WinClean problem

Poodleshooter · February 8, 2001, 05:36 PM

At a range session the other night, my brother in law was running some WinClean .357 through his Smith 586, when it locked up! He managed to pop the cylinder open to find a nice clean case with a partially backed out primer (about 1/3 out, maybe less). All the primers on these loads were EXTREMELY flattened. I can only assume that this was as a result of the larger flash hole. I've only seen folks on the board mention use of lower pressure auto cartridges in the WinClean line. Has anyone else had problems with them in higher pressure cartridges? (I'm not too familiar with the line or what cartridges are produced in it). I never buy factory ammo, but this is going to make me hesitant to load using the WinClean brass!!

Keith J · February 8, 2001, 10:30 PM

Most of the time this is due to a sticky chamber and it can happen with regular brass, especially after firing a few .38 Specials and switching w/o cleaning to .357.

The easy solution is to use a range rod to tap the case against the breechface and force the primer back into its pocket.

Pressure is equal regardless of flashhole size. There isn't enough volume in the primer to cause a pressure drop over the flashhole.

Cheapo · February 9, 2001, 07:08 PM

Is this 586 one covered by the recall? It specifically applied to/only was a problem with high-pressure ammo. Ammo that *was* SAAMI-spec.

tonyz · February 9, 2001, 08:44 PM

I have reloaded many 1000 of rounds using Winchester Win-Clean Brass with no Problem's.

Tony Z

Poodleshooter · February 12, 2001, 05:33 PM

Recall???? What recall on 586's? Details????

Cheapo · February 13, 2001, 01:41 AM

As I recall, the problem surfaced around 1990 in some police departments. Some elements of the dimensions of the firing pin bushing and the hammer nose would allow a tiny bit of metal in the primers of one specific brand of .357 Mag ammo to "flow" back into the firing pin hole.

The result was one shot -- total lockup.

S&W offered a free (?) fix, but only if you dropped the gun off to an authorized servicing gunsmith.

I can look up more particular details if you wish. Let's see, do those bums have a web site? For you, a fellow TFL'r, I'll go even THERE!!

Will report back by the end of the week...

February 8, 2001, 10:30 PM	#2
Keith J Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2000 Posts: 469	yucky Most of the time this is due to a sticky chamber and it can happen with regular brass, especially after firing a few .38 Specials and switching w/o cleaning to .357. The easy solution is to use a range rod to tap the case against the breechface and force the primer back into its pocket. Pressure is equal regardless of flashhole size. There isn't enough volume in the primer to cause a pressure drop over the flashhole.

February 9, 2001, 08:44 PM	#4
tonyz Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2000 Location: Wa Posts: 922	I have reloaded many 1000 of rounds using Winchester Win-Clean Brass with no Problem's. Tony Z __________________ Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained

February 13, 2001, 01:41 AM	#6
Cheapo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 1998 Posts: 986	Recall As I recall, the problem surfaced around 1990 in some police departments. Some elements of the dimensions of the firing pin bushing and the hammer nose would allow a tiny bit of metal in the primers of one specific brand of .357 Mag ammo to "flow" back into the firing pin hole. The result was one shot -- total lockup. S&W offered a free (?) fix, but only if you dropped the gun off to an authorized servicing gunsmith. I can look up more particular details if you wish. Let's see, do those bums have a web site? For you, a fellow TFL'r, I'll go even THERE!! Will report back by the end of the week...

February 8, 2001, 05:36 PM	#1
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,536	At a range session the other night, my brother in law was running some WinClean .357 through his Smith 586, when it locked up! He managed to pop the cylinder open to find a nice clean case with a partially backed out primer (about 1/3 out, maybe less). All the primers on these loads were EXTREMELY flattened. I can only assume that this was as a result of the larger flash hole. I've only seen folks on the board mention use of lower pressure auto cartridges in the WinClean line. Has anyone else had problems with them in higher pressure cartridges? (I'm not too familiar with the line or what cartridges are produced in it). I never buy factory ammo, but this is going to make me hesitant to load using the WinClean brass!!

February 9, 2001, 07:08 PM	#3
Cheapo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 1998 Posts: 986	Is this 586 one covered by the recall? It specifically applied to/only was a problem with high-pressure ammo. Ammo that was SAAMI-spec.

February 12, 2001, 05:33 PM	#5
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,536	Recall???? What recall on 586's? Details????