M&P 45c and Buffalo Bore KABOOM!

[Alisdad]

Two weeks ago I tried out some Buffalo Bore 45 hard cast in my 45c. three rounds in I had a significant failure. After the smoke settled and I realized I had both hands, I looked down to see my mag guts and remaining rounds all over the place. I packed up my stuff and called it a day. After inspecting the gun there appeared to be little damage that I could see. The manual safety plug blew off and disappeared. A tiny bit of the polymer by the rear of the slide shaved off next to where the safety plug had been. The brass from the failed round had a horizontal split right above the rim.
The next day I emailed Smith and Wesson and Buffalo Bore. Within three days I heard back from Smith, and Buffalo Bore got back to me right after. I sent pictures of the casing and the gun, and Buffalo Bore immediately responded stating they believed it was a classic case of an unsupported round due to a failure to properly cycle. They asked that I keep them informed about Smith's evaluation and we would go from there.
About a week after the failure, Smith sent me a shipping label and today they called saying they will be destroying my gun and shipping me a new one free, under warranty. They are also shipping my aftermarket parts back to me (APEX, night sights, stippled grip etc).
I am more than impressed with the customer service from both Smith and Wesson and Buffalo Bore. Even if I was offered a discounted gun I would still be impressed on how quickly both companies responded, in person and via email.
This experience did make me think twice about what aftermarket parts I used on the gun, and I'm lucky to get them all back; however, I could have been out a few hundred bucks. I had to make peace with that after I sent the gun in (I thought about replacing all the parts before shipping the gun, but I thought it was better for Smith to see it how it was when the failure happened). Also, the gun is a tank and did what it should have. I didn't have a scratch from the blast and the mag is still perfectly functional.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

When S&W does that they exhibit the best of their customer service. I blew up a Model 19 almost 20 years ago. Clearly, it was bad ammunition. Still, S&W replaced it at their cost with a gun of my choice. When they replace it at no cost they are taking full responsibility for the failure. That's why they're the folks we love!

 

[Mark40]

I've seen very few bad reports on S&W c/s. I can't help wondering if the complainers are twisting the facts to hide their own f-ups. They have been great to me, even with guns I bought used.

 

[tim c]

I've seen very few bad reports on S&W c/s. I can't help wondering if the complainers are twisting the facts to hide their own f-ups. They have been great to me, even with guns I bought used.

i agree fully and ditto this

 

[RobzGuns]

This is not the 1st case of someone having a catastrophic failure using over-pressurized Buffalo Bore ammunition. If you search Buffalo Bore using the forum's search tool, you'll find several threads, with multiple calibers. They seem to load their various rounds to the outer limits (and seem to be proud of it) and blame any kabooms on 'unsupported chambers'.

Glad to hear that there were no injuries, as well as S&W CS taking care of it for you (and returning all your aftermarket parts).

 

[McE]

Buffalo Bore hard cast 45acp 255gr is longer than standard 45acp rounds. It's +P ammo. I'd bet failures like this are due to firing without a full lockup due to slightly longer cartridge.
Why someone decided to stick it into a compact plastic gun is beyond my understanding.

 

[Rastoff]

The M&P will not fire out of battery. The case is not fully supported, but it still shouldn't have failed like that on a normal charge. A +P can be unpredictable.

I'm surprised that S&W is replacing the gun. As far as I know, this is the first case where they actually replaced the gun. Especially since you modified the frame.

I'm glad you're getting a new gun though.

 

[McE]

M&P does fire out of battery. A teeny bit out of battery is still out of battery.

 

[mtnwinds]

I have verified for myself that the M&P will fire when out of battery; that is, prior to full lockup. Others have disparaged any suggestion that such a scenario exists but my experience is what it is. This is the first time I've heard of S&W accepting responsibility for a 'kaboom'. They would not do so if they could conclude that it was an ammo related failure. Previous threads regarding 'kabooms' have verified that fact.

I don't think it is a common occurrence, but when the machine tolerances all happen to stack up in the right direction things that just can't happen, have a way of happening. I believe a fella named 'Murphy' has found this to be the case.

Kudos to S&W for doing the right thing.

 

[Rastoff]

As to firing out of battery (OOB). We must define what is meant by OOB.

The M&P will fire if the slide is back about 1/16" from fully forward. However, at least with my M&Ps, the barrel/chamber is still fully locked up with the slide at that point. As I see it, this in battery.

If the slide is moved a tiny bit further back, the barrel/chamber starts to drop away from the slide. A that point it is OOB. None of my M&Ps will fire at that point. None of the M&Ps I've inspected will fire at that point.

 

[wildman1967]

NO BUFFALO BORE FOR ME HEARD OF TO MANY BAD THINGS AND OVER PRICED ANYWAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!