Winchester Ammo, never again - The Firearms Forum

dark_falcon27 · 06-07-2009, 11:57 PM

I took my HK USP .40 to the range this past saturday morning and had fired off 50 rounds of American Eagle by Federal, 50 rounds of Monarch, and had just opened a new box of Winchester ammo and within ten rounds had a misfire. I experienced 9 misfires out of a box of 50. Anyone else had this problem? I am very displeased with such a reputable company's product. Here is the box.

Alpo · 06-08-2009, 12:18 AM

I'd write Winchester and tell 'em you ain't happy.

Year or so back I had the first three rounds out of a 20-box of Hornady 44 magnum split. I wrote Hornady. They asked for the lot number, I gave it to 'em, and they sent me another box.

If you make enough stuff, no matter what it is, sooner or later you're gonna make some junk. Companies are aware of this, and if you let 'em know you bought the junk, they'll usually replace it.

21bravo · 06-08-2009, 01:04 AM

ive never had a misfire with winchester pistol ammo... i USED to buy it to feed my XD .357sig but swore it off when i noticed that i was able to push the bullet into the casing suprisingly easy.

i think you should write them as well if you had that many misfires

delta13soultaker · 06-08-2009, 02:33 AM

A gunshop where I used to live had a box of premium self defense rounds on display.

The whole crate of ammo was dudes. None of the cases had flash holes. Big boo-boo.

PPK 32 · 06-08-2009, 08:20 AM

Fired lots of Winchester in 9mm as well as the rimfire stuff, just bought some .45 for range day Weds. I have never had any issues with this ammo, even the bulk. I'd get a hold of the company and find out whats up.

dark_falcon27 · 06-08-2009, 09:50 AM

Well since winchester doesn't post a phone number on their website for customer service I had to submit an "email" under unanswered FAQ's. I'm hoping it was just a bad batch because I have two more boxes of it at home that I bought with the first box. Oddly enough I had zero problems with the box of monarch (made sure it was brass) ammo, and the American Eagle (by Federal). The American Eagle shot very well. I was very pleased with it.

thomas44 · 06-08-2009, 09:57 AM

I wonder if maybe since the ammo companies are trying to play catch up, the quality control might be suffering somewhat. (????)

dark_falcon27 · 06-08-2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomas44

I wonder if maybe since the ammo companies are trying to play catch up, the quality control might be suffering somewhat. (????)

I'd say that's a fair assumption. And I would add this as well, I hope it is only us, the civilian sector, not the DoD that is suffering for it. I don't want any misfires out of my M-4 when it is pointed downrange at an insurgent.

Southern Boy · 06-08-2009, 11:50 AM

Dont buy factory ammo, but WW once fired brass is about the best I've found for reloading. It is good stuff.Realy good for fire forming. New never fired though, have to go with hornady.

Mac0083 · 06-09-2009, 05:07 PM

Not long ago, I was shooting .38 specials through a wonderful S&W 357. I had a few hundred shots of Winchester White Box ammo. (150 grain I think.) Had one dud. I examined the dud and the primer was clearly struck. I shook the bullet and heard powder inside. It is my most prized shooting related possession. An eerie reminder of how important it is to double check everything when I reload. Even the pro's got one wrong.

Marlin · 06-09-2009, 05:20 PM

I have used Winchester White Box for years in 9mm for the Browning Hi-Power and in .45acp for the Springfield 1911. Have never experienced a misfire with either.

dark_falcon27 · 06-09-2009, 05:33 PM

I just don't know. I know that different weapons like to eat different makes of ammo, I guess my HK just does not like Winchester. Or maybe it was a bad batch. But 9 FTE's out of a box of 50 can't be a fluke can it?

woolleyworm · 06-09-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dark_falcon27

