reconbob Posted September 1, 2021 Report Share Posted September 1, 2021 Of course, Blazer aluminum cased ammo has bee around for years. A coupleof days ago I was checking and test firing a gun which would feed but not fire.We test guns with a variety of ammo. I was using WW2 dummy cartridges tocheck the extractor and I looked over at the workbench by the bullet trap and did a double-take when I realized that at-a-glance the WW2 dummies are prettymuch identical to the Blazer ball if you can't see the hole in the case. I have been working with both these dummies and the Blazer ball for years,but this is the first time they happened to be on my bench together at thesame time. We can only imagine the result if I was not paying close attention.Probably a hole in the wall... Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeRanger Posted September 1, 2021 Report Share Posted September 1, 2021 Yet another reason to avoid Blazer aluminum ammo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan K Posted September 1, 2021 Report Share Posted September 1, 2021 It wasn't that long ago you could get Blazer 9mm for $77/case. 45 was expensive at a few more $ per box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandman1957 Posted September 1, 2021 Report Share Posted September 1, 2021 Bob, glad you caught it and didn't have a negligent discharge... would have had to change your call sign to Sundance Kid!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imageaudio Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 (edited) Thanks for the heads up. I have reloaded (bullet but no powder or unfired primer) some aluminum cases as dummy rounds for test purposes for the very reason that the case is not Yellow to aid in quick identification. However in these days of high ammo costs, could be tempted to buy some cheap ammo and forget since my mind has been trained to think silver=safe Bob, a question about dummy rounds. Im using them in an M1 with a M1 bolt. I have left the expended primers in the casing so that the firing pin has something soft to hit. Would you recommend this or would you fill the primer pocket with silicone or a different Solution? Edited September 2, 2021 by imageaudio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reconbob Posted September 5, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2021 Most of the time I use the dummy cartridges, I am checking a gun (usually a newgun on a Class2 build) for correct function of the extractor. The test is to put a dummyin the chamber and with no trigger frame and no recoil spring, buffer, etc. to sharply closethe bolt by sliding it with the cocking handle or actuator knob. If the bolt gets stuck, or if it will not slide easily by hand, the extractor is binding againstthe slot when the front of it hits the case and flexes the arm of the extractor away fromthe bolt head before it snaps down over the rim. This tells you that the extractor slot isnot deep enough and needs to be re-machined. Or, if, when you close the bolt it just seems to hit the cartridge and not grab it, theextractor has lost its "flex" and needs to be replaced. If the dummies had primers, it would take extra force for the firing pin to indent theprimer deep enough for the bolt to move far enough forward for the extractor to snapover the rim of the cartridge. When I think of dummy cartridges with spring loaded or plastic primers for the firingpin to hit, I think of break-open single and double barrel shotguns where if the gun isdry fired the firing pin can, over time, damage the firing pin holes in the breech face.We do not have this problem with the Thompson. An interesting side note - when I was out at Doug's I looked at his two dewattedColt M1921 Thompsons. They have barrels with steel plugs in the chamber weldedto the inside of the receiver. To prevent damage and so the guns could be snapped,he put leather disks on the end of the plugs so that when you pulled the trigger thebolt would hit the soft leather and not steel on steel. I thought this was very clever. Inall my travels and with all of the Dewats I have seen his were the only ones that hadthis set-up to prevent damage. OK, maybe too much info... Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadycon Posted September 6, 2021 Report Share Posted September 6, 2021 Paint the dummy rounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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