ChiliPepr
Full time employment: Posting here.
Dang! I need to learn to type faster!
Yes. When in my 20s I shot hundreds of rounds each weekend for practice, and did my own reloading to save costs. I would have 1 or 2 duds out of 100. It was most likely due to the primer not getting seated properly in its pocket.
In my younger days I experienced about the same failure rate. For me, I believe the problem was in two areas. First I was buying the cheapest primers I could find and second I suspect I was getting a little oil from the resizing process on my fingers and that got to some of the primers.
Once I figured that out, I switched to the best primers I could buy (very little difference in cost) and and I made sure my hands were clean whenever I handled the primers. Now a days I might experience 1 or 2 failures out of a 1000. About the same as store bought stuff.
That's actually "one" reason I "prefer" a revolver for self defense over a semi automatic. If you have a misfire with a semi auto in a critical moment you could be in serious trouble. Reason #2 is the greater possibilities of a jam with a semi auto,
I can't recall the last time I had a revolver jam up or bind on me. And with a revolver if you do get a misfire, the fix is just a trigger pull away.
I've Ransom-rested various brands but the truth for me is that CCI SV is more accurate than I am, so there is really no point in buying the high-priced stuff. YMMV, of course.What's the best ammo (most accurate) you have found for use in the HS? For me it's been Eley 22 LR match made in the UK. A bit pricey but if you are shooting in a match it's been the best performing for me.
In my case, my .45ACP reloads are extremely reliable and more accurate than factory ammunition. Target loads, however are lower power and usually use target bullets not self-defense bullets. So buying a box or two of factory self-defense hollow-points makes economic sense. I use so few of them that it does not make sense to work up a special self-defense load.I'm not a gun owner, but I might as well learn something: Why wouldn't you use reloaded ammunition for self defense?
Old guy home defense: No handguns just a simple pump 12 gauge with plenty 'hot' shells. I hope I never have to use it. I did have occasion to grab it and stand behind the front door when someone was smashing on the door... kids? Too long, too violent. Called the police and they were gone by the time they arrived. Not long after the neighbor was thoroughly robbed (forced a window) and we all bought security cameras... another neighbor facing got the same smashing treatment...he's armed too.
Home Alarm, security cameras and a big white dog.
The shot gun is definitely staying.
As for reloading, in my younger days I used to shoot pistols in competitive matches every weekend. So between the practice and the matches I would shoot between 700 and 1,000 rounds every week.
I was meticulous in my reloading, between cleaning the shells, clean hands loading the primers, measuring min/max on length and diameter, and using the best quality parts, I do not think I had a problem with 1 in 10,000 rounds. Probably less. Once I got my routine down I cannot remember ever having a dud.
99 % of the time its a Smith and Wesson Model 36 , Thats a 5 shot 2 inch barrel .38 revolver for the non gun people that might be reading this. Its loaded with plus P hollow points. I used to carry 6 extra rounds in a speed strip but I stopped that maybe 7 years ago. In my old life I went to the range at least 1 time a month. Now I try to go a few times a year.
FWIW, When I was at work, we were shown a demonstration about 12 ga for home defense. If I remember right # 4 buckshot was the winner. All of the buck shots were scary. But I think the # 4 had they pellets,penetration and spread for the win.
I'm not a gun owner, but I might as well learn something: Why wouldn't you use reloaded ammunition for self defense?
I agree if it someone else's reloads. I reloaded these myself, and took a tremendous amount of care reloading them, as my life may literally depend on it. I test fired some of the self defense reloads and never had a problem with them.I'm not a gun owner, but I might as well learn something: Why wouldn't you use reloaded ammunition for self defense?
You are correct on all points, It was my back up, that usually went in the ankle holster. It saw service in my waist band many times too. I used to throw it in my jacket pocket in the winter as well. We switched over to 9mm in the 90's, I was grandfathered in. After my shooting on June 3rd 1991, I never considered switching to an automatic, as this served me well.For the past week, I’ve been sleeping in hotels, which means that my sleep has been a bit disturbed and my dreams especially vivid. I had a very unusual dream a couple nights ago that I was carrying a Chief’s Special in my waistband, under my untucked shirt. What makes it unusual is that I have never owned a gun, haven’t carried one since I was a security guard about 35 years ago, know almost nothing about guns, and would probably vote to repeal the Second Amendment. But in my dream, I was acutely aware of the exact model gun I was carrying, and the need to keep it concealed so as not to alarm people like my DW.
I have some friends who like guns, but would never consider carrying something as, well, understated. Isn’t the Model 36 usually a cop’s backup gun? Something you’d tuck in an ankle holster?
I’ve no idea why I dreamed of a five-shot revolver with a two inch barrel or why the dream was memorable. I’m just surprised to run across a reference to it.