Weak Load?

[my66quick]

So a buddy and I went to Lytle Creek today to play. He got an AR-15 over a year ago and still hadn't had it out. I had mine too, a good time was had by us both. Unfortunately, there weren't enough RSOs on duty to open up the pistol range, so 25 yards was minimum to shoot my 938. About four mags in I took a shot, gun went bang, case ejected, but the hammer didn't cock. I dropped the mag, cleared the chamber, checked the bore, etc. The round that came out when I cleared it was a live round, so I knew the slide cycled. I just chalked it up to limp wristing, which I've never had an issue with before, but figured it's a lightweight gun and I'm new to it. Then the cease fire was called and upon inspection of my target I found this in my target stand that is made of 3/4" plywood.

I believe if it was a limp wristing issue I wouldn't have hit the target at 25 yards with such a short barrel. So did I just get a weak load? This was from a bulk box that I bought over a year ago, I don't recall the brand as it was just a brown cardboard box with 500 loose rounds in it.

P.S. sorry for the picture size. I am computer illiterate and don't know how to resize.

[jimmyjam47]

Any ideal if they are reloads? I see this mostly with reloads

[my66quick]

I am almost positive they were advertised as factory new, not reloads. I don't usually by reloads, just for this reason.

[19K]

I am almost positive they were advertised as factory new, not reloads. I don't usually by reloads, just for this reason.

If they didn't come in a legitimate box chances are it's a reload.
A brown cardboard box with 500 rounds sounds like reloads.

[my66quick]

My bad, 250 per box. Just went through them and every round in the box, roughly 100 left, have the same markings, no brand name, so I'm pretty sure they aren't reloads. Box is labeled American Quality Ammunition. Not trying to be a whistle blower, but has anyone else had this experience with this brand.

[stix213]

Some quick google searches say they mostly make reloads, but do make some ammo with new brass. Bad reviews about poor quality control seem to be the norm.

[JTROKS]

Are you sure that bullet came from your gun? It cycled and fed the next round, but did not cock the hammer. Usually if the gun did not cock the hammer after a shot it's a short cycle meaning the slide did not travel far enough. Can the 938's slide travel just far enough to feed a round, but not cock the hammer?

[Bill Steele]

If the sequence of events you describe is correct, it sounds like an undercharged round.

The good news is you did exactly the right thing and checked the bore prior to shooting another round.

The case is a Starline case. These are generally bought by individuals who load their own ammo, or by companies whose volumes are not high enough to justify a private headstamp. Underwood used to use Starline headstamp brass until they got to critical mass volume wise.

It makes no difference if it was a reload or they used new brass (so called new ammo). They were not using a powder check die in the press or they had an undertrained employee, either way suboptimal.

When using that ammo, just be as cautious as you were this time and you should be fine.