CCI Blazer Exploding Casings?

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NewShooter78

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Well I was out exploring my new town, and I went to a range that a fellow THR member suggested. So I was asking them all the usual questions, and I was told that no CCI Blazer ammo was allowed on their range. I was told they didn't allow it because of casings exploding. Now I have been shooting Blazer ammo for a while and haven't had any major problems with it. I know that it can't be reloaded, so I'm wondering if this has anything to do with their banning of the ammo at their range. This place is also the local LEO range I beleive so maybe they are worried about Glock KB issues?

So have any of you had problems with this ammo? I just bought a couple of boxes of it today, but won't be able to use it there, but I will go back because it is a really nice range.
 
Newshooter:

1. There is no danger of the CCI Blazer cases rupturing or "exploding."

2. There is a danger that the range owner would rather lie to you than tell you the real reason.

3. The REAL REASON is that the range owner can sell the brass that shooters leave behind. He can sort out the steel cases (Wolf, etc) with magnets. But he can't cull the aluminum Blazer cases.

4. I don't dispute the owner's right to restrict any ammo he chooses. I've been to two ranges that did the same thing on Blazer (one in Houston and one in Friendswood, TX). You, of course, have the right to shoot elsewhere - which is what I choose to do when a range tells me that Blazer is "unsafe" or is "too dirty for their filtration system" (that one really was funny since that guy would try to make people buy UMC ammo from him).

5. I can buy Blazer 9mm ammo for $4.90 per box of 50. And I've bought it as cheaply as $3.99/ box on sale at Oshmann's in Houston in the past 4 months. It is much more reliable than the Winchester white box ammo, and is of course cheaper.

6. I favor letting the range owner know that he won't enjoy my business if he bans Blazer ammo.:neener:

Edited to add: I shoot about 12,000-15,000 rounds of Blazer every year (in Glocks) in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45ACP. Statistically this isn't too relevant, but anecdotally it points out the fallacy of the "exploding case" excuse.
 
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I use lots and lots of 9mm CCI Blazer ammo.

I really like it. Never a problem.

Hmmm.... The previous poster has an interesting theory about the range being able to sell brass casings, which CCI doesn't have.... seems quite plausible to me. I wouldn't doubt it in the least.
 
In 1911s, I have shot approximately 40K of Blazer with no exploding casings and have never heard or seen one explode. The only problems that might occur would be with unsupported chambers as in Glocks. Then again, they seem to 'explode' with whatever ammo is being used, but the fault is not with the ammo.
 
:cuss:

I've shot thousands of rounds of CCI Blazer in many different calibers (45 ACP, .40 S&W, .380 ACP, .357 Mag, .38 Special, etc.) and never had a problem of the case splitting.

I have had some difficulty in certain revolvers with the .38 & .357 cartridges expanding slightly and being difficult to eject.

I suspect that dawg23 is onto the REAL reason. Just wish they'd come out and say it and knock-off all of the B.S.

Lock and load.

Rusty
 
An indoor range I shoot at doesn't allow Blazer either. They claim it is for environmental reasons. :rolleyes:
 
I also refuse to shoot at a range where I am not allowed to keep my own empty casings.

I went to a range once where I was very rudely informed that I had to buy their ammo, shoot only their ammo and had to leave all fired brass behind.
Their range ammo was priced about the same as Wally World.

I asked if lead bullets were ok, he said "Sure, got some right here."

I asked about shooting my .44-40 and he said "Nope, we don't carry ammo for it."

I asked the guy about shooting carry ammo such as Hydra Shoks or Gold Dots ahd he said "Sure, I've got plenty right over here." And sure enough he had plenty, at about 10% over full retail.

I then asked him what I was supposed to do with the range ammo if I didn't shoot all of it and he said "It's yours, take it home with you."

So I bought 10 boxes and left. :evil:
 
Quote from Sean Smith: "An indoor range I shoot at doesn't allow Blazer either. They claim it is for environmental reasons."




It is for environmental reasons. They want to recycle your brass.:D
 
Yes Blazer casings will split and come apart. I had some 38 special ammo split and flash burn the chambers of a S&W 38 snub nose. I called CCI about it and was told that if the ammo has been wet/damp the cases will start to break down. CCI had a new cylinder put in my revolver.
 
Interesting snippet of information about Blazers... I love the ammo, and shoot thousands of rounds of it every year. However, when doing LFI-3 with Massad Ayoob, I (and others on the course) were told we could not use Blazer ammo in the full-auto weapons we were loaned for part of the course. Apparently it can't take the slamming full-auto bolt impact, and splits in the guns. Only brass-cased ammo was allowed for full-auto use.

Didn't bother me, and in handguns, I continue to use Blazer with great success.
 
I had an experience similar to that of mgjohn.

A 44 Magnum round split near the base and burned one of the chambers on my Super Redhawk.

I still shoot some Blazer 44Mag and 44Special, but not in anything but the SRH.
 
One of the other things that sucks about the whole thing about this range is that their membership, if you choose to become a member (its optional), is $100. Or you can just pay $15 everytime you go there. It really is a nice indoor range, but I really don't like being told not to use a certain kind of ammo. Especially if its because the range can't make a buck off of it. If they were just honest about not being able to sell the brass, I'd be less put off by it.

There is another range I'm going to go check out, but before I make the trip I'll be calling to see if there is any ammo restriction!I
 
Not a fan of Blazer, but I have shot some in .38Spl, .357Mag, and .45ACP. No issues with any of it.

The .357 Blazer did live up to its name in my short-barrel 'Sheriff's Model' Vaquero...lotza muzzle flash.
 
I had exactly one 9mm case split in all the nine that I've shot over the years.
It was a blazer.
Is there merit to it?
Probably.
Epidemic?
No.
Is that why they are doing it?
Well.....No.
They want your brass.
 
I've been to two ranges that did the same thing on Blazer (one in Houston and one in Friendswood, TX).
Click to expand...

I know who you're talking about in friendswood, been there ONCE, luckily the next week i got a letter from the local outdoor range (greenwood gunclub in Brazoria) that's 20 mins from my house saying i'd been accepted for membership. but even if i hadn't i'd have never gone back there..... the slightly younger "good-ole-boy" (if you met/saw him you'd under stand why i say that) that worked there was alright, but the owner was a right a true prig.... seemed pissed that two fo the three guns i brought were .22s and that i was keeping my brass for the third.

what was the other place in houston that didn't allow Blazers??
 
MP5 issue?

If the cops shoot there maybe some MP5's are used. There is an issue with Blazers and MP5's due to the MP5's unique chamber. The Blaser cases stretch when fired and can cause sticking/jaming in the tube. Maybe someone took this as "exploding" cases? :confused:
 
Detrititus:

I don't remember the name of the place (this was two years ago when I was visiting a friens who lives in Houston).

It was on the west side of Houston, on or near Westheimer. It has a large retail area and offers CCW classes on a regular basis. The range itself has about 14-16 lanes divided into two bays.
 
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