I was at my local indoor range firing my recently acquired model 438. I am working to get familiar with the DA pull. After 50-60 rounds I loaded some 158gr semi-wadcutters. First 2 rounds went off fine and then that scary "pssst" sound. Likely no powder and the bullet lodged just inside the barrel. The range guys put it on their bench and dislodged the bullet. Glad I was not doing rapid fire. Happy and Safe shooting!

Attached Images

DSCN2284.jpg (181.5 KB, 58 views)

Don't know how much you shoot of if you are just lucky. Probably been around or experienced hundreds. Many were 22 rimfires but many weren't. Witnesses a Smith model 19 that blew up after a squib load left unknown in the barrel. Was standing next to a shooter that fired a round after a squib in his Marlin 1894 357. Huge bulge in the barrel. On the trap range it is so common that there is a push stick at each station to dislodge the stuck wads from the barrels. I also collect factory ammo that didn't go bang when I pulled the trigger. So far it has cost me one antelope and one mule deer.

Glad that turned out OK for you.

I'm curious, was that a reload or factory ammo?

Well it is important to specify whether factory or loaded ammo. I have seen my share of rimfire duds, but the last fail I recall was a 9MM Sig round. He ejected the round and the primer was inserted sideways and crushed. Nowadays when I get a box of ammo, I examine the primers when I get home Because I feared it might be the symptom of rushed production issues.

Most all squibs were reloads. Many duds also. However, some squibs were centerfire factory ammo. 22's on the other hand were all factory of course and while there are many factory duds there are also a number of squibs. I do only antique guns and am always wandering around gun store and pawn shops looking at older guns. Quite often you will see an older 22 rifle with a bulge in the barrel from a squib being lodged in the barrel and a second shot fired. I have a Remington model 241 in my collection with such a bulge. After my original post was logged on, I recalled an incident that happened next to me earlier this year. My 12-year-old grandson is a history and gun nut and quite knowledgeable. Getting a chance to fire a friends WW2 M1 carbine this summer he was ringing the gongs with regularity. Then I saw him struggling to make the carbine feed. Taking it from him, I noticed the bolt would close but fail to lock up. Upon inspection, his last round was a squib load, factory, and the dislodged bullet has only barely left the case, leaving the bullet still slightly in the chamber, thus keeping the next round from completely chambering. He was within 1/8th of an inch of blowing up his first gun.

Was sold to me as factory "vintage". And there was no box so I guess I can't be sure. I have more of the ammo and plan to be very careful with it. As others have said, I have had my share of misfires esp with 22's. And I saw a friend nearly fire a second round after a squib. Not sure he knew it but I suggested that he check and there was a factory 32acp round in the barrel. To the other comments I am thankful nobody got hurt.

I was firing a sub machine gun (Mac11) and doing a “mag dump” and had a squib that had enough power to lodge a bullet and allow the bolt to cycle loading the next round and boom. The bolt blasted backwards with flames etc and the ejecting case exploded from the breach into flying bits of brass. Glasses snd luck kept the Carnage to just the gun. Both bullets were logged in the barrel. Luckily no injuries to anyone but the barrel was junk. . Back then barrels were $65. I’m much more careful nowadays

__________________
My Daddy was a pistol..

I also had my first squib load last week while shooting Ammo Incorporated 158 gr. 38 special. It was easily removed, but I will not be using their ammo any longer.

Factory ammo (not rimfire) in spite of what many believe, does fail from time to time. While thankfully not an everyday occurrence, I have had a bunch - mostly Remington brand. Back in the late 1970's & early 80's I had a handful of Remington 38 specials fail to ignite - bad primers I believe. I have also had one Winchester 38 special fail in the same time period. The Federal, CCI, Speer, Buffalo Bore brand (centerfire) has so far never failed for me.

About 5 years ago I was shooting with a friend who had just inherited his fathers 35 Remington lever action Marlin rifle. After picking up 40 rounds of ammo for it, we headed out to the Range. The first 6 rounds would not fire, not even a sound! We both thought there was an issue with his rifle so we stopped shooting it. When we got home I looked the Marlin over and it looked and seemed to function perfectly fine. The following week he picked up another two boxes of ammo but this time it was Winchester. At the Range every Winchester cartridge worked perfectly and then he tried the remaining Remington rounds once again - none fired! He then opened the second box of Remington and out of 20 rounds only 8 went off. He contacted Remington and the said he had defective rounds, apologized and sent him a refund.

Hopefully now that Vista (now owns the Remington brand) it has supposedly improved the ill fated Remington ammo and it will prove to be reliable once again. That said, this is why it is imperative we practice clearing our pistols for malfunctions, duds, etc. You just never know when it could happen.

I have been lucky. Had one in my 4" M-57, my reloads. Bullet wedged in the forcing cone, tying up the gun. In recent years problems with 22LRs, forced production no doubt.

Glad you are ok and you noticed the different sound when firing. I've had one squib and one double charge in all my years, both reloads. They were pretty early on when I started reloading. The squib I beat out with a wooden dowel rod. The double charge was a 44 Special but shot out of a 44 Magnum. I was clicking right along with the specials and one of the six reared the gun way up and a huge fireball came out (daytime shooting). That was quite enough to check EVERY case after powder charging. It takes a little longer with my progressive but it's sure whole lot safer...

My first one happened about 6 months ago. I was shooting a comped gun, so it didn't cycle. It was my own reloads. And I had failed to verify a powder charge was thrown. So it was my fault.

I would not shoot anymore of that ammo you have. My rule is to never shoot "Mystery Ammo" or someone else's reloads. You had a squib this time. Next time could be a double charge and a Kaboom.

__________________
Watch & Pray

Great to hear it ended well !

It is True what they say ... "You always remember your first !"

Mine was June of 1971 , no powder and the 158 gr. SWC stuck in the forcing cone of my model 60 S&W . Tied the revolver up tight !
I carry a range rod now while shooting .

Gary

__________________
Certified Cajun
NRA Member

A couple years ago I had a squib in a 32/20 M&P. Was shooting some older factory ammo (don't remember brand). Fortunately it locked the cylinder. Went home & took a dowel rod and drove bullet back into cylinder & then out.
Also pulled all the bullets out of remaining ammo & reloaded with new powder & primers. Just be careful with old ammo.

-don

__________________
SWCA LM#2190 SWHF#414