Noob reloader questions

[The deerslayer]

I will be soon reloading for a 9mm. My first question is how clean does the brass have to be to function properly in a semi auto pistol? My second question is what do I do about a crimp for a bullet without a crimp groove?

[Questor]

It doesn't have to be very clean. Just wipe it off with a paper towel and that should be clean enough. Your dies will have a "taper crimp" option. That's the one to use for bullets like that.

[Rick N Bama]

#1.  I really don't know as I normally tumble clean all my brass.  I guess as long as you don't have enough crud on the cases to prevent chambering you should be OK.

#2.  I don't load 9MM but as far as I know it uses a taper crimp and doesn't require a crimping groove.  I load for 45ACP, 10MM Auto & 357 Sig and none of those use a crimping groove.  I also load 357 Mag & it uses a roll crimp so the bullet does have the groove.

Hope this helps,

Rick