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From a different thread:

Jeremae wrote:It might be a good idea to start with just what you need for 1 calibre (I would suggest 9mm as it is realtively easy to load) and you don't need the case trimming tools for pistol calibres.

I'm getting all the equipment together to start reloading 9mm and have been wondering about case trimming. I thought I read somewhere that pistol calibers don't need to be trimmed and deburred and now I read the statement above.

I'm planning on just reloading handgun calibers, starting with 9mm for now, so can you enlighten me on why you don't need to trim pistol calibers? Do they not expand enough to stretch out like the rifle calibers? Total newb to reloading here, so sorry if I say something naive or ignorant.

Good question! I'm also interested in the response to your query.

Straightwalled pistol brass doesn't 'grow' when resized. Not sure if .357SIG needs trimmed, since it is a bottleneck case though.

The goal of proper case length is correct headspacing:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headspace_(firearms)

Technically, rimmed straightwall cases can grow, but it's not as pronounced. Just ask any IHMSA silhouette shooter using a Dan Wesson 357 Super Mag.

If you plan on using the same batch of cases over and over, I would at least do a spot check at every 5th reloading of that batch. All it takes is one case that is too short/long to cause trouble for your firearm of choice.

So do you just measure the case with a caliper and then trim each case by hand? Is there some great gadget out there to trim the cases when you've got hundreds or thousands to check ?

I've got a reloading manual coming in the mail. So if all this info will be in the manual, feel free to tell me to bug off and get to reading.

If the cases are just-fired factory fresh brass, I wouldn't worry too much about length, at first. You could also get a set of "go/no-go" guages (or make your own, if you are inclined).

I don't reload thousands of rounds in a single sitting. I do good if I reload 200 rounds in a single session.

I will take a batch of brass, and then check with calipers. After that, I will spot-check a few samples from that batch every so often. The time period between depends on the cartridge type and strength of load: cartridges with more "ooomph" get checked more often.

I would just hone my reloading skills with a batch of one hundred, for starters. I'm sure that your manual will also give more information about case trimming. I have a bench mounted trimmer. Once you set it, trimming can go by fast.

I have reloaded several thousand rounds of 45acp, 9mm, 45 Colt, 44spl, 38 Super, and 357mag during the past several years and I have never checked the case length on any of these calibers, and I have never had a function failure with them due to a lenght issue. I have a few friends that have been reloading for many years also and they would make the same statement that I just made.

I am not saying it could not happen with these handgun calibers, I am just saying the odds for these calibers growing enough to have a problem are so low I just don't bother with case lenght.

I have found the only time you need to trim a straight wall case is if you are going to roll crimp. if you are going to taper crimp don't worry about trimming. I only trim for my 44Mag. it needs a good solid crimp and trimming makes it more constant.

Houston1944 wrote:I have reloaded several thousand rounds of 45acp, 9mm, 45 Colt, 44spl, 38 Super, and 357mag during the past several years and I have never checked the case length on any of these calibers, and I have never had a function failure with them due to a length issue. I have a few friends that have been reloading for many years also and they would make the same statement that I just made.

I am not saying it could not happen with these handgun calibers, I am just saying the odds for these calibers growing enough to have a problem are so low I just don't bother with case length.

This has been my experience as well.

Most of the comments are on target (har!), but I would add that if you are anal about the crimp then you need to be sure that your cases are about the same length. If the lengths differ widely, so will your crimp since the die is setup based on the case's length.

I just bought a bunch of reloading stuff on Friday from a member here, and I'm excited to get started. I had to go to the local gun shop to acquire a few components and was asking the manager of the store (a man that I have done business with for years and trust when it comes to firearms related issues) how often I needed to trim my cases. His response was, "Handgun cases?" "Yup." "Well, I don't know, I've been reloading for 25 years and I've never trimmed one, but necked rifle cases will need to be checked/trimmed each time if you're loading for accuracy or reliable feeding in an auto." I took that to mean that straight wall pistol brass doesn't require trimming.

I never trim my 45Auto brass, never seems to grow too much. I end up Loosing, Crushing, or somthing the brass before there are ever any issues...

Well, didn't worry about trimming the cases and reloaded and fired my first 50 rounds this weekend. All went without a hitch. My Lee Pro 1000 works great, my wife thinks it's "cool" that I can actually make our ammo, and I don't have to worry about hunting down factory rounds at local stores or buying tons of ammo online to save a buck anymore. Life is good.