.22 rimfire vs. my sweat

[David Sinko]

Again, this is a completely stock Model 43C revolver. The springs have not been lightened or cut or modified in any way. It is a typical over-sprung S&W J Frame. I have put a couple hundred rounds of this ammo (and various other brands) through this revolver and this Federal ammo has never ever misfired under "normal" conditions. It's all from the same box. The problem is neither the gun nor the ammo under "normal" range conditions. The exterior of the revolver is wiped down with WD-40 after every run but the chambers are cleaned with a dry Q-tip. I am always careful to not get solvent into the chambers. When subjected to running, something happens to these cartridges which makes at least half of them turn sour.

My NAA Mini Revolver will start to misfire if the chambers get dirty. The fouling will prevent the cartridges from being fully seated in the cylinder. Much of the energy of the hammer fall is wasted properly seating the cartridge, and then an otherwise good cartridge will fail to fire on the first attempt. I have learned from this and I make sure that all the cartridges rattle inside the cylinder before I carry the 43C. Just one more variable that has been eliminated.

Dave Sinko

 

[SWAT Lt.]

A centerifre revolver would be best for defensive use, but if you want to carry your 43C I'd recommend going with the Federal High Velocity Match ammunition. It is more expensive, but it is also more consistent and of higher quality. I have never had one fail to fire, can't say that for the bulk pack 22s. Practice with the junk pack but carry the good stuff, you're worth it.

 

[nachogrande]

22 DUDS

unless you have a CSI type forensic lab in your house and know how to use it. taking ammo apart and trying to figure out what's wrong would be a waste of time imo. don't rush to rule anything out at this point. try that same ammo in a diff gun, and diff ammo in the same gun & see what happens. then leave it to federal & your gun mfg to deal with. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if each blamed the other or both blamed you. I use whatever I can get now, mostly rem thunderbolts (about my least fav), then the fed value packs like you. I seem to have a much higher rate of failures in semi's than revolvers, but nowhere near 50%. maybe like 3-5% tops. what I notice and do is if I get a non fire, is to look and see if it has been struck and how hard, then spin it and strike it again in a diff spot. very few fail to fire EVENTUALY. MY UNEDUCATED GUESS would be that the explosive primer compound is not coated evenly around the inside of the rim and needs to be hit hard enough in just the right spot. another GUESS would be the compound comes loose and shifts/collects in one area of the rim, I really don't know for sure. but I do notice a much decreased incidence of failures with better quality (more expensive) ammo like cci or the match grade stuff. personally I don't carry a 22 for s/d but if I did, I'd spring for a box of the good stuff and switch it out if you are gonna expose it to a lot of heat/ moisture/ and bouncing around. I'll be curious to know if you get it figured out.