Comments on: Ammo Failure (Detonation?) in 3-Gun Match — Watch and Wince

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 00:59:12 +0000

The bolt obviously locked in place with locking lugs locked in barrel extension. Whatever the reason, it was an over pressure, likely due to a squib load (the click no bang) with a bullet likely in the barrel. The pressure blew the cartridge apart and the gases expelled around the bolt, thr extractor, and the firing pin hole. The bolt held and very well may have saved his life. Had the lugs sheared off the upper receiver would have blown to pieces and the bolt could have been thrown into his face.

I think people should rethink their misfires especially during a match. No match is worth more than your life. If you have a “click no bang” scenario, keep the rifle pointed in a safe direction for 30 seconds or so and only after cycle the squib from the chamber. Forfeit the game if you feel there is any risk. After all it is just a game. I know from experience, having personally experienced a “click no bang” scenario and lacking the experience of the risk and the wisdom to take my time and inspect the situation I pulled the trigger again and watched a pistol explode to pieces in my hand.

By: John Hartsock

John Hartsock — Sat, 31 May 2014 02:01:11 +0000

At the 2014 Remington USPSA Multi-Gun Nationals in Las Vegas, a shooter in our squad had a squib with factory Federal M193 ball ammo. The Range Officer stopped the shooter and a bullet was found stuck in the barrel. Needless to say, the shooter did not get a re-shoot, but he went home with all of his fingers and an undamaged firearm.

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 20 May 2014 00:28:41 +0000

How do you not notice a squid potential round? I can tell even with .22LR when I might have a squib load. No matter what when something like that happens you had damn well better check the barrel for obstructions to be on the safe side anytime it happens. Now if he accidently loaded with the wrong powder well that is nothing but a failure to be sure of what you are using when reloading ammo. Pilot error can cost you your life or permanent disfigurement. When in doubt CHECK IT OUT!

By: macguru

macguru — Fri, 16 May 2014 09:50:22 +0000

he had a stuck bullet, probably caused by a primed cart with no powder, then fired a normal shot that ran into the lodged bullet.

By: Spencer Hutchings

Spencer Hutchings — Fri, 16 May 2014 05:29:12 +0000

We had a squib happen in a class when we were running everything really hard. Lower mostly survived, broken bolt catch. The bolt, bolt carrier, upper, barrel extension were totally destroyed. Found two bullets lodged in the barrel. No barrel bulge. The barrel was fine, put on a new barrel extension and put back in service. Still shoots MOA at 100y. Hell of a thing.

By: Julio

Julio — Thu, 15 May 2014 22:32:17 +0000

The jury seems to be unanimous on this one.

All the same, would it be wrong to suggest that the greatest threat to Mr. Malin’s well-being has less to do with what he feeds his rifle than…

Perhaps it would. Stay safe, all.

By: tylerw02

tylerw02 — Thu, 15 May 2014 22:01:33 +0000

An AR15 won’t easily fire out of battery, so I doubt that’s the case.

One thing I’ve had happen, I’ve had squibs. Luckily, I checked it to be sure. The round didn’t want to extract and I had to mortar the rifle. What happened was I had a bullet stuck in the throat and the following round still chambered but the bullet was set-back into the case. Luckily, I didn’t fire. I found a shiny piece of brass on the ground with a spent primer and no carbon in the neck.

This is what caused the “over-pressure” round in the video, I believe. So it was an over-pressure round induced by the previous squib and bullet in the throat.

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 15 May 2014 20:29:58 +0000

I have seen the result of a wrong powder mishap in a very strong bolt gun. Everything came undone. The barrel was actually propelled several feet forward. I can not exclude in improperly charged round as a possibility, but this incident appears to involve an out of battery ignition, the cause of which is not fully explained. Photographs of barrel obstruction incidents more often than not have shown barrels which have split rather than just a bulge. A detailed examination of the barrel would be in order as well as the remaining ammunition looking for any high primers and breaking it down to examine and weigh the powder charges. I also wonder which primers were involved as some are more sensitive in a slam fire scenario.

This incident illustrates why a misfire of any sort should be treated as a cease fire. In any sort of timed competition like this, your run is non-competitive anyway. This is a reminder to us all to exercise care both as individual shooters and as club members or range officers. It is indeed fortunate that the worst thing that happened here was the destruction of the rifle.

By: Jamal

Jamal — Thu, 15 May 2014 17:47:59 +0000

Another vote for a squib and then a normal round. Too much of a coincidence.

Does everyone still teach “tap, rack, bang”? The odds of getting a squib exceed the odds of being in an actual gunfight. If one is in a gunfight, then “tap, rack, bang” may be the right thing to do. If one is not, then the bore should be checked after a pop or click instead of a bang. Checking bores with an AR is a trivial undertaking. Pull one pin.

By: Gregory Garland

Gregory Garland — Thu, 15 May 2014 17:02:07 +0000

Yep. Looks like the prior round was a squib. That would be my guess.