My daughter wants to take her concealed carry class .We went to the range out back to practice shooting my feather light 38 as she sights in down range and squeezes off the first round the pistol explodes ! the bridge over the cylinder takes flight straight up never to be found again and the cylinder has a crack in the top of it showing the remington 38 full metal jacket 130 grain target load casing through the side of the cylinder my daughters a trooper tho and undetered but a little shaken she continues practiceing with a 22 cal. and completes her course unfortunately I'm left with a useless pistol now and that's too bad I really loved that gun does anyone know the procedure to notify s/w of this malfunction

Welcome.

Glad everyone is OK. Phone S&W and explain what happened. Contact Remington if you were shooting factory ammunition.

S&W Customer Service: 1-800-331-0852
Remington: 1-800-243-9700

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"I also cook."

By all means, contact the manufacturers. If there is an issue with the ammunition you may help to save someone from a similar incident and possibly serious injury.

Glad you are both OK.

Welcome from Texas ys92sporty. Great forum for all things S&W, have fun, learn lots, share what you know.

Sorry to hear of your "adventure", by all means call the manufacturers.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

Overcharged case almost surly. Remington. Don't shoot anymore of that ammo. Any pics?

FYI with a quality revolver such as a S&W these types of failures are almost universally the result on a cartridge that was overloaded, usually a double or triple load. Note, the only reason I say "almost universally" is simply because nothing in life is absolutely certain, however I've never heard nor read of a cylinder in a modern revolver blowing up that wasn't caused by misloaded ammunition.

Bottomline, whoever manufactured the ammunition that blew up your gun is responsible for this event, it was not a failure of the revolver.

Since both the top strap and the cylinder failed it must be the ammo that caused the fault. For either part to fail would be rare, but for both to fail on the same gun does not seem to be plausable.

rat

Ummm...am I the only one who wants to see pictures? Sorry for the loss, thankful everyone was OK. You're daughter is to be commended for keeping her cool.

First off, glad everyone is ok/safe. Second, where are the pictures?

I agree that its most likely the ammo's fault. As for remington ammo, I have never used their ammo so I cannot comment as to the reliability/power/incidences.

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Disabled Combat Veteran OIF

Glad to hear no one was injured. That load should not overstress an aluminum-framed gun. What exact model was it?

Be sure to save the remaining rounds for Remington to inspect.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I have never heard of a feather light S&W? Could it have been an Air Lite, or an Airweight? What model was it? Was it recent manufacter ammo? Recent manufacture gun? Pics would be nice.
Also it sounds funny that the cylinder is just cracked, but you blew off the topstrap?

Why being so picky?
Not hard to interpret. LW J-frame. Bad ammo Light off a double or more charged round. Crack open the cylinder and blow off the top strap. Pictures not required.....that's just slowing down to look at a car accident.

Condolences to the OP...and it's not your gun's fault. Go after the ammunition manufacturer.

Methinks his lack of replies could suggest that HE was the ammunition manufacturer...

Ed

Yeah.....could be. Other obvious choice to cause this problem is obstructed barrel; first round she lit off....my bad for not mentioning that sooner.

His first (and only post) about a feather weight (no such model) S&W that blows up and offers no pictures. Yeah, I'd like to see pics too...

Jim

I agree, no factual info as to model or pic's from a "new" member. Sounds just a little bit like an anti rant. If by chance this guy is legit he will probably follow up, otherwise suspicions confirmed.

Come on guys’ let’s give the new fellow a chance. At 0806 he asked how to contact Smith and Wesson and Remington, at 0945 S&Wchad gave him the information he requested. As for the lack of pictures, I would be hard pressed to supply current photos of anything unless I really had to. As for the incorrect name “feather light” not everyone had the total interest in handguns that most of us have and generally could care less about a products name.

Right now we need all the friends we can get, we don't need to be Clannish and make rash accusations without some proof that someone is trying to pull a fast one.

Pics or it didnt happen!!

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MP40 442 SHIELD9 SHIELD40 MP22

Pictures please.

My morbid curiosity wants to see pics, but I agree, let's not crucify the OP, even if his own hand load grenaded his gun, or whatever the problem was.

We're all on the same team here.

This thread officially sucks without pics! C'mon dude. You're killin' me!

And, what the heck is a "Feather Light 38"?

Its only been 5 days, mabe he only gets one day a week off. And if he's like me , I'm still trying to figure out how to post a picture. And mabe he got the feather light confused with some other model. Why would anyone make something like this up.

