Are these safe to reload?

[TedH]

Picked up a bunch of brass at the range the other day. A lot of these 9mm cases are unique to me. The are stamped "FM", and the inside has a weird cup, or lip inside. I did a quick Google and found a couple reports of this brass cracking where the lip is, and that it was generally pretty crappy ammo, but it was just a couple reports. Use it, or pitch it?

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[Pete44ru]

.

I would reload them, Ted, provided they are Boxer, and not Berdan, primed - but only after checking each case every time it's to be reloaded, for any insipient head separation indicators (felt thinning and/or cracks), via slowly pulling a sharp hook the length of each/every case's inside surface, from primer pocket to case mouth.

That chore, however, may get very old, fast.

BTW: AFAIK, cases with an "FM" headstamp can be from

Établissements Industriels de Défense, Damascus, Syria
or
Fábrica Militar de Cartuchos de San Lorenzo, San Lorenzo, Argentina
or
Fábrica Nacional de Municiones, Santa Fe, México (near Mexico City)


Keep in mind that my opinion, of course, is worth exactly how much you paid for it.


.

[earlmck]

I've never seen these. Is the lip just a bump, or is the case wall actually considerably thicker from the lip area on down? If the case is thicker you need to keep in mind that this reduces case capacity and so your normal powder charge would result in somewhat higher pressure than your more normal cases produce. That said, the old Scotsman here would probably go ahead and use them but keep them separated so I could reduce the charge by a couple tenths for those cases. And keep a close eye on them, like Pete says.

[Chuck 100 yd]

I have two .45 ACP cases that have that step machined inside also. The only reason for it I can think of is,it was intended for rough use,sub machinegun use? And yes,the internal capacity will be less than a standard case and that is critical in the 9mm. If I were to try to reload them ,I would start with minimum charges and check for pressures. They may work great in unsupported chambered (Glock) guns?

[TedH]

It looks like an extra little cup that's pressed into the case, so it definitely reduces capacity and would require reduced powder charges compared to a normal case. I may section one tonight to get a better look at the insides.

[M. M. Wright]

That spacer is probably to keep the bullet from setting back in the case while on the feed ramp. Remember, the 9mm head spaces on the case mouth so it can't be roll crimped, only taper crimped so it requires a very tight resize to hold the bullet. Mine end up with a wasp waist.
I, like Earl, would no doubt use them but with a reduced powder charge because of the insert.

[Chuck 100 yd]

The two .45 ACP cases I have do have a definite step inside that are part of the case and must have been an additional machining step to produce,probably done with a reamer.

[Griff]

What Pete & Earl said!

[TedH]

I sacrificed one to get a look at the construction. It's all one piece, drawn out in this shape.

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[yooper2]

If I were in your position I would probably toss them as I wouldn't want a case with reduced capacity to get mixed into my regular brass leading to a potential overload. 9mm brass is about as cheap as it gets, wouldn't be worth the bother to me.

The other option I would consider is using it for "work loads" where you may not be inclined to go fishing in the grass for your brass. I do this with small primer 45ACP brass when I end up with some. Keeps them from sneaking into my pile for the SDB where they cause problems.


Eric

[TedH]

.......I would consider is using it for "work loads" where you may not be inclined to go fishing in the grass for your brass.....


Eric

Even though I have tons of 9mm brass, I'm still a "brass whore" according to my lovely wife, so using them as you suggested was already my plan.

[Chuck 100 yd]

I'm also a brass whore, I sort my small primer ACP when I clean the primer pockets.
I tumble clean,resize,clean pockets and case gauge all,expand,tumble polish,prime and load.
Not fast but it's my way and I'm sticking to it!