Model 29 blow up

[dla]

I think this is a case of barrel over-torqued into the frame. There's no particular reason why only half the barrel would bust if it were an obstruction.

I think the barrel was damaged and finally let go taking a chunk of the frame with it.

 

[AzShooter]

Smith & Wesson may ask for you to send the remainder of the ammo for them to check it out. You cannot send ammo. I learned this when my 929 blew up.

Since it's factory ammo Smith should take care of you. With mine they offered a new gun at a very reasonable price and I paid it.

 

[Carrier]

You may want to check this thread out S&W wouldn't do anything for him as he was honest to tell them he used reloads.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...02-29-10-durability.html?highlight=Dirtybarry

 

[bigfatty]

Man, I'm just glad you're ok. Somebody better be replacing your revolver, be it S&W or Fiocchi! Wouldn't a squib be a bit different in the report and recoil? I've had a few in autos before, and immediately knew when they occurred.

 

[Campin Buddy]

I appreciate all of the knowledge presented, thank you very much everyone.

I'll keep this post updated as news comes in.

 

[lowriderfxr]

I believe that Fiocchi makes good ammo. I've heard that from others as well. However, I have personal knowledge of two firearms blowing up due to factory ammo. A blue 8 shot 27 and a Daniel Defense AR15. Both incidents were with Fiocchi ammo. Take that for whatever its worth.

 

[Muss Muggins]

What was the ambient temperature at the range. Having ammunition sitting in the sun on a bench can raise the pressure of the ammunition to some extremes that can cause a pistol to blow. This is especially true if you are shooting enough to have the pistol temperature up already. I had that happen to me once when I was testing some glaser ammunition with a Devel pistol for a manufacturer. It was quite a surprise. Since that time, whenever I'm at the range I keep my ammunition in the shade and sometimes, depending on conditions in a styrofoam cooler.

When a gun blows it will always go at the weakest spot first. If it wasn't for temperature I would guess a blockage in your barrel from a squib load, but you should have noticed that in a .44 magnum.

And this doesn't happen to the military all the time in the Middle East, why?

 

[dirtybarry]

Based on my dealings with S&W about my 29-10 that failed in a very similar manner, ( http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/446602-29-10-durability.html) let me give you a heads up as to what you can expect. S&W will say that their guns are perfect and any failures are the fault of the ammunition. And that you will have to pursue the ammunition company for damages. It's a total weasel move.

There was no barrel obstruction from a squib load in mine either. The first 2 rounds made 2 separate holes in the target paper and even the 1 that did it in made it's own hole.

If I can be of any assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me. I've got pictures, S&W contact info and every email related.

I'm glad you're OK. I know exactly how freaky this is.

-Barry

 

[Buford57]

Free advice and worth every penny:

Whatever you do, don't let all of the ammo out of your possession, whether to S&W or Fiocchi or local reps sent by them. Hang on to at least 5 rounds for possible testing by an independent lab. If if either insists on having the packaging sent to them, be sure to get clear pictures of lot numbers and product numbers first.

You will not get a do over on this.

 

[flintsghost]

And this doesn't happen to the military all the time in the Middle East, why?

The reason is they are carrying their ammo in mags and carriers not leaving it lying around on a bench for the sun to beat on. The sun shining on a box of ammo can raise the pressure considerably. That's what happened to the gun and ammo we were using. Because it was being used for an advertising gimic leading into the Shot Show. The temperature was high and the gun and ammo were being photographed. I fired a couple of the experimental Glaser safety slugs which were known to be higher pressure than normal and had black tips instead of the blue. The pistol was a Devel conversion on a model 39, similar to what a 3913 would be today. It blew. The grips shattered, the barrel chamber area raised up in the ejection port. The magazine bulged through where the grips used to be. I got some cuts on my hand and it was very sore. The end result by both Devel and Glaser was the heat and sun raised the pressure over the threshold. The ambient temperature was not enough by itself but the sun beating down on the nickel cased ammo was enough. Just as it would raise the temperature in a car high enough to kill a dog or child, it will raise the pressure in the casings enough to blow the pistol.

 

[bigfatty]

Come to think of it, I also seem to recall it usually be Fiocchi when something like this happens. Dunno why ... I've used a lot of it, and I think it's pretty good ammo.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Looks like you had a squib load. Perhaps acerbated by the barrel being over torqued. The missing pieces are probably some where above flying formation with the International Space Station.

