Thread: Ammo, gun, or both?

It looks like the bullet is tumbling. Are you shooting reloads or commercially made bullets? It could either be the loads are way underpowered, or the rifling in the barrel is either worn or VERY dirty and the grooves aren't engaging with the bullet, or the bullet is undersized. I'm sure there could be more reasons why that's happening.

What kind of gun are you shooting and what kind of condition is it in?

Are you shooting 9MM bullets In .38 cases and gun?

Give us a bit more info.

Key holing is pretty common with under powered loads, too long a shot, distance, slug is not getting spun by the barrels rifling.

What distance was the shot(s)?
Caliber?
Reloaded or store bought?

With answers to these questions we might be more able to help you.

115 grain Golden Bear FMJ, HI- Point C9 (think I'm starting to believe the bad things I've heard), 10 yards. Gun was field stripped and thoroughly cleaned about 3 weeks ago and not shot since.

Before you blame the gun can you try the ammo on a different weapon?

Possible, but improbable for a while- the only guy I know with a 9mm is in boot camp for the next couple months. I already have plans to sell it, too. I don't really like the way the C9 feels in my hand. It was the first pistol I'd shot and it was OK then. I shot it side by side with my PT145 Pro yesterday and found it was harder to reacquire sight picture with the Hi Point- I was fighting the muzzle flipping down from the heavy slide coming forward, where the .45 flipped up and returned to POA much quicker. I may start looking for a different 9mm soon, this shooting stuff is more addictive than crack.

10 Yards huh?

I think that may be the problem. HiPoints are not made to shoot at that extreme distance. Scoot up about 9 1/2 yards (bludgeon distance) and try again.

Originally Posted by James NM

10 Yards huh?

I think that may be the problem. HiPoints are not made to shoot at that extreme distance. Scoot up about 9 1/2 yards (bludgeon distance) and try again.

And I thought I was mean sometimes.

Originally Posted by James NM

10 Yards huh?

I think that may be the problem. HiPoints are not made to shoot at that extreme distance. Scoot up about 9 1/2 yards (bludgeon distance) and try again.

That's pretty funny..

..If you have a chance to sell it then sell away. Aside from my bias against that particular manufacturer it comes down to weather or not you are comfortable with the weapon or not. If there is doubt in your head about it the weapon then it's no more than a paperweight or a club.

The bottom line is you have to know that the weapon is going to perform as it should...Always. I wont say that the ammo isn't bad, I have no way of knowing that without testing the ammo that you have that caused these keyholes. But at that range bulk ammo in a short barrel 22 should have went through clean, round hole. So rather that ammo is way underpowered or the barrel it's going through is as smooth as a babies rump, or the ammo is just not biting into the rifling doe to being too small. If you have any other 9mm ammo you can check it out the sizes compared to each other or even better using caliper to check the size of the round at it's shoulder.

The problem is most likely the Hi Point. They are crap. Sorry about your luck brother.

Tumblers suck. Get rid of your paperweight and go get something worth keeping.

Try the "bullet test". Pic below. Yes, I realize that's a rifle barrel, but the concept is the same. Make sure your pistol is unloaded, double check of course. Then try to put a bullet in the barrel as shown. It should be engaged by the rifling before the widest part of the bullet fits into the barrel. This basically assures that you have the bullet being engaged by the rifling.

Keyholing is caused by a lack of stabilization of the bullet because it doesn't engage the rifling and get the required rotational spin to facilitate stability. I'd bet this is your issue.

Oh... and never ever EVER buy a Hi-Point again, or we'll have to beat you with reeds!

*EDIT* If you do sell it, sell it to someone you don't care about and get ready to change your phone number. Also, make a reciept for it that states "sold as is, no warranty other than that avialabe from the manufacturer". Good thing is, from what I hear (hehehehe) they have a lifetime warranty!

thanks for the tip Z. I'll try it in the morning waiting for the cable guy

Originally Posted by falchunt

The problem is most likely the Hi Point. They are crap. Sorry about your luck brother.

The only down side I see with buying the HI Point is I don't like it.(Not blaming it for the keyholing- hasn't beend determine outright) Bought it second hand for cheap so I'm not really out anything but I did discover the world of handguns with it and I do like this new world.

lol the new world of spending lots of $$$$$

Originally Posted by F1ELD

lol the new world of spending lots of $$$$$

Boy is that the truth.

Come to find out boot camp guy let a mutual friend keep his gun while he's away. We put 30 rounds (what I had left in the box) through his 24/7 9mm and every round put a neat little CIRCLE hole in the target. Glad I'm selling it- hope I can find someone that still wants to buy it