Ammunition and Barrel Damage

[Orion]

What kinds of bullets damage barrels? How can I tell?

I just had a KKM NM Barrel installed in my M9.

Thanks.

[Rover]

Bullets will not damage your barrel unless you have one in it and shoot another.

[tedh]

I have a KKM 1/32 twist barrel and shoot cast lead, swaged lead and jacketed bullets. I have found no issues.

[Spencer]

What kinds of bullets damage barrels? How can I tell?

I just had a KKM NM Barrel installed in my M9.

Thanks.

- Hangfires with incendiary ammunition will damage your barrel - do you use incendiary bullets?
- silver projectiles (a la Lone Ranger) will damage your barrel - do you use silver projectiles?
- a projectile that fails to clear the barrel, followed by another that does can damage the barrel - do you have this problem?

[Spencer]

What kinds of bullets damage barrels? How can I tell?

I just had a KKM NM Barrel installed in my M9.

Thanks.

- Hangfires with incendiary ammunition will damage your barrel - do you use incendiary bullets?
- silver projectiles (a la Lone Ranger) will damage your barrel - do you use silver projectiles?
- a projectile that fails to clear the barrel, followed by another that does can damage the barrel - do you have this problem?

MOST barrel damage is done by either lack of cleaning and/or incorrect cleaning methods and procedures!

[gulliver62]

Not damage but
Shooting jacketed & lead bullets seems to cause more of a lead buildup than shooting lead alone. This caused me to have to clean those guns more often and more vigorously.

[Orion]

Thanks to all that replied. Myth busted.

[JamesH]

Apparently moly coated bullets can cause rapid corrosion. Moly being hygroscopic.

I wouldn't should jacketed after lead without a total clean.

The cartridge you drop on the ground then load in your gun is the one which will do the most damage.

[Rover]

I occasionally shoot a jacketed round to clean lead out of the bore. The bore must be clean of jacket copper before shooting lead for best accuracy. I rarely shoot jacketed bullets, even out of my magnum pistols. They just aren't necessary.