SW 340PD vs. Crimp Jumping

[KAR120C]

I've put ~600 rounds of .38 Blazers (aluminum cases) through this gun without a problem. I just had the gun jam four times in the first half box of the same ammo, due to crimp jumping. It is VERY disconcerting to have a revolver jam . I know this is just cheap target practice ammo, but what really worries me is... how do I know higher priced self defense ammo won't do the same thing?

I can't afford to shoot as much of the expensive stuff, and if 600 rounds didn't prove anything about the reliability of the Blazer, why would testing several hundreds of rounds of Gold Dots prove anything about their reliability?

Does anyone have any hard info on the ability of various brands of .38 carry ammo to avoid crimp jumping when fired from a 12 oz. snubbie?

What about .357?

 

[TexasRifleman]

I shoot Blazer in my 386PD and I've had a few shoot loose. Which Blazer are you shooting? I am using the lead round nose and I'm not surprised that a few here and there would come loose.

For carry I use the 125gr Nyclad +p's and I have shot over 200 of those with no problems.

You can visbily see the difference in crimp between the Federal and the Blazer so I feel OK with the Nyclads.

I don't use .357 in the thing at all. Once was enough

 

[HighVelocity]

I haven't had any jump the crimp in my 340. I haven't shot any blazer in it though. I've had Winchester 110gr 38spl +p+ jump in my 386 though.

I've heard it's only the light weight hot ammo that does it.

 

[KAR120C]

Yes, the Blazers are just lead round nose, 158 gr, aluminum cases. I'm not too surprised that they would do this, and I'm not too bothered either because it's just target practice.

The self defense ammo on the other hand... would be a MAJOR deal if it ever did this. I used to think 200 rounds would be a good test of ammo, but since I went 600 before encountering this I'm not so sure any more.

One reason I got the revolver was for its superior reliability vs. an auto loader. I'm wondering if I give up that reliability by getting a light gun with strong recoil.

The .357's aren't too bad if you put a three finger grip on the gun, though I rarely carry 357's.

 

[HighVelocity]

I managed to lay my hands on some of the new (designed for snubs) Speer 135gr 38spl Gold dot. I fired 40 rounds of it through my 340pd and there was no sign of crimp jumping.
It actually feels hotter than the 125gr 357mag Golden Sabers. So now I have switched from the mag Golden Sabers to the 38spl Gold Dot as carry ammo in the 340.

 

[juneau803]

Crimp jumping is not an "everyday" occurence, but I would expect it to show up in cheap ammo, specially aluminum cases. I would not get too upset over this, just get some good ammo for defense purpose and test it. Save the junk for target shooting and expect less than stellar performance from it.

 

[KAR120C]

, just get some good ammo for defense purpose and test it.

Well the "junk" passed the test 600 times before it started failing. That's my point. How do I know the "good ammo" won't do the same?

 

[juneau803]

Well, you shot 600 rounds and then you got a "bad box" of ammo. The chances of that happening with "junk ammo" far exceeds the possibilty of it happening with premium ammo. Of course that is not a quarantee that it will never happen. That is what a back up gun is for.

And even so, you still would have got one or more shots off. Make them count.....