Case/bullet separation...

[myk]

Being new to handguns I made it a point to practice loading the 'mags for my 92FS every once in a while to make it easier on myself. I was doing this last night when I noticed that on some of the rounds the bullets were loose on the cases and I was actually able to pull them completely off.

I'm assuming this means a round is toast? What would/might happen if this loose round made it into the chamber to be fired? As such I pulled all of the similar rounds and set them aside. The 'ammo in question is Federal 9mm 115grain, the gun is my 92FS...Thanks in advance...

[nothing4u]

Both 9mm and 40sw sammi pressures are around 35k. This info is copy and past from another website I saw a while back http://greent.com/40Page/ammo/40/180gr.htm

Overall Length
Pressure
1.140" 26,195 psi
1.130" 27,521 psi
1.120" 29,079 psi
1.115" 29,924 psi
1.100" 32,900 psi
1.075" 39,641 psi
1.050" 50,954 psi
1.040" 57,926 psi
1.030" 66,890 psi
1.020" 80,345 psi
1.010" 101,286 psi
1.000" 138,744 psi

Contact Federal tomorrow, most likely they're gonna have to do a recall on that lot. Those bullets were not crimp properly.

[myk]

Thanks for the quick response. Could the seperation have been caused by repeatedly loading the rounds into the 'mag?

[nothing4u]

Only if the bullet wasn't crimp properly. If they use sealant on the bullet it's possible that the crimp was too light in the first place, and it was the sealant that was holding the bullet in place. After repeatedly reloading you might had broke the sealant. Even if this was the case, the bullet was still improperly crimp.

[myk]

Ok, so bottom line is don't shoot it, right?

[RoundEye]

Ok, so bottom line is don't shoot it, right?

It's probably a good idea to consider them goners. If its factory amok, contact the manufacturer and they'll make it right with you.

If you were to fire one, if something bad were to happen it would most likely be a squib.

[HighLander51]

Only if the bullet wasn't crimp properly. If they use sealant on the bullet it's possible that the crimp was too light in the first place, and it was the sealant that was holding the bullet in place. After repeatedly reloading you might had broke the sealant. Even if this was the case, the bullet was still improperly crimp.

What sealant?

Yes, repeated loading and unloading into the barrel (not magazine) can cause bullet setback and if it goes far enough back it into the case it can kaboom your gun. You can see the 5 times plus increase in pressure from the data and at 1.0" it is almost twice that of a center fire rifle.

Set back bullets will not squib. There is still the right amount of powder but not the right overall length.

[RoundEye]

Set back bullets will not squib. There is still the right amount of powder but not the right overall length.

The OP never mentioned that there was an issue with set back, only that the bullets were loose as they sat in the case to the point that they could be pulled off easily. If the bullet is "wobbling" in the case when it ignites the propellant gas could slip pass where the bullet and the casing meet causing too little pressure for the bullet to successfully make it down the barrel or a squib.

[elsolo]

I would be mostly worried about setback when the rounds chamber.
Do not shoot those, contact manufacturer.
I remember at least one recall of speer lawman ammo for that exact reason, local vendors would trade it out for better ammo as part of the recall.

[jonzer77]

The OP never mentioned that there was an issue with set back, only that the bullets were loose as they sat in the case to the point that they could be pulled off easily. If the bullet is "wobbling" in the case when it ignites the propellant gas could slip pass where the bullet and the casing meet causing too little pressure for the bullet to successfully make it down the barrel or a squib.

Improperly crimped bullets can setback and that will increase the pressure to extremely dangerous levels.

[Dutch Henry]

What sealant?

I think he may have been referring to asphaltum or perhaps a newer sealant that has been used to seal bullets on ammunition for the military.

[Czsp-01-9mm]

I don't wanna sound like the Safty police but it would be safer to use snap caps