Public Service Announcement. RE: PPU 158gr SWC .38 SPL

[Bassat]

Please, DO NOT use this ammunition in anything even close to a self-defense situation.

On more than one occasion, I have recommended PPU 158gr SWC as backup/speedloader ammunition for defensive J-frame revolver use. Please allow me renounce and retract that recommendation. I have put about 500 rounds of that ammo through 3 different guns: Charter Arms Off Duty, S&W 442, Taurus 856 3". In all that ammo, I've had one failure with it. During firing, the bullet dislodged and moved out of the case far enough to lock-up the cylinder. I wrote it off to one bad apple, and shot several more boxes of this ammo without issue. It happened again today, in my 23 ounce, 6-shot Taurus 856 Defender. In case anyone is wondering, a revolver with a cylinder that will not revolve is a cudgel, not a gun; it is completely worthless for self defense. The first failure was in an 11-ounce CA Off Duty. As I said, it happened this time in 23-ounce 856. This ammo is not suited for self-defense.

Please, DO NOT use this ammunition in anything even close to a self-defense situation.

 

[Bassat]

I took another box of this to the range today. There were two 'bullet pops out of casing far enough to jam up the gun' errors in that box. I have ordered some Hornady XTP as my speed-strip ammo. The PPU 158gr SWC is a disaster waiting to happen, in my book.

 

[snorko]

Email the lot number to the manufacturer. I have shot thousands of rounds of PPU ammo including .38 spl and never had a problem. Clearly there was a problem when that lot was made.