Bulged brass from WW2 Mauser Hsc (.32 Auto).

[Ignition Override]

The .32 Auto brass from factory Sellier & Bellot boxes was only checked today, after already using about thirty rounds in the gun. The next six rounds all had bulges immed. fwd. of the rim.

The only abnormal indication was that oily smoke floated up through the chamber after three in approx. forty total rounds. No gas blow backs or anything else, except that the slide sometimes needs a small nudge to close the last 1/4" or so, after one or two rounds etc.

A guy at the range who is experienced with WW2 German handguns looked at the feed ramp and said that it had been modified, machined, possibly to allow better feeding of hollow point ammo.
He said that "the rounds are unsupported".

Even though any gun is considered unsafe to use with bulging brass, in a blow back handgun, would a possible cracked case cause severe lateral or longitudinal (rearward) stress inside a .32 Auto? Searching now for a replacement .32 Auto (versus .380) Hsc barrel, but can't find one.

 

[mete]

If there are no splits in the cases there should be no danger. Bulged cases should not be reloaded. Glock of course , especially early ones could bulge cases easily depending on barrel chamber ,pressure , brass hardness and thickness .A different brass might solve your problem.
If you can't find a .32 barrel peraps you could line a 380 barrel to 32.

 

[James K]

A couple of pictures of the bulged brass and the feed ramp area of the gun would help in determining how serious the problem is. Since a WWII vintage HSc is more in the collector than in the serious pistol category, maybe retirement should be considered.

Jim

 

[Ignition Override]

Excellent points, and have no intention to do any handgun reloading.

My only photo high tech is to somebody's cellphone. Haven't tackled the camera/computer 'mind meld' process.