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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 05-28-2018, 08:50 AM
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Default 1917 and Winchester White Box Ammo

Hi All,

Anyone have any problems with WWB in a 1917? Shot a box today and found it wildly inconsistent. Had at least 3 rounds
that sounded like squibs. Stopped and checked to make sure they exited the barrel. Had 2 go off like Magnums, bound up cylinder and had to pushed out. Other 45 rounds functioned perfectly. The 2 bound up rounds were split from case mouth to cannelure. Never had this happen with Winchester factory rounds. Seems like I should avoid WWB.

Any opinions?
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Old 05-28-2018, 02:04 PM
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I have not heard of any problems with this Winchester ammo.

Do you have a pic of the box?
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Old 05-28-2018, 02:07 PM
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Sounds like a bad box of ammo. White Box is their cheap stuff, but usually sound.

If the gun works fine with other ammo, send this to Winchester. I think they'll make good on it, and may recall that ammo batch.
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Old 05-28-2018, 02:42 PM
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Thanks guys,

Its typical WWB 230 gr FMJ. The item no is Q4170 (835 ft/sec)
Don't really care about replacement for 5 cartridges, but was a
little scary when the 2 went off that split the casings. Sure wouldn't want to have a blow up.

I'll call them tomorrow and give them the lot nos. etc.
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Old 05-28-2018, 02:46 PM
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What do the primers look like on the two with split cases? Overpressure causes the primer to swell against the hammer nose bushing and flatten. Sometimes, the primer is penetrated and you get blow back (soot). If you have that, it is a sure sign they were over loaded.
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Old 05-28-2018, 04:47 PM
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Hi Wiregrass,

The primers appear normal, but the case is split top to bottom pretty raggedly. Almost looks like the kind of splits on old surplus brass. When they fired, it felt like a magnum. The cylinder bound up and had to be tapped open gently. The cases
had to be punched out. These were the last cartridges in the box.
All the others (48) fired Ok with the exception of the 3 squib sounding ones.
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Old 05-28-2018, 07:36 PM
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"the case is split top to bottom pretty raggedly"
You should send those two split cases to Winchester with the lot number and the information you have posted here.

I never would have shot up the remaining rounds after I saw one split / become hard to eject like that. But what's done is done. I don't know if Winchester will do anything meaningful but they should be told.
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Old 05-28-2018, 08:19 PM
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Wow. I've used it a lot, and in many calibers without problem. Is it possible you have worn chambers or a worn forcing cone? Your experience seems pretty wild.
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Old 05-28-2018, 09:29 PM
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Well all I can say is see what Winchester says.

Guy
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Old 05-28-2018, 10:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack Flash View Post
"the case is split top to bottom pretty raggedly"
You should send those two split cases to Winchester with the lot number and the information you have posted here.

I never would have shot up the remaining rounds after I saw one split / become hard to eject like that. But what's done is done. I don't know if Winchester will do anything meaningful but they should be told.
What Jack said!

Back in the 1970s, a fellow police officer bought a nickel M29. He decided that since he was shooting a S&W, he would use S&W branded ammo (no longer made). He had basically the same problem you had, except that his did squib and the bullet had to be driven out of the barrel. He then had another officer handload some ammo for him.

I had problems with Remington .22 Long Rifle standard velocity rounds. Some were faster than normal, others barely cleared the rifle barrel.

Any ammo company can have problems.
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Old 05-28-2018, 11:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Harkrader View Post
Wow. I've used it a lot, and in many calibers without problem. Is it possible you have worn chambers or a worn forcing cone? Your experience seems pretty wild.
Yep, that's my inclination as well...
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Old 05-29-2018, 06:06 AM
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Yes definitely send the cases to Win so they can possibly identify the problem and issue a recall if needed you may save someone .That said I have never had any problems with WWB ammo but most if what I have fired has been their rifle cartridges . I also use their primers with never a problem so far.

