No reloads in some handguns.

krmcn · Feb 27, 2006

Does anyone have any idea why some manufacturers say not to use reloads in their handguns. Certainly you can match a factory load.

Fuelburns2 · Feb 27, 2006

I think it has to do with liability and warranty issues. If you use a really hot reload and blow your gun up the manufacturer can say that they warned you not to do that and they won't perform any repair or replace it under warranty. They can also avoid lawsuits from people getting hurt by dangerous reloads such as squib loads. It is just to cover their backsides.

Welcome to PistolWorld!

Rev. · Feb 27, 2006

Fuelburns2 said:
I think it has to do with liability and warranty issues. If you use a really hot reload and blow your gun up the manufacturer can say that they warned you not to do that and they won't perform any repair or replace it under warranty. They can also avoid lawsuits from people getting hurt by dangerous reloads such as squib loads. It is just to cover their backsides.

I agree completly. :wink:

claybird · Feb 28, 2006

One word: Lawyers

hoashooter · Mar 1, 2006

TWO WORDS-LAYWERS,MONEY

b540glenn · Mar 1, 2006

Lawyers, Guns and Money. :wink:

TheRedScare · Mar 1, 2006

Lawyers, Guns, Money, Liberals.........

TOM-M · Mar 1, 2006

Can you blame them? I know if I built and sold a gun, based on what I've seen some "reloaders" do, I wouldn't want some of them shot in it...at least as long as the warranty period.

I'm all for reloading, do a lot of it (mostly shotshells), and at least attempt to build loads based on recipes, but that doesn't mean I'm beyond "educated" component substitution or, on a handful of occasions, experimentation.

That said, I wonder how hard it would be for a manufacturer to prove reloads, say, if you cleaned one really good before sending it in for service?

Paul F. · Mar 1, 2006

Not to mention that under-powered range reloads often do not fully cycle the firearm, eh? :wink:

TOM-M · Mar 1, 2006

Paul F. said:
Not to mention that under-powered range reloads often do not fully cycle the firearm, eh? :wink:

Without facts or figures, I'd venture to guess that a lot of equipment/reload "failure" is due to your suggestion.

I know of one kid that actually had the top half of his receiver get imbedded into his forehead...shooting a reload...I smell a blooper that left a wad where it shouldn't have, but as far as I know, the exact cause was never determined. The kid was lucky to live.

meldrim gunsmith · Apr 24, 2006

I'want to add this, guys I have seen weapons nlown apart from factory fubars !

billt · May 7, 2006

krmcn said:
Does anyone have any idea why some manufacturers say not to use reloads in their handguns.

Not just "reloads", Glock and some others do not recommend the use of non jacketed bullets as well. This is because of the Polygonal type of rifleing they have. Bill T.

billt · May 7, 2006

meldrim gunsmith said:
I'want to add this, guys I have seen weapons nlown apart from factory fubars !

http://www.hs.fi/english/article/1101978285825

Bad ammo or bad guns will explode without the use of "reloads"! Bill T.

BigDog · May 19, 2006

Reloading is a very safe practice, in my opinon, when you take the time to understand your press - adjust it, clean it and lube it properly ( and stop if something isn't right ). I also run every round I make up thru a caliber specific case gague / check gague as a final stage on my bench before I box the rounds up. Occasionally there is a small bulge / a hairline crack in case that I missed even though I cleaned and inspected them before they went into the press.

I understand lawyers / insurance companies run the world for the most part - but a little common sense and some knowledge goes a long way. If a gun can shoot factory ammo / it can shoot reloads safely - but it is prudent to load them to a minimum spec not to a "hot" or maximum spec.

I've been happy to mentor new reloaders - before they just jump into it - and point out the good and the bad / things to look for in equipment / good practices, etc. I don't let other guys share time on my loaders / I don't shoot anyone else's reloads and mostly because I don't need the liability or want the responsibility, god forbid, someone got hurt - but I'm a lot more confident in my own reloads than any of the "sale" ammo I see at the gun shows. I don't have any reservations about shooting factory ammo - at least stuff like Remington, Winchester - but I don't run any Wolf, Sellier & Belloit, etc thru my guns.

jack62 · Oct 31, 2008

Well put Big Dog. I feel the same. Maybe this is advised to the gun manufactures from the ammo manufactures as to not hurt ammo sales? Jack

jim n iowa · Oct 31, 2008

I have sent (2) pistols back to Ruger because the barrel turned. The first one was a Super Black Hawk 44 mag which I did shoot 240g lead at mid range reloads(5%-10% under max). The other is a Ruger Red Hawk 5.5" that shot nothing but factory 240g Mag Tech. They repaired both but the question of reloading came up. The Super Black Hawk has turned again using Mag Techs. I cut the barrel down and now use it to carry in the field. Not happy with 44's from Ruger.
Jim