Malfunctions: Why you should stop shooting.

[JaPes]

This is a prime example of why you should stop shooting when you experience a malfunction on the range.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhgyJMhQFbA[/ame]
I can hear the light ignition. The shooter experiences multiple failure to fires most likely because the round won't chamber and go into full battery because of the squib stuck in the barrel. The dude doesn't stop, keeps on pushing his luck until his rifle blows up. Even after it blows up, the guy tries to insert a mag and chamber another round.

Unobservant. Oblivious. Ignorant.

There are many new AR-15 enthusiasts in the sub-forum. It's that time of the year: tax refund season. I want to stress to every new AR-15 enthusiast the importance of properly diagnosing a malfunction. Tap, rack, bang is a prudent combat remedy when in combat under live fire. Hopefully for us civilians, we're not on a two-way range where the targets shoot back at us. We have the luxury of shooting on a one-way range. If you experience a malfunction or your sixth sense tells you something is wrong, stop shooting. Take the time to fully inspect your rifle before shooting that next round.

 

[otisrush]

I'm glad you started this thread. That class of scenario simply scares the you-know-what out of me.

I try to be a very cautious, deliberate shooter. I'd like to think I'd stop and not just "slam home another round". And I think I would pause. I'm confident I would. It's deeply ingrained in me that guns are delicate instruments. If they're not working right the correct response is investigation - not "beat the hell out of it". But I'm old enough to know and be on guard enough to say "Never say never." We have to always be diligent. But that being said......

The round fired before his first "dry fire" sounding episode sounded perfectly normal to me. I don't see that he got a minor "Pfft".

I'm assuming (hoping) the tell-tale sign, always, is that the action doesn't cycle normally. If there's not enough pressure to cycle the action, then you need to look down the barrel and ensure it's clear.

Is there a scenario where the action would cycle and yet a squib is in the barrel? Maybe if the bullet makes it past the gas block but not out the muzzle? But even in that scenario (not enough pressure to eject the bullet) I'm hoping that also means there's not enough pressure to cycle the action.

Wow.......rambling post.....

Thanks.

OR

 

[ModernRifle]

It looks like the .30 caliber clip is also a pressure relief valve.

 

[tbgunner88]

These wannabe "tactical operators" never fail to amaze me with their ignorance.

 

[MichiganScott]

It is a 3-gun match, so there could have been a lot of money riding on the outcome. That being said, the dude went way past the point where he should have given up and declared the stage and match lost.

Sometimes old habits die hard, but this is another good reason not to hammer on the forward assist.

 

[sgtsandman]

3 gun match or not, I would have stopped to find out why the rifle malfunctioned. He was lucky that the magazine gave way like it did. It could have been the upper and in his face.

 

[Mcwsky09]

I dunno for sure when I would have stopped but after three clicks with no bang how do you not think something is seriously wrong here.
From the video it does not appear the guy was aware of what happened even after he stopped, only that his firearm was not operating normally.

 

[otisrush]

OK - I've watched it multiple times again. My belief: (Others chime in if I'm messed up here.) Up until the malfunction he was doing double-taps. So I assume when he gets into the van he goes to do a double-tap but only the first pull goes bang. I presume that bang was the squib and action didn't cycle. So he got a no-go on the 2nd pull of the double-tap. I wish we could see what came out of the action when he pulled the charging handle. I assume even further it was an empty case - which is from the first tap.

And if all of that is right - the fact an spent shell came out after the shot not cycling the action - THAT is the telltale sign of a big-time issue.

Is that the likely scenario here?

OR

 

[NEURON]

Caught up in the moment, highlights the need for training. I really wonder how many people in the same situation would do exactly the same thing, adrenaline can and does overtake us without proper training.

 

[sgtsandman]

I'm sure I would have tried to cycle it once but after that, nope. Time to find out what's up.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I guess the RO figured he had to figure it out for himself but after it blew the mag out and the mushroom cloud he should have stopped him. Yeah it gets intense during a stage and once started you have a tendency to want to at least finish it. He did not appear to have been hurt so he can at least make it a learning moment.

 

[JaPes]

Here's a oldie but a goodie. The original video was just of the M&P 15-Sport blowing up on the range.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoZnCxqa4QA[/ame]

Then there is this video where the rifle owner shows the carnage. Never stating that a squib is the most likely cause of his rifle blowing up.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIuTVfl8G2U[/ame]

Yup. Tap, rack, kaboom.

 

[Maddmax]

I guess the RO figured he had to figure it out for himself but after it blew the mag out and the mushroom cloud he should have stopped him. Yeah it gets intense during a stage and once started you have a tendency to want to at least finish it. He did not appear to have been hurt so he can at least make it a learning moment.

Actually the RO should have called a cease fire and safety check after the second miss fire.

 

[Mcwsky09]

Actually the RO should have called a cease fire and safety check after the second miss fire.

That is what I am thinking.

1. It happens
2. Something might be wrong here
3. Something is definitely wrong here
4. Is your life and health insurance paid up?

 

[MuttX7]

I have a couple of new owner questions for you guys. I understand what a squib is but:
1.) do they mainly occur when people are shooting reloads or new ammo?
2.) If new ammo, is there any certain brand that is known to produce more squibs?

 

[happy1]

Most likely handload, caused by not checking the case for powder charge or full powder charge my only experience with factory ammo is a FTF that's not to say you can't get a squib load from the factory I've never had one of my reloads squib.... lots of FTF

Paul

 

[sgtsandman]

Another way to get a squib is if a cartridge gets dropped in water and sits there for a bit. Water can seep in between the bullet and the case of between the primer and the case and get the powder wet. So, if you see a bullet laying on the ground at the range and it looks like it's been there a while, leave it lay or throw it in the trash.

 

[MichiganScott]

I have a couple of new owner questions for you guys. I understand what a squib is but:
1.) do they mainly occur when people are shooting reloads or new ammo?
2.) If new ammo, is there any certain brand that is known to produce more squibs?

Virtually every kaboom I'm aware of was caused by handloads, and the biggest share of them were gun show handloads. Never shoot someone elses handloads. Develop your own procedures to guard against any possibilities that you may create your own defective ammunition.

I've loaded well over 100K cartridges since 1974 and have never even blown a primer. Handloads do not need to be a hazard.

 

[MuttX7]

Thanks for the responses. I thought it was probably hand loads that caused the problem. If it had been factory loads, you'd have heard of crazy lawsuits and there would be lawyer commercials on tv.

Thanks for all the info you guys share.

 

[happy1]

Hand loads are safe, I haven't bought any factory ammo in a very long time except maybe to get brass like I said I have never had one of my Master pieces squib on me. Hand loads can be very dangerous, thats why I only single stage reloading meaning one step at a time
1. decap primmer
2. tumble brass
3. clean brass in Ultra sonic bath
4. re prime brass
5. drop powder
6. make sure case is charged
7. seat bullet
8. crimp the round

I think that most squibs are caused by progressive reloading press' I have a progressive press but I only use it single stage I got it because it's a Turret press I only had to set up my dies one time.

Paul