Elite Ammunition ProtecTOR II Problem

[TC#1]

Hi everyone, I am wondering if this is normal. I shot 2 rounds of Elite Ammunition's ProtecTOR II through my PS90 and the ejected cases looked different from the SS197SR cases I was also shooting.



SS197SR cases are on the left and ProtecTOR II on the right. The ammo shot fine out of my PS90 except the mag popped up on the second shot, but I bought EA's heavy duty mag catch spring to fix it. Also, what is the ProtecTOR II's fps?

[Thermallator]

Looks like the load exceeded the cartridge pressure specification. I would think the brass is not supposed to look like that - but then again - I do not shoot reloads so I do not void the LIFETIME warranty from FN.

Cheers,

-TH

[TC#1]

Whoops, already voided. Haha. It still shoots the typical SS197SR fine, but I'm keeping the Elite Ammo on the side.

[Thermallator]

Whoops, already voided. Haha. It still shoots the typical SS197SR fine, but I'm keeping the Elite Ammo on the side.

You may be on the wrong forum to get expert opinion pursuant this issue. Try f ivesevenfoum.com, co-owned by Elite Ammunition. Show them the pictures - you might get a better answer. That whole forum specializes on this precise problem.

Cheers,

-TH

[124C41]

I would not fire any more of those. ... If it's enough to push the mag out I don't want it anywhere near my face.

[Visceral_Malice]

[DanGuy48]

How do the primers look in both? If primer is really flattened, with edges approaching kind of a squared off look instead of rounded, that's another sign of over pressure. The primer metal flows under those conditions and flattens itself against the face of the bolt.

[HK SD9 Tactical]

Hi everyone, I am wondering if this is normal. I shot 2 rounds of Elite Ammunition's ProtecTOR II through my PS90 and the ejected cases looked different from the SS197SR cases I was also shooting.



SS197SR cases are on the left and ProtecTOR II on the right. The ammo shot fine out of my PS90 except the mag popped up on the second shot, but I bought EA's heavy duty mag catch spring to fix it. Also, what is the ProtecTOR II's fps?

I suggest that you contact Elite.

My take as a reloader of the 5.7 cartridge: You have exceeded the manufacturers specifications on the firearm design in that the magazine popped out of the bracket especially after the installation of a hardier spring, which is not advised. I suspect that you MAY have suffered an "overpressure event" which means that the cartridge caused more pressure than the firearm was designed to operate safely in. The spent brass tells a very straight forward story though.

1. Take a caliper and measure the diameter of the extractor groove (the groove between the case rim and the case body).

2. Take a picture of the primers of the spent cases and post the pictures. Take pictures at different angles. I need to see the primer from the back full on, from the side at about 80 degrees and at about 45 degrees. Close ups are great. While this MAY or MAY NOT show some indications of overpressure, depending on the primers used (if they are very hard) they may not show any distortions. See if the primers are loose in the spent cartridge.

3. Take the rest of the ammo and toss it in the nearest aliby dumpster at the local police station or put it in a place that you will never utilize it again until (even if?) this issue is resolved. As an alternative, you could send it back to Elite and request a refund. Include a note telling them what happened and that you want your money back. Some others may ask you if you will sell the remainder of the cartridges to them. Your choice. If it was me, I would not.

4. Take your firearm to a certified gunsmith and show him the spent cases and ask him to inspect the firearm for damage. This includes all internal components. The butt plate, the moving parts group, the breach block guide assemlbly block, rods, and springs. Tell him you suspect an over presure event and want the firearm checked for operational safety.

Or as an alternative, you can:

5. Call FN repair facility in Arnold MO and tell them what happened. They will most like tell you that you warranty is now void. It will probably cost you to have your firearm inspected to insure that it is still operating in a safe manner, but they ARE the experts in this firearm.

Read this thread. If you have any questions, ask. Ammunition Pressure Discussion



Moderator Note: I will not allow this thread to degenerate into a love/hate reationship between forum members and the ammunition manufacturer. It will be heavily monitored for compliance and I will have no issues of deleting any post that deviates from this. If you have something constructive to say you are welcome to post it. If not, then save yourself the embarasment of having your post deleted.

[HK SD9 Tactical]

I suggest that you contact Elite.

My take as a reloader of the 5.7 cartridge: You have exceeded the manufacturers specifications on the firearm design in that the magazine popped out of the bracket especially after the installation of a hardier spring, which is not advised. I suspect that you MAY have suffered an "overpressure event" which means that the cartridge caused more pressure than the firearm was designed to operate safely in. The spent brass tells a very straight forward story though.

1. Take a caliper and measure the diameter of the extractor groove (the groove between the case rim and the case body).

2. Take a picture of the primers of the spent cases and post the pictures. Take pictures at different angles. I need to see the primer from the back full on, from the side at about 80 degrees and at about 45 degrees. Close ups are great. While this MAY or MAY NOT show some indications of overpressure, depending on the primers used (if they are very hard) they may not show any distortions. See if the primers are loose in the spent cartridge.

3. Take the rest of the ammo and toss it in the nearest aliby dumpster at the local police station or put it in a place that you will never utilize it again until (even if?) this issue is resolved. As an alternative, you could send it back to Elite and request a refund. Include a note telling them what happened and that you want your money back. Some others may ask you if you will sell the remainder of the cartridges to them. Your choice. If it was me, I would not.

4. Take your firearm to a certified gunsmith and show him the spent cases and ask him to inspect the firearm for damage. This includes all internal components. The butt plate, the moving parts group, the breach block guide assemlbly block, rods, and springs. Tell him you suspect an over presure event and want the firearm checked for operational safety.

Or as an alternative, you can:

5. Call FN repair facility in Arnold MO and tell them what happened. They will most like tell you that you warranty is now void. It will probably cost you to have your firearm inspected to insure that it is still operating in a safe manner, but they ARE the experts in this firearm.

Read this thread. If you have any questions, ask. Ammunition Pressure Discussion



Moderator Note: I will not allow this thread to degenerate into a love/hate reationship between forum members and the ammunition manufacturer. It will be heavily monitored for compliance and I will have no issues of deleting any post that deviates from this. If you have something constructive to say you are welcome to post it. If not, then save yourself the embarasment of having your post deleted.

If you choose option 5, FN repair facility will probably want the remainder of the unfired ammunition for examination. If that is the case, it is YOUR decision as to whether you send it to them or not.

[SgtStrykerUSMC43]

Hi everyone, I am wondering if this is normal. I shot 2 rounds of Elite Ammunition's ProtecTOR II through my PS90 and the ejected cases looked different from the SS197SR cases I was also shooting.



SS197SR cases are on the left and ProtecTOR II on the right. The ammo shot fine out of my PS90 except the mag popped up on the second shot, but I bought EA's heavy duty mag catch spring to fix it. Also, what is the ProtecTOR II's fps?

Simple:

The cartridge, along with the moving parts assembly were moving rearward during the event while pressures were too high. Is it normal?... The question should be: Should this be happening?, and of course the answer is "NO".

A call to FN's repair department (Arnold MO.) is in order as they are the only entity truly qualified to inspect the entire weapon in order to make a determination as to whether or not it is still safe to shoot. Don't BS them. Tell them exactly what happened and include fired cases if they request the weapon for inspection.

We all learn from our mistakes and move on...