Model 29 blow up

[Campin Buddy]

I am posting this to try and find out what happened and determine if it can be avoided in the future or if I just hit the unlucky lottery. I'm shaking as I write this 24 hours later, it was f scary.

This 29-10 was purchased factory new about 2 months ago and I've put exactly 632 rounds thru it. 432 Fiocchi 240 gr SJSP, 100 Blazer 240 gr JHP, and 100 PMC 240 gr TCSP. I cleaned it twice, at 250 and 500 rounds with Hoppes bore snake kit.

I was shooting yesterday in the desert with the Fiocchi, had put thirty rounds thru and reloaded, nothing out of the ordinary. The first shot felt fine and then on the second the gun recoiled strangely. i looked at it and saw a large chunk of the barrel missing right at the forcing cone and had actually split apart as well as damage to the frame itself. I immediately unloaded and inspected the remaining rounds and two spent casings, no apparent anomalies found. We spent a long time searching for the missing pieces but never found them.

I obviously will be calling S & W first thing tomorrow for a replacement. I'd just like to hear some of your theories to see if they coincide with S & W's. Thanks.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Out of time can and will damage the forcing cone. That is the extreme.

 

[JohnAC]

Wow!

Glad you're ok. At first look, I'd say bore obstruction. I think an overcharge would have taken the cylinder out.

 

[JohnAC]

Out of time can and will damage the forcing cone. That is the extreme.

Yes, good point. OP, was the gun spitting lead/fragments at you prior?

 

[Campin Buddy]

Yes, good point. OP, was the gun spitting lead/fragments at you prior?

Not that I can recall. I didn't ever see any unusual particles or wear in the barrel or cylinders at any point either.

 

[Granite Stater]

Please let us know what happens next. Very troubling. I just purchased 100 rds of Fiocchi for my 629 but haven't fired them yet.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Looking at picture #3, it looks like some strange wear/ damage to the left side of the forcing cone.
Or is that the missing piece not just the frame.

 

[flintsghost]

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.

 

[Stirling]

Good thing you weren't injured, that looks very nasty. I'd be keen to see S&W's response.

 

[AzShooter]

Send it to Smith & Wesson but also send the pictures to Fiochi. Using factory ammo they may pay for what Smith & Wesson doesn't.

As long as you are o.k. that's the important thing. You got lucky that the cylinder didn't break on you as well.

 

[murphydog]

The first of the two rounds (even though it felt normal) may have lodged in the bore, and the second caused the damage. Or, less likely, there was a metallurgic problem with the barrel, but one would think the first 631 rounds would have unmasked that.

Definitely save the remaining rounds from the box you were using, as S & W may want to analyze them, but since you were using factory loads exclusively since purchase it should be a clear-cut warranty replacement.

 

[Flattop5]

Wow!

Glad you're ok. At first look, I'd say bore obstruction. I think an overcharge would have taken the cylinder out.

Yes, I'd also say a bore obstruction.

Or, maybe your bore is extra-tight and Fiocchi ammo is extra-fat. Do you know the bore diameter? Is it normal?



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[flintsghost]

Yes, I'd also say a bore obstruction.

Or, maybe your bore is extra-tight and Fiocchi ammo is extra-fat. Do you know the bore diameter? Is it normal?



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How many people go right out and slug a bore on a brand new gun to determine bore diameter? I would guess NONE!

 

[Poke]

Send it to Smith & Wesson but also send the pictures to Fiochi. Using factory ammo they may pay for what Smith & Wesson doesn't.

As long as you are o.k. that's the important thing. You got lucky that the cylinder didn't break on you as well.

I would need to send a third set of pics to Fruit of the Loom to try to get some new drawers.

I have had a buddy go through this. It was on an Uzi that was pretty expensive. Had to get the ammo company to pay for it.

 

[joe44va]

IMHO if the barrel were defective, the frame would have stayed together. If the frame were defective, the barrel would have stayed together. It looks like the cylinder did stay together. Very strange. Really seems like a bore obstruction. Could something have gotten into the barrel say, from the wind or setting it down? Do you have enough rounds to take one or two apart (pull the bullets) to see if there is room for a double charge of powder?

 

[HarrishMasher]

Wow glad you are okay. It is most likely an ammo issue. Possibly a light load and the bore was obstructed. Or an overcharged round. Pretty amazing you didn't even feel it. Must have been quite shocked when you looked at what was left of your gun.

 

[S&WIowegan]

Very sorry to see that gun destroyed. I'm confident the Fiocchi ammo had a squib round in the box. The next shot couldn't help itself from blowing the barrel. Just be glad you weren't shooting handloads. Please keep the forum informed of what you hear from S&W and Fiocchi. I have been disappointed with Fiocchi ammo on several occasions and don't buy it anymore.

 

[lscocoa]

Glad your ok . S&W will want it for inspection and probably send a shipping label . The quality of some of there work or quality control is questionable on some new guns , but it will probably be called an ammo problem . Customer service offered me a replacement for one I blew up " bad reload " at a substantially lower price , so good luck and do check that ammo .

 

[regalsc]

I have shot Fiocchi 45acp & have quite a bit left & never have had a problem. After this I'm probably going to thinking about it as I shoot.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I may have missed it, but was the barrel clear of all obstruction? Also, as mentioned, it seems unusual that the cylinder and top strap seem to be unharmed(?).

 

[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.