Dented 357 Sig Cases - Need Info

TEX · January 17, 2000, 10:33 PM

I haven't reloaded since I shot wheelguns back inthe late 70's but I am considering going back to in autos since I am shooting more these past few years and have piled up a buch of brass. I have a question about some dented 357 Sig brass that I hope someone can answer for me. The cases are being dented at two places alongthe same side or line. The shoulder is getting dinged and he nose is getting dinged to where it looks like a tire with real low pressure. Like I said these dings are along the same line. I can't fingure out whats causing it and whether it is all happening at the same time on extraction or the shoulder is being dinged going in and the neck on the way out or both being done on the extraction. I figure that if the shoulder was being dinged when chambering, the ding would be pressure formed out. My guess that it is happening on extraction. The pistol is a Glock 32, (my 229 doesn't do this)and I only noticed this problem (if it is a problem) after an IDPA Match. When sighting the gun in at the range, I did not find any with the shoulder dented and only some with the neck slightly flattened on one side. Is this an indication that the gun is not functioning properly? I have not had any stoppages yet. Someone spectulated that the rounds could be popping out of the mag before they are under the extractor, but I question this. Could the 357 Sig just be recoiling violently enough that it is slapping the cases on the edge of the ejection port. Years ago, It seems to be that I saw a book, mostly on 1911s that showed how to spot problems with the pistol by the marks it was leaving on the brass. I glanced at it in a gun shop and haven't seen another one since. Anyone know what the book was or remember it or something similar. Any help is appreciated.

Big Thanks in Advance

TEX

JoeHatley · January 18, 2000, 11:37 AM

It sound like the cases are clipping the edge of the ejection port. After shooting several rounds you should be able to see tiny brass marks on the inside edge of the port where the brass is hitting.

Joe

------------------
Go NRA

TEX · January 18, 2000, 10:20 PM

Thanks Joe,

The cases happened to be nickle plated, but I will shoot enough regular brass to see if I find the marks on the ejection port. Do you know if this is an indication of a problem that could cause the gun to malfunction, or should I not worry about it as long as the cases are not dented bad enough to prevent reloading.

TEX

JoeHatley · January 19, 2000, 11:47 AM

With the nickle cases, just mark up the inside of your slide with some sight black or even a marker pen. That should help you see where they are hitting.

As long as you aren't getting any failures to extract, the only downside would be extra wear and tear on your brass.

You may want to look into having your ejection port lowered.

Joe

------------------
Go NRA

January 17, 2000, 10:33 PM	#1
TEX Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Texas Posts: 197	I haven't reloaded since I shot wheelguns back inthe late 70's but I am considering going back to in autos since I am shooting more these past few years and have piled up a buch of brass. I have a question about some dented 357 Sig brass that I hope someone can answer for me. The cases are being dented at two places alongthe same side or line. The shoulder is getting dinged and he nose is getting dinged to where it looks like a tire with real low pressure. Like I said these dings are along the same line. I can't fingure out whats causing it and whether it is all happening at the same time on extraction or the shoulder is being dinged going in and the neck on the way out or both being done on the extraction. I figure that if the shoulder was being dinged when chambering, the ding would be pressure formed out. My guess that it is happening on extraction. The pistol is a Glock 32, (my 229 doesn't do this)and I only noticed this problem (if it is a problem) after an IDPA Match. When sighting the gun in at the range, I did not find any with the shoulder dented and only some with the neck slightly flattened on one side. Is this an indication that the gun is not functioning properly? I have not had any stoppages yet. Someone spectulated that the rounds could be popping out of the mag before they are under the extractor, but I question this. Could the 357 Sig just be recoiling violently enough that it is slapping the cases on the edge of the ejection port. Years ago, It seems to be that I saw a book, mostly on 1911s that showed how to spot problems with the pistol by the marks it was leaving on the brass. I glanced at it in a gun shop and haven't seen another one since. Anyone know what the book was or remember it or something similar. Any help is appreciated. Big Thanks in Advance TEX

January 18, 2000, 11:37 AM	#2
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	It sound like the cases are clipping the edge of the ejection port. After shooting several rounds you should be able to see tiny brass marks on the inside edge of the port where the brass is hitting. Joe ------------------ Go NRA

January 18, 2000, 10:20 PM	#3
TEX Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Texas Posts: 197	Thanks Joe, The cases happened to be nickle plated, but I will shoot enough regular brass to see if I find the marks on the ejection port. Do you know if this is an indication of a problem that could cause the gun to malfunction, or should I not worry about it as long as the cases are not dented bad enough to prevent reloading. TEX

January 19, 2000, 11:47 AM	#4
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	With the nickle cases, just mark up the inside of your slide with some sight black or even a marker pen. That should help you see where they are hitting. As long as you aren't getting any failures to extract, the only downside would be extra wear and tear on your brass. You may want to look into having your ejection port lowered. Joe ------------------ Go NRA