Springfield RO 9mm Tight Chamber Issues

[Sharper2112]

Recently I bought a full size Springfield RO in 9mm and have not shot it yet. Of immediate concern to me though was the fact that my reloads didn’t even come close to plunking the barrel. I’m loading Acme 124gr (.356) at about 1.12 OAL and that load works fine and plunks fine in all my striker fired guns; Sigs & XDS. I tried loading the rounds shorter, longer, crimping less, crimping more, etc... to no avail. They will not freely fall in this SA chamber. Factory rounds will plunk fine though. I have even put resized brass only in the chamber (see photo) to see if that would work but it’s a no go as well. I think they are getting hung up on the base of my cases. When I measure the base of the case wall on my reloads most are around .388; the factory rounds however are in the .385 to .386 range. Is this a case of an unusually tight chamber that just needs to be reamed? Thanks

 

[fxvr5]

possibly, yes. do the magic marker thing to make sure exactly where it is failing. explained here:
http://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/reloading-tips-the-plunk-test/99389

SAAMI specs for the rear of the 9mm chamber are 0.3913" + 0.004". If your chamber won't allow something with a head measurement of 0.391" in, it's undersized a little.

If the magic marker thing confirms your suspicion, contact Springfield with your measurements. There's a good chance they will fit it free.

 

[Sharper2112]

possibly, yes. do the magic marker thing to make sure exactly where it is failing. explained here:
http://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/reloading-tips-the-plunk-test/99389

SAAMI specs for the rear of the 9mm chamber are 0.3913" + 0.004". If your chamber won't allow something with a head measurement of 0.391" in, it's undersized a little.

If the magic marker thing confirms your suspicion, contact Springfield with your measurements. There's a good chance they will fit it free.

OK. Yea I was pretty sure the base of my cases were well below specs. I’ll try that magic marker test to confirm though. If my suspicions are right I guess I’ll either send it to Springfield or get a Smith to ream the chamber. Thanks

 

[Walkalong]

If the magic marker thing confirms your suspicion, contact Springfield with your measurements. There's a good chance they will fit it free.

They did on my EMP with the undersized chamber. They reamed it just a hair. It's still at SAMMI minimum (but not below like it was), and I have to gauge all of my 9MM brass and scrap any that fails, but as long as I do that, the reloads run.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...d-cases-would-not-plonk.844753/#post-10991665

 

[LiveLife]

base of the case wall on my reloads most are around .388"

Same for me, they measure around .388" and resized brass freely fall in the chambers of KKM, Lone Wolf and Tactical Kinetics barrels.

 

[Mike .45]

There have been many reports of tight chambers in the 9mm RO. I believe I have one of them. Mine would not run reloads but it seems to run fine with factory ammo but I only have around 300-400 rounds through it so I'm not sure.

I haven't sent it back but my wife kind of wants it so when it warms up and she gets some time with it we will see if it will be sent back or not. I hope not. it would be the first gun I have ever sent back for warranty work.

 

[Sharper2112]

Same for me, they measure around .388" and resized brass freely fall in the chambers of KKM, Lone Wolf and Tactical Kinetics barrels.

Yea, unfortunately I must have barrel that wasn’t finish reamed properly or something.

 

[Sharper2112]

There have been many reports of tight chambers in the 9mm RO. I believe I have one of them. Mine would not run reloads but it seems to run fine with factory ammo but I only have around 300-400 rounds through it so I'm not sure.

I haven't sent it back but my wife kind of wants it so when it warms up and she gets some time with it we will see if it will be sent back or not. I hope not. it would be the first gun I have ever sent back for warranty work.

Yes I have discovered those reports myself after I bought the pistol and tried to plunk my reloads. I’m probably gonna get a reputable Gunsmith to ream the chamber if he agrees that’s what the problem is; although I don’t know what else it could be. Since factory rounds plunk and spin freely I doubt Springfield would entertain my case.

 

[LiveLife]

I have even put resized brass only in the chamber (see photo) to see if that would work but it’s a no go as well.

Any factory or aftermarket barrel should work with resized brass.

Call Springfield customer service and reference this thread. I am sure they will take good care of you.

 

[Dudedog]

I have two Springfield "Loaded" 9mm 1911s both are a little tighter than some of my other 9mm guns.
I usually load using the Lee FCD and don't seem to have an issue.
I would note that both will chamber some rounds that fail my Wilson gage.
Springfield has always been helpful when I have called I would give them call.
Hope you get it worked out.


PS: I liked the first one so much I bought a spare
9mm in a 1911 is just loads of fun.
(of course I have to deal with CAs stupid approved handgun list and the listed "Loaded" is coming off and nothing new can go on unless it microstamps and since nothing microstamps.....)

 

[Bartojc]

My Springfield is definitely my tightest chamber of my 3 9mm. I do use a Lee FCD and have had no issues in over 2000 reloads I've put through mine.

