what to do with a "no bang"

[steveberry]

I am a newbie to handguns so what is the safest way to dispose of a bullet that did not "go bang"?

 

[chief38]

A $25 Bullet Puller Hammer works well. Sold by Midway, Brownells, RCBS, ETC.

 

[Old cop]

If you're at a range ask the range officer. They usually have a spot for the duds.

 

[steveberry]

Thank you chief38 for your quick response. It hasn't happened to me yet but when it does I'll be ready thanks to you.

 

[Hapworth]

Don't forget that a dud might actually be a hang fire -- slow burning powder that will eventually ignite. Uncommon, but not unheard of.

If you pull the trigger and nothing happens, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction down range and wait several seconds or more -- that bullet might still be on its way out.

 

[arjay]

If it doesn't go bang on the 2nd or 3rd try,it ain't gonna

 

[moxie]

FWIW hangfires are theoretically possible. So be careful.

I've been shooting since 1956 and have never seen a single one. We covered them in Air Force munitions school too, but never saw or heard of any in the service either.

 

[30-30remchester]

Ok am I going to be the first to say it? Ok here goes. Bullets don't go band. The only noise a bullet makes is the result of its impact. Cartridges make noise however. Anyway welcome to the forum. There are some smart people that hang around here. And they often dole out wisdom whether asked to or not.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I gave one to the RSO, and he tossed it straight into the garbage can.

 

[slayer1962]

our range strictly enforces you take them home. seems unsafe to me but that's the written rule. I have a bullet puller

 

[e3mrk]

I would get hang fires all the time with My #4 Enfield. I would pull the trigger and sometimes be able to count to four before it fired.(surplus ammo).

 

[cgt4570]

Just hang on to those 'dud' cartridges until the next time you go camping and toss them into the camp fire for some harmless free fireworks. Problem solved.

 

[Sub]

My range has an oil bucket - the oil seeps in. Not sure what type of oil it is, thin weight I assume!?

 

[Inusuit]

Just hang on to those 'dud' cartridges until the next time you go camping and toss them into the camp fire for some harmless free fireworks. Problem solved.

I'm not looking to start an argument, and I may be wrong, but I think this is poor advice to give an admitted "newbie." The "harmless free fireworks" may include flying bits of sharp brass or hot embers from the campfire. As a stupid kid, I cooked off some .22 rounds under a cardboard box. Shards of the case didn't penetrate the cardboard, but a more powerful cartridge could be capable of injuring bystanders, like a child standing next to the fire. As others have noted, the likelihood of a dud with modern ammunition in a qualify firearm is very slim, but still possible.

 

[g8rb8]

If it doesn't go bang on the 2nd or 3rd try,it ain't gonna

Is that with a hammer and nail or just pullin' the trigger?

Okay. Just kidding. Seriously for a new person really wanting to know what to do:
1. As mentioned by Hapworth, keep the muzzle pointed down range and wait a few seconds. Then, if no ignition, safely remove the cartridge and inspect it to be sure it is intact. If the bullet is gone from the cartridge then inspect the barrel because you may have had a squib.
2. Turn the unfired cartridge over to the range or range officer or save it and turn it in to a LGS (local gun store), not a big box store because they won't take it. If you were into reloading you would be taking it home and pulling the bullet.

Throwing a bullet in the fire or hitting the primer with a hammer and nail will cause an explosion like a firecracker. The bullet won't fly very far or with much energy and would be very unlikely to cause any harm (maybe break some nearby glass) but there could be some flying brass from the case exploding that could put an eye out.

 

[gwpercle]

Ok am I going to be the first to say it? Ok here goes. Bullets don't go band. The only noise a bullet makes is the result of its impact. Cartridges make noise however. Anyway welcome to the forum. There are some smart people that hang around here. And they often dole out wisdom whether asked to or not.

I agree , mine don't go band either....sounds more like BANG .