9 FTE's out of a box of 50 can't be a fluke can it?

No fluke there, bad ammo would be my vote. With all the other rounds firing, I dont think you have a firearm problem. Did you save any of the live rounds?? It would be interesting to measure OAL and check the primer seating, etc to see if there were any noticeable issues. Could be that the cases were too short and seating too deep in the chamber. I think poor QC on Wiinchesters part though.

dark_falcon27 · 06-09-2009, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woolleyworm

No fluke there, bad ammo would be my vote. With all the other rounds firing, I dont think you have a firearm problem. Did you save any of the live rounds?? It would be interesting to measure OAL and check the primer seating, etc to see if there were any noticeable issues. Could be that the cases were too short and seating too deep in the chamber. I think poor QC on Wiinchesters part though.

No unfortunately I didnt save the rounds in that box, I finished them off. However, I do have two more boxes that I bought with that first box, and they may be from the same lot.

38 special · 06-09-2009, 07:01 PM

I load my own and (knock on wood) I have never had a malfunction with any of my reloads. But i check and double check every round that I load- primer seating, bullet seating ,powder charge ,etc..I dont use a progressive press so its slow work.
I do buy factory loads now and then. The only problems Ive had with factory loads was with 38 special Sellior and Bellot loads. The brass split all the way down on 4 different shells BUT that was out of 4 boxes of shells andand all the rest were fine. I still buy them because they (used to be) cheap and accurate.

Rembrandt · 06-09-2009, 08:44 PM

My first thought is the firing pin spring could be weak....but since it works fine on other brands, perhaps the Winchester ammo was loaded with rifle primers instead of pistol primers.

HalfBreed · 06-11-2009, 04:27 AM

I've been shooting Winchester for years, and never had the kind of problems you speak of. Hopefully it's just a bad lot. I just pulled and shot some Win. ammo that was at the 5 year mark and only had 1 misfire out of 350 rounds.

06-07-2009, 11:57 PM	#1
dark_falcon27 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Auburn, Al Posts: 90	Winchester Ammo, never again I took my HK USP .40 to the range this past saturday morning and had fired off 50 rounds of American Eagle by Federal, 50 rounds of Monarch, and had just opened a new box of Winchester ammo and within ten rounds had a misfire. I experienced 9 misfires out of a box of 50. Anyone else had this problem? I am very displeased with such a reputable company's product. Here is the box. __________________ "He who stays on the defensive does not make war, he endures it" "...Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle" Psalm 144:1 -->

06-08-2009, 12:18 AM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: Winchester Ammo, never again I'd write Winchester and tell 'em you ain't happy. Year or so back I had the first three rounds out of a 20-box of Hornady 44 magnum split. I wrote Hornady. They asked for the lot number, I gave it to 'em, and they sent me another box. If you make enough stuff, no matter what it is, sooner or later you're gonna make some junk. Companies are aware of this, and if you let 'em know you bought the junk, they'll usually replace it. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

06-08-2009, 01:04 AM	#3
21bravo Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: wilkes county, nc Posts: 790	Re: Winchester Ammo, never again ive never had a misfire with winchester pistol ammo... i USED to buy it to feed my XD .357sig but swore it off when i noticed that i was able to push the bullet into the casing suprisingly easy. i think you should write them as well if you had that many misfires __________________ "BIG MOMMA BRAVO" If everything seems to be going well, you obviously do not know what the hell is going on --"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crime." - Thomas Jefferson

06-08-2009, 02:33 AM	#4
delta13soultaker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Depends on Uncle Sam's whim every 3 yrs. Posts: 2,948	Re: Winchester Ammo, never again A gunshop where I used to live had a box of premium self defense rounds on display. The whole crate of ammo was dudes. None of the cases had flash holes. Big boo-boo. __________________ Never say die! "A nation who forgets its defenders is soon forgotten itself." "A good shot must necessarily be a good man since the essence of good marksmanship is self-control and self-control is the essential quality of a good man." – Theodore Roosevelt

