Ammo Quality Problems ?

[PhillyGunslinger]

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed a decline in ammo quality ?
Things like nickel cases getting dented just from loading a pistol. When you unload that evening one or two cases will have a small dent in them.

Copper Jackets discolored and scratched up is another quality problem.
I've seen these problems mostly with Federal and Occasionally with Remington. Hornady and Speer Gold Dot have none of these problems. Hornady's ammo doesn't dent, scratch, and the bullets are shiny and polished. Brass cased ammo doesn't have the dent or scratch problems either.
If you carry a pistol though and you ulnoad every night to give the magazine spring a rest you get these problems with Federals Nickel cased ammo.

My question is will the small dents hurt any if you have to fire the shell ?
They are dents from the cartridge rims.

[bac0nfat]

Dents from the rims? Now sure what you mean by that. Maybe post a picture if you can. I'm not an expert, but I believe that dented ammo is fine if it loads in the chamber without problems. However, if it's dented really bad, then it might have excessively high pressure due to a smaller volume inside the case.

Please don't tell me you actually unload your pistol mags every night to "give the spring a rest." You don't really do that, do you?

[Mootness]

Read up on springs cycling fatigue compared to being left under a load. They aren't feather pillows that need fluffed.

As for the ammo, could it be the double shift production hastily produced ammo from the last couple of years during the obama gun scare ammo shortage?

[The_War_Wagon]

Please don't tell me you actually unload your pistol mags every night to "give the spring a rest." You don't really do that, do you?

NO lie!

Springs wear out by CONSTANT loading & unloading. You load 'em up & forget 'em until you need 'em, and they'll still work DECADES later.

Loaded 1911 mags from around the time of WWI have been found, fired, and worked perfectly. LOADED, doesn't hurt them. Loading & UN-loading wears them out.

[RandomTask]

I haven't noticed a decline in ammo quality, but I haven't bought any in about a year... except for the Russian stuff, and that stuff is actually pretty amazing compared to the old "Wolf is dirty crap" comments that kept me from buying it in the past. My AR eats up Brown Bear like crazy. I need to buy more since the prices have fallen back down.

[rwb1500]

Please don't tell me you actually unload your pistol mags every night to "give the spring a rest." You don't really do that, do you?

Sweet Lord, we need a sticky.

[Flash]

Little dents, scratches on the bullet jacket?

In this world, there are some for whom IMAGE is everything. I buy a lot used stuff from guys like that.

However, the opposite end of the spectrum is FUNCTION IS EVERYTHING. If some guy is breaking into your home, do you think it would matter that you stopped the assault by popping the scuzz-ball COM with a bullet that had a small blemish on the finish? Or a brass case instead of a nickel? Or a nickeled case with a few scratches or (heaven forbid! ) a miniscule dent in the side from being jostled in the magazine against the rim of the round you next used to finish your mozambique with?

Truth, the miniscule blems do not hurt. Even small dents that do not keep the round from chambering do not matter, as they will be neatly ironed out against the inside of the chamber wall by the pressure of firing.

Results versus image? Your choice.
Flash

[streaker69]

You mean it's not common practice to unload all the mags and run them rounds through the dishwasher every night? Damn, this will save me hours every night, I'll be able to do more things now.

[father-of-five]

Magazine quality may vary a bit, but I was told that switching out carry magazines every 6 months is a pretty safe way to go. I try to use specific older magazines (and non-factories) when I shoot at the range, since this wears them out faster.

I'm always up for more tips...

[39flathead]

Other than some real shitty Fiocchi .40 FMJ that was marked in a big oval on the box "USA", that was actually made in Hungary if you flipped the box over, no, I haven't had any problems or noticed a decline.

And really, tired mag springs?