Yesterday I was shooting up my carry ammo in my Taurus 605 and had primer flow back (into the firing pin hole in the back of the frame) so bad it totally locked up my gun. I had to tap the firing pin with a punch and 4 oz. ballpein hammer to get the cylinder to rotate or open. The load was Remington Express 125 gr. .357 SJHPs. The lot # is S16R BI. I purchased this ammo from KY Imports maybe a year and a half ago IIRC. This ammunition also locked up my S&W 586 (which has the "M stamp" BTW) about nine months ago. I just figured it was a fluke defective primer. I now know otherwise. If you have any of this ammo and are using it for defense I would advise that you set it aside and use something else, or a different lot # in the meantime. I contacted Remington today and their customer service rep. was very professional and is sending a Fed Ex label so they can examine my ammo. I see no need for anyone to call Remington at this time, just keep track of this thread. They seemed very serious about addressing this issue and I will keep everyone informed of any additional developments. I didn't want anyone to get hurt because I didn't say anything.

The cool thing about communities like this is that they are full of stand-up guys like you.

I am now going downstairs to check my 357 125 ammo box, even though it is labeled UMC.

Thanks for the heads up. I'd wondered what had happened when you'd made a reference in another thread to your Taurus locking up.

quote:

Originally posted by Wyatt Earp:
I am now going downstairs to check my 357 125 ammo box, even though it is labeled UMC.

It's definately not UMC. That's what's in my .357s since the lock up happened.

quote:

Originally posted by flop-shank:

quote:

Originally posted by Wyatt Earp:
I am now going downstairs to check my 357 125 ammo box, even though it is labeled UMC.

It's definately not UMC. That's what's in my .357s since the lock up happened.

Cool, thanks.

Thanks for the heads up.

I got a letter from Remington today. It stated that the ammo I sent them had a velocity that was "higher than our process specification". It also stated that the pressure was within Remington's and SAAMI's pressure specs (if so not by much is my guess, some of it had slightly sticky extraction). The letter also made some statements regarding how Remington tests it's primers and some of their procedures that insure quality, safe ammunition. They failed to specify how, if at all, my ammo was out of spec. I'm not particularly bothered by that because I think they're covering their butts in case someone else has a mishap of a more serious nature with that lot of ammo. I had asked them to not only replace my remaining stock of ammo, which was just short of 350 rounds, but to please give me an additional hundred rounds in order to test fire a few cylinders in the three different revolvers that I carry that load in. The people at Remington were more than accomodating. The letter stated that they would be shipping me 500 rounds.

I have been pleased to see how cooperative the folks at Remington have been and they've shown a genuine willingness to work with their customers and make things right. Provided I have no reliability, or accuracy issues, I will continue to use R357M1 in my .357 magnum revolvers (except the 360 PD, ouch!!! ) If any of you have ammo from the above mentioned lot, I would advise using it as range ammo, or contacting Remington regarding replacement. I wish I had kept a few rounds just to see what they would do over my chrono from my 6" 686.

True to their word, I recieved a 500 round case of R357M1 yesterday. Thanks for the great customer service Remington! I got the letter one day and the ammo the next! Man that was fast.

Good to hear.

New whiz bang ammo notwithstanding, Remington's Golden Saber and Express lines of pistol ammo will get the job done.

I've fired about thirty-five rounds of the new lot of ammo through my Taurus and 586 each. Both guns ran like champs. As expected, accuracy was quite good too. Thanks Remington!

BTW the whole time I was dealing with Remington, I never told them that I was involved in internet forums. I wanted to see how they would respond without the threat of negative press that the internet gives us forumites as an arm twister. I was treated great. It's nice to know there are still companies out there who understand the meaning of good customer service.

Wholly Schitt!!!!!!!!!!!

Remember the thread I started back in 2007 where I chrono'd some R357M1 at 1660-fps from my Security Six?

HERE is that thread.

I just came across the warning that flop-shank posted here, so I went and checked all the boxes of R357M1 that I have.

Guess what? The lot number matches on all my boxes. Uggghhhhhh.

Thanks, flop-shank, for bringing this to our attention!

Now we know part of the reason for the super sizzle. Did you get any slightly sticky extraction, Dave? Did you buy yours from K Y Imports? That's where I got mine. Honestly I wouldn't worry about using that stuff in a Ruger, or for that matter any modern .357, but I wouldn't use it for self defense. It sure works good on woodchucks when fired from a 6" 686 though.

Pard, I REALLY appreciate your heads-up on this!

We sure had fun with that thread I started last year, didn't we?

Yep, I bought that ammo from KY Imports.

Even if it is OK in my stronger revolvers (28-2, Security Six and 686) I want to explore the possibility that Remington will replace the boxes I still have, as they have done for you.

Thanks a million for sharing your experience with me.

Dave (nitesite)

Yeah, Dave that was a really fun, memorable thread.

I called Bill Conrad at Remington today to request a shipping label for the three boxes of R357M1 from the imfamous lot that my co-workers bought. He explained that the reason for the primer blowback was that the primer pockets were slightly undersize. Normally upon ignition a primer pops out of it's pocket slightly and will get reseated as the casing recoils rearward, or remains slightly "proud". These primers were too tightly fitted and the pressure inside the primer caused them to bulge out around the firing pin. Excessive pressure damaging or destroying guns does not appear to be a concern with this lot of ammo.

quote:

Originally posted by flop-shank:
Yeah, Dave that was a really fun, memorable thread.

I called Bill Conrad at Remington today to request a shipping label for the three boxes of R357M1 from the imfamous lot that my co-workers bought.... Excessive pressure damaging or destroying guns does not appear to be a concern with this lot of ammo.

I guess if it hasn't tied up any of my revolvers then I remain good-to-go.

Thanks for investigating and posting your findings here, my friend.