XD Talk

mgregoire94 · 02-28-2012, 06:53 PM

I have been hearing some differing opinions on steel and wanted to hear what you all think.
First Question- Is the Blazer stuff steel or aluminum, and is it crap? I have shot many rounds through my CZ with absolutely no problems. I am reluctant to shoot it through my new XDM because a range attendant told me they had a glock blow up shooting steel.
I was also told that the poly coating on the Blazers, when heated up, can coat the inside of your barrel.
Also been told that because the steel is harder than brass, if there are any burrs on the round, it can screw up your barrel.
Thoughts?

Cuda66 · 02-28-2012, 07:23 PM

All of what you've heard is wrong.

Blazer is aluminum, not brass, and it's decent stuff.

Steel will not blow up your pistol simply because it is steel. A brass cased round that is overcharged will blow up your pistol just as easily as a steel case which is overcharged..

Blazers do not have a poly coating. Most steel ammo does, and it won't damage your chamber at all. Some steel has a laquer coating, and that tends not to be an issue, either.

The steel used is mild steel, much softer than the ordinance steel of your barrel. A "burr" will not harm your barrel (especially since the bullet is coated in a thin copper jacket, which actually contacts your barrel's rifling).

In short, shoot it up.

mgregoire94 · 02-28-2012, 07:31 PM

Thanks for the info. I have a ton of the Blazer aluminum and have been wondering whether I should use it because of what I was told. I also thought it was steel but now I know it is not. So, why is it so much cheaper than most other stuff? I have used it for a long time in my CZ without issues.

mgregoire94 · 02-28-2012, 07:37 PM

Forgot to mention one issue I had with Blazer. I had some .357 rounds that would not seat all the way into the cylinder on my S&W. I think the coating on the case prevented it.

dglock · 02-29-2012, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuda66

All of what you've heard is wrong.

Blazer is aluminum, not brass, and it's decent stuff.

Steel will not blow up your pistol simply because it is steel. A brass cased round that is overcharged will blow up your pistol just as easily as a steel case which is overcharged..

Blazers do not have a poly coating. Most steel ammo does, and it won't damage your chamber at all. Some steel has a laquer coating, and that tends not to be an issue, either.

The steel used is mild steel, much softer than the ordinance steel of your barrel. A "burr" will not harm your barrel (especially since the bullet is coated in a thin copper jacket, which actually contacts your barrel's rifling).

In short, shoot it up.

Not all blazer ammo is aluminum, there is blazer that uses brass cases.

don

Cuda66 · 02-29-2012, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dglock

Not all blazer ammo is aluminum, there is blazer that uses brass cases.

don

I was hoping that anyone reading this would be able to tell the difference between a brass and an aluminum case, and that the OP was referring to brass.

Guess I shoulda been more clear.

mgregoire94 · 02-29-2012, 10:40 AM

Yes, I know the Blazer brass. I was wondering about the others. Which I now know are aluminum, not steel.
Thanks guys

JBRazor · 02-29-2012, 10:52 AM

I shoot steel cased ammo in IDPA because I hate chasing brass after I shoot. With fast, rapid shots, I've never had a problem.

psubowhunter · 02-29-2012, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgregoire94

I have been hearing some differing opinions on steel and wanted to hear what you all think.
First Question- Is the Blazer stuff steel or aluminum, and is it crap? I have shot many rounds through my CZ with absolutely no problems. I am reluctant to shoot it through my new XDM because a range attendant told me they had a glock blow up shooting steel.
I was also told that the poly coating on the Blazers, when heated up, can coat the inside of your barrel.
Also been told that because the steel is harder than brass, if there are any burrs on the round, it can screw up your barrel.
Thoughts?

Never met any Steel/Aluminum cased ammo that I liked it's a LAST resort LOL. With that said I've shot some of it in my XD and Xdm and it went bang

Blazer Brass is OK (I would get this OVER ANY Steel or Aluminum stuff) The .45acp stuff was HORRIBLE accuarcy wise at 20 yards at 10 yards you can at least keep it on the paper LOL (The .45acp has small primers some guys hate it some love it reloading wise) the 9mm was a little better both RELOAD OK

Just remember the .45acp stuff is SMALL primers.

bowmanr · 02-29-2012, 11:11 AM

Fire away!

Especially if you're shooting it in your XD. It's gonna shoot just fine. Oh, and I always take what I hear on the range from range officers with a grain of salt, especially if it's some pimple-faced range safety officer that just happened to take an RSO course. Now if it's a war-hardened "Gunny"-type tough guy, yeah I tend to listen to them a little more. But this range officer that said he saw a Glock blow-up from a steel-cased round, I'm calling BS.