What Jams the 40 S&W

[WildWest N AZ]

I was at the range last week and put box of pmc target 165Ggr. and it jamed twice. Never had this happen to before just wondering what else is out thier that my G23 might not like.
Thanks for the help.

[SlammedDime]

Can you explain the jam with a little more detail?

Failure to fire?
Failure to extract?
Failure to feed?
Stovepipe?

How many rounds were you into the magazine? First one? Last one? Middle of the mag?

Slide lock back unexpectedly?

[WildWest N AZ]

It failed to feed both times, most likely the middle of the mag while shooting. Never had any problems with other bullets than these just wondering if other kinds of factory ammo out thier presents the same problems. I manely shoot Winchester target ammo cause I do timed shoots.

[Never2many]

I've never had a fail to feed or fail to fire with anything I've ever put through my G23 (Walmart ammo to Double Taps)... and it's got to be over 5,000 rounds now.

I can't say that for my G29 though... I've had issues with Rem UMC in that.. 2 fail to fire and 2 fail to feeds in the same box.

[Clem Eastwood]

were the rounds seated in the mag? in my g19 i had if the rounds werent seated perfectly it would sometimes FTF.

[WildWest N AZ]

I check next to see if they are in the mag, Ive come to the conclusion that UMC is crap Ive had problems with in a couple calibers before so I just dont shoot it anymore. It is so nice when bullets dont fire!

[riddleofsteel]

Try polishing your feed ramp with 2000 grit paper and a little oil or a Dremel linen wheel and rouge. Some of the Glocks have fairly rough feed ramps. Check your ramp for scuffs or jacket colored marks. If it has them polish the ramp.

[sneakyracer]

My 2 glocks [17 and 27] havent jammed yet. Ive tried all kinds of loads. In the .40 I put some federal 155gr. [HST3's] that looked like friggin buckets. Those didnt jam either even when rapid firing one handed.

[Glock4Life]

Could be the ammo, could be other. Agree with SD that more detailed info is necessary to pinpoint the issue if it turns out to be non-ammo related. Hopefully a one time thing.

[Lookingglass]

I have put approx. 2500 rounds of 165 grain PMC through my g23 with no problems. I have never used UMC. The only failure to feed I ever experienced with the firearm was due to the original 10rd mag. I would also suggest polishing the feed ramp, and if your magazines are older, you might want to refurbish them.

[WildWest N AZ]

Its not the feed ramp thats smooth as can be, Ive just came to the conclusion it was the ammo. No problems before it or after it hope it stays that way. I talked to a couple of guys at the range who have had the same issues with that ammo.

[fastbolt]

I decided several years ago to stop using PMC ammunition.

I had to commiserate with a couple of our SWAT folks when they came back from a well-known shooting school/facility and related their functioning issues involving their 1911-type pistols and PMC FMJ.

Just coincidently, I've also had another instructor from another agency tell me of his repeated functioning problems when using PMC ammunition.

I've had someone at S&W suggest that someone try different ammunition than PMC, while discussing a functioning issue with a Walther P99, too.

I'm certainly not saying that it's "bad" ammunition, or that everyone will experience functioning issues with it, though ...

Remember that shooter-related factors & shooting techniques (including grip issues & maintenance) AND ammunition variability, are the two greatest factors affecting pistol functioning that are pretty much beyond the ability of the pistol manufacturers to control.

Shoot the best, high quality ammunition you can afford if you want to try and minimize the potential 'ammunition factor'.

Of course, even if you're going to use some of the 'budget ammunition' produced by the major manufacturers ... Federal American Eagle, Remington Express or UMC, or Winchester USA/Personal Protection/Subsonic Ranger, just to think of some of them ... don't be surprised if you experience an ammunition issue every once in a while. Then again, even the higher quality, 'premium' lines sometimes exhibit a problem, too. Nothing's perfect.

We might want to remember that polymer-framed pistols are sometimes more susceptible to shoot-induced grip issues than metal-frame pistols, and when you add any ammunition variability, like perhaps lower recoiling loads, it might sometimes make a functioning issue more possible ...

[bac1023]

I've used PMC through my Sig P239 with no problems. I don't currently have a Glock in 40s&w.