9mm FM cases

ShootistPRS · September 27, 2017, 10:06 AM

I don't know who the manufacturer is but the head stamp is "FM 9mm" and it should not be reloaded using standard load data. It has a "step" about half way down the inside of the case and they are considerably heavier than any other brass that I have.
Are there any other manufacturers making this brass with the step that reduces the case capacity?

higgite · September 27, 2017, 11:35 AM

This has been discussed many times on this and other forums. The FM stands for Freedom Munitions. I asked them about it a couple of months back and was told that they no longer use that brass, but that there may be some leftovers in their inventory.

ShootistPRS · September 28, 2017, 01:40 PM

Thanks for that information, higgite!
So, depositing in the recycle barrel is the best use of it? Maybe it will eventually disappear completely.

higgite · September 28, 2017, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Thanks for that information, higgite!
So, depositing in the recycle barrel is the best use of it? Maybe it will eventually disappear completely.

That's how I use them. To fill up the recycle barrel. But others have said they reload them successfully. I just don't want to work up another load for brass that I wouldn't pick up at the range anyway. Plus I have seen reports of them separating right at the top of the step. That doesn't fill me with confidence.

Doublehelix3216 · September 29, 2017, 08:12 AM

I recycle *all* of my FM headstamp brass, even if it does not have the internal ledge.

I noticed a few months ago that they can be picked up by my stainless steel pin magnet that I got when I wet tumble.

If they can be picked up by a magnet, that makes me wonder about the quality of the design.

Ricklin · September 29, 2017, 08:24 AM

That is some darned unusual brass.........

BigJimP · September 29, 2017, 06:07 PM

I'm still picking up a few of them, swept off floors, at my local range....

I will be happy to see them go away ...( I sell them to the scrapper, sort them out..).

9x45 · October 1, 2017, 11:43 AM

IMT and AmmoLoad also use the stepped case, but MaxxTech is the worst. 3rd from the left

MarkCO · October 1, 2017, 12:04 PM

HMT (parent company to AmmoLoad, Freedom and a few others) used stepped brass in several lines. They don't anymore. But they also currently produce a brass washed steel case.

Either, at low to mild pressure levels is okay, but both will have slight variations as compared to brass cases. Neither seals as well and both are really bad for the blowback PCCs.

T. O'Heir · October 1, 2017, 12:22 PM

'FM' stands for a whole bunch more factories than Freedom Munitions. Syria, Argentina and México all use 'FM'.
A "step" about half way down has nothing to do with the load used.

higgite · October 1, 2017, 01:04 PM

Quote:

'FM' stands for a whole bunch more factories than Freedom Munitions. Syria, Argentina and México all use 'FM'.

How many besides Freedom Munitions are headstamped FM and also have the internal step?

Quote:

A "step" about half way down has nothing to do with the load used.

It does for me. The load I use with them is no powder, no primer, no bullet and plunk tested in my junk brass bucket. ymmv

ShootistPRS · October 1, 2017, 01:05 PM

The difference in case volume has everything to do with the load used. Less capacity with the same load will produce more pressure. That is why they go into the recycle bin.

briandg · October 2, 2017, 11:32 PM

I don't know exactly how much capacity is reduced, but I will propose that a starter or slightly larger load, depending on powder and some other variables, having some of them accidentally run through the loader will be harmless.

Many variables, but starter loads are meant to control them.

Tsquared · October 3, 2017, 01:22 PM

The other problem with the "stepped" cases is that they do not split lengthwise but the separate at the step leaving the top half of the case fire formed to the chamber. It is a royal PIA to get that out of the chamber with a set of dental tools.

About 7 years ago I had that happen with some LAX re-manufactured ammo and when I pointed it out to them they were apologetic but their response also had the connotation of "you get what you pay for".

briandg · October 3, 2017, 05:00 PM

Remanufactured comes with risk and a price. A remanufactured water pump has new seals and bearings a starter has new mechanical parts or repairs, but you get the same armature. Reconditioned radiators are still possibly full of weak spots.

Remanufactured ammo may have gone through numerous cycles.

briandg · October 4, 2017, 08:59 AM

My recycling goes into a three gallon plastic jug. It's hard to understand how I accumulated it all. Mostly, it's because any foreign stuff I find goes straight into the jug. The jug is nearly full and has probably thirty pounds at $2 a pound that will buy a couple cans of powder. I'm living on disability and every dollar I spend on hobbies makes me cringe.

