Rounds not going fully into battery

[bob1943]

Hello - I have had 3 P-64's all with the same problem. When on the range they will go through a few mags and then misfire. The round goes off and I get a face full of powder blast and tiny bits of brass and the gasses will go through the frame of the gun. The bullet flies and the case ejects and is blown out at the base of the brass casing. Apparently the round is not going fully into battery before going off. I'm using brass cased factory ammo that is usually Fiocchi which is pretty good ammo. Like I said, I bought my first one about 10 years ago and the seller refused to take it back. Just bought another one and it did the same thing so the seller allowed a return and sent me another one and yesterday on the range it did the same thing. Blew the right grip off in my hand. Anyone know whats going on with these things?? I do not see how it could be me because I'm loading and shooting like all my other guns and I don't have a problem with them. Thanks - Bob O

[GuitarmanNick]

Welcome Bob.

First, let me say that these little guns are not typically problematic. Since all of your P-64s are experiencing the same problem, I will assume you are using the same ammo in all three. Only Fiocchi was mentioned in your post. I suggest you look more at your ammo as the problem, and not the guns.

In looking carefully at one of my P-64s, it cannot fire when not fully into battery. The trigger will not engage anything if is even slightly out of battery. The slide must be fully forward or you have a dead trigger. The case rim is well supported when in battery, too.

Can you post pics of the brass that blew out. I suspect there may have been a weak spot in the brass. Usually debris to the face is because of brass failure, not the firearm. No manufacturer is immune from an occasional screw up.

I have seen some examples of brass that was weakened by corrosion from within. No way to tell by looking at the outside but easy to see if you break it down and look inside the case.

Some pics of the breachface and chamber may also be helpful.

For reference, I have two nice P-64s and one of the cut-a-way "Szkolna" marked trainer guns. The two working guns run perfectly with all of the ammo I have tried, even JHPs. One is an occasional carry gun because it is reliable and accurate.

[bob1943]

Can't really provide any pictures because I'm a computer luddite but what kind of ammo are you using?? The blow out on mine happens right at the base of cartridge case by the rim. Thats where they blow out. It isn't a complete failure, just about 30% failure of cartridge case right by the rim.

[GuitarmanNick]

I primarily shoot my handloads. Most of the factory ammo in my stash is Red Army Elite because the brass is great for reloading. Some other brass gets a bulge because part of the case is not well supported in the P-64 chamber. The rim is, but the case side is not, just above the rim. Kinda like some Glock chambers.

As I understand you, the brass is failing just above the rim which is where some brass bulges. PPU brass bulges too bad to be used for reloading, but I have not had any rupture. I suspect the Fiocchi is either very thin in that portion of the case, or weakened by some internal corrosion or chemical reaction. It is also possible that you got a batch that is loaded hotter than it should be.

I would try different ammunition before looking to the gun for a problem.

[bob1943]

Yes - that is where the case is blowing out. Good info - thanks.

[Ketchman]

If you have had the same problem with all 3 guns, are you shooting from the same lot / batch of ammo? If so, stop using that ammo and go by some different makers ammo, like Hornady and try that. I highly doubt the issue will continue. I am thinking you got a lot of ammo that is somehow hotter, through either poor manufacturing, which Fiocchi is NOT known for, or it was poorly stored and the powder has degraded and become unstable.