Handgun FAQs

A quick trip to a competent pistolsmith will put matters straight. Polishing the feed ramp and adjusting the magazine lips…

Case life will vary from one firing to a point where you realize they are never going to expire. At…

No, not when using propellants fast burning powders such as Bullseye, 231, or Unique. This is especially true when using…

If your handgun is shooting high, either the velocity needs to be increased, the bullet’s weight decreased or both. This…

No. Just because the gun is chambered for a magnum cartridge doesn’t mean that you have to use a magnum…

First, clean each chamber thoroughly. It could be erosion or residue from shooting short cases and then switching to longer…

Most seating dies will also crimp if the die is adjusted lower. Before the bullet is completely seated, the die…

You may not be belling the case mouth quite enough to get the bullet started smoothly. Try belling it slightly…

No. The 9mm Makarov is actually a 9.22mm. It uses .363” diameter bullets, while the more widely known 9mm Luger…

Yes. The 10mm Auto and the .40 S&W use exactly the same bullet diameter.

Carbide dies require no lube because they contain a tungsten or titanium carbide insert. Since this is highly polished, it…

No. They have a shorter sight radius than longer barrels that, in general, makes them harder to shoot accurately. If…

Yes, assuming of course that your load develops enough velocity at the muzzle. Although this is usually no problem with…

To begin with, it’s time to scrap any case when it develops neck splits, regardless of the number of firings…

Some powders are more inclined to give a bright muzzle flash than others. There are some powders that are given…

In the 44 magnum, 21.6 grains of Win 296 with the 300 gr. JSP point makes good defense against a…

Not as a general rule. However, keeping your brass all the same length will keep your crimp uniform. This will…

For one reason, the metal used in the old guns isn’t up to the standards of that used in modern…

No more than necessary to remove all signs of any belling and to lay the case mouth flat against the…

The cylinder is out of time. The chambers aren’t in line with the barrel and it shaves particles of the…

No. Pistol and rifle primers have different cup hardness and are made to operate at different pressure levels. Switching them…

Seating a bullet deeper will reduce the capacity of the case. Burning the same amount of powder in a slightly…