Hi,
Anybody shoot steel cases ammo. in their semi autos?
Extractor issues, chamber sealing issues ?
Thanks
Anybody shoot steel cases ammo. in their semi autos?
Extractor issues, chamber sealing issues ?
Thanks
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Steel Cased Ammo
- Thread starter Narragansett
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Only thing I have shot steel cased ammo in is my SKS, which was made for steel cased ammo. I know some people have no issues with steel cased ammo in semi-auto's that were not designed for such ammo, others have had fired cases get stuck in the chamber and/or broken extractors. I guess this is one of those things in which your mileage may vary.
I have shot thousands of rds of Steel case thru my AR's with no issues. The thing to know
Brass "Obturates" or seals the chamber as its softer and steel does not so extraction on guns can be harder on the extractor. Shorter dwell time on shorter barreled guns, combined with the steel not contracting like brass, tend to pull harder on the spent case.
14.5"/16"/18" & 20"gas systems tend to be fine. Keep the chambers clean and don't run the guns dry.
Most modern AR barrels have a larger gas port to accommodate the lower power ammo.
The steel also allows carbon blow back into the chamber so it will get dirtier. Lube is you friend. The Lacquer on the casings does not melt and make the chamber sticky. This has been disproven many times over the years.
Not all guns (Gas) run well on Steel as much of it is lower power and you may have cycling issues. AR's with small gas ports tend to struggle. I have owned Colt, Bushmaster, BCM, LMT Aero Precision, and they all run steel.
I also have run Steel in all my Glocks and no issues either. Back when steel was $6 a box of 50, I shot cases and cases of it. no issues. Now a days, I shoot brass and the savings on steel is not there anymore.
And when I had an AK, alot of steel. dozens of wood crates of cheap Norinco and Russian steel 7.62 x 39.
Keep in mind, in WW2, the US has steel cases 45 ACP and that worked fine too.
You have to shoot a lot of steel cased ammo before you need to replace a $10 extractor. So I never worried about it.
Brass "Obturates" or seals the chamber as its softer and steel does not so extraction on guns can be harder on the extractor. Shorter dwell time on shorter barreled guns, combined with the steel not contracting like brass, tend to pull harder on the spent case.
14.5"/16"/18" & 20"gas systems tend to be fine. Keep the chambers clean and don't run the guns dry.
Most modern AR barrels have a larger gas port to accommodate the lower power ammo.
The steel also allows carbon blow back into the chamber so it will get dirtier. Lube is you friend. The Lacquer on the casings does not melt and make the chamber sticky. This has been disproven many times over the years.
Not all guns (Gas) run well on Steel as much of it is lower power and you may have cycling issues. AR's with small gas ports tend to struggle. I have owned Colt, Bushmaster, BCM, LMT Aero Precision, and they all run steel.
I also have run Steel in all my Glocks and no issues either. Back when steel was $6 a box of 50, I shot cases and cases of it. no issues. Now a days, I shoot brass and the savings on steel is not there anymore.
And when I had an AK, alot of steel. dozens of wood crates of cheap Norinco and Russian steel 7.62 x 39.
Keep in mind, in WW2, the US has steel cases 45 ACP and that worked fine too.
You have to shoot a lot of steel cased ammo before you need to replace a $10 extractor. So I never worried about it.
elkhunter77
Member
If your pistol will feed them, and extract without issues, then go ahead and use it for practice, but never carry ammo. It is fairly reliable in the SKS/AK/AR platform, but some serious extraction and function issues arise, mostly in AR. Try it and see.
I’m not sure of the type of semiauto you’re speaking of, but I have seen some handguns experience feeding issues with steel or aluminum-cased ammo due to the rounds not sliding up in the magazine as easily as brass.
That said, I’ve fired a few thousand rounds of Magtech steel-cased 9mm through CZs and Glocks without a hitch.
That said, I’ve fired a few thousand rounds of Magtech steel-cased 9mm through CZs and Glocks without a hitch.
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OP
9mm and 45 acp in Glock, Tisas, Colt and SIG handguns
robvious
Member
a while ago, I used to attend an annual machine gun shoot with friends.. almost everyone was shooting steel if it was available in that caliber.. in guns worth $25,000 or more... if it works, use it...
As mentioned, steel cases are hard on extractors. My guns are worth more than the few pennies I'd save buying them.
I can see full-auto using them as they fire thousands a rds per day most of the time.
Ruin your guns if you want, I'll stick to brass.
My .o2
I can see full-auto using them as they fire thousands a rds per day most of the time.
Ruin your guns if you want, I'll stick to brass.
My .o2
BoulderTroll
Member
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My thoughts exactly, and I extend it to cruddy ammo like WWB as well (unless you are intentionally trying to train stoppages). A gun is only as good as the ammo you feed it, and I only buy high quality ammo for mine.
.455_Hunter
Member
I shoot steel in guns designed to shoot steel- SKS, AK and Makarov. I put one mag's worth of steel though my AR and won't repeat that exercise. Not much steel .223/5.56 on the market now anyway.
I've fired thousands of round's of steel through my AK's, SKS's, and AR's without any issues. I prefer brass cased ammo in my AR's but shoot steel when necessary, 5.45x39 and 7.62x39 are typically steel cased. A buddy gave me a bunch of Wolf steel cased 9mm and I ran that through my 9mm AR, no issues.
CactusCapt
Member
I've got at least 2K of steel cased 9mm through a Colt 635 with no issues whatsoever. Also went through quite a bit of Russian .45 ACP and 9mm (typically Barnaul) back when it was dirt cheap through several 1911s, Hi-Powers and a Pre-B CZ75- never even a hiccup and the extractors are all fine.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
I use steel and aluminum cases in my Glocks.
65Whelen
Member
No problems for me in both pistol and rifle.
I shoot some Tula and Magtech 115gr 9mm, never have problems. Practice only, not for carry.
AJ
US Veteran
Never had a problem with steel cases in most pistols. Did have extraction problems with Mosin-Nagants 91/30's and steel cases. My philosophy now is that there are enough brass cases laying around at the ranges, why mess with steel cases?
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rockquarry
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I think I fired a small quantity of steel-cased ammo in an SKS some years ago, but am generally unfamiliar with it. Is the only advantage cost?
TJm15.38
Member
I shoot steel cases routinely in the following calibers in 9x18 Makarov and 7.62x25 Tokarev. I think the Bulgarian Makarov was made to handle it; tough as nails. I shoot a mixture of brass and steel in the Polish TTC and the CZ-52. I shoot aluminum cases in .380 ACP (CZ-83 and Glock 42). I've never shot 9x19 steel in the Glock 19, but I am certain it would do fine with it; eats anything.
