[Malan35]

Hey guys I ordered some of that Russian surplus .223 ammo from sportsmansguide (green box with brown bear on side). I ordered 260 rounds but only brought 40 to the range with me just do to some testing. Well I loaded up the first mag and out of 30 rounds I had 8 fail to fires. I collected them and noticed that all of the primers were hit. Just no bang. I really don't want to shoot the rest of the batch mowing there could be more like this. Should I complain to sportsmansguide or to the ammo company themselves? Not looking to start a war, just would like some kind of compensation if this continues to happen. You guys have any experience with this? Thanks!

 

[JonM]

out of what rifle??

the russian primers are typically pretty hard and require a pretty stout smack to set them off. your rifle either has a slightly weaker hammer spring or a dirty firing pin channel.

 

[Malan35]

It's a bushmaster XM-15

 

[25-5]

Also, please be safe and watch for a hang fire.

 

[Malan35]

Also, please be safe and watch for a hang fire.

Hang fire?

 

[JonM]

hangfires happen when it goes click then some time passes and it goes boom on its own. it happens from weak primer strikes or faulty primers.

good close up pics of the failed primers would really help.

i had a similar issue with a savage rifle and it turned out to be an ever so slightly bent firing pin. caused just enough drag to slow it down.

 

[vincent]

Hang fire?

When there is a delay from the primer strike to the actual ignition...

If you have a FTF, always...ALWAYS wait 30 seconds, keeping the rifle pointed downrange. If the cartridge does not detonate after 30 seconds, you are most likely in the clear...

 

[chloeshooter]

sounds like crappy ammo - I'd be throwing it away before you have worse issues.....

 

[Tackleberry1]

Hang fire?

Hang fire is a delayed detonation.

The military teaches you to keep the weapon pointed in a safe direction with the action closed for 60 seconds following a "click no bang". This is SOP "at the range".

Of course they also teach Immediate action known as SPORTS to immediately clear a malfunction durring an engagement so...YMMV

SERIOUSLY though, when happens "in practice" IE at the range, do not immediately yank the bolt open. Hang fires have caused injury and death by being mishandled.

Tack

 

[Chainfire]

Of course any batch of ammo could be bad. The Russians are pretty good at making the stuff, I am betting it is a rifle problem. This theory can be easily tested......go buy a box of American made stuff; that will tell you whether it is gun or ammo.

Owning a rifle and not knowing what a hang fire is indicates a lack of knowledge that should be addressed. Not knowing basid stuff like that can get you or someone else killed. The NRA offers classes in rifle shooting. Look one up in your area.

 

[Malan35]

Of course any batch of ammo could be bad. The Russians are pretty good at making the stuff, I am betting it is a rifle problem. This theory can be easily tested......go buy a box of American made stuff; that will tell you whether it is gun or ammo.

Owning a rifle and not knowing what a hang fire is indicates a lack of knowledge that should be addressed. Not knowing basid stuff like that can get you or someone else killed. The NRA offers classes in rifle shooting. Look one up in your area.

Thanks for your concern

 

[Malan35]

I will definitely get the gun checked and try some different ammo. And of course I had the knowledge to wait before ejecting the cartridge. Excuse me i just didn't know the terminology was "hang fire".

 

[JonM]

can you get some close up pics of the failed primer strikes. also try cleaning the firing pin and and firing pin channel. can be as stupid as a piece of crud in there.

 

[Tackleberry1]

I will definitely get the gun checked and try some different ammo. And of course I had the knowledge to wait before ejecting the cartridge. Excuse me i just didn't know the terminology was "hang fire".

Good to hear that and don't feel bad...that why were here!

I'll admit that at my first RSO training class I had to raise my hand because I'd never heard the term "squib" round. The Army always called it a "pop no kick" which meant STOP shooting because you just touched off a "primed only" cartridge that contained no gun powder and most likely have your last round lodged in your barrel!

We are all continuing to learn and teach regardless of how long we've been doing this.

Chains suggestion to test out some American ammo is a good one. When Trouble shooting any semi auto problems it's always good to start with the ammo, then the magazine, then the firearm because ammo and mags contribute to "most" issues.

Tack

 

[Malan35]

Good to hear that and don't feel bad...that why were here!

I'll admit that at my first RSO training class I had to raise my hand because I'd never heard the term "squib" round. The Army always called it a "pop no kick" which meant STOP shooting because you just touched off a "primed only" cartridge that contained no gun powder and most likely have your last round lodged in your barrel!

We are all continuing to learn and teach regardless of how long we've been doing this.

Chains suggestion to test out some American ammo is a good one. When Trouble shooting any semi auto problems it's always good to start with the ammo, then the magazine, then the firearm because ammo and mags contribute to "most" issues.

Tack

Good info. I had a problem with my Ruger MKII jamming on the 6th round EVERY time. Changed mags and problem solved!

 

[robocop10mm]

You can shoot (or attempt to shoot) what you like, but I would not put any cheap azz Russian steel cased ammo through my 5.56 rifles. Like running 87 octane in a Corvette. It might work, but...

 

[Malan35]

You can shoot (or attempt to shoot) what you like, but I would not put any cheap azz Russian steel cased ammo through my 5.56 rifles. Like running 87 octane in a Corvette. It might work, but...

It Probably wasn't a wise choice.

 

[HockaLouis]

Malan, probably wasn't a poor choice either... Some Russian ammo/plants are better than others but none of it is the worst in the world. Well, maybe some Wolf...

I tend to agree it is something other than the ammo as well. Strip a bit and clean well. Deluges of spray (watch your eyes!) and modern pipe-cleaners are your friend as well as teflon lube!

 

[Malan35]

Malan, probably wasn't a poor choice either... Some Russian ammo/plants are better than others but none of it is the worst in the world. Well, maybe some Wolf...

I tend to agree it is something other than the ammo as well. Strip a bit and clean well. Deluges of spray (watch your eyes!) and modern pipe-cleaners are your friend as well as teflon lube!

I heard these rifles can be temperamental. I haven't done a real thorough cleaning lately. That will be next.