It took me a while to figure out how to post pics, and even then I learned through another forum member via PM's.
Assuming the OP is legit, you may have a very good point.

I have to agree somewhat. Posting thumbnals was no challenge but I needed help via P.M.s to post larger photos.

Still - I have seen a lot of blown-up trap shotguns and every failure has been ammo or obstruction related. On my other PC, I have several photos of a Krieghoff KS-5 that was grenaded by poorly-reloaded ammo.

Ed

Here is a question for you all. How many guns do you own, that you do not know the name of , or model number? I know all of mine, thats for sure!

Really guys???

Quite the welcome for a new person to the forum who is asking how to contact S&W to get a gun evaluated/repaired.

He wasn't ragging on S&W... He didn't say brand X guns are better... He even said he loved this revolver, but now it is busted and he just wants contact info for S&W to see if it can be repaired.

What do the members here do? by the seventh post, there were veiled accusations of him posting info which wasn't "plausible".

If you wonder why some new shooters are put off by their intro into the world of shooting and refuse to share info via these forums, maybe it is the welcome they receive from us. I doubt this guy will ever post pics of this gun after he comes back to see the comments and accusations.

Sorry, but someone has to call it like it is.

Edmo

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TRUTH: Don't delete my posts!

[ And if he's like me , I'm still trying to figure out how to post a picture.]

If he's like me, he is still trying to figure out how to turn film into binary bits!

rat

I agree with old bear.

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Wheel guns are real guns too.

I wanna see pics. I have an Airweight as well as an AirLite and I want to know which one to worry about!

The OP posted, logged out, and has not returned; check the stats on his profile. He has not seen any of the subsequent posts unless he was here as a guest rather than a member.

I am not giving this incident another moment's thought.

FOLLOW-UP EIGHT MONTHS LATER: OK, now I am interested again, and I retract the dismissive comment above this addendum.

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David Wilson

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IMG_0082 (640x480).jpgSorry took so long to get back to everyone but life happens. It was my boyfriend who did the post for me. The gun is a S&W Airweight. It was my daughter who was shotting when the gun blew up and I was standing right beside her. Yes we are both alright.
I thank everyone who was tring to be helpful. We did contact S&W they said they wanted to see the gun and was going to send a shipping box for the gun. Have not received anything and YES have called them several times.
Some gave us number for Remingto but ammo was Winchester. THESE were NOT RELOADS. To this day S&W HAS NOT called back or sent a shipping box for the gun.
I am trying to post PICs to this forum. I hope I get it figured out soon. Especially for those who say if no pics didn't happen.
Thanks to the people who understand that some of us are not computer experts, and for defending me.
I am the mother of four I can't imagine losing one of them because of this but that is what went thru my mind.
My daughter did go on to get her license.

Here is a few more. I finally figured it out.

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I'm glad you all didn't let this slow you down. Sorry about the gun, hope it can be replaced (free).

Are these lightweight revolvers intended for the use of +P-ammo?

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Regards from Germany
Stephan

Something about that ammo looks dodgy. Light corrosion on the cases and odd red rings in the empty holes of the ammo carrier that looks like bullet lube maybe. Which ought not be associated with JHP ammo. From where was the ammunition procured?

That was my initial thought. A +P is a hot load, and if the revolver is not approved for +P ammo, there's the problem right there.

Since this thread was almost a year old, did the OP ever have the situation rectified with S&W or Remington?

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I'm with the banned ...

Barrel says ".38 S & W SPL. +P" right on it. It's generally accepted that all modern numbered models are safe to shoot with +P ammunition. Do a search, the question comes up quite often.

To the OP, by all means call S&W and see what the status of your warranty claim is. Glad to hear you're all safe.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

All the Winchester primers I have ever used have copper colored cups. Those primers appear to be nickel plated primer cups. Does Winchester use different primers in some of their factory ammo than they sell as components? I looked at some factory Winchester I have handy and they appear to have a copper colored primer cups.

Use this online form to request a pre-paid shipping label from S&W (click on this link): Warranty Repair Shipping Form - Smith & Wesson

I'd phone Winchester as well (800-333-3288). I gave you the Remington contact info because I thought you said it was Remington ammunition.

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"I also cook."

Definitely a cylinder failure, either from a overpressure round (too much powder or the bullet seated too low, crimped too tightly) or a material defect.

