High failure rate.. *Updated with Pics*

[Cult Hero]

In looking online at IMR your OAL seems long. Have you tried bumping up your powder slowly and shortening your OAL? Once again proceed carefully. Do you have any reloading books giving you data to compare? I am pulling from IMR for a 125 FMJ

[omalley72]

I followed the IMR data for 124gr HBRN that called for a OAL of 1.150
I'm going to try to lower the OAL and see what happens. I'll start with 1.125 and go to 1.090 to see if that makes a difference. I'm heading back to the range on Monday.

[bigchinner]

OAL shouldn't be an issue of primers not firing or firing slightly. The primer depth could be an issue or just plainly bad primers. If these were primers that weren't stored properly and moisture got in there it's possible to cause misfires. Do you know if primers and powder were all fresh? IN the case of dirty primer pockets from tumbling media: doesn't the sizer die remove primer and primer debris when in use? my rcbs sizer/deprimer usually will remove the primer with whatever debris is in there like corn cob. good luck

[J-cat]

Moisture does not affect primers.

[Cult Hero]

I don't think his primers are not firing. I think his powder charge may be too low and OAL too short. My Lyman recipe was completely off.

The IMR website calls for OAL of 1.090 with 125 gr FMJ.

[J-cat]

You think incorrectly.

[ElDub1950]

I've only been loading for a few months, but if 2 fired, 1 was squib and 17 didn't fire but "The primer strike was normal.", I don't see why we'd look at anything other than the primers, primer seating and, in case they might be light strikes, the striker assy.

I'm not disagreeing, it's just an honest question from a noob. I loaded a couple primer only rounds just so I knew what it was like .. a primer firing was pretty unmistakable.

[MarkInFolsom]

Agree with ElDub1950. If 17 didn't fire, you either have bad primers, primers not seated properly, or bad firing pin/striker assembly.

EDIT: one more possible is excessive headspace

If the OP could post some pictures of the failed cases we could make a better diagnosis.

[xfer42]

And verify there is NO oil that possible contaminated the primers. A little oil on a primer slide, or primer seater etc can deactivate your primers. (Don't ask how I know)

My money is on this.
Ive had oil contaminate both powder and primers before.

[stilly]

I agree.

So then we can safely say that this was it? All agreed raise your hands.

OKAY problem solved. Moving on...

[omalley72]

I have ruled out the pistol itself. While at the range yesterday, I was speaking with the RSO about the issue. He also carried a G19 so he suggested that I try his to see if the result was the same. We first fired known good rounds in both pistols without any issues. Then we tried the suspect rounds. First in my G19. The result was the same. Failure to fire, successful fires, and very light fires. This was also the result in the RSO G19. We noticed that the brass with light fires (sounded like it barely cleared the barrel) the primer strike was identical to the primer strike in the misfires. This was the same with both pistols. The strikes did not look like typical Glock strikes.

[Wrangler John]

Maybe you have small rifle primers instead of small pistol primers? They are the same size and fit the same pocket depth. The box may indicate small pistol primers but something may have gone awry. If Winchester is willing to examine samples of your loads, take them up on it. Winchester will recall that lot if it is out of specification or faulty.

Although I fired thousands of small rifle primers in handguns, the striker fired Glock may not be up to the task.

Why not grab a box of CCI or another brand and see how well they function?

To test the ones you have, try loading a few cases with just the primer but without the powder and bullet, load one at a time into the chamber and see if the primer fires. The primer will back out slightly to the limit of the headspace, because there is no pressure to set the case back, but you will know if they fire. Point the pistol in a safe direction, away from anything flammable, and wear ear and eye protection. You may have a bad lot of primers, or some that became contaminated. From the appearance of your case in the photo, I doubt shallow seating is the problem. Primers should be flush to no more than .001" to .004" deep.

[Psychbiker]

Maybe length too long. 1.15 is kinda long, not enough pressure. Could be firing pin not hitting primer hard enough due to length. Just a thought. I'd do 1.14 and double check from a few sources your powder load. Might not be enough powder.

[Leethe4th]

OP, the IMR website shows 3.3 - 3.8 grains at 1.07" OAL. So you are running on the hot side, which makes even less since. What loader are you using? And did you check the striker bore spotface? Glock strikes should look like this

[ironhorse1]

No one here can exactly tell you what went wrong.

You have left out a lot of helpful information about the way you reload.

Do you wet tumble,dry tumble or just load without any cleaning?

Do you hand prime, use a progressive reloader or single stage press?

Did you hand charge each round for the test?

Were the cases charged on a progressive?

Have you tried another primer or tried the primers in another gun/caliber?

Have you crimped the round too hard causing a head space issue?

Do you check each case to see if they are properly charged?

As far as the next quote I have never seen such a small charge listed anywhere. Link it up. SR 7625 cannot be loaded that light. That's the charge I use in the .32 SWL.

"IMR website shows 3.3 - 3.8 grains at 1.07" OAL."

irh