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Old 05-29-2018, 11:19 AM
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Hi Guys,

Just an update. Don't want to be "that guy" who started a thread
and never updated. Called Winchester but couldn't be connected to an ammo tech. Left message and also submitted a contact thread to them this morning.

Took the 1917 to a dealer/gunsmith friend last night. He examined both the revolver and all 50 fired cases. He further test fired it with Federal, Aguila, and magtech 230 gr FMJ. No problems at all. The revolver functioned fine and ejected smoothly.

None of the 50 Winchester fired cases showed overload or high pressure in his opinion. The squib loads should be discounted since they left the barrel and cylinder. The 2 ruptured cases he
attributed to weak or improperly processed brass.

The revolver is in fine shape mechanically but is approaching 100 yrs old to bear in mind. He further advised me to contact Winchester and report the ruptured cases so that they can get it on record as to the lots.
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Old 05-29-2018, 11:30 AM
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As long as you report the problem and the lot number. Winchester (or any mfg.would want to check into the problem) The one time I reported a problem to a mfg they sent me a thank you note and two bricks of .22 RF rounds.
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Old 05-30-2018, 05:11 AM
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Thanks for the update ,inform us if anything further comes up ,glad your firearm is in good shape .Hope I can pass inspection at 100 years lol.
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Old 06-09-2018, 02:21 PM
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Hi Guys,

An Update, sort of. I called Winchester direct, and also used their contact email. A rep returned the call almost 2 weeks later. Nothing was received from their email contact.

The rep explained she was a facilitator, and wanted to know about
the problems which I explained. She took the lot and code numbers and said she'd pass them on to the appropriate departments. She never asked for the fired exploded cases.
She stated this was the first instance she had heard of WWB not being within specs. She never mentioned someone would get back to me for further information etc.

As far as I was concerned, it was pretty much a wasted call
Winchester pretty much didn't really offer any kind of interest at all. They didn't seem to be very concerned in this case.

With the revolver, I shot it again this week with no problems at all but Remington ammo as my range requires factory ammo.

With my gunsmith friend, he just advised to use quality ammo, and use the revolver occasionally. While it is a high quality revolver, go easy on it and use it occasionally, but not as a modern shooter due to its age. He cautioned to stay away from cheap bulk brass ammo, aluminum, or steel cased ammo.


Wish I could report more and wish that Winchester was more responsive, but as long as the revolver didn't blow up, they
really weren't concerned.
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Old 06-09-2018, 03:32 PM
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Interesting post, in my past I have fired thousands of rounds that were Winchester White Box, at one time it was considered THE "Go To" ammo for people I ran around with that wanted SAFE, relatively cheap ammo to shoot and rely on for consistent dependability and lack of problems. I still have a case of Winchester White Box 5.56 stashed away that has nearly doubled in value over the years. I have found Winchester brass to work fine for me in nearly every application, a box or two of WWB was a good way to get started with a cartridge I was considering on reloading. In other words if I was interested in a firearm that fired a cartridge I did not reload for I might be interested in getting a few boxes of WWB to try out the firearm and in that way would have a good start on good brass.
I am not surprised that Winchester has taken the "lawyered up road" in response to your inquiries, corporate America will never be the same.
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Old 06-09-2018, 05:47 PM
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Yes, WWWB is usually pretty reliable ammo. That sounds like a case failure to me. Sometimes older brass will do that, kind of an age hardening condition? I have never had a failure of any kind with WWWB or REM-UMC, even though they're bargain ammo. I keep a good bit of this bargain ammo on hand in case i don't have enough hand loads to meet my plinking needs.
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Old 06-09-2018, 10:03 PM
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Me too, that's what has me bugged with this thread. WWB has always been what I considered "SAFE and SANE" when it came to recommending and using ammunition that I did not personally hand load. When trying to obtain brass for a new cartridge it was often easier to just buy the WWB then reload the empties, a little more expensive but if time was not your friend or brass in short supply it worked.
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Old 06-10-2018, 01:16 AM
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Have fired many boxes if WWB in 9mm,38 special,40 S&W and 45 acp. Never had a problem with it in any of the calibers listed. Fired exactly one box of Ren-Umc in 9mm luger and that little escapade cost me a new firing pin for my Beretta 92FS. And that is the reason for my changing to WWB for most of my pistol shooting. Frank
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Old 06-10-2018, 02:00 AM
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That 1917, at the time, would accept any military ball ammo, factory load. So, any new factory pack should not be a problem what so ever.

