SQUIB with Fiocchi .38 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

OLDSTER · Mar 28, 2017

I, unfortunately, experienced a "squib" yesterday while shooting my J frame using Fiocchi 130gr. .38sp.

I've never, in over 50 years of shooting, experienced this with a well known brand name. It was the 5th shot from the first 5 rounds out of the box. I have 2 concerns/questions and looking for in-put; Would I be taking a chance shooting the rest of the box ( I'm tempted to dispose of the remaining 45 rounds) ??, and is this typical low quality of Fiocchi hand-gun ammo ( first Fiocchi I've purchased)??. Thank you in advance for your input

Brasky · Mar 28, 2017

Fiocchi is a good brand and I have went through a lot of it. Squibs can happen with any brand of ammunition and this is the first I have heard of it with fiocchi. I have heard of it wit Remington, Winchester, federal, etc

I would shoot the rest on a day I had enough time to pay attention and ensure the rest shoots wekk

Pisgah · Mar 28, 2017

If you'd ever seen a line of commercial loaders running full-tilt you would wonder how in the world you don't have a squib at least once in every ten rounds. Stuff can and does happen, and a single squib does not mean poor quality -- it could happen with any brand.

chief38 · Mar 28, 2017

I have shot Fiocchi ammo on several occasions and have not had any abnormalities other than the fact that it is VERY HOT! Consistently hot too - I'd say their standard velocity ammo is hotter than most American made +P. I did not have my Chronograph with me when I shot it so I can't quote you actual velocities, but you can DEFINITELY feel the difference.

Arik · Mar 28, 2017

Typically good ammo. You happened to get a bad round

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Ballistic147 · Mar 28, 2017

I've shot quite a bit of it over the years in various calibers and never had a problem. My biggest issue with Fiocchi is the brass as the flash hole tends to be way off center. While this isn't a problem shooting it and would not cause a squib it does make it more difficult to deprime the brass for reloading.

lowriderfxr · Mar 28, 2017

I agree that Fiocchi is good ammo but I know personally of 2 firearms that where seriously damaged by Fiocchi. One was a forum member who rarely posts, Michael Stern. This was sadly a 27 8 shot blue, one of 200. The cylinder was blown apart. S&W did step in but all they could do was fit a stainless cylinder to it because that was the only 8 shot cylinder they had. He traded this revolver to me.
The other was my nephew with a Daniel Defense AR15. It detonated in the chamber and stretched and destroyed the receivers. DD replaced the rifle but said it was the ammo that caused it.
While I know that a good majority of their ammo is really good, these two situations that I know to be true are enough to make me shy away from their ammo. There are others comparibly priced that I buy instead.
Not an internet troll here, just conveying two instances that I know to be fact.

cmansguns · Mar 28, 2017

as Chief38 says above, this ammo can be very hot...right from the factory.

With a J frame (or actually I suppose any revolver) could the recoil from possibly extra hot ammo slightly unseat another round in the cylinder just enough for a loss of initial pressure at time of ignition?

I have read of handloaders experiencing this "unseating" but usually their problem seems to end up with cylinder lockup, not squibs, but maybe just a thought.

Does the spent case crimp look any different than the rounds fired normally?

OLDSTER · Mar 28, 2017

cmansguns said:
as Chief38 says above, this ammo can be very hot...right from the factory.

With a J frame (or actually I suppose any revolver) could the recoil from possibly extra hot ammo slightly unseat another round in the cylinder just enough for a loss of initial pressure at time of ignition?

I have read of handloaders experiencing this "unseating" but usually their problem seems to end up with cylinder lockup, not squibs, but maybe just a thought.

Does the spent case crimp look any different than the rounds fired normally?

Thanks for the response. I did check all 5 cases and they seemed to be OK. The bullet was lodged just ahead of the forcing cone and the space behind the bullet was packed with unburned powder. I'll break out the Model 64 to shoot the rest of the box, but will be extra vigilant re; consistency of sound and recoil. But no more Fiocchi for me

Trooperdan · Mar 28, 2017

I'd notify Fiocchi before you shot up the rest of the box, they might want the ammo for testing and they will likely comp you replacement ammo.

Brasky · Mar 28, 2017

lowriderfxr said:
I agree that Fiocchi is good ammo but I know personally of 2 firearms that where seriously damaged by Fiocchi. One was a forum member who rarely posts, Michael Stern. This was sadly a 27 8 shot blue, one of 200. The cylinder was blown apart. S&W did step in but all they could do was fit a stainless cylinder to it because that was the only 8 shot cylinder they had. He traded this revolver to me.
The other was my nephew with a Daniel Defense AR15. It detonated in the chamber and stretched and destroyed the receivers. DD replaced the rifle but said it was the ammo that caused it.
While I know that a good majority of their ammo is really good, these two situations that I know to be true are enough to make me shy away from their ammo. There are others comparibly priced that I buy instead.
Not an internet troll here, just conveying two instances that I know to be fact.

Sounds like manufacturing defects on the firearms and they didn't want to take the blame

Nevada Ed · Mar 28, 2017

+1 on post #10

They should be notified and you can get another box if.......
you want to try this brand again.

BigDog48 · Mar 28, 2017

I've shot a whole bunch of Fiocchi in 9 mm and .38 and never had a problem. I would say it's just one bad round.

hoc9sw · Mar 28, 2017

Do Not shoot the rest of the box. Keep everything (paper box and remaining rounds) together, and CALL them. Email is not sufficient.

They will likely provide a return label (they will want to tear down the rest of the box to see if it was a larger problem).

Arik · Mar 28, 2017

OLDSTER said:
Thanks for the response. I did check all 5 cases and they seemed to be OK. The bullet was lodged just ahead of the forcing cone and the space behind the bullet was packed with unburned powder. I'll break out the Model 64 to shoot the rest of the box, but will be extra vigilant re; consistency of sound and recoil. But no more Fiocchi for me

Every ammo manufacturer has had this problem. Might as well avoid them all. Besides that many manufacturers make ammo for each other

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rwsmith · Mar 28, 2017

What.....

Brasky said:
Fiocchi is a good brand and I have went through a lot of it. Squibs can happen with any brand of ammunition and this is the first I have heard of it with fiocchi. I have heard of it wit Remington, Winchester, federal, etc

I would shoot the rest on a day I had enough time to pay attention and ensure the rest shoots wekk

What he said. In 40 years time I've had some squibs from mainstream ammo. Not very many, but every once in a while. Probably enough to count on one hand. The one I've had have always been dead primer, not really a squib. Probably that primer didn't get any compound in it because they haven't gone off at all, in spite of repeated tries. When they are dead. They are REALLY dead.

apollo99 · Mar 28, 2017

I've never had what the OP described with the bullet down the barrel and packed powder, All of my factory ammo issues were primer issues, I then just tear down the ammo and and re-use the case and bullets.

silversnake · Mar 28, 2017

Out of curiosity how long is your barrel? I've never seen a squib in a snub.

JayFramer · Mar 28, 2017

Reasons such as this are why I've reloaded all my ammo for the past 14 years.

springer99 · Mar 28, 2017

Trooperdan said:
I'd notify Fiocchi before you shot up the rest of the box, they might want the ammo for testing and they will likely comp you replacement ammo.

+1 on this. Also check the box for a Lot# and give that to them as well. I've had a few Squibs over the years and most mfg. are very good about working with you on the problem. Sometimes, they'll arrange for UPS to pick of the remaining rounds for testing and in every case, they've been very generous about compensating me for any costs.

SQUIB with Fiocchi .38 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

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