06-08-2009, 08:20 AM	#5
PPK 32 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Frickin, Illinois Posts: 1,170	Re: Winchester Ammo, never again Fired lots of Winchester in 9mm as well as the rimfire stuff, just bought some .45 for range day Weds. I have never had any issues with this ammo, even the bulk. I'd get a hold of the company and find out whats up. __________________ -Every road leads to a town, every town has a tavern, therefore you are never really lost. -If you are gonna be stupid, you'd better be tough. Jim Parrish

06-08-2009, 09:50 AM	#6
dark_falcon27 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Auburn, Al Posts: 90	Re: Winchester Ammo, never again Well since winchester doesn't post a phone number on their website for customer service I had to submit an "email" under unanswered FAQ's. I'm hoping it was just a bad batch because I have two more boxes of it at home that I bought with the first box. Oddly enough I had zero problems with the box of monarch (made sure it was brass) ammo, and the American Eagle (by Federal). The American Eagle shot very well. I was very pleased with it. __________________ "He who stays on the defensive does not make war, he endures it" "...Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle" Psalm 144:1

06-08-2009, 09:57 AM	#7
thomas44 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 577	Re: Winchester Ammo, never again I wonder if maybe since the ammo companies are trying to play catch up, the quality control might be suffering somewhat. (????) __________________ Change...it's all you'll have left in your pocket by 2013.

06-08-2009, 11:50 AM	#9
Southern Boy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 110	Re: Winchester Ammo, never again Dont buy factory ammo, but WW once fired brass is about the best I've found for reloading. It is good stuff.Realy good for fire forming. New never fired though, have to go with hornady.

06-09-2009, 05:07 PM	#10
Mac0083 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Florida's Gulf Coast Posts: 45	Re: Winchester Ammo, never again Not long ago, I was shooting .38 specials through a wonderful S&W 357. I had a few hundred shots of Winchester White Box ammo. (150 grain I think.) Had one dud. I examined the dud and the primer was clearly struck. I shook the bullet and heard powder inside. It is my most prized shooting related possession. An eerie reminder of how important it is to double check everything when I reload. Even the pro's got one wrong. __________________ NO MORE CHANGE!

06-09-2009, 05:20 PM	#11
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,853	Re: Winchester Ammo, never again I have used Winchester White Box for years in 9mm for the Browning Hi-Power and in .45acp for the Springfield 1911. Have never experienced a misfire with either. __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*

06-09-2009, 05:33 PM	#12
dark_falcon27 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Auburn, Al Posts: 90	Re: Winchester Ammo, never again I just don't know. I know that different weapons like to eat different makes of ammo, I guess my HK just does not like Winchester. Or maybe it was a bad batch. But 9 FTE's out of a box of 50 can't be a fluke can it? __________________ "He who stays on the defensive does not make war, he endures it" "...Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle" Psalm 144:1

06-09-2009, 07:01 PM	#15
38 special Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 548	Re: Winchester Ammo, never again I load my own and (knock on wood) I have never had a malfunction with any of my reloads. But i check and double check every round that I load- primer seating, bullet seating ,powder charge ,etc..I dont use a progressive press so its slow work. I do buy factory loads now and then. The only problems Ive had with factory loads was with 38 special Sellior and Bellot loads. The brass split all the way down on 4 different shells BUT that was out of 4 boxes of shells andand all the rest were fine. I still buy them because they (used to be) cheap and accurate.

06-09-2009, 08:44 PM	#16
Rembrandt V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 98	Re: Winchester Ammo, never again My first thought is the firing pin spring could be weak....but since it works fine on other brands, perhaps the Winchester ammo was loaded with rifle primers instead of pistol primers.

06-11-2009, 04:27 AM	#17
HalfBreed Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Southwest Ga. Posts: 16	Re: Winchester Ammo, never again I've been shooting Winchester for years, and never had the kind of problems you speak of. Hopefully it's just a bad lot. I just pulled and shot some Win. ammo that was at the 5 year mark and only had 1 misfire out of 350 rounds.