A bad box of factory Winchester ammo would be very rare encounter. I've purchased plenty of the white box bulk rounds (hardball) with never a bad round nor anything even remotely similar to your experience.

First, where did you buy the Ammo ? At a retail store or at a show ? Perhaps at a bargain table ?

Many times those who reload ammo just place them back in a factory box but usually a conscientious reloaders, re-labels the box, some old timers do not. That split case is usually relative to cases that have been reloaded several times and / or an oversized cylinder bore.

If you saved all the brass from that box of Winchester ammo, examine with magnifier for the head stamp markings to see if they all match. When I reload for precision target ammo, (e.g. Giles .45 Auto target loads which I used on model 25 target revolvers, too) I match and weigh all the same brand and type cases. However, for bulk reloads, I don't match cases to brand and type and / or weight.

That said, check the cylinder bores to see if the .45 Auto / .45 Auto Rim chamfers are still there or someone honed it out to a .45 LC. A correct cylinder bore gauge should be used but in absence of that a visual check may suffice. Take a new, factory .45 Auto place in cylinder at each of the 6 positions, one at time to determine if they fit properly or are bouncing around in there (loose fit).

Some of the home done, non-professional, boring out of the cylinder to accept .45 LC are just plain sloppy. Usually, a very visible roughness or evidence of a drill (home done) to drill out the chamfered area.

Take a .45 Cal mop, wet with any light oil of your choice (for a good reflection on cylinder bores) then take a properly focused and lighted photo of the cylinder bores, to post picture here.

Although if modified to accept .45 LC the face of the cylinder is sometimes "decked" but not always as there is usually sufficient headspace.

Can you read the serial number on the face of the cylinder clearly ?


This should be interesting to see.
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Old 06-10-2018, 08:15 AM
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Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the input. I'm sure the entire episode sounds bizarre, at least it does to me. To elaborate on some of the questions:

The WWB was bought at the local Walmart. They were not reloads by
someone or myself. I'm limited at the local indoor ranges here to use factory cartridges only, although I do reload.

The cylinder is in excellent condition. serial no can be read clearly. There is no reboring or home gunsmithing to it - no rechambering. You can clearly see the chamfering in the bores.

In operation, the revolver has fired factory Aguila, MagTech, Federal, and now Remington UMC with no problems. Extraction of fired cases or clips is easy with no markings, swellings etc.

As most folks have had no trouble with WWB, I'm pretty convinced the problem was bad brass that somehow got thru Winchester Quality Control. I've searched here and other forums and have found no real
problems with Winchester. Most folks love it for the price and reliability.

As bizarre as my story is, the more bizarre is Winchester's response. It
took them almost 2 weeks to reply, and that reply is handled by a faciliatator, not a tech. They never responded to the online "Contact Us"
by email. They took all the lot and code info and said it would be sent to
the appropriate dept. Will I hear any more from them? I sincerely doubt
it as the rep seemed to discount the events. She never requested the
box, brass or ruptured cases.

