Author Topic: My Colt Commander is fried! (Read 1329 times)

Dusty Miller · « **on:** November 30, 2005, 09:00:46 AM »

It must've been a double charge that did it. A bunch of stuff blew out the back of the gun and did enough damage to my pretty countenance to draw blood. The slide has only about an inch of travel in either direction. Throw in the fact that the magazine won't come out and its just one screwed up gun that is due to land in the shop soon. DANG IT! Now I'm wonder'n how many more of those loads are laying amongst the several hundred rounds I have loaded up. That almost new Dillon 550B is a wonderful thing to own and operate but it ain't foolproof. Ya gotta keep a keen eye out to make sure you don't stroke the handle without indexing.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2005, 11:12:38 AM »

Sure would'a made up the cost difference of a 650. I only say that in jest after you said you were ok. Really sorry to hear about what happened.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2005, 01:04:26 PM »

thats just the reason im allways preaching that a 550 is not a good press for anyone thats inexperienced. Im not saying you are but theres alot of people that are constantly recomending them to first time loaders and first time progressive buyers. I have one and use it alot but it takes a little more consentration to use then a square deal or 650.

knight0334 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2005, 02:23:14 PM »

thats why I hand measure all my loads.. then top the charge with a bullet so I dont double charge it.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2005, 09:13:08 PM »

No doubt about it, ya gotta PAY ATTENTION to what yer do'n. I'll be making some changes to my routine for sure.

williamlayton · « **Reply #5 on:** December 01, 2005, 12:11:44 AM »

Dang that is a shame and VERY scary.
Glad it was not worse, the heck with the gun it is not really important in this convesation.
Blessings

myronman3 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 01, 2005, 01:30:18 PM »

i am glad you are o.k.- you can always fix or replace the gun.

when reloading, i try to #1 pay attention!!!!!!! i feel for you, but that 550 did not double charge that case- you did!!! quit blaming the machine.

second thing i try to do is use a powder and charge that will overflow the case and spill all over, making a big mess if it is double charged. alot of manuels tell you how much case capacity listed load takes. this is useful information for reasons listed above. just another safety precaution.

i learned to reload with a lee aniversary kit, single stage. my close friend introduced me to dillon, and i love their machines. while slick, they are no substitute for attention.

again, i am very glad you are o.k.. learn from it, and remember the lesson.

Tn Jim · « **Reply #7 on:** December 01, 2005, 02:26:41 PM »

Sorry to hear about that. That's why I stick with my old Lee single stage. May be slow, but it forces me to pay attention.

Nuttinbutchunks · « **Reply #8 on:** December 01, 2005, 04:34:06 PM »

I had a S&W model 65 come apart on me like that. I did it with a double load of HS-6. The top part half of the cylider split off the gun straight up and bent the top strap to a 30 degree angle. The barrel came loose and the part of the cylinder that hit it fragged in two and was sent in diferent dirrections. That was my first hand gun, and I still have it. :?

UnSafe · « **Reply #9 on:** December 01, 2005, 04:44:20 PM »

What was your intended charge and powder?

I've stuck with powders that'll overflow the case if double charged. That, and the fact that a bullet won't sit on top of an overflowing case, add two more "Safeties" to my routine. Granted the most important safety is your/ my brain focused upon the task at hand, with good light and no distractions, but when you're loading 1+ thousand rounds, every little bit helps.

Glad you weren't hurt badly. Have you considered sending it to Colt with a letter explaining your error? Don't know if they'd give you credit on a new pistol.

PS- Some guys use a RCBS lock out die to reduce the chance of a bad charge. Might be worth looking up/ searching for opinions about.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #10 on:** December 01, 2005, 09:46:34 PM »

The lockout die looks like it'd be worth looking into. I'll check the RCBS web site.

