Just picked up a S&W 64-3. I'd run about 20 rounds through it at the range, some standard pressure 158gr and some Corbon +P 125gr. I took it out again tonight to try some different loads through it, all of them factory, or so I thought.
I got about 20 rounds of .38 Special when I picked up a different revolver. I was told it was Corbon +P, but I don't know the bullet weight. It was a jacketed hollowpoint bullet. It didn't look like any Corbon headstamp I've seen, but I'm still new to the game. The headstamp says "R-P 38 SPL +P". I have no reason to believe the person was being untruthful. So I fired two cylinders worth of this stuff, and it was defintely +P. I fired a cylinder of standard pressure afterwards, and then decided I wanted to get rid of the rest of this mystery stuff. Loaded up the last six shots, fired one. I tried to cock the hammer for the next shot, but it wouldn't budge. I tried to eject the cylinder, but it also wouldn't budge. Closer examination shows it was not a squid load; there's nothing lodged in the barrel. There's nothing in the cylinder gap. The cartridge case is empty and doesn't look like it split. From what I can see, the cylinder doesn't look damaged. It doesn't matter what I've tried so far, I can't get the cylinder out. My first thought was that the lockwork got busted up, or the pin that pushes the ejector star got damaged. I removed the side plate, and I can't see anything that looks beaten up or damaged. The pin behind the cylinder latch moves forward when pushed, but I can't see in well enough to see if it's engaging the ejector star.
I was trying to be very careful because I still have five live rounds of this mystery ammunition in the revolver. The one under the hammer is completely expended, though, I'm certain. I'm planning to take it to the gunsmith tomorrow.
This is extremely disappointing, because I was intending to use this revolver for CCW. I was actually hitting my target at 15 yards and handle the recoil! I'd like to blame the ammunition, but I just don't know. I don't need another lesson in mystery ammunition, that's for sure. If it wasn't the ammunition, I suppose I should be grateful this happened at the range.
I can get pictures of all the particulars if anybody is interested in making a diagnosis. I know I'm asking for alot of stern "I told you so" by posting this, but somebody has to be the comedic relief on this forum. It might as well be me.
jmm
I got about 20 rounds of .38 Special when I picked up a different revolver. I was told it was Corbon +P, but I don't know the bullet weight. It was a jacketed hollowpoint bullet. It didn't look like any Corbon headstamp I've seen, but I'm still new to the game. The headstamp says "R-P 38 SPL +P". I have no reason to believe the person was being untruthful. So I fired two cylinders worth of this stuff, and it was defintely +P. I fired a cylinder of standard pressure afterwards, and then decided I wanted to get rid of the rest of this mystery stuff. Loaded up the last six shots, fired one. I tried to cock the hammer for the next shot, but it wouldn't budge. I tried to eject the cylinder, but it also wouldn't budge. Closer examination shows it was not a squid load; there's nothing lodged in the barrel. There's nothing in the cylinder gap. The cartridge case is empty and doesn't look like it split. From what I can see, the cylinder doesn't look damaged. It doesn't matter what I've tried so far, I can't get the cylinder out. My first thought was that the lockwork got busted up, or the pin that pushes the ejector star got damaged. I removed the side plate, and I can't see anything that looks beaten up or damaged. The pin behind the cylinder latch moves forward when pushed, but I can't see in well enough to see if it's engaging the ejector star.
I was trying to be very careful because I still have five live rounds of this mystery ammunition in the revolver. The one under the hammer is completely expended, though, I'm certain. I'm planning to take it to the gunsmith tomorrow.
This is extremely disappointing, because I was intending to use this revolver for CCW. I was actually hitting my target at 15 yards and handle the recoil! I'd like to blame the ammunition, but I just don't know. I don't need another lesson in mystery ammunition, that's for sure. If it wasn't the ammunition, I suppose I should be grateful this happened at the range.
I can get pictures of all the particulars if anybody is interested in making a diagnosis. I know I'm asking for alot of stern "I told you so" by posting this, but somebody has to be the comedic relief on this forum. It might as well be me.
jmm