plated bullets for Norinco M77, NP-20 or HK P7 platform pistols

aric84

aric84

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So is anyone shooting plated 9mm through pistols like the norinco M77 or the HK P7 series pistols?

Reason I as is that I am awaiting delivery of an M77 and want to hear first hand experience on shooting plated bullets. Looking at the cutaway drawings of the P7 and assuming the M77 to be similar, the gas port is just ahead of the chamber. I can see how shooting cast bullets could foul this port due to the lube and softness of the projectile, combined with the grooves providing and edge to be scraped off. However, I would imagine that plated 9mm(Frontier) pullets would negate these factors and should be safe to shoot, assuming I don't juice the load. I'm currently shooting exclusively plated bullets right now for cost savings and would like to keep it that way, hopefully my cheap pistol will digest the cheaper diet like it's more conventional friends.

Just looking for peoples first hand experience, since the results I have found on other forums are rarely first hand("shouldn't because it could possibly..." VS. "Tried them and it crippled my pistol.)"

Thoughts before I go ahead and try it anyway?:rolleyes:
 
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I only shoot jacketed bullets out of my three gas retards (P7PSP, M77B and Steyr GB). Plugging a gas port usually ends quite badly, I spend the extra cent or two per bullet.
 
I don't see how u would have issues with plated! I have recovered a lot of bullets and assuming they weren't flattened and ended up in the dirt they were intact.so leaving the barrel they aren't leaving behind any lead or jacketing material, at least not noticeable.
 
If you are damaging the plating you are pushing the bullets too fast. You shouldn't have any issues. You may want to stay away from max loads but even that is subjective.
 
aric84 said:
So is anyone shooting plated 9mm through pistols like the norinco M77 or the HK P7 series pistols?
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Don't do it.

On the P7M13, plated bullets (I've tried several brands, all at normal velocities) shave a lot of plating off and into the gas piston / cylinder area. Also some lead.

The mess is quite difficult to remove, and was the immediate cause of a stoppage during a pin shoot.

Plating metals, in thin coats, take on the mechanical characteristics of the underlying metal: lead. I assume that the bullet deforms a bit, pushing it into the gas port to be shaved, but whatever the mechanism it's a mess afterwards.

Jacketed only.
 
FWIW, plated lead bullets use pure copper plating.

Jacketed bullets use gilding metal jackets, which is brass that is 90-95% copper and 5-10% zinc (at least it was when I was working in the industry 32 years ago). The jackets look similar to pure copper but they aren't the same.

Manufacturers have their proprietary jacket materials as well, ie., Speer with their Gold Dots, that do look lighter in color than the regular 90/10 or 95/5 alloy.

Pure copper is softer than brass. Will copper used in plated bullets shave in gas ports? Who knows. Ask the gun manufacturer.
 
Thanks

acrashb said:
Don't do it.

On the P7M13, plated bullets (I've tried several brands, all at normal velocities) shave a lot of plating off and into the gas piston / cylinder area. Also some lead.

The mess is quite difficult to remove, and was the immediate cause of a stoppage during a pin shoot.

Plating metals, in thin coats, take on the mechanical characteristics of the underlying metal: lead. I assume that the bullet deforms a bit, pushing it into the gas port to be shaved, but whatever the mechanism it's a mess afterwards.

Jacketed only.
Click to expand...

This is just the kind of first hand experience I was looking for, Thanks guys for the info. I guess I'll have to start poking around for some jacketed bullets.

Cheers
 
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