I have a metric fartload of 9mm, .45 and .40, plenty of .380, and would sell them for shipping and salvage yard cost. There's no chance that I'm going to throw away usable brass, but I literally have buckets of once fired range brass. I'm surprised about how much is nickel, but a lot of it is police training loads.

September 27, 2017, 10:06 AM	#1
ShootistPRS Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2017 Posts: 1,583	9mm FM cases I don't know who the manufacturer is but the head stamp is "FM 9mm" and it should not be reloaded using standard load data. It has a "step" about half way down the inside of the case and they are considerably heavier than any other brass that I have. Are there any other manufacturers making this brass with the step that reduces the case capacity?

September 29, 2017, 08:24 AM	#6
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,018	Wow That is some darned unusual brass......... __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

October 1, 2017, 11:43 AM	#8
9x45 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2000 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,089	IMT and AmmoLoad also use the stepped case, but MaxxTech is the worst. 3rd from the left __________________ Sometimes my Glock forgets where to look.....

October 1, 2017, 12:04 PM	#9
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,308	HMT (parent company to AmmoLoad, Freedom and a few others) used stepped brass in several lines. They don't anymore. But they also currently produce a brass washed steel case. Either, at low to mild pressure levels is okay, but both will have slight variations as compared to brass cases. Neither seals as well and both are really bad for the blowback PCCs. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

October 1, 2017, 12:22 PM	#10
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	'FM' stands for a whole bunch more factories than Freedom Munitions. Syria, Argentina and México all use 'FM'. A "step" about half way down has nothing to do with the load used. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

September 27, 2017, 11:35 AM	#2
higgite Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2010 Posts: 1,025	This has been discussed many times on this and other forums. The FM stands for Freedom Munitions. I asked them about it a couple of months back and was told that they no longer use that brass, but that there may be some leftovers in their inventory.

September 28, 2017, 01:40 PM	#3
ShootistPRS Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2017 Posts: 1,583	Thanks for that information, higgite! So, depositing in the recycle barrel is the best use of it? Maybe it will eventually disappear completely.

September 29, 2017, 08:12 AM	#5
Doublehelix3216 Member Join Date: December 4, 2016 Posts: 76	I recycle all of my FM headstamp brass, even if it does not have the internal ledge. I noticed a few months ago that they can be picked up by my stainless steel pin magnet that I got when I wet tumble. If they can be picked up by a magnet, that makes me wonder about the quality of the design.

September 29, 2017, 06:07 PM	#7
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I'm still picking up a few of them, swept off floors, at my local range.... I will be happy to see them go away ...( I sell them to the scrapper, sort them out..).

October 1, 2017, 01:05 PM	#12
ShootistPRS Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2017 Posts: 1,583	The difference in case volume has everything to do with the load used. Less capacity with the same load will produce more pressure. That is why they go into the recycle bin.

October 2, 2017, 11:32 PM	#13
briandg Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2010 Posts: 5,468	I don't know exactly how much capacity is reduced, but I will propose that a starter or slightly larger load, depending on powder and some other variables, having some of them accidentally run through the loader will be harmless. Many variables, but starter loads are meant to control them. __________________ None.

October 3, 2017, 01:22 PM	#14
Tsquared Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2016 Location: NE Atlanta Posts: 337	The other problem with the "stepped" cases is that they do not split lengthwise but the separate at the step leaving the top half of the case fire formed to the chamber. It is a royal PIA to get that out of the chamber with a set of dental tools. About 7 years ago I had that happen with some LAX re-manufactured ammo and when I pointed it out to them they were apologetic but their response also had the connotation of "you get what you pay for".

October 3, 2017, 05:00 PM	#15
briandg Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2010 Posts: 5,468	Remanufactured comes with risk and a price. A remanufactured water pump has new seals and bearings a starter has new mechanical parts or repairs, but you get the same armature. Reconditioned radiators are still possibly full of weak spots. Remanufactured ammo may have gone through numerous cycles. __________________ None.

October 4, 2017, 08:59 AM	#16
briandg Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2010 Posts: 5,468	My recycling goes into a three gallon plastic jug. It's hard to understand how I accumulated it all. Mostly, it's because any foreign stuff I find goes straight into the jug. The jug is nearly full and has probably thirty pounds at $2 a pound that will buy a couple cans of powder. I'm living on disability and every dollar I spend on hobbies makes me cringe. I have a metric fartload of 9mm, .45 and .40, plenty of .380, and would sell them for shipping and salvage yard cost. There's no chance that I'm going to throw away usable brass, but I literally have buckets of once fired range brass. I'm surprised about how much is nickel, but a lot of it is police training loads. __________________ None.