Slide locked - what am I doing wrong ?

[iouri]

OK I'll try to follow the order of the questions, Rule
1) Gun is XDM 5.25 9mm
2) Yes, rounds did pass "plunk"/"fall out" test (I didn't test all 500 of them of cause, just few random)
3) Trigger is not lighten, but 2nd time it went bang after the round has been modified by banging it out of the barrel
4) 0.005 variations in OAL I guess due to the mixed brass (?) no other ideas come to mind.

Fred, before 500 rounds batch there were 2 batches of 20 with different load.
Rule, picture's not showing up, but I guess excessive OAL is to blame, even though it is below max of 1.160.

 

[125JHP]

I've had this happen with 122gr lead truncated cone bullets, even seated shorter than RN they can hit the rifling and stick to where its hard to rack the slide (XD 9). An OAL of 1.07 was too long, I had to go to down to 1.065 OAL to clear with that bullet. Just watch the amount of bullet seated into the case. Keep it to about .25" to .30" or pull some factory of the same weight bullet and use that as a gauge. Plunk test will tell ya if the OAL is ok. a .005 variation is normal even with same brass.

 

[iouri]

Thanks, 125JHP, I guess I'll sit them a hair deeper, just to be sure, mine were 1.07-1.12.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I guess no one thinks my ideas in post #7 are possible even though it addresses everything said.

 

[fredj338]

They should all be dropped in a case gauge before shooting them. This would have caught a bulged case, or crushed case from crimping.

The issue w/ a case gage, it doess NOT tell you OAL fits YOUR barrel. So a case gage is convenient for checking crimp & proper sizing, but only AFTER you have set proper OAL in YOUR barrel.

 

[fredj338]

OK I'll try to follow the order of the questions, Rule
1) Gun is XDM 5.25 9mm
2) Yes, rounds did pass "plunk"/"fall out" test (I didn't test all 500 of them of cause, just few random)
3) Trigger is not lighten, but 2nd time it went bang after the round has been modified by banging it out of the barrel
4) 0.005 variations in OAL I guess due to the mixed brass (?) no other ideas come to mind.

Fred, before 500 rounds batch there were 2 batches of 20 with different load.
Rule, picture's not showing up, but I guess excessive OAL is to blame, even though it is below max of 1.160.

Who's max? OAL is GUN & BULLET SPECIFIC, ALWAYS. It is possible yo umiss read the plunk test? The case head should flush out w/ the hood +/- a couiple 1000ths.
IME, the XD tend to have short throats. QUite possible the XDM does as well. Try shortening the OAL to 1.050" see if that doesn't fix it. Pressures will not be an issue, unless your load is already running max. If so, you'll have to back the charge off 1/10gr-2/10gr to be close. A chrono will tell you where you are going. FWIW, 4.8gr of W231 w/ a 124gr LRN is quite hot. How did you come by tthat data?

 

[fredj338]

I guess no one thinks my ideas in post #7 are possible even though it addresses everything said.

The crimp would have top be massive. In most guns, the extractor will hold the round in place even if you were to roll crimp it. So unless the gun has a ton of wear, I am not buying that, especially if the OP had to bump the slide. It's either too long, or the round isn't properly sized or both. Since he claims he plunk tested, I am betting too long. The force of the slide closing can force the round just a bit deeper than a plunk test, wedging the bullet well into the lands.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Yeah, that sounds reasonable. It just bothered me that the round did not fire at first but did when he pushed it back with the pencil. That sounded like the round was way too far forward because he said the primer wasn't touched. The round had to be forward for that to happen.

 

[Rule3]

I given out "likes"

Without seeing the darn thing there is just so much educated guessing we can do. So,iouri it would really help if you can post a picture of the round and the round in the barrel.

It sounds exactly like one time when I first started loading I loaded a LSWC for a 1911 way to long, slammed the slide shut and it was locked up tight. Took 4 hands to pull it apart. Slammed the round in tight as the bullet was to far out.

My CZ as a very short leade (chamber) and the rounded profile of a lead bullet will not pass the plunk test unless it is seated very short. I have not experienced it with any of my XD's.

 

[iouri]

Rule, that charge I've put was from memory, I've checked my records it is 3.8 gr - I am new reloader so won't go even close to max charge yet. Will do the pictures later on, but as I've said it was a single accident in a batch of 500.

