Should I fire copper-coated Winchester ammo in my Browning 1911 .22?

[CharlieK]

Recently, and during the shortage of .22 ammo, I bought a 1000-round box of Winchester .22 LR ammo. It is their M22 ammo. And no, it's is not the type that was recalled. I didn't realize until I got home and opened it that the rounds are copper-coated. Is it safe and harmless to shoot these in my Browning 1911 .22? I certainly don't want to do harm to the rifling in the barrel. What do you think?
CharlieK

 

[longslide10]

Sure why not. You just may have to clean it better from the copper fouling. I have a Ruger Mark II that loves copper plated stuff and generally will only run with that. Shoot away.

 

[sven79]

Winchester M-22 should be fine. Winchester Super X, on the other hand, may not work as well. I have a .22 kit for my Sig 226, and it likes Mini Mags and M-22. Last year I thought I had scored when they were stocking a local Wal-Mart with .22LR Winchester Super X, and my son and his friends happened to be in the store that night by chance. I bought 1200 rounds, but it doesn't feed well in my Sig. The bullets are very loose in the case, causing the cartridge to bend at the seam of the bullet and brass during feeding, thereby causing the gun to jam. Needless to say it was a suboptimal experience, and I haven't used that ammo since. I am sure it will be fine for other rifles I own, but I haven't tried it.

 

[whodat2710]

Hopefully the copper is a softer metal than what your barrel is made of (hint, that's why most barrel brushes are copper wire) so the only issue will be to clean with a solvent that specifically states "removes copper".

 

[ventman]

Hoppes has a solvent for copper.

 

[CharlieK]

Thanks a lot. What about Winchester EXPERT HV?