At this point, I would say I had a fluke with some bad brass cases. The
revolver functions fine with other brands of ammo, and the other Winchester I fired that day. I further have to mention that I've been using WWB 9mm in my M&P 1.0 and 2.0's with no problems at all.
Go figure.
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Old 06-10-2018, 11:56 PM
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I tend to agree that you had a highly unlikely ocurrance of a small number of cases with bad brass. If it was confined to splitting of cases and all bullets cleared the barrel, it probably didn't really cause any damage. I am certain that you reported this as it happened. I will still use WWWB as before since ship happens and a miniscule failure rate of 1/1,000,000 or so is acceptable in machine produced ammo. JMHO-YMMV. I'm glad this was not a more serious failure.
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Old 06-11-2018, 08:22 AM
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Hi Dixie,

I only brought the post up to see if anyone else had problems with WWB. Apparently not. It seems to be good plinking ammo
at a reasonable price for most folks. I've fired thousands of rounds of it in my 1.0 and 2.0's (9mm) with no problems at all.

There were problems in my box of 45ACP (Q4170) 5 problems in 50 cartridges (10%) - 3 squibs (cant be determined) and 2 ruptured cases. This lot is apparently manufactured 2/18 so it was fresh.

The revolver was found to function as it should. The ammo seemed to be defective for whatever reason.

My problem is with Winchester. They really didn't take any kind of interest in the problem at all. I never expected anything
from them, but wanted to get it on record that I had problems with their ammo. Someone might fire it in a firearm in lesser mechanical condition with not as good results as me.

There you have it. The 1917 was checked out, test fired by a competent smith and found to function perfectly with quality ammo suited to it. The ammo was reported with the problems described. The codes and lot nos were reported, after 2 weeks
from initial contact. Should Winchester contact me, I'll certainly
update.
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Old 06-11-2018, 08:51 AM
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Thanks for the follow up, Noro! You would be surprised how many times someone comes on this forum, drops a bomb, and then is never heard from again. You handled this very well.

If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't let this drop. I would kick it up a level or two by finding out who is in charge of Quality Control at Winchester and send the information to him. You could send copies to Engineering, Management, even the CEO. You don't have to be peevish, just let them know that you are perplexed by the "Don't Know / Don't Care" attitude you have encountered, especially since this is potentially a safety issue. If you still get little or no response, you may want to contact the NRA. They publish letters and / or may assign someone to investigate this who will not be ignored.

E-mails may work fine, but sometimes a hard copy letter gets more attention. Your call. Good Luck.
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Old 06-11-2018, 09:26 AM
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I've had issues using WWB in my 1911. Inaccurate, key holed, had 2 that failed to feed because the projectile had pushed back in the case. Still have half a box.

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Old 06-11-2018, 11:18 AM
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jackcpat,

Thanks for sharing. glad I'm not the only one.
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Old 06-11-2018, 11:43 AM
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Jack Flash,

Followed your recommendation. Now we're really bizarre!!
Called the main number on the box - only a recording. Called
the facilitator again (recorded her no. from my caller ID) Now
she's somewhere else from the main no. Main No. area is 618.
Her no is in 314 area.

She has the info and passed it on. I asked to speak to her supervisor, and she got flustered. (WHY- she says) I feel that
we should have gotten more involved. She declined to transfer me.

She then asked for the ruptured cases and the box, which I have. Now she wants to send a label and schedule a home pickup to receive them by UPS. She tells me they can only receive EVIDENCE by UPS, and it must be submitted by home
pickup or dropped off at a UPS hub, even though its an empty box and 2 fired (but ruptured) cases. We're really getting involved now! Lets just see where this goes once they have the box and cases.