 

[SMSgt]

The vast majority of my brass is range brass; I've never trimmed a pistol case, except when making 9mm Mak cases from 9mm Luger cases; I don't bother to sort cases by headstamps or anything else; and only use 3-die sets.

I don't have any problems with my reloads fired in any of my handguns. Been that way for years, so I don't think it's luck. You've got to set up the dies right.

 

[Rule3]

Rule, that charge I've put was from memory, I've checked my records it is 3.8 gr - I am new reloader so won't go even close to max charge yet. Will do the pictures later on, but as I've said it was a single accident in a batch of 500.

OK. I did not read (sorry) it was only one round. Here is what I do for my CZ 75 which is a real short chamber and I do not think your XD is at all the same.

I load the Missouri Bullet 125 gr LRN to a OAL of 1.080 (this is short) with 3.8 hr HP 38 and use the LFCD with a light crimp to smooth out the flare. If you use the LFC die you can not over crimp. Folks will claim it will also resize your bullet which it may but the round will WORK. I use it on every caliber, lead or FMJ.

For my other guns the OAL is longer with this bullet. As several have mentioned, load it to the max OAL and crimp, then drop in the barrel it will probably be too long, now gradually reseat the bullet until it plunks in. Push down it, turn barrel over if it sticks, seat a bit more keep doing until it can spin around and will fall out. If I had some loaded up I would take a pic of it in my XD. They should be like the graphic I posted above.

Anyway this is what I do, I can not take responsibility for what you do This is a disclaimer.

 

[Triggernosis]

Thanks, ArchAngel, I'll check my crimp; so too much crimp can make round go deeper than intended ?

Oh yes, no doubt! The 9x19 doesn't need much crimp, just a tad 'll do ya.

 

[iouri]

Thanks for all the input, guys that was very valuable.

 

[andyo5]

Don't know if this is the issue, but I found with my .45 Kahr that cartridges loaded longer than a certain length would lock up the slide. The cartridges were still within SAMMI spec, but that gun still required shorter length.
The same cartridges would work fine in my other guns.
I no longer own the Kahr.

 

[mikld]

I have never trimmed a piece of handgun brass and I don't think I ever will.

You said the primer was barely hit and you had to bang the front of the round to free up the slide. I have a feeling you are crimping too much so that the round is not head spacing correctly. it sounds like the round pushed too far forward into the barrel causing the jam and the misfire.

I agree...

 

[fredj338]

Don't know if this is the issue, but I found with my .45 Kahr that cartridges loaded longer than a certain length would lock up the slide. The cartridges were still within SAMMI spec, but that gun still required shorter length.
The same cartridges would work fine in my other guns.
I no longer own the Kahr.

Guys, learn this, thre is NO SUCH THING as within SAAMI OAL. There is SAAMI max OAL, that is not for every bullet & every gun. OAL IS ALWAYS GUN & BULLET SPECIFIC. I cant' say this enough. Regardless of the book data, it MUST fit your gun.

 

[sar4937]

Most all of the 9mm bullet profiles have alot of taper at the nose. I'm not sure you could increase the overall length enough to contact the rifling. Why is he not following the oal's listed in the load books. I load a couple of thousand rounds a month of .40 @ 1.20-1.24, it changes the powder charge considerably. At some point the bullet will not seat deep enough in the brass to stay in place going up the feedramp. I shoot with some 9x19 major power factor shooters who must run long aol's to get enough powder in the case. It does not take much to force the 9x19 either over, or under pressure in a hurry due to the small case. When I change oal, I load up a round without powder or primer. Cycle it through the gun, it is easy to see if you are hitting the rifling. But I think in this case he probably got a piece of "Glocked" brass. He should load by the book and case gauge every round, and measure overall length on a regular schedule.

 

[iouri]

Sar4937, I thought "glocked" brass is applicable only for .40, I was having issues with 9x19. I guess the most logical explanation been stated by ArchAngelCD - too much crimp, kind of makes sense to me, round goes to deep because it can't catch on the brass in the chamber, following banging might have "expanded" the throat of the case bringing it to spec, so subsequent attempt was successful...

 

[Doug M.]

Also, if you think you beat the bullet deeper by the efforts to remove it, don't fire it. You could a really interesting over-pressure situation.