If it were me, before I sent it back for replacement, I'd keep the grips and rear sight assembly. "Mementos" of the original gun. Smith will probably pitch them anyway.

 

[BJ343]

The reason is they are carrying their ammo in mags and carriers not leaving it lying around on a bench for the sun to beat on. The sun shining on a box of ammo can raise the pressure considerably. That's what happened to the gun and ammo we were using. Because it was being used for an advertising gimic leading into the Shot Show. The temperature was high and the gun and ammo were being photographed.

I understand the Mil Spec powders are much more temperature stable, our local power co ADi that makes powders for Hodgden, make all sorts of wild claims about how insensitive their powders are...i fired a lot of 5.56 and 7.62 that has been baked in the sun all day never an issue.......assuming the powder was sensitive to being warmed up...will another 50ft/sec extra MV really blow up a gun...I dont know

 

[mtelkhntr]

In picture 1 it's hard for me to see but is that rust on the bottom of the barrel where it split or dirt from being blown off and landing there? If it's rust, that's where the failure started.

 

[k22fan]

The discussion of pressure increase caused by sun baked cartridges is off topic in this case. Over pressure cartridges bulge cylinders before doing any damage to the frame or barrel. The O.P.'s cylinder appears to be good as new. In 6 shot S&Ws the first distortion is dimpling the chamber walls under the cylinder stop notches. I'm curious if the cylinder even has that damage.

 

[dirtybarry]

The discussion of pressure increase caused by sun baked cartridges is off topic in this case. Over pressure cartridges bulge cylinders before doing any damage to the frame or barrel. The O.P.'s cylinder appears to be good as new. In 6 shot S&Ws the first distortion is dimpling the chamber walls under the cylinder stop notches. I'm curious if the cylinder even has that damage.

I've been around this block with mine and my cylinder looks and measures the same as the one in my 629. I think there is a bad batch of this model. But getting S&W to accept that has been problematic to this point.

 

[Muss Muggins]

The reason is they are carrying their ammo in mags and carriers not leaving it lying around on a bench for the sun to beat on. The sun shining on a box of ammo can raise the pressure considerably. That's what happened to the gun and ammo we were using. Because it was being used for an advertising gimic leading into the Shot Show. The temperature was high and the gun and ammo were being photographed. I fired a couple of the experimental Glaser safety slugs which were known to be higher pressure than normal and had black tips instead of the blue. The pistol was a Devel conversion on a model 39, similar to what a 3913 would be today. It blew. The grips shattered, the barrel chamber area raised up in the ejection port. The magazine bulged through where the grips used to be. I got some cuts on my hand and it was very sore. The end result by both Devel and Glaser was the heat and sun raised the pressure over the threshold. The ambient temperature was not enough by itself but the sun beating down on the nickel cased ammo was enough. Just as it would raise the temperature in a car high enough to kill a dog or child, it will raise the pressure in the casings enough to blow the pistol.

I call that which makes grass green. So, a fiber box gets hotter than a metal magazine? Set both in the sun, or in your car, and grab each. See which one you set down first. Notwithstanding the starting pressure, the pressure required to push a bullet from a case remains the same. When that pressure is achieved, the bullet will exit the case without further issue. If the bullet is crimped too tight, the round may explode, but that has nothing to do with the starting pressure. Your comparison to a hot car is invalid, as cars don't over pressurize and force the child out the window . . .

 

[Dave Workman]

I concur with others who advise keeping some ammo and having it tested. Now, did you check the empties? Any sign of high pressure? Flat or cratered primer? Split case? The damage looks awfully like a blocked bore AND hot load. It would not be the first time someone got a bad round, however, if the ammo was sitting in the hot sun, all bets are off. As others have noted, hot ammo can be real trouble no matter who manufactured it. Glad you still have your fingers.

 

[hkcavalier]

Looks like classic squib + another shot fired, though the OP stated the first shot felt fine. Squibs won't feel "fine".

Was anything left in the barrel i.e. a bullet or two?

 

[flagman1776]

A bore obstruction should be pretty easy to spot as it's probaby still in the bore.
I would set up & take a bunch of really clear pictures of the gun, ammo, ammo box showing lot number.
No one can say how long it will take to resolve this... or the twists & turns it will take.