If you do not get a satisfactory reply from S & W online, I'd recommend calling them again and asking to speak with a supervisor. Offer to send them the photos you posted...I'm guessing that will get the process moving.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I am willing to bet they are reloads, as far as I know Winchester does not use plated primers on low end pistol ammo. I have only seen them on the high end Winchester Supreme rifle ammunition.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

I have Winchester 158 GR LSWC HP +P ammo from several years ago which does have plated and lacquer sealed primers.

The pictures prove the engineering is right with the S&W Airweight. All debris directed up and away from the shooter.

I was thinking the same thing although I don't use any Winchester ammo or components, so I wasn't certain. Also, the brass isn't shiny like new brass is; that along with the bullet lube on the box carrier and the condition of the box itself suggests handloads.

I'm a handloader and do not consider handloads inferior to factory fodder - quite the contrary, in fact, but that would take the ammunition manufacturer and likely Smith & Wesson out of the liability picture.

Ed

WOW ! lots of people getting their exercise jumping to conclusions.?

Looks like a model 637 Airweight, which is +P rated. And Yes, Winchester does make nickel colored primers as well as copper colored primers. And Yes, brass does tarnish over time.

The wheel bearing went out in my car the other day. Probably because I hadn't washed or waxed the car in a couple months. Or I used the wrong octane gasoliine in it ???!!

Stuff Happens. Glad the OP & daughter is OK ! Sorry about the gun going Ka-boom. Hope you find out what the problem was and it is resolved.

I have some of those loads, factory fresh, right here. Unless Winchester has changed something, the factory loads have brass-colored primers. Those sure look like reloads to me.

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Pisgah

This failure is most certainly a result of an overcharged round of ammunition. As has been asked by others, where was this box of ammunition obtained? The nickle plated primers are NOT consistent with Winchester ammunition made in the past 5 or 10 years which typically feature plain brass primer cups. There is also the matter of those red "lipstick" rings in the cartridge tray, Winchesters JHP ammunition would NOT produce this unless someone smeared lipstick on the bullets. Note, jacketed handgun ammunition is normally not lubricated because lube isn't needed at handgun velocities.

So, it's distinctly possible that this ammunition was reloads using Winchester casings and perhaps CCI primers. It is VERY VERY easy to double or even triple charge a 38 spl. because there is so much excess volume in this caliber that a normal charge almost looks empty. My Lee manual lists the the starting charge of Unique at .55 cc and with a useful volume of 1.30 cc that means until you get to a triple charge you won't see the powder unless you look straight down into the case. Change to a less bulky powder such as Titegroup and you can get nearly 5 times of the correct charge into the case.

So, if this ammo was purchased at a Gun Show or similar venue, odds are quite good that this is a box of reloads. In that case I'd get out my bullet puller and recycle the casings. by reloading them. As for the bullets, IMO it's likely about 50/50 whether they've been damaged too much by the crimp to re-use them but if there isn't any concern about reduced accuracy or leading I suppose they could be re-used. The powder being unknown means it's plant food.

As for your pistol, you'll have to eat the cost for this. Smith & Wesson will NOT cover any damage caused to one of their revolvers by defective ammunition. Unfortunately for you it is quite clear that your problem was caused by defective ammunition. You best bet for compensation is to contact Winchester and see what they have to say. Perhaps it's from an oddball lot assembled using someone else's primers but it's unlikely and I suspect that if they tear down just one round of your ammunition they'll state that this is NOT Winchester ammunition. BTW, I just checked some Winchester Ranger-T in my stash purchased back in 2008 and this premium SD ammunition using nickel plated casings features brass primer cups, so IMO wherever that box of ammunition was purchased it's reloads.

For many, many years ALL Winchester mfg.d./ used was nickel/chrome plated primers. They came in white sleeves/boxes. They changed over to the color of the ones you use now somtimes in the late 90's. Wonder what the bullet looks like? Lead/jacketed?

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S&W Accumulator

Glad everyone is okay. It's impressive that the young lady didn't let that scare her away.

As for the ammo, those look like reloads. Factory cases don't come with powder residue on them and bullet lube in the holes in the styrofoam box. The fact that they are silver primers is also a red flag. I'm not sure it makes a difference, because Winchester would just deny it was their fault anyway.

Let us know how this works out. If the ammunition was factory Winchester, someone owes you a new gun. Stay after S&W since they are the logical place to start. That is an unusual failure. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us.

Thanks. I learned something new today!