York PA gun show March 2nd, 3rd 2024

[Squaregrouper]

If anybody stops by the MMI ammo table and sees low-ish priced .38sp, ask them what the deal is with the discolored cases and severe crimp is

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Check the headstamp on every single case. I'm not making accusations, but those sure look like they didn't come directly from Speer that way.

 

[Art3]

May want to check the coal on those 38rds. They look a bit short.

Check the headstamp on every single case. I'm not making accusations, but those sure look like they didn't come directly from Speer that way.

I'm going to make a dedicated thread about it later today...it's...interesting...

 

[Squaregrouper]

I'm going to make a dedicated thread about it later today...it's...interesting...

Before shooting any, I would have a .357 Magnum and a chronograph. I would be highly hesitant to send the first few through a .38 Special.
If you can get down this way I would be happy to deconstruct a few and report my findings.
Reaching out to Speer with your concerns and pictures might be wise as well.

 

[Sundazes]

May want to check the coal on those 38rds. They look a bit short.

And that crimp look wonky as well. Are are the boxes like that?

 

[IronEye]

Is there a date code on the box? It could be that this is ammo that has been sitting in a police department storage room for years.

 

[Darkemp]

Looks like reloads using the original boxes out of convenience to me. The crimp is visibly off and the OAL doesn’t look right as others mentioned. Doesn’t look like the brass was tumbled well. Could be out of an estate and assumed it was factory because of the boxes.

 

[Darkemp]

Looks like reloads using the original boxes out of convenience to me. The crimp is visibly off and the OAL doesn’t look right as others mentioned. Doesn’t look like the brass was tumbled well. Could be out of an estate and assumed it was factory because of the boxes.

I wouldn’t fire that out of anything- what if they’re double or over charged? That with the depth I believe could make a big boom. Easy enough to use a bullet puller which every reloaded should have.

When I was bigger into reloading I used to weigh the finished rounds individually after just to make sure none were over charged or doubled, did occasionally find one that way.

 

[Squaregrouper]

I'm going to make a dedicated thread about it later today...it's...interesting...

Their shop is in Finksburg, not far from MD Elite Firearms/Baltimore's Best Pawn.

 

[dist1646]

I wouldn't touch that ammo! Looks like someone set the seating depth and then adjusted the die down to do the crimp without readjusting the seater. I'm saying bad attempt at handloads.

 

[Mr Oni]

better than any maryland show and this on a sunday! so much military surplus but still way over priced. So many Garands and so many sellers pretending they are rare or something. The only box of 45 70 goverment trapdoor safe was 20 bucks over price.

 

[Art3]

Before shooting any, I would have a .357 Magnum and a chronograph. I would be highly hesitant to send the first few through a .38 Special.
If you can get down this way I would be happy to deconstruct a few and report my findings.
Reaching out to Speer with your concerns and pictures might be wise as well.

And that crimp look wonky as well. Are are the boxes like that?

Is there a date code on the box? It could be that this is ammo that has been sitting in a police department storage room for years.

Looks like reloads using the original boxes out of convenience to me. The crimp is visibly off and the OAL doesn’t look right as others mentioned. Doesn’t look like the brass was tumbled well. Could be out of an estate and assumed it was factory because of the boxes.

I wouldn't touch that ammo! Looks like someone set the seating depth and then adjusted the die down to do the crimp without readjusting the seater. I'm saying bad attempt at handloads.

So as to not completely hijack this gun show thread, here's mine:

Suspicious looking Speer Lawman .38 ammo

Part 1, The Bad: I bought some Speer Lawman .38sp 158 gr TMJ ammo at the York gun show yesterday. I was surprised to find the cases looking a little scrungy, and even more concerned when noticed what I consider an ugly crimp and the bullet appearing to be set back pretty far. I looked in my...

www.mdshooters.com

I'm going to look for a date or lot number.