Handgun ammo Q.

Alchemist

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Noticed a muzzle flash using cheaper 9mm 124g reload ammo that I don’t think was there before with blazer brass 9mm 124. Am I imagining things (and it’s always been there) or can this happen? Gun is a Shadow 2. This was near the end of a range session with a few hundred rounds having gone down the barrel, so pretty hot barrel too I guess.

Also....I’m still a noob so apologies if this is a dumb q.
 
Muzzle flash is one of the characteristics and specifications of ammo.

If ammo is made for police practice, for example, it will be expected to have reduced muzzle flash.

Powders often have an additive to reduce flash. If a boo-boo is made in making the ammo, and it has too much flash, it can get sold to handloaders, who generally don't care.

I once saw 25 tons of rifle powder sold off because it did not meet the military low flash spec.

It was all used in Canada, and many of us noticed and commented on the flash.

There are two types of muzzle flash. The small flash is the hot gasses and particles at the muzzle. All guns will show this if you shoot in the dark.

The other flash is a cloud of gasses igniting about a foot or two in front of the muzzle. This can be quite spectacular and loud. The additive is intended to stop this type of flash.

Good article:

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/muzzle-flash/
 
Thanks again. Wasn’t sure what to expect and all ammo I had used up to that point was non reloaded I believe. By the way, does greater muzzle flash = more cleaning? I’d expect it to be sootier no?
 
Information on muzzle flash: Link


muzzle-flash-comparison.jpg
 
I'm surprised the Tulammo .45 FMJ had such low flash. Most non-defensive ammo isnt flash supressed.
They must be using flash retardant like in defensive ammunition powders. I suppose it is a factory that manufacture military ammunition.
 
Got a squib round tonight. Gun didn’t cycle and I knew something was up as I couldn’t drop the mag using the release either. I racked all the rounds out and shook the last couple out the gun and the mag dropped then, checked from the chamber end and saw some copper stuck in the barrel. Called out to the rest of the range that I might have an issue. Some pictures of the stuck bullet were taken by range members, gun was dissembled and managed to knock out the bullet with a long rod. Went home and spent ages cleaning the gun and there doesn’t seem to be any damage to the barrel at all. I was told to go and buy a lottery ticket. These were factory reloads.

Confidence was a bit shaken. Hopefully that will be my once in a blue moon experience. Third time on the range.
 
Got a squib round tonight. Gun didn’t cycle and I knew something was up as I couldn’t drop the mag using the release either. I racked all the rounds out and shook the last couple out the gun and the mag dropped then, checked from the chamber end and saw some copper stuck in the barrel. Called out to the rest of the range that I might have an issue. Some pictures of the stuck bullet were taken by range members, gun was dissembled and managed to knock out the bullet with a long rod. Went home and spent ages cleaning the gun and there doesn’t seem to be any damage to the barrel at all. I was told to go and buy a lottery ticket. These were factory reloads.

Confidence was a bit shaken. Hopefully that will be my once in a blue moon experience. Third time on the range.

What brand of reloads?
 
I'm surprised the Tulammo .45 FMJ had such low flash. Most non-defensive ammo isnt flash supressed.
They must be using flash retardant like in defensive ammunition powders. I suppose it is a factory that manufacture military ammunition.

From the linked article:

A lower flash signature can also be achieved by using under-powered ammo, such as the Tula .45 ACP load shown above. Low-flash powder is mostly reserved for premium self-defense ammo when it’s important to push out the bullet at high velocity but also prevent the shooter from being blinded by flash.
 
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