45 Colt Lightning Misfires

jolasa · September 22, 2011, 04:40 PM

Misfires in Uberti Lightning 45 Colt.

I use factory 45 Colt ammo, OAL = 1.600" (which means overall measured length of the cartridge is 1.600 inches - this is the recommended length in the 49th edition of the Lyman Reloading Handbook).

I had a misfire, so pulled the slide back, and the cartridge would NOT eject because the bullet was still in the brass case, and the length was too long to be ejected - the bullet tip would not clear the front of the opening with the slide back.

It took me 1/2 hour to whittle away some lead at the front of the lead bullet in the live cartridge so that it would clear the opening and eject - scary stuff chipping away at the bullet of a misfired cartridge.

What does one do with a misfire situation. Should I buy cartridges that are shorter so that misfires will eject?

What is a good cartridge O.A.L. to avoid this situation?

**Mike Irwin** · September 22, 2011, 09:18 PM

Please don't post your question in multiple forums.

This one is closed as a duplicate of the one that's in Art of the Rifle.

September 22, 2011, 04:40 PM	#1
jolasa Member Join Date: September 29, 2010 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 60	45 Colt Lightning Misfires Misfires in Uberti Lightning 45 Colt. I use factory 45 Colt ammo, OAL = 1.600" (which means overall measured length of the cartridge is 1.600 inches - this is the recommended length in the 49th edition of the Lyman Reloading Handbook). I had a misfire, so pulled the slide back, and the cartridge would NOT eject because the bullet was still in the brass case, and the length was too long to be ejected - the bullet tip would not clear the front of the opening with the slide back. It took me 1/2 hour to whittle away some lead at the front of the lead bullet in the live cartridge so that it would clear the opening and eject - scary stuff chipping away at the bullet of a misfired cartridge. What does one do with a misfire situation. Should I buy cartridges that are shorter so that misfires will eject? What is a good cartridge O.A.L. to avoid this situation?

September 22, 2011, 09:18 PM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,379	Please don't post your question in multiple forums. This one is closed as a duplicate of the one that's in Art of the Rifle. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

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