Bullet backed out

[Bowenx]

Hello all - haven't posted in here for some time...

I recently picked up a used 642-2 and so far, love it. (it fits well with the other S&W's -686SSR and 1911sc).

I was using some factory ammo this weekend and the 5th shot never happened as the cylinder jammed. I opened the cylinder and confirmed that there was still one cartridge unfired but it wouldn't rotate. I rotated the pistol to find that one of the bullets was poking out of the front of the cylinder (thus causing it to not rotate).
When i pulled out the case the powder poured out and I was able to poke the bullet out of the cylinder with little issue.

I was about 2/3 the way through the box of ammo (158grn LRN) when this happened.

I'm pretty sure that this isn't supposed to occur with factory ammo. I tried to get in touch with the company however their 'contact us' page doesn't seem to be working.

 

[jlanecole]

I'm all curious, what factory's ammo is that?

 

[steveno]

some of the lightweight revolvers have ammo restrictions as far as bullet weight is concerned. heavy bullets in the lightweight revolvers will have very snappy recoil and can lead to the bullets backing out. check the manual.

 

[Bowenx]

Yes, it certainly has some snap to it. I bought it used and don't have the manual, now might be a good time to look one up.
I didnt mention brand of ammo as i wasnt sure if this was known for this size pistol etc. I still think it shouldnt happen but if manual says dont do it, then i shouldnt.
I will see what i can find.

 

[hawgleg]

That shouldn't happen with factory ammo. Tell us what brand please. Some are worst than others. Could have just been a one time issue, even with factory loads some miss spects.

 

[SMSgt]

Bullet jump - caused by insufficient crimping. More common with magnum loads than .38s, but--obviously--it happens. While your photo of the case is cut off, I see no evidense of any significant crimping.

 

[Maximumbob54]

From the look of the lead, it doesn't look much like it had a crimp.

 

[rburg]

The use of +P and lead bullets, often heavy for the caliber, can cause this. Way back in the last century I had a then new 337. It came with a warning not to use lead bullets that were +P. Being stupid by nature, I had to try it. So to add to the problem, I bought some aluminum case Blazer 158 gr +P and went shooting! I brought along a dial caliper, and checked the overall length before I fired any. No big surprise, they were within 1/100 of being identical. But after I fired one, the other 4 in the chamber had grown. After firing a 2nd, the 3 left had grown even more.

By the 3rd shot, the remaining 2 were so close to poking their noses out I didn't fire them. The lighter the gun is, and the heavier the bullets, the worse it becomes. Add into it the velocity issue and you can easily tie up your gun.

So the best advice is to go online and read the manual. Then print it so you can remember. Buy top shelf American made ammo with brass cases and jacketed bullets of the recommended weight. You'll probably have no issues if you do that.

 

[David LaPell]

Too little of a crimp. The bullet is jumping forward. For factory ammo I know I am not impressed from the look of it.

 

[Bowenx]

The ammo used was Winchester white box, 150grn LRN, not +P. (Edit: i think i previously indicated it was 158 - my mistake)
I found a manual online and didn't see any mention of the use of 150grn out of the 642 (but i only had time to skim it, will read it later tonight to be certain)

I looked at the rest of the box and found one other that did not appear to be crimped.

Box of ammo.

one other not crimped

 

[jlanecole]

That mild load should be fine in any gun. I would call Winchester with the box in my hand to give them the product code, lot number, etc., and find out how they intend to fix the problem.

 

[cjw3]

I've had some issues with 9mm Winchester white box stuff, enough so that I will not buy any more of it. It looks like there are problems with it in other calibers as well.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I think the culprit has been found.

 

[Bowenx]

I tried to get the contact info off their site however the page loaded with errors. I will try again tonight.

 

[szuppo]

I had the same thing happen a few years ago with some Winchester 44 Remington Magnum.

 

[riverrat38]

Looks like we need a crimp die, even if we don't reload!

rat

 

[SMSgt]

OH, Winchester White Box. There's your problem. Cheap stuff, little quality control. Your photos shows no crimp and that's the cause of your bullet jump. Proper crimp will hold any weight bullet, or else the .44 Mag would never be used in a revolver.

Inspect the rest of your ammo, shoot the uncrimped rounds singlely, make a point not to purchase WWB again.

 

[Bowenx]

When i try to access the 'contact us' section in the FAQ re: Quality Issue I receive the following....

"HTTP Error 404 - File or directory not found.
Internet Information Services (IIS)

The page you have been looking for might have been removed, had its name changed or is temporarily unavailable."

I guess that is one way to avoid getting feedback on your quality....can anybody else access the page?


http://www.winchester.com/learning-center/faqs/Ammunition/Pages/FAQ.aspx

#49

 

[Maximumbob54]

Webpage opened right up for me.

 

[Moonman]

Web page opened for me.