Unburnt gunpowder in my Sig.....cause for concern?

capp325

capp325

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As I was cleaning my P226 after a range session a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that there was a LOT of unburnt gunpowder inside the pistol. At first glance, it almost looked like the gun was dipped in sand. I figured it was probably an ammo problem (I was shooting American Eagle factory ammo) and didn't think much of it at the time. I did not shoot this particular gun again until today. I was using Sellier & Bellot this time, and had a similar problem, albeit the amount of unburnt powder in the pistol wasn't as great.

So, is this reason for concern? I don't remember ever seeing a significant amount of unburnt powder in this pistol in the past...or in my other semi-autos, to the best of my recollection. Could this be a problem with the Sig - i.e. firing very slightly out of chamber?
 
After a pistol shooting session I always marvel at how much unburnt powder there is on the floor. Enough that it is a fire hazzard if not swept up from time to time.

Some powders will leave more unburnt than others. Does not matter a bit.
 
Pretty normal especially for pistols, my starting loads almost always leave unburnt powder. Never seen it in factory ammo but I have never really looked.
 
It happens with all guns and all types of ammo, athough some more than others. Compessed air works well to get it out of the little nooks (wear eye protection!)
 
I hear what you guys are saying about unburnt powder always being present to some degree. It's just that the amount seemed excessive, especially with the American Eagle ammo. Maybe it's just poor quality gunpowder. I guess what I'm asking is, is it possible that the excessive amount of unburnt powder is an indication of the gun firing out of chamber?
 
B said:
How much powder would you guess gets cleaned up after a good week of range use?
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Kurt at Canadian BDX gets our range brass. The buckets have a fair quantity of unburned powder in them. He sent me a picture of him burning a month's supply of this powder. The fireball is about 2.5m high.

As for unburned powder being a symptom of a malfunction, no chance. If the pistol fired before it was locked up, you would have pieces of brass dispersed over the inside of the pistol.
 
redleg said:
Kurt at Canadian BDX gets our range brass. The buckets have a fair quantity of unburned powder in them. He sent me a picture of him burning a month's supply of this powder. The fireball is about 2.5m high.

As for unburned powder being a symptom of a malfunction, no chance. If the pistol fired before it was locked up, you would have pieces of brass dispersed over the inside of the pistol.
Click to expand...

Not to mention your hands and even your face.

Take Care

Bob
 
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