After 3 decades, my first split cases

[outrider58]

Looks like a bunch of 9mm shot through a .40.

That would have been my guess except for there being a .45 case in the mix. All the 9mms seem to be split clear down to the case head.

 

[HiStandards]

Here is a "hack" a long time reloader showed me. As you put empty cases into your case feeder, shake a handful. If they ring, they are fine. If they clank, there is a split case.

 

[IronEye]

I also first thought this was an instance of 9mm being fired in a 40. But the cases are not bulged as i would expect.

I have a WW2 38 S&W revolver that has had the cylinder reamed to take 38 special. This was very common alteration to make lend-lease guns more salable in the US post WW2. It splits a case occasionally on reloaded ammo in exactly this fashion.

That got me to thinking - could it be possible that these were fired in a Makarov pistol? The Makarov bullet is much larger in diameter than a 9mm Luger. A 9mm cartridge will fit but it extends a bit farther out of the breech. A 9mm Luger is also much higher pressure but the very loose bullet might have kept the gun from blowing up (this time).
I doubt that 9mm Luger ammo would fit in a Makarov magazine unless it was very obviously tilted nose up.

I guess we'll never know.

I was at the range when a shooter was looking for help with his 9mm. The ammo was not loading right in the magazine. Turns out that his "9mm Beretta 92" was a Beretta 96 (40 S&W). Eeek!