Now I really like this forum. I find the members here to be friendly, helpful and informative. I gotta say that I'm no stranger to S&W products. In fact, I was one of the fools that
paid almost double the list price for a model 29, in 1972, ($229-list price - $425 I paid, and that was a lot of money then)
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Old 06-16-2018, 10:45 PM
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About 2 years ago, I bought some Winchester 30-30 150gr. softpoint ammo. There was 1/10 of an inch difference in the case lengths. Overall length was the same so all the bullets were seated at different points. I took pics and sent them to Winchester with the box info. I informed them that the recoil varied from cartridge to cartridge. They informed me that since the overall length was the same, it was nothing to worry about. The only winchester ammo I have bought since then is shotshells. I have had no problems with that.
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Old 06-17-2018, 02:18 AM
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Sellier&Bellot the Czech ammo manufacturer used in their ads that they make ammo for the U.S. Ammo manufacturers. Maybe just maybe S&B are making up the 45 line of ammo for Winchester.I have reloaded many of the 45 S&B cases. though one complaint seems to keep coming everytime someone mention S&B. The claim is usually when repriming the S&B and that they just toss them as soon as they see the headstamp, Found out a long time ago if you take the pointy end of a case neck tool and give it afew good twists. Whatever crimp there is isn't there after the case neck tool is used. I load all cases in a Dillon 550 and never had a problem after the case primer mouth was slightly chamfered. Me and my buddy would run like heck over to the pistol line to snatch the brass left behind by the pistol shooters. the only ones we trashed were the Hungarian MFS. Off center flash holes was the biggest complaint. Frank
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Old 07-06-2018, 05:20 PM
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Default UPDATE FROM WINCHESTER

Hi All,

I finally got a ticket from Winchester and forwarded the defective cases and box to them. About 3 weeks went by and I contacted the facilitator/rep by email. She replied in the following, "unfortunately our test results/findings are held internally for quality improvement purposes."

I contacted her then by phone, and she said that she works for another company in St. Louis who does Winchester's Quality Control (Repco Solutions) She placed a request in the system
that I receive a check for the 1 box of ammo.

No further info was given about the problems I had or what they
found. So I guess unless someone is seriously injured or the
firearm explodes with their ammo, no other info is shared.


All I can say is "WOW"
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Old 07-06-2018, 09:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by noro View Post
Hi All,

I finally got a ticket from Winchester and forwarded the defective cases and box to them. About 3 weeks went by and I contacted the facilitator/rep by email. She replied in the following, "unfortunately our test results/findings are held internally for quality improvement purposes."

I contacted her then by phone, and she said that she works for another company in St. Louis who does Winchester's Quality Control (Repco Solutions) She placed a request in the system
that I receive a check for the 1 box of ammo.

No further info was given about the problems I had or what they
found. So I guess unless someone is seriously injured or the
firearm explodes with their ammo, no other info is shared.


All I can say is "WOW"
This info alone troubles me and I'll buy no more Winchester ammo. If I buy Win., I expect their ammo, not rebranded S&B. And an ammo company needs to be doing their own QC!
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Old 07-07-2018, 08:02 AM
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Hi Tex,

I couldn't believe their response myself. I thought something was odd in that the tech I've been in contact with was calling from St. Louis, while the ammo factory is in E Alton Il. (different area codes)

You would think that they would want to share their findings, but they would not. They consider the cost of a box of ammo fair compensation. Nobody was hurt, the revolver didn't blow up, so I guess everyone should be happy.

Have to add I've shot thousands of rounds of WWB in S&W 9mm 1.0's and 2.0's with no problems at all. My gunsmith friend maintains it was a fluke lot with bad brass. This is my best guess as to why the rounds failed, given that Winchester wont disclose their findings. Seems like they want to dismiss it because of litigation fears?
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Old 08-01-2018, 11:42 AM
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Hi All,

Got a check from Repco Solutions (Winchester's Quality Control subcontractor) for $23.00 towards a box of 45ACP yesterday. The letter
thanked me for reporting problems with Winchester White Box, and for forwarding the box (with the codes and lot nos) and the fired cases.

