I am wondering if anyone is experiencing bullet jump/migration with their 9mm revolvers using various factory ammunition. I am using a 7 shot S&W986 5" barrel and have been having issues where the sixth or seventh round the bullet has migrated so far out of the casing that either the cylinder won't turn or worse case it completely separated from the casing. This has happened with CCI Blazer and Winchester manufactured ammunition 115grain.

Yes, like this in my Ruger LCR-9. I found Underwood 124g GDHP Chronographs at a velocity where the bullet performs quite well out of a short barrel revolver. Has minimal bullet jump. I’m on vacation so I don’t remember exactly which bullet that was in the pic that pulled so far.




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I have all three variants of the 986/929 and have shot all of them and haven't run in to this issue so far. I was not using the ammo you mentioned.
Since this is meant to space on the case mouth and is taper crimped I suppose its possible if things aren't too tight on the crimp.

505Gibbs
May I ask what type of factory ammo you have used and not experienced problems? I am currently buying a box of various manufactures with different bullet weights, and anything that will put me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

Just to note that, since this is caused by inertia, generally a heavier bullet will exhibit more of a problem. I'm surprised you're encountering it with 115g.

I've used IMI 115 JHP, Fed. & W-W self defense loads @ 124 and 147g.
I'm a bit surprised your W-W migrated but if its the bulk variety the QC may not be the highest - an opinion and nothing more.

I only recently sold my 986, 5". I never had that problem, but I only fed it my reloads. Now, I have said several times most factory ammo is not crimped, (Taper crimp). I Taper crimped (in separate die), .003" and while my loads ran close to +P, never crept.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Thanks everyone for the responses. I contacted the following manufacturers regarding 9mm ammunition use in revolvers: CCI, Federal, Fiocchi, Remington, and Winchester.
The only positive response that stated there should none to little bullet creep with the 9mm being used in a revolver was Remington. The other manufacturers advised against it being used in revolver do to bullet creep. Fiocchi said they don't test the 9mm in revolvers but they felt their crimp was tight enough that it shouldn't be a problem.
It was interesting to read the manufacturers responses (very vague to avoid liability I guess). I have loaded three moon clips (21 rounds total) of each of the above manufacturers to conduct my own bullet jump experiment. When I am done maybe I will post my findings with some pictures.

Please do.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I have some experience with 9MM, 10MM and .45 ACP revolvers. Any bullet pull there may have been never interfered with the normal operation of any of these revolvers. Until relatively recently, I never looked further into the reported bullet pull issues. I was able to measure some bullet pull in my lightest 9MM revolver, a S&W 940. After firing 8 rounds, leaving the one unfired round in the moon clip, federal 124+P HST pulled .050". Winchester and IMI 124 NATO only pulled about .002". I've not done any testing of bullet pull with 10MM or .45 ACP revolvers, but expect there probably is some, just never enough to interfere with normal operation.

I'd be interested in the results with the ammunition you intend to test.

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

I haven't noticed any bullet jump with my 986. THe only real problem has been with ignition reliabiliy in brands such as Winchester due to their hard primers.

Mine is a 5" as well.

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Let's be careful out there