Looks more like an over-sized chamber.

 

I agree with this. I have this problem after reloading a case repeatedly, but not a new case.

 

With the current barrel, is it dangerous to shoot it anymore?

 

Have chamber micrometer checked to see of chamber is out of spec. If it is not then I suspect a old ammo/brass problem

 

Check chamber dimensions, as stated above. Also try a different ammunition. Back around 1980 I bought a new SAA in .45. Bought a box of Remington 255gr lead ammunition. Several cases split, like yours did, when fired. Was worried it was a bad Colt. Fired the same ammo through a Ruger Blackhawk and a T/C Contender. In both of those firearms, the cases split just like in the Colt. Bought a box of Winchester, same basic load, and never had a problem. Just a thought.

 

I had a box of Federal .32 H&R mag do the same thing. Federal said it was a brass issue and replaced my ammo. I was shooting it out of my S&W 16-4

 

So, I gotta ask, most 51 Remingtons are 380. Your not firing a 32 acp in a 380 chamber? Come to think of it, those might fire but I don’t think they would cycle the action. Oops, I just read your barrel and it say 7.65 mm. It’s not that! Yep, just old brittle brass. Switch brands and most likely your issue will go away.

 

I don't see any evidence of a large chamber, the cases still look straight sided. Could be messed up brass. I don't worry about low pressure much, I'd find another cartridge that is newer and fire it. Turning your face away and closing your eyes, of course.

 

Remington 51's in .32 ACP are not very common. And given the quality of manufacture, an oversized chamber would be really odd (unless someone did something to it). I'm with smkummer...is it a .380?

 

Thanks everyone. I bought a whole lot of new made 32 acp Norma ammo about a year ago at precovid pricing so maybe I'll try a box of that in the next few days. I was using my old ammo first but I think I'll jump ahead (last in, first out). If still split cases, then I'll get the chamber dimensions checked.
I'll report back after my next shooting session.
Kim

 

And yes, definitely a .32 . Barrel is factory marked .32 & 7.65mm.

 

Depending upon the age of the ammunition and the environment of storage there is a possibility of the metal bullet jackets cold welding to the brass cases over an extended period of time. This can raise chamber pressure high enough to split the cases.

 

It may be the lighting or the angle but the 4 cases in the first picture look slightly bulged to me. It isn't as noticeable in the 3rd picture but a bulge seems to be there.
It very well might be bad brass but you might also consider a chamber cast.

 

I agree with Azshot, I don't see any abnormal bulging on those cases that would indicate an oversize chamber. It looks like brittle brass. Try squeezing one of the non-split cases with a pair of plyers and see if it cracks and splits instead of crushes.

Best regards,

 

As mentioned, I would bet it’s the brass and not your pistol.

 

I once had a bunch of Federal .380 split every case in an H&K. All the non- Federal ran fine. The ammo had been around a while, but was not ancient. I attributed the split cases to brittle brass.

 

That is some older ammo, assuming that it is factory. Sold by S.S. Kresge & Company and they changed their name in 1977.

 

Am wondering why you would check the brass after firing the first round. Did you suspect something? You also mention a farm. Was that ammo kept at a farm - anywhere around a stable? Asking because the Brits found that the ammonia in animal urine caused embrittlement of cartridge brass, leading to many failures. There is a chance, however slight, that the barrel was mis-marked. Mostly, just try a fresh box and let us know.

 

I usually always check the first fired brass of an old, used gun like this one (99 years old) I acquire just to see if anything quirky going on. That's just me and may be silly to do so. I've been itching to shoot 4 of my old .32acp pistols this week - the Remington Model 51, Colt 1903, Savage 1907 and H&R self loading. Two hiccups so far, the Remington as described here and I broke the firing pin on the H&R which I fired for the first time. I replaced it's firing pin and now it runs fine. I'll clean them up and put them away for another year.
No the ammo is stored at my house, about 15 miles from the "farm".
The lot code on the box I think shows a 1976 date and the Kmart(?) price sticker shows a code of 6-76 which I assume is month-year. I'm pretty confident the ammo was factory made based on who I bought it from.
If the weather cooperates and the rain stops, I'll head out and do another test shoot today with more current ammo.

 

I also suspect those could be reloads put back in a factory ammo box,the brass looks fairly beat up to be old never fired ammo. If it was kept in its original box as new the rims would look a lot better, who knows how many times they have been reloaded. I know I have done exactly that with .41 Mag.

 

I would try different ammo before anything else.

 

Was able to shoot the pistol this afternoon, this time with newer made Norma ammo and no problems. Brass cases all looked normal so I'm happy!

 

Nice! I knew it had to be the brass. Good for you.

 

Norma brass is very good quality.

 

Yep, I would have bet a dollar to a doughnut your gun was fine. That's why I said don't sweat the gun, try more ammo. Great!

 

Every ammo maker has a bad lot of brass from time to time. Being "Me" I would email Federal with a pic of the brass and see what they do. Even though it is vintage, they might even comp you a box!

 

Did you try to shoot a different brand of ammo? I had some Norma brass that kept cracking and all other brans shot ok. Sometimes the brass may be brittle and not allowing for expansion like my Norma brass.

 

Years ago shot a box of Norma .30-30 through a pre-64 Winchester Model 94. The Norma ammo was factory loaded, and about 15 of the 20 rounds split out the neck. Never did it before or after with W-W or Remington ammo, so I suspect a bad lot of brass on the Norma.

Your cases look normal except for the splitting, sometimes in multiple places. I would suspect ammo.