Squib

2

2damnold4this

New member
Had a squib today. This is the second time for me but the first time that the bullet went far enough into the barrel for the cylinder to turn. The first time was years ago and was a reload. Today's squib was factory ammo. You can see the base of the bullet lodged in the barrel:

936400_f406b88900009ab34adacc4fb348f929_t.jpg
 
S

Skippy

New member
Yikes. Mind sharing what the brand of ammo is?

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*I'd give right arm to be ambidextrous*
 
S

Skippy

New member
2damnold4this said:
Ammo Incorporated 125 grain TMJ in .38 Special.
Click to expand...
You might consider sending this pic to them along with the lot number. I (personally) wouldn't shoot any more of this batch.

You're fortunate you didn't shoot another round after that. That's one thing that concerns me when I shoot rapid fire - not stopping in time.

_______________
*I'd give right arm to be ambidextrous*
 
4

44 AMP

Staff
Absolutely inform the manufacturer, ASAP!

Don't just consider it, DO IT! They NEED to know something went wrong, before they can begin to figure out a fix.

If there was no powder in your squib round, where did the powder go? Into another case, perhaps? is there a double charge waiting out there in the as yet unfired rounds of that production batch?? OR was it some mechanical flaw that prevented charging that round but all the others are ok???

If the factory doesn't even know there is a problem, it can't be fixed. Tell them what happened, where you got the ammo, lot# and any other information they ask for.

I have no personal experience with Ammo Incorporated, so can't say how they will respond. I know what I'd expect them to do. Tell them what happened and then please tell us what they did about it.
 
2

2damnold4this

New member
I got an Email from Rick at Ammo Inc asking apologizing for the squib and asking for the lot number and some other information. It looks like Ammo Inc is trying to do right.
 
2

2damnold4this

New member
Just a quick update: Ammo Inc sent me a UPS return label via Email and I returned the unused cartridges, along with the empty cases to them. They refunded what I had spent on the ammunition.
 
M

MarineDad

New member
I know this is an older thread, but had my first squib today with the same ammo - Ammo Incorporated 125 grain TMJ in .38 Special.
Did not think to take a picture, but wondering if I should go ahead and contact Ammo Incorporated.
 
J

jar

New member
MarineDad said:
I know this is an older thread, but had my first squib today with the same ammo - Ammo Incorporated 125 grain TMJ in .38 Special.
Did not think to take a picture, but wondering if I should go ahead and contact Ammo Incorporated.
Click to expand...
Absolutely contact them. They will want the lot number from the box as well.
 
4

44 AMP

Staff
welcome to TFL

Welcome Marine Dad!

Absolutely contact the ammo maker, and absolutely provide them with the lot # of the ammo.

This is the second squib reported on this forum from the same maker and the same ammo. The lot# of the ammo you used is very important to the trouble shooting process. It will tell the factory if the problem exists in more than one batch. If your lot# is the same as the other lot# that had a squib, whatever caused the problem in the loading process might be confined to just that one batch of ammo.

But if the lot#s are different, then the problem is something systemic, and EVERY lot of that ammo is now suspect, and by extension, until the exact cause is found, every thing they produce is under suspicion.
 
B

Blue1

New member
They owe way more than a refund.

You are helping them with a potential liability issue down the road...they should have, at least, sent you a couple boxes of their best ammo for your caliber and thanked you.
 
V

V-fib

New member
i agree with Blue1. 5 years ago I loaded up some "powderpuff rounds to practice with in my 642. They shot very nice like a 22lr. I decided to shoot some in my .357 Taurus 6.5"bbl. Before I knew what happened I stuck the first round halfway down the bbl and the second shot stuck between the cylinder and bbl. Needless to say I was very pissed at myself and nervous with what to do next. after an expensive removal my gun smith showed me the bbl and said it was slightly bulging but not enough to affect use of the Taurus, only that it may affect the value of my .357. if you removed the bullet yourself you should take your .38 to a smith for exam, and if it did bulge the bbl., that ammo company owes you a new bbl. JMHO
 
4

44 AMP

Staff
Generally speaking, a squib does not bulge the barrel. The barrel is rarely harmed at all from a squib.

It is the firing of another round with the squib still stuck in the barrel that damages / destroys the barrel. It is the responsibility of the shooter to see that doesn't happen.
 
4

44 AMP

Staff
Hey 44AMP is it possible to bulge a barrel by pounding out a squib?
Click to expand...

By hand?? I wouldn't think so. Unless maybe you are Thor.

It is possible you can drive the slug tighter against the barrel as you try to drive it out. It would depend on the bullet nose, construction and the size and construction of what you are using to drive it out.

Wood is not usually a good choice. Nor are soft metal rods, especially if considerably smaller than the bore. (regular cleaning rod, = not the best idea)

Never actually had to do it, personally, and have used a worm to pull soft lead from muzzle loaders. Different ballgame with copper slugs.

Factory ammo? I'd hit up the maker for the gunsmith's charges to repair the gun that THEIR AMMO rendered inoperable.

I would only do it myself as a last resort. Have had a couple over the years where the bullet just barely entered the barrel and stuck, those I have popped out without any trouble. If it is a full bullet length or more into the barrel, take it to a smith, let him earn his keep.
 
V

V-fib

New member
44 amp said: "Generally speaking, a squib does not bulge the barrel. The barrel is rarely harmed at all from a squib."

With plated bullets it's a totally different situation.

44 amp said: "It is the firing of another round with the squib still stuck in the barrel that damages / destroys the barrel. It is the responsibility of the shooter to see that doesn't happen."

Thanks for the cheap shot Mr. 44 Amp. The rounds shot fine out of my snub i had no reason to believe they wouldn't shoot well out of my 6.5 bbl.
 
J

JohnKSa

Administrator
I doubt any offense was intended. The point is that it's not really the squib that does the damage, it's firing another round into the lodged bullet. And further that the only sure way to prevent that from happening is for the shooter to detect the fired squib and stop shooting.
 
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