GA 180 FMJ Case Rupture [Archive] - Glock Talk

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Jitterbug
08-18-2005, 09:25
GA 180 FMJ Case Rupture

Not once but twice.

GA 180 FMJ Factory Reloaded ammo Lot # 09190244

I felt a sting below my right eye and the case failed to eject causing a jam.

After disassembling and examining the G29, I pried out the Federal case and the rupture was at about the 3 o’clock position. The rupture was in the indent between the case and the rim. Nice little split.

It appeared that the extractor had blown out. But when I pushed the small silver button on the bottom of the slide, just to the rear of the breech face it popped back into place.

I didn’t see any visible damage, so I decided all was well and it must have been a fluke or just a bad case. I ran another 30 rounds or so and it happened again, this time the sting was under my left eye.

Same thing, another Federal case, but this time the case did in fact eject. Rupture wasn’t as bad as the first time but again in the 3 o’clock position.

So I culled all the Federal cases and proceeded to fire another 20 or so rounds made up with Starline and Winchester brass with no event.

I was using my Barsto barrel with the 21 pound Wolff Spring setup.

I’ve fired over 350 rounds of this ammo with no issues in the past with both the Barsto and the Glock barrel, probably in an equal amount. So I’m sure I had fired plenty of the Federal cases before?

I had purchased 500 rounds and since the remaining 150 rounds are all marked with the same Lot # I’m assuming the previous 7 bags where from the same lot #?

I’ve run several hundred rounds of DT and new GA 180 Gold Dots through the Barsto with no problems, other then a flinch I’ve developed, it goes without saying this session did nothing for working on the flinch.

I’ll now be looking for another inexpensive “lite” practice load. This particular GA load had filled the bill nicely in that department. 180 FMJ doing 1100 FPS and real inexpensive when purchased in 500 round lots.

I know many on this board use this load with success, but I remember at least one KB with the load in a stock G29. But I’ve decided to go back to new ammo in a new case, even if it costs more.

I see Federal has brought out an American Eagle in 180 FMJ with an advertised 1060 FPS, has anybody tried it and know where to find it online at a good price?

Any thoughts? As to causes and to new practice ammo? No I don’t want the full power stuff. For me slow and cheap is just fine for practice ammo and I don't care for the 200 grain Blazers. I see no need to beat myself or the gun up for practice.

I’m pretty sure the cause was just Federal cases loaded one to many times, but I’m wondering if it might be mechanical which is why I’m throwing it out here.

noway
08-18-2005, 11:21
i know you are not going to like this but.......

You use somebody else reload and get what you deserve. I would never buy reloaded GA-arms or anybody else ammo, and then stick it in my guns. That's why I reload my own stuff and have more control on just how many times that once-fire brass. The savings is not worth my eyes/fingers/or gun. God onlygave me 2 eyes and 10 fingers and I plan on leaving the world with them ;)

I crank out 50-100rds of ammo in under 1.5hrs on my single stage on pre-prep brass, and brass that I have an idea of what past/previous life it has had. And then I decide on how much powder to stick in the case and the performance I want and can get to 1050-1100fps just fine and safely.

ga-arms is susppose to be pretty good but after all of the storys on failures/case splitting KaBoom and such , I'm surprise they are still in business and people still buy their ammo. I also wonder what insurance they have and if they have ever been sued or such. I would think in today's sue everybody mentality, this company would not offer re-used re-mfg'd ammo.

just my 2 peso observation.

Jitterbug
08-23-2005, 06:54
I hear ya...doubt I'll ever use somebody elses reload ever again. I used to reload, but now a day's I just don't have the time.

I was hoping the GA 180 FMJ's would fill the bill since it's a mild mannered and inexpensive load which rounds out the versatility of the 10mm for me. I don't need or want full bore performance from a practice load.

noway
08-23-2005, 10:23
Buy a reloader and do it yourself and hen you have an idea on QC and actually do the C in QC.

I think GA-arms new ( non-remfg ) ammo is good but I never have seen the need to try their other products. An just because if the issues with it failing.

Glockman454
08-27-2005, 12:15
You are very lucky. Sounds like you nearly lost both eyes.

Someone elses reloads? You may as well play Russian Roulette.

buffalo soldier
08-28-2005, 09:33
Join the lucky club...

I speak from first hand experience, GA reloads are cheap....but they also rupture! Had a kaboom with GA 10mm bulk ammo last year, lucky nothing serious physically, but did damage the G29 (mag release and mag). I second Noway...no more unknown reloads for me. I still buy GA "new" ammo, but the reloads are too risky IMO.

Stay safe,
Buffalo

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