Fireball 57 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 02, 2005, 10:15:20 AM »

Dusty Miller: I am glad you're still able to tell the tale. I admire the fact that by sharing your experience we might learn from it! Those progressive presses have been known to set a bullet in a 45ACP match load deeper than it should causing excessive pressure and KA-BOOM! Please, everyone, be careful out there! :-)

Mikey · « **Reply #12 on:** December 02, 2005, 10:26:24 AM »

Dusty - sorry to read about this but glad you are OK. I gave up on my Dillon 550 a while back, when she forgot to charge about 50% of the loads I took to the range that day. Fortunately for me, the loads were either properly charged or not charged at all. I dumped the entire lot and recommend you do the same with those loads you brewed up.

As for the Dillon - it has its place. I will use it for sizing, belling and seating/crimping but I had prime and individually charge all my cases. Hope you get that Commander back in working order. Mikey.

williamlayton · « **Reply #13 on:** December 03, 2005, 02:11:03 AM »

I have been keeping up with this one.
When dealt lemons in life--make lemonade.
The mind-set should be one of thanksgiving. Giving thanks that you have been preserved. The weapon can be replaced.
Learn from the experience and grow beyond it. This can make a better shooter of you, if you allow it.
I think you will.
Blessings

1911crazy · « **Reply #14 on:** December 03, 2005, 03:12:05 AM »

Glad your ok thats the most important thing the gun can be fixed or replaced so material things don't mean crap. Wether we get hurt or not is more important.

Are you sure it was a double charge or the bullet moved farther back in the case when it hit the feed ramp thus making the chamber pressure higher? I have seen loose bullets in the case if the taper crimp isn't used on the 45acp cases. I'm just setting up my Lee Pro 1,000 press and i figure i'd have to taper crimp the cases after reloading to besure there ok.

I have reloaded since the early 70's and i charge the cases then take a penlite and do a visual check to make sure they are all charged and to see if the powder level is pretty much the same in each case before I seat the bullet in them next. I know we can't do that with the progressive presses but how do you double charge a round in a progressive press? Did you put a charged case back in again? Thanks for posting this it raised an awareness and it could happen to anyone of us were all not perfect. I'm just glad you ok.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #15 on:** December 03, 2005, 07:17:59 AM »

If you double stroke the handle without indexing for any reason you'll get a double charge. The real key I think is to develope the discipline of indexing EVERY time the handle is pulled. Also, eliminating distractions from the reloading area is critical.

williamlayton · « **Reply #16 on:** December 03, 2005, 10:56:30 PM »

D MAN-Brings up a good point to consider while you look for reasons. It is very important that the actual cause be found otherwise you may still be playing with fire.
Have you noticed any crimping concerns with the dies you are using?
Blessings

Savage · « **Reply #17 on:** December 04, 2005, 11:34:12 AM »

The fact that the 550 does not auto index is the problem. If you want a Dillon, get the 650. The 550 is just an overpriced turret press.
Savage

Dee · « **Reply #18 on:** March 01, 2006, 05:39:08 PM »

Have been reloading ammo since 1970. A couple of guys nailed the problem. There is nothing wrong with the press. Use a powder like Unique that will over-fill the case on a double charge and flow thru the powder charger without bridgeing. GET A LIGHT ON THE POWDER SIDE where you can see every case as it comes out of the powder charge die. I have loaded thousands of rounds thru the 550 and haven't had any problems. Machines do what you tell them to do. As for the guy with the uncharged cases. How long have you been at it. Powder bridges can happen in the very best of progressive loaders if the type of powder your using is prone to bridge. Progressive loaders have to be tuned and powders that work well in them have to be used. Solution! TUNE AND READ AND PAY ATTENTION! :roll:

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #19 on:** March 01, 2006, 11:42:20 PM »

sorry but i dont buy into the use the powders that wont allow a double charge deal. I use the powder that shoots the best in my gun period. One little trick you can do though on a 550 is mount a light right above the bullet seating stage so you can easialy see that the powder charge looks normal. Keep in mind that in an auto a under charged case is just as bad as a double charged case stick a bullet in the barrel when your shooting fast and its all over for the gun.