No info at all was shared with me regarding what they found with
these cartridges. Just thought some of you wanted to know how it turned out. Thanks to the membership for urging me to pursue the matter. It seems this lot was a fluke, but unless a firearm explodes or is damaged (or the owner too) Winchester doesn't seem to be responsive.
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Old 08-01-2018, 12:33 PM
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About 10 years ago we were shooing quite a bit. My Dad and brother and me. And we bought a lot of WWB. And I always liked it. But I'll be honest, I have some .45 in the 100 round value pack that I think we got from wal mart more recently and I'm pretty sure it has been a lot more inconsistent than other loads. I feel like whenever I run different ammo through my XD, it groups better. And that kind of goes across the board for calibers. Another example is I used to get Q3131A that was WWB (5.56) made in Israel and that stuff grouped really well. And then I have a bunch of American made Q3131 and it's not nearly as good. I put it more on the level of, more like probably the worst grouping loads I have in 3 of my AR's. Other stuff just seems to do better.

Honestly, I think they were cranking it out so fast at one point, it's just not that good.

I also felt like the 100 round value pack of .38 special I had was not so good. I will say the train and defend .38 rounds I bought last year seemed maybe better. But I don't think I'm going to buy much regular WWB any longer.

My LGS carries PMC in .38 and that stuff has grouped well in my 442 and M19. I'll probably just stick with that.

It could be me, but this is my opinion.
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Old 08-01-2018, 02:12 PM
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Hi ABPOS,

Thanks for your input. I don't think I'll be using any of the
Walmart Winchester 50 round White Box in the future. If you've been following this post, I had 5 rounds out of 50 which weren't
right. (3 squibs and 2 ruptured cases from the same box)

5 out of 50 (10%) just wasn't acceptable to me, so I let them know about it. and posted here if anyone else had problems. Now they took the info and thanked me but that's as far as it went originally. With that post, the members here urged me to go forward with it, and because of them, I got a refund.

What really disturbs me is that, first Winchester does not do their own QC at their plant in E. Alton IL. They depend on a subcontractor to do it for them (Repco Solutions in St. Louis)

Secondly, they will not share any findings that they discover
when testing the returns. I know I should call it a day and be grateful for the refund that Repco provided, but the entire
procedure left a really bad taste after 2 months.


I do have to mention that I've never had a problem with WWB
9mm in the 100 round value packs sold by Walmart. With a M&P 1.0 and 2.0, I go thru a ton of it, since my range doesn't accept reloads. With the membership here, I'd be cautious using the .45ACP Winchester going forward JMHO.
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Old 08-01-2018, 04:06 PM
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Yeah, it all just doesn't seem right at all. Winchester in general is definitely not the company it used to be...... which is a shame.
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Old 08-01-2018, 04:20 PM
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I would not be bothered by the change of area codes. The company I work for is all over the world. If authorized to work from home, we are issued a work telephone. So, if I called you, it would show I was calling from CT - although I reside in WA.

Last edited by Weimar; 08-01-2018 at 04:30 PM.
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Old 08-01-2018, 09:17 PM
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I wouldn't be too concerned about the different cities / states for Winchester and Repco. I used to live in St. L, and Alton was a fairly short drive. I have worked a lot as a contractor and often worked in a factory 50 miles or so from my company's offices. The QC guys may be on the shop floor in East Alton every day and only check in at Repco very rarely.

Also be advised that Winchester has been making ammunition in Alton IL since well before WWII. (Google it if you want the exact start year). So the ammo is made here in America, hopefully by Americans, if that means anything.

It bothers me (like I am sure it bothers you) that they don't seem more responsive to this obvious QC problem. If they have a lot of complaints, I can see why they wouldn't want to publicize it much. But this silent treatment is not too reassuring to their customers.
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Old 08-01-2018, 10:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by noro View Post
Now I really like this forum. I find the members here to be friendly, helpful and informative. I gotta say that I'm no stranger to S&W products. In fact, I was one of the fools that
paid almost double the list price for a model 29, in 1972, ($229-list price - $425 I paid, and that was a lot of money then)
I too, paid $425 for my Model 29-2 in 1976. You just could not find them back then.
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Old 08-02-2018, 08:56 AM
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Hi AJ,

You're right about the Mod. 29. You couldn't find them anywhere after
the Dirty Harry movie came out. The local S&W distributor had a 2 yr waiting list on them and only sold to law enforcement. You had to have a
LEO order it if you wanted the list price.

