Part of case stuck in chamber - Henry .357

[jostermacedo]

Hi guys,

my first post here, but I'm reading messages on the forum for a while.

I took my Henry .357 X today to the range. After a couple dozen of rounds, I couldn't feed a new round anymore. I ask for some help on the range as I thought the barrel was obstructed. No bullet on the barrel, but when the last case was extracted not the whole case came out. Now I have the front part of the case stuck inside the chamber. Any advice on how to remove it?

Joster

[Sir Henry]

Welcome to the forum. If the head extracted and is not attached it eliminates the easy pushing it back with a cleaning rod. It might be possible to push it back with a brush attached but you run the risk of causing other problems.

Have you shot the ammo in other firearms? It seems to me the cases are weak if they split like that.

[GFK]

I would probably try disassembling the receiver as well.

[jostermacedo]

Welcome to the forum. If the head extracted and is not attached it eliminates the easy pushing it back with a cleaning rod. It might be possible to push it back with a brush attached but you run the risk of causing other problems.

Have you shot the ammo in other firearms? It seems to me the cases are weak if they split like that.

Thanks! No, I haven't fired this ammo in any other gun, This Henry is the only one I have. The ammo is Underwood 158gr.

Joster

[jostermacedo]

I would probably try disassembling the receiver as well.

That's probably what I'll do.

Joster

[JEBar]

first, welcome to our forum, happy to have you join us .... do you know a gunsmith who you could consult with .. .. please keep us informed about removing the case .... be sure to follow the link below to where you can add your Henry to our community's total

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 16#p209316

[Sir Henry]

Do you have the head that extracted so you could post a picture?

[Travlin]

Had this happen to a toggle link lever gun. Take one of your empty cases of the same caliber and find a short bolt that is slightly bigger in diameter. Grind a slight taper on the end of the bolt so that it will start to enter the empty cases. Next chuck the bolt in a vise so that you can access the tapered end. Take a hacksaw and cut three of four short slots at 90 degrees to the threads. What you are doing is making a self tapping bolt. Put the tapered end of the bolt into the brass that is left in the chamber , tap it slightly and turn it maybe half a turn until it bites into the brass but not too much. Now take you cleaning rod that is close to bore diameter , put it in the muzzle until it bumps the bolt and tap easy until the brass drops out. NOW WHY did you get a head separation? Bad headspace oe a case that was a poor reload?

[jostermacedo]

first, welcome to our forum, happy to have you join us .... do you know a gunsmith who you could consult with .. .. please keep us informed about removing the case .... be sure to follow the link below to where you can add your Henry to our community's total

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 16#p209316

Thanks! I contacted a local gunsmith to take a look at the gun. Waiting on a response. I'll post a message when the issue is solved.

Joster

[jostermacedo]

Do you have the head that extracted so you could post a picture?

I don't. I left the range when I noticed it wouldn't feed and it took 15 minutes to get help. Once I knew the issue was the partial case in the chamber someone else was using my lane in the range. Not to mention that the amount of brass on the floor was so high it would take a long time to find the case anyway.

I'll post a picture of the front part of the case when it's removed from the chamber.

Joster

[fortyshooter]

Usually the Underwood ammo is good stuff and they use Starline brass which is very good brass unless they changed to something else.
Have you tried a sharp pick bent 90* to try and pull it out?

[Sir Henry]

Usually the Underwood ammo is good stuff and they use Starline brass which is very good brass unless they changed to something else.
Have you tried a sharp pick bent 90* to try and pull it out?

A dental tool might work.

[Travlin]

I would be careful with a dental pick as they are hardened steel and could score the chamber.

[GFK]

Cleaning jag?

[GunnyGene]

Do you have the head that extracted so you could post a picture?

I don't. I left the range when I noticed it wouldn't feed and it took 15 minutes to get help. Once I knew the issue was the partial case in the chamber someone else was using my lane in the range. Not to mention that the amount of brass on the floor was so high it would take a long time to find the case anyway.

I'll post a picture of the front part of the case when it's removed from the chamber.

Joster

I strongly suggest you pass this along to Underwood, along with the lot number of the box this round came from if you still have it, and any other relevant details. They may have gotten a bad batch of brass, and want to send out a recall notice on affected lots. They may also send you a free box of ammo. A company's most valuable asset is their reputation, and they will want to know about this.

PS: I've patronized Underwood for almost 10 years, and bought a variety of calibers from them including .357, and never had a problem with their ammo. They're good folks.

[nipprdog]

got one out of a FAL rifle once with a dental tool.

[jostermacedo]

Do you have the head that extracted so you could post a picture?

I don't. I left the range when I noticed it wouldn't feed and it took 15 minutes to get help. Once I knew the issue was the partial case in the chamber someone else was using my lane in the range. Not to mention that the amount of brass on the floor was so high it would take a long time to find the case anyway.

I'll post a picture of the front part of the case when it's removed from the chamber.

Joster

I strongly suggest you pass this along to Underwood, along with the lot number of the box this round came from if you still have it, and any other relevant details. They may have gotten a bad batch of brass, and want to send out a recall notice on affected lots. They may also send you a free box of ammo. A company's most valuable asset is their reputation, and they will want to know about this.

PS: I've patronized Underwood for almost 10 years, and bought a variety of calibers from them including .357, and never had a problem with their ammo. They're good folks.

I sent a message to them today. Let's see what they say. The failed round was the third shot from a box of 20, so I decided to check the other rounds. I found 2 with a bulge in the case. See pictures below.

[jostermacedo]

Had this happen to a toggle link lever gun. Take one of your empty cases of the same caliber and find a short bolt that is slightly bigger in diameter. Grind a slight taper on the end of the bolt so that it will start to enter the empty cases. Next chuck the bolt in a vise so that you can access the tapered end. Take a hacksaw and cut three of four short slots at 90 degrees to the threads. What you are doing is making a self tapping bolt. Put the tapered end of the bolt into the brass that is left in the chamber , tap it slightly and turn it maybe half a turn until it bites into the brass but not too much. Now take you cleaning rod that is close to bore diameter , put it in the muzzle until it bumps the bolt and tap easy until the brass drops out. NOW WHY did you get a head separation? Bad headspace oe a case that was a poor reload?

Thanks for the advice! Answering your question: I believe it was bad ammo. It was a factory load: Underwood 158gr.

Joster

[Shakey Jake]

You can take an oversized brush and get them out....usually. I would use a brush for a 40 caliber (at minimum) and you may be able to use a 45. You'll ruin the brush but you can keep it on hand in case it happens again. Just force it in until it, for a better term, crams inside what's left and then pull it out. I had to do that with my .327 Fed Mag Henry when it had a headspace problem. I think I used a 40 cal with it. I finally sent it back and Henry put a new barrel on it. (That was the first time I sent it back....it made two more trips). You can do this from the chamber end without too much of a hassle.
Jake

[rickhem]

Something like this is not uncommon on some centerfire rifles, especially when brass has been reloaded a number of times. There are even tools/devices to get this done quickly:
https://www.amazon.com/UTG-223-Broken-S ... B002TUSJZ2

I've never heard of this happening with a straight wall pistol cartridge. I'd be calling Underwood.
Save the rest of that ammo, and the box it came in for the lot number. They'll need that when you contact them.