alphabrace
Member
I have an M&P and was wondering if they can feed reloads with wadcutter bullets. Thanks for the info.
Can autos feed wadcutters?
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handgunner356
Member
Since I've never seen a 9mm/40/45 true wadcutter I'm guessing you're talking about a semi-wadcutter in those calibers. I've use them in all those with good results watching overall length so they feed from the magazine.
truncated nose SWC, right?
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The S&W Model 52 was designed for flush fit wadcutters. It is extremely reliable. It is quite remarkable to make a pistol that is reliable with this type of ammo.
When Tom Campbell developed Super Gun (the .45 ACP pistol he used in competition, which led to the Model 645), it would feed empty cases and many 645s were known to be able to do the same thing.
No matter what anyone says, S&W knows how to design and build reliable autoloaders.
Assuming you are talking about the M&P auto, as opposed to the M&P revolver, the only way to know if yours will feed wadcutters is to try it, if you can find the bullets and reload them properly. I don't see the point, however, as the pistol is not designed for bullseye, which is the only place where the full diameter clean cut hole is necessary for scoring.
So, why do you want to use wadcutters?
If you are talking about semi-wadcutters, the M&P should feed those or truncated cone bullets and any hollow points all day long.
shovelwrench
Member
Lets clear up his bullet description first.
Wadcutter
Semiwadcutter
Most autos will have difficulty feeding a true wadcutter, but most will feed a semiwadcutter.
Wadcutter
Semiwadcutter
Most autos will have difficulty feeding a true wadcutter, but most will feed a semiwadcutter.
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handgunner356
Member
Racer X, no I am talking about a LSWC just like shovelwrench pictured. The Truncated Cone style doesn't have the nice sharp edge that makes the nice round hole in paper targets. That's the problem with plated or jacketed SWCs' they tend to have a more rounded shoulder and don't cut as clean as the lead. My personal favorites are 105gr/.356, 175gr/.401 and 200gr/.452 in the LSWC.
84CJ
US Veteran
Use to use a 459 to demonstrate how reliable a Smith can be by chambering empty cases.
ajpelz
Member
My 4566 can chamber empty cases all day long.
BADSBSNF811
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I have a 745 that cycles empties with boring regularity.
Jim Watson
Member
Got a pretty weak recoil spring, don't you?
Spotteddog
Member
Nice line Jim!
There are various and sundry auto loaders that will feed empties when adjusted properly. I have 2 1911's that will manually cycle empties, if running a soft ball spring. I've never had a Lead full wad cutter for a .45ACP to try it with? But then again, I've never cast my own bullets?
I do know that the M-52 was my Dad's Grail gun which unfortunately he never was able to own.
There are various and sundry auto loaders that will feed empties when adjusted properly. I have 2 1911's that will manually cycle empties, if running a soft ball spring. I've never had a Lead full wad cutter for a .45ACP to try it with? But then again, I've never cast my own bullets?
I do know that the M-52 was my Dad's Grail gun which unfortunately he never was able to own.
phatn8dog
Member
my 459, that i picked up from a good friend,(84cj) will feed empties all day long!!
furyalecto
US Veteran
Thanks for the pictoral descriptions shovelwrench! Very nice.
TOF
Member
I have used a relatively large number of LSWC's in both an M&P40 and M&P45. A very slight adjustment in seating depth to yield approx .030 inch from case mouth to bullet shoulder resulted in smooth operation for both calibers. Yours might require a different value. The 45 will feed empties.
OP
alphabrace
Member
Thanks for the responses. I was thinking of the semi wad and not full wad when I posted. Some good info here. Never thought of trying to feed an empty. The info on bullet seating depth is good also. Thanks guys!
das
Member
My 645 feeds empties all day long.
Catshooter
Member
The only way to know is to try it. Some will and some won't.
Cat
Cat
oldRoger
US Veteran
I would posit a slightly different point. Some of my pistols will feed an empty case when hand cycled, some will not. I do not know if any or all would do so if I tried to fire a magazine full of wadcutters seated with the noses flush or nearly so.
I do know that some magazines do not do a good job of holding empty cases in place even to try the manual case feeding experiment. How much cases would move under fire I do not know.
I have seen arguments on the 1911 forums about feeding which imply that the round tends not to be in much control until it hits the top of the chamber on its way in.
IMO live fire may be a different kettle of fish entirely from the manual cycle.
I do know that some magazines do not do a good job of holding empty cases in place even to try the manual case feeding experiment. How much cases would move under fire I do not know.
I have seen arguments on the 1911 forums about feeding which imply that the round tends not to be in much control until it hits the top of the chamber on its way in.
IMO live fire may be a different kettle of fish entirely from the manual cycle.
K38
Member
The LSWC will make very nice clean holes as the sharp shoulder of the bullet acts as the paper punch. This is the standard sort of bullet used for the .45ACP in bullseye shooting. You usually only see the HBWC or here described "full wadcutter" in .38 special and .32 S&W long. The .32 is soft enough that it works well in straight blow-back guns like the Pardini HP and Hammerli SP10. It's popular for ISSF Centerfire pistol. It used to be fairly common for custom gunsmiths to make 1911 style pistols in .38 wadcutter for the centerfire segment of the 2700 bullseye match, but now most just use their .45 twice as they use soft loads and have a dot sight on the gun making it pretty easy on recoil.
Dwight
Dwight
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