Pistol reload question

[InTheWeeds]

Im not a member of any pistol forums, so I figured I would ask here. I did some reloads in 9mm. They all shot excellent, however the final blast isnt locking the slide back. Is this a gun problem or ammo problem? I didnt have any misfires in the 100 rounds I loaded. I just noticed this happening today, which leads me to believe it may be ammo related.

 

[kz45]

Re: Pistol reload question

Does it lock back with store bought ammo, is it happening with just one mag or every mag, it could be the followers, mag springs, ammo loaded to light, this can be fixed with a lighter recoil spring, the take down pin could have broke also

 

[HOOFER]

Re: Pistol reload question

yeah i would shoot some factory ammo through it. to see if it locks back. if your not having feeding or ejecting problems i dont think it would be the ammo, what load did you use, you may be to light, probably a magazine issue

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Pistol reload question

The only thing I would ad to the above is that some times "limp wristing" will cause problems like that.

I would check it against a mag with a few factory rounds (1 or 2 at a time is all you need) and see if the slide stop catches. If that does the same thing, try another mag.

Good luck.

 

[shootist2004]

Re: Pistol reload question

if it only happened on the last round it would be the follower
not pushing the slide lock. see if it happens on different mags.
how far is the brass falling from where you shoot?

 

[Clark]

Re: Pistol reload question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shootist2004</div><div class="ubbcode-body">..
how far is the brass falling from where you shoot? </div></div>


Yes, how far is the ammo landing on the floor/ground from the shooter??

If it is much less than 5 feet, the ammo is too wimpy for the stiff recoil spring.

If the ammo is landing 5 feet or further away, your hold open / slide interface / magazine follower may be worn.

 

[RADcustom]

Re: Pistol reload question

What type of pistol?

 

[InTheWeeds]

Re: Pistol reload question

I think I may need to try another mag. I only brought one with me. Its a Bersa Thunder 9. Im using Winchester's new AutoComp powder. I couldnt find much load info on it other than what was on Hogdon's website.

 

[Queequeg]

Re: Pistol reload question

If the slide is coming back far enough to eject cases and strip the next round from the mag, it is coming back far enough to get stopped by the follower, which must be problematic, or your slide stop is defective.

My guess anyway.

Does the slide stop work correctly by hand?
Try it now with the empty mag and the gun unloaded; Will the slide lock back on the same mag when pulling it back over the follower? That will reveal the possibility of limp wristing or the faulty follower. Also could be a tired magazine spring.

You can solve this one with no ammo in the gun.

 

[InTheWeeds]

Re: Pistol reload question

Yes, it always locks back manually with the same mag in there.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Pistol reload question

On MOST pistols, not all, the length from the back of the magazine to where the slide stop catches is just a little farther back. I have a particular 22 rifle that doesn't really like standard velocity 22lr amm. It will eat CCI MiniMags all day long. But the match ammo doesn't have enough "punch" to it to make everything function correctly.

Try some slightly hotter ammo and see if that helps.

 

[InTheWeeds]

Re: Pistol reload question

I think I fixed the problem. The last loads werent crimped enough. I tried running the crimping die down about a 1/4 turn on this current load and it seemed to have solved the problem. I just need to remember my chrono next time I go out..