Jeff

 

[Sharper2112]

My Springfield is definitely my tightest chamber of my 3 9mm. I do use a Lee FCD and have had no issues in over 2000 reloads I've put through mine.

Jeff

I use a Dillon Square Deal B these days for reloading 9mm, however I still have a Lee Turret press. I tried using my Lee FCD to see if that would solve the problem but didn’t really seem to do anything. In fact I even have a Lee U sizing die that I tried as well which helped some but overall still failed to reliably plunk the barrel. It seems my chamber is just a tad too small

 

[forrest r]

Take a case that's been sized and do the plunk test. No flaring/powder/bullet. Just a sized case. If the sized case doesn't fit it's either the sizing die or the bbl. If the sized case fits/passes the plunk test, I'd be taking a hard look at the expander ball.

 

[Sharper2112]

Take a case that's been sized and do the plunk test. No flaring/powder/bullet. Just a sized case. If the sized case doesn't fit it's either the sizing die or the bbl. If the sized case fits/passes the plunk test, I'd be taking a hard look at the expander ball.

I’ve actually done that. The photo I posted with the original thread is a sized case only. Unfortunately they do not pass. As for the sizing die I use a Dillon SDB and have had no problems with it. However I used to use a Lee Turret and actually had a U Die for it; tried that and although better the cases still wouldn’t reliably pass.

 

[koz4guns]

Is there any more adjustment left in the sizing die, can you run it down any more?

Kurt

 

[Sharper2112]

Is there any more adjustment left in the sizing die, can you run it down any more?

Kurt

I don’t think so. And from what I understand and other commenters here said my sized case size (.388) at the base of the case is quite normal.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Just an observation, if the sized brass won't seat inside the barrel why would you test bullet seating and different crimps? You need to address the brass first, size the case all the way down, readjust the sizing die.

 

[drband]

EGW makes a set of “undersize” dies that might solve your issue if Springfield won’t help you out. I’m not sure how they affect the outer dimensions near the base, though. Might be worth a look.

 

[Sharper2112]

Just an observation, if the sized brass won't seat inside the barrel why would you test bullet seating and different crimps? You need to address the brass first, size the case all the way down, readjust the sizing die.

I tested all the different seating and crimping stuff before it occurred to me to check the brass only

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I tested all the different seating and crimping stuff before it occurred to me to check the brass only

Ahh, that makes perfect sense.

 

[LiveLife]

I don’t think so. And from what I understand and other commenters here said my sized case size (.388) at the base of the case is quite normal.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...tire-length-of-the-case.823777/#post-10595721

Scrap any sized case where the diameter at the base is over .391. I use a Wilson gauge to weed those out.

EGW makes a set of “undersize” dies that might solve your issue if Springfield won’t help you out.

If resized brass that measure .388" at the case base won't freely chamber in the barrel, I am quite certain Springfield customer service will help the OP get the chamber mouth enlarged.

 

[Sharper2112]

Well I put 300 rounds of 3 types of factory ammo through the RO today and it ran great. I think I had 1 FTE early on and that was it. Accuracy was certainly good too. I’m gonna try a few more of those tricks everyone suggested within the thread before I contact SA or a gunsmith about reaming the chamber. I actually have a Lee U Die and a Lee FCD on a turret press that I don’t use anymore since I got the SDB. I’m not really a fan of that U Die but I’ll give it a shot nonetheless. I really don’t want to have to be sizing at a different station though, kinda defeats the purpose of a progressive press IMO. One question I had though is if I do end up getting the chamber reamed will that affect the accuracy of the pistol? I’m NOT a bullseye shooter but rather an IDPA shooter; I’m not interested in shooting an inch at 25 yards. Thanks for everyone’s comments and suggestions

 

[forrest r]

If you have to have the bbl.'s chamber reamed make sure they either don't mess with the bbl.'s throat. Or make sure they know what their doing if they do anything to the throat. That's where the accuracy game is won or lost.

Not hand/cherry picked by any means. Nothing more then the actual target used that day to test those loads with. 10-shot group @ 50ft out of my box stock springfield ro chambered in 9mm

 

[Sharper2112]

If you have to have the bbl.'s chamber reamed make sure they either don't mess with the bbl.'s throat. Or make sure they know what their doing if they do anything to the throat. That's where the accuracy game is won or lost.

Not hand/cherry picked by any means. Nothing more then the actual target used that day to test those loads with. 10-shot group @ 50ft out of my box stock springfield ro chambered in 9mm
View attachment 828227

OK thanks for that tip. The gunsmith I’m going to call is very reputable so that shouldn’t be an issue. Wow what a great group; nicely done. I love the pistol, just gotta get it shooting my reloads reliably.

 

[Dudedog]

I would still give Springfield a call and see if they will make it right for you.

Of course your own gunsmith might be faster.