The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: Grasshoppa on June 03, 2013, 12:54:30 AM

Title: The Home Defense Bullet
Post by: Grasshoppa on June 03, 2013, 12:54:30 AM
I have re-chambered the same round through my home defense firearm many times over and I am beginning to worry about the safety of doing so. Currently, I have set it aside and replaced it with a fresh round, but I would hate to waste precious JHP this way. I need to just get a gun safe rather than locking it with a cable, but my question is how many times can a round be chambered before it becomes a danger? Suggestions, comments, knowledge?
FYI: This is a Sig Sauer 9mm with Federal Premium JHP
Title: Re: The Home Defense Bullet
Post by: TAB on June 03, 2013, 01:28:27 AM
DO you have anyway to accuratly measure the length?   some times the bullet gets pushed into the shell deeper, which could lead to higher presures.  Which might be dangerous.   measure several rounds and compare to the chamber round.    I don't know at what point it would be bad.
Title: Re: The Home Defense Bullet
Post by: Red-Ryder on June 03, 2013, 05:47:53 AM
Easy way is to place 2 "fresh" rounds on either side of your "defense round " the use a known straightedge across all 3. With the defense round in the middle - any noticeable "shortness" will be evident

Or go to your local tool center and purchase an inexpensive caliper


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Title: Re: The Home Defense Bullet
Post by: JLawson on June 03, 2013, 06:31:11 AM
A Google for "bullet setback" led to this post on THR:

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-563006.html (http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-563006.html)

Waywatcher did a little experiment and posted his measurements.  If you review several of the search results you'll find many different ideas and tips.  In my "normal way of doin' things", a defensive round usually doesn't get re-chambered more than 3 or 4 times before being used at the range.  I'm NOT saying that 3 or 4 times is the limit... just that my practice routine works out that way.

Title: Re: The Home Defense Bullet
Post by: Grasshoppa on June 03, 2013, 11:23:11 PM
Never thought about the actual bullet being pushed in to the cartridge, good point and I will be sure to check that out. What caused my concern was the scratches on the casing from the feed ramp. I don't think there is a spot on the casing that isn't scratched. I used to be in the habit of chambering a round when I got home. Then before leaving the next morning I would make the firearm safe, replacing the cartridge into the magazine and using a cable lock on the firearm. When I got home again I would re-chamber the round and repeat. I guess my original question could better be summed up as: how well will the casing hold up to being re-chambered everyday?
You all still raise a great point that again I never thought of, thank you for the valuable information.
Title: Re: The Home Defense Bullet
Post by: fightingquaker13 on June 04, 2013, 12:31:51 AM
Lord, I never even thought about this. I "cock and lock" when I go out, and leave the Glock with a loaded mag and empty chamber at night and never thought twice about it. (Though in my defense I've never had an issue shooting carry ammo on the range either). Still, its something to think about.
Title: Re: The Home Defense Bullet
Post by: JoeG on June 04, 2013, 12:46:51 AM
In theory you could have problems with extraction during firing if the rim is too dinged up. I would take it to the range and blow the cobwebs out. :)
Title: Re: The Home Defense Bullet
Post by: kmitch200 on June 04, 2013, 01:24:11 AM
Never thought about the actual bullet being pushed in to the cartridge, good point and I will be sure to check that out.

Depends on how you chamber the round.
Letting the slide slam the round in from the mag is the most sure way of making certain the round is chambered fully. DON'T drop the round in the chamber then slam the extractor over the rim, it's supposed to slide under it.

Or you could do it like I do, ride the slide down slowly and MAKE SURE it seats fully into battery.
Saves on scratches and no bullet setback.   
Title: Re: The Home Defense Bullet
Post by: TAB on June 04, 2013, 02:22:38 AM
you could do that, but on both my 2 main carry guns( both 1911s)  you would have to wrap the slide to get it into battery.    I just rip it back and let it go. 
Title: Re: The Home Defense Bullet
Post by: Paraguy on June 04, 2013, 07:46:19 AM
Looks like a good excuse to get that revolver you have always wanted; your issue is a non-issue with a revolver;-)
Title: Re: The Home Defense Bullet
Post by: Solus on June 04, 2013, 09:56:14 AM
Looks like a good excuse to get that revolver you have always wanted; your issue is a non-issue with a revolver;-)


Yeah...but it's a PITA to unload it and then load it  every time.  But at least you only have six rounds to save your life with rather than the a greater number that you might need.
Title: Re: The Home Defense Bullet
Post by: Jrlobo on June 04, 2013, 12:54:05 PM
So who says you only have one revolver? And there are speed loaders. I understand the arguments in favor of semi-automatics with large capacity magazines. I also understand the arguments in favor of revolvers with magnum calibers. I've made my choice ( a hint in the first sentence) and I'm sure many of you have as well.
Title: Re: The Home Defense Bullet
Post by: kmitch200 on June 04, 2013, 02:10:39 PM
you could do that, but on both my 2 main carry guns( both 1911s)  you would have to wrap the slide to get it into battery.    I just rip it back and let it go. 

And that crash is how the bullet gets set back. Just grab the slide and push it into battery slowly. 
Works fine on my 1911s.
Title: Re: The Home Defense Bullet
Post by: TAB on June 04, 2013, 02:13:51 PM
my sd ammo gets shot up before its a real issue, so no big deal for me.
Title: Re: The Home Defense Bullet
Post by: rich642z on June 19, 2013, 09:44:06 PM
I carry a revolver all the time I go out.  I carry a SP101 in 2.25 inch barrel in .357/38.  With 4 extra HKS speed loaders.