Bulged Cases From Shield

[retfed]

Since I shoot with 8 other guys and am the only reloader I collect all the brass. We all shoot 9's so I let it slide for months, thinking it had to be from one of their guns. It COULDN'T be my SHIELD.

Been bugging me more now, because of the ammo shortage, I'm the only one consistently using Win brass and that's the only brand showing bulges in my brass collecting. Anyway, I shot alone yesterday, only 2 mags , 15 rounds, and 30%, 5 of them were bulged upon firing.

Am I getting some discharges slightly out of battery? Possibly during double/triple taps?

I have been setting aside the bulged pieces, concerned about re-use, since even with the sizing die screwed down tight to the shell holder, it doesn't quite get all the bulge out. Losing 30% of my brass every trip is not acceptable to me, and even more importantly, I'm concerned about safety of the gun, since it's my "EDC'.

My shield, purchased new, 7/12 SKU 180021, S/N DXV79XX, has about 1500 rounds thru it, a mix of factory and my reloads, 125gr zero JHP, 4.1 gr bullseye, win primers.

Opinions?? Comments??

LouB

 

[JSR III]

If you do a forum search using "shield" there is another thread discussing an overly large feed ramp that was causing bulged cases. The gun went back to S&W for a barrel replacement and came back with a smaller ramp IIRC. In their rush to keep up with the unbelievable demand for these semi autos, it is possible that one of the CNC machines fell out of adjustment. (Only a guess on my part, not a machinist).

 

[mlapaglia]

+1 on the above comment. How about some pictures of your barrel with a case in it. Lets see the area around the feed ramp. Also a picture of the feed ramp as it enters the barrel.

 

[robkarrob]

The barrel machining may be an issue. The following thread is also very closely related and on topic:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...s-w-9mm-shields-have-unsupported-chamber.html

The particular cases may be slightly thinner, causing the bulging, or you may be loading somewhat more powerful loads, which may also be the cause.

Bob

 

[retfed]

Follow-up

Thanks for the replies. I went thru the referenced threads. Found the interesting. Esp the comments from Starline.

Rob: My loads are in my orig post. I believe 4.1 gr BE is about 10-12% below the max listed in several of my reload sources. I use this load in my BHP and and Kahr PM nines, with no bulging in the last 8-900 rounds.

Thanks for the assistance. I emailed Smith CS and am awaiting response. I'l follow-up after that.

LouB

 

[Dino1]

Shield nines seem to be problem gun, why I do not know. You do not hear much about the .40 except for the early on mag drop. That was short lived and corrected many moons a go. These two pistols share to much alike to be different. The safety alert was directed at both, but the nine seems to be a bigger problem. This was huge to S&W to call back all those pistols. But if it was a drill bit batch., or something not in their control in the manufacturing then it is acceptable. Machining is a precise science. Not a lot of room for mistakes.