular 1911 and tell her I'll just buy all her range ammo. No seriously I do appreciate you guys help I will go back to my beach now with a clear head and more Ideas. Thanks.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

Case bulge or inadequate crimp.

 

[mscott]

Get yourself a LEE factory crimp die. It sizes the loaded cartridge as the last step. I use any brass I can find with lead bullets and it solved almost all of my feeding issues. Case gauge is also a very good idea.

 

[Walkalong]

Get yourself a LEE factory crimp die. It sizes the loaded cartridge as the last step

It will not fix problems with case bulges down low and can cause problems in of itself.

 

[bigsarg99]

Do you guys think it might just be a matter of readjusting my sizing die lower, to ensure that it is sizing the full length?

 

[Walkalong]

Adjust your sizer until it touches the shellplate or shellholder and then back off a bit. This is probably not your problem as you are experienced in reloading for other calibers, but it could help a bit. I really don't believe it will cure your problem though. Try it and see.

 

[mballai]

I found my first batches of 40 would not fit the case gauge but would chamber in my HK P2000 and I was using a Lee FCD. Didn't bother me, but I bought the EGW U sizing die anyway and that eliminated any bottom bulging. Every round drops into the gauge now. Would not do 40 without it.

Every caliber is a learning experience.