Keyhole and Target Paper Question

[Flouncer]

I have copied and pasted from my post in the Bersa Firestorm review thread. Never got a real response on my issue or non-issue. Thanks for looking at this.

I bumped this thread a ways back up and a few weeks ago. I shot the weapon tonight and I am puzzled and dismayed. This is the only handgun I have ever shot that keyholes. This is a new out of the box pistol. The ammo is Federal Eagle 95g FMJ. I have shot rifles and reloaded since 1996. For semi autos I have always used factory ammo. Never had a problem like this in any weapon. I also noticed the case mouths have irregular soot on the sides, maybe not a factor with low pressure pistol rounds (?). Anyways, if you do truly know, would you agree that in this case it is not a break in problem, a weak spring, a dirty bore, etc ? A random keyhole comes from either the wrong bullet or a bore that is seriously out of spec (at 7 yards). The spread on the shots is at least a foot also.

Anyone ?

I love this little pistol. It feels and points nice. For me recoil is nonexistent. !!! Thank you for your input.
and,

After searching other "Keyhole" threads here on CG. Maybe I am thinking too hard. Here is the back of the paper ranger target(s). Might be the paper tear ? The from entry points all have a circular entry point, the familiar one, then the oblique rectangular dog ear tear. I can check by shooting the same ammo into a cardboard target, no loose paper flopping around in the range fan breeze.

This second picture is of the back of the target . . . . .. . .



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[Noonanda]

no pictures showing

[TKM]

No mention of caliber either. 95 grains is a small bullet.

[Bill Steele]

There are no pictures displayed.

Did you have a backing, or was the paper just hanging.

The most common time people think incorrectly they are getting a keyhole (which is actually quite rare) is when they are shooting at a target that is just hanging down with no backing. The bullet tears the target as it pushes through, making a long sideways tear/hole, typically with a round end and two tears on the other end of the hole.

[mycrstuff]

If you printed off your own targets regular paper tears in the keyhole shape. Try heavy target paper. If it still keyholes then there is something wrong with your barrel. Keyholes usually only happen if the bore is too big or the muzzle is worn out.

[Carcassonne]

No mention of caliber either. 95 grains is a small bullet.

Most likely it is a 380 because he mentions a Bersa Firestorm.


Worn out or bad barrel is the only thing I can thing of, or very week ammo.



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[Garv]

Just in case, try another brand of ammo, but I have seen the cheap paper keyhole as stated above.

[Flouncer]

Bersa Firestorm = .380 auto Sorry, I left that out. What difference would that make ? Worn out or old barrel = As I stated it is a brand new weapon.

What I am asking is, can the paper being detached, not firmly fixed to the cardboard cause this ? I figured there were a lot of people experienced with shooting paper over cardboard as is common with indoor shooting ranges.

As I pointed out the holes have a circular conventional hole and then an oblique rectangular tear. Did you that got the pics LOOK at the holes ? Has anyone experienced or seen holes like this ? It is the common range target with the 8 bulls eyes on it. Nothing special or unusual about the range target paper.

I will upload the pics to Photobucket ( OK foot slucket not happening, SPAm pop up adds and bloatware at every keystroke)then try to re-load them here for you that don't get a pic.





Thanks !!

[b.thomas]

The indoor range I shoot at doesn't use cardboard backing..........just a clip holding the paper target. We get the "key hole" thing all the time and will cause some funny looks when folks check out their targets!

[Bill Steele]

Bersa Firestorm = .380 auto Sorry, I left that out. What difference would that make ? Worn out or old barrel = As I stated it is a brand new weapon.

What I am asking is, can the paper being detached, not firmly fixed to the cardboard cause this ? I figured there were a lot of people experienced with shooting paper over cardboard as is common with indoor shooting ranges.

As I pointed out the holes have a circular conventional hole and then an oblique rectangular tear. Did you that got the pics LOOK at the holes ? Has anyone experienced or seen holes like this ? It is the common range target with the 8 bulls eyes on it. Nothing special or unusual about the range target paper.

I will upload the pics to Photobucket ( OK foot slucket not happening, SPAm pop up adds and bloatware at every keystroke)then try to re-load them here for you that don't get a pic.





Thanks !!

Yes

[Barbarosa]

You said it was a new gun. Did you clean it before you shot it? Could be some crud left over from manufacturing or test fire. Clean it good and use a bore light to inspect the barrel.

[Carcassonne]

Bersa Firestorm = .380 auto Sorry, I left that out. What difference would that make ? Worn out or old barrel = As I stated it is a brand new weapon.

What I am asking is, can the paper being detached, not firmly fixed to the cardboard cause this ? YESI figured there were a lot of people experienced with shooting paper over cardboard as is common with indoor shooting ranges.

As I pointed out the holes have a circular conventional hole and then an oblique rectangular tear. Did you that got the pics LOOK at the holes ? Has anyone experienced or seen holes like this ? It is the common range target with the 8 bulls eyes on it. Nothing special or unusual about the range target paper.

I will upload the pics to Photobucket ( OK foot slucket not happening, SPAm pop up adds and bloatware at every keystroke)then try to re-load them here for you that don't get a pic.


Thanks !!

We need a google password to see the files. They are not public.

You can attach a picture. See below.

[robert101]

I think Bill Steel post #4 made the most sense. I would try a different bullet after using a cardboard backing first to see if it is a target problem. I have purchased 2 Bursa Thunders for my daughters and reloaded a lot of ammo for them. The factory barrel twist is usually sufficient to stabilize the bullets I use which is either Hornady or Rainier plated. You may want to check the velocity and hit the middle of the recommended reload charge to see if that helps as well. Good luck.

[Eljay]

I can't see the pictures either but it sounds to me like even if the keyhole is an artifact of the non-backed paper the accuracy is terrible? So the standard approaches would be a) try some other ammo and b) have somebody else shoot the gun.

[Saym14]

no pics

try the same ammo in a different gun

try the same gun with diff ammo

this will tell you if its the ammo or the gun.