AFTE Store - Perplexing Ballistic Identification Problems with Contemporary Hi-Point C9, 3-Left 9mm Pistols

A unique change in the rifling characteristics of 9mm Hi-Point istols to 3-left was introduced in September of 2011 with C9 pistol number P1622200, making it an easy classification task for forensic firearms examiners in no-gun cases when presented with fired bullets bearing these general rifling characteristics. Associating fired bullets with the responsible pistol, however, is often no easy matter, and in fact, may not be possible in some cases. This is due to the minimal engagement between common 9mm bullets and the three lands in these pistols. Only very small areas immediately adjacent to the driving edges of the lands display striae. These striae often fail to exhibit patterns of suitable reproducibility necessary for
identification purposes. The brand of ammunition also plays an important role in the production of any reproducible striae
patterns on fired bullets, adding another level of difficulty for the firearms examiner if the brand of ammunition involved in a shooting incident is unknown or uncertain. This brand sensitivity remains true even when the bullets of different brands have the same basic jacket composition, weight, diameter, length of the bearing surface and comparable muzzle velocities. This research addresses three subjects: 1) the settling-in process for five, consecutively-manufactured, button-rifled, 3-left C9 barrels, 2) the difficulties in associating fired bullets with the source pistol, and 3) the presence or absence of subclass carryover between consecutive 3-left C9 barrels.