I jumped on the first one I saw (4 in nickel plated) and it was very expensive. $425 was about 4 mo. rent in those days, but I was young, dumb, and lived at home. Pretty sure I was making about $1.25 an hr
then, and going to school.

In the mid 70's production started to catch up and you'd see more of them, but the price still was double the list price. AS I recall they only made them for a few months of the year. Really hated the short barrel and nickel plating, but I did have a Mod. 29.

In 1976, I found a blue 8 3/8 barrel and traded it off with no regrets and a loss.
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Old 08-02-2018, 09:36 AM
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Default M-29

I bought my blue 8 3/8th on Guam in 1976, I bought it at the Islands distributor. He charge normal price $246.00. There didn't seem to be any price gouging over there. I had a Dealer friend in Fort Worth and he would send me a check and said buy any Smith I could find and ship it back to him. I didn't even have to register the guns on the Island. I would buy them from the distributor and have him ship them directly back to the states. Since Guam was a US protectorate and all Guamanians were US citizens I didn't have to go thru all the paperwork needed when you ship from a foreign country.
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Old 08-02-2018, 04:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by noro View Post
Hi AJ,

You're right about the Mod. 29. You couldn't find them anywhere after
the Dirty Harry movie came out. The local S&W distributor had a 2 yr waiting list on them and only sold to law enforcement. You had to have a
LEO order it if you wanted the list price.

I jumped on the first one I saw (4 in nickel plated) and it was very expensive. $425 was about 4 mo. rent in those days, but I was young, dumb, and lived at home. Pretty sure I was making about $1.25 an hr
then, and going to school.

In the mid 70's production started to catch up and you'd see more of them, but the price still was double the list price. AS I recall they only made them for a few months of the year. Really hated the short barrel and nickel plating, but I did have a Mod. 29.

In 1976, I found a blue 8 3/8 barrel and traded it off with no regrets and a loss.
I was going on vacation to Wisc. and decided to buy one there. My wife's Uncle said they were in every gun store there. Well, went to about 15 different gun stores and not a one. Ended up buying a Colt Commander in .45 ACP for $175.00 NIB and a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Mag for $120.00 IIRC. Ended up going back to my duty station in N.C. and bought the S&W there. It was the only one in the shop. Traded it off about 12 years later after I broke my right wrist.
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Old 08-03-2018, 07:43 AM
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Jack Flash,

Yes, I totally agree with you about Winchester's QC. Got sidetracked a little on the Mod. 29. It certainly wasn't reassuring at all. No info at all was shared, but I'm sure the problems weren't caused by my 1917.

Thanks to your urgings and a few others here, I'm 23.00 ahead now. Winchester originally snowballed me and blew me off at
first contact. They were nice and took the info, but that's as far as they went originally.


When I started to pursue it, that's when the ticket came (2 weeks later) and although 2 months later I was reimbursed, I still don't know what happened.
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Old 08-03-2018, 11:31 AM
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Maybe just chalk it up to a bad lot or box. I've never had squibs with them, even though I don't think it's as good as it used to be. It's always went bang for me.
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Old 08-03-2018, 11:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by noro View Post

Now I really like this forum. I find the members here to be friendly, helpful and informative. I gotta say that I'm no stranger to S&W products. In fact, I was one of the fools that paid almost double the list price for a model 29, in 1972, ($229-list price - $425 I paid, and that was a lot of money then)
I paid almost double in 1974. It amounted to nearly a month's take home pay for a young cop, and my wife thought I was insane. If you really had the .44 Magnum fever, there was no other way to get a 29-2 back then.

Best,

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