Extremely bulged .45 ACP case

I obtained a bunch of once-fired military WCC brass that had been reloaded with 230 FMJ and then shot at a National Guard range. Almost all of this brass was in great condition. However, among this brass was the single piece shown below with the extremely bulged base. This bulge extends all around the diameter of the case. My guess is that this is due to excessive pressure. It's worth noting that these bullets had a sealant which I've heard can cause this. Someone suggested that this might be due to an out-of-battery firing, but I've been told that the 1911 is incapable of firing out of battery. I would be interested in hearing opinions from anyone who has seen or experienced something similar. Thanks.

If its all the way around the case it almost has to be an OOB firing. Perhaps the disconnector wasn't working properly. If it was fired in battery I think the brass would just flow into the throated area of the barrel chamber, the hood would prevent brass flowing upward. I'm surprised it didn't split.

Agree about it being OOB. I had a 45 ACP round overload from a commercial re loader and it broke the case open along the feeding throat but the balance of the case was normal.

Maybe fired from a SMG rather than 1911

rreid wrote:Maybe fired from a SMG rather than 1911

That was my first thought as well.

The usual overpressure 45 ACP cases look like this:









The bulge is not 360 degrees circumferential due to the case head support, the unsupported side of the case bulges.  I have not seen cases fired from all weapons, but the case from the National Guard range does not look like something fired from a 1911.

I would almost bet that it was from a "Grease Gun".  The National Guard still has those things in their inventory or at least they did before I retired.