SQUIB LOAD!!

[Crusader17]

Had my first experience with a squib load today. Shooting 38 specials, from Rose Reloading. I had seen it happen on YouTube before but never first hand experience. A strange sound with little recoil, opened the cylinder of my Colt cobra and couldn't see light through the barrel. Eventually took a look at the muzzle, and saw a copper bullet staring at me. I'm extremely happy I used my better judgement and wanted to make sure it was clear before firing another round. Not sure what might have happened then. Friends helped me clear it. Not sure about buying reloads from any random vendor at a gun show now...

Definitely understand now why they say you need to make sure you've got reliable ammo for self defense, even if it means shooting several boxes of the expensive stuff.

 

[1775usmarine]

Also important is being able to hear the difference with ear pro and knowing when to stop. I had several 45 squibs in my 4506-1. I found out it was because I let the powder sit all winter and it had clumped.

 

[Sgt7330]

Good judgment and attention pays off. I had this happen while running Perfecta 9mm FMJ last year. My friend was shooting the gun and I heard it. Safety check and there was the bullet, 1/2 way down the barrel

 

[pilotof727s]

Not a lot of experience with it but it the barrel ruined? How would you clear it? It seems like it would get stuck in there pretty tight.

 

[Gabriel]

I've only seen one. I was the range instructor and probably had a half dozen shooters on line. I didn't hear it, but noticed one shooter trying to clear a malfunction and the slide wouldn't close all the way. I stopped him and found the last round he fired didn't even make it all the way out of the chamber. Luckily for him, the bullet didn't go down the barrel far enough to let the next round chamber or the results would have been quite a bit different.

 

[Gabriel]

Not a lot of experience with it but it the barrel ruined? How would you clear it? It seems like it would get stuck in there pretty tight.

It's no different than any other round other than it doesn't clear the barrel. It's the follow up round (if you fire one) that causes problems. To clear it you can just push it out of the barrel with something.

 

[medcoxo]

Years ago, I had a Glock 17, it was like the first year they were the US. I had a bad set of reloads. I thought it was a simple stove pipe, so cleared it and fired another round. THEN realized something was wrong. Took it to the gunsmith, and he simply used a six inch roofing nail and pushed it out. Back then the s/n on the barrel matched the frame (not sure they do that anymore). Funny, but it did not 'bulge' the barrel or anything. It worked just fine after that.

 

[Crusader17]

Not a lot of experience with it but it the barrel ruined? How would you clear it? It seems like it would get stuck in there pretty tight.

It was pretty tight, and just hammered it back out. I didn't notice any damage, but I will be making sure nothing is cracked or anything before I load it up again.

 

[Clay Pigeon]

If you shoot enough it's not if you will get a squib it's when. It doesn't matter if you shoot new, commercial reloaded or you loadnyour own it will happen.
That's another reason to pay attention to what's happening while shooting.

Glad it all worked out for you.

 

[Knuckleduster]

Did you have any odd issues with the previous ones?

 

[Crusader17]

Did you have any odd issues with the previous ones?

Nope, was putting them through the Cobra and a 6" S&W. Got through about 35 rounds before I found the lucky one.

 

[OakRiver]

I thought that we all knew that there is only one way to clear a squib

 

[Slawburger]

Not a lot of experience with it but it the barrel ruined? How would you clear it? It seems like it would get stuck in there pretty tight.

Brass rod about 12" long
(I keep one in the range bag just in case)

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

It's no different than any other round other than it doesn't clear the barrel. It's the follow up round (if you fire one) that causes problems. To clear it you can just push it out of the barrel with something.

Brass rod about 12" long
(I keep one in the range bag just in case)

If and when it happens, be sure to use something to clear it that won't damage your barrel. I would prefer a hardwood dowel or an old section of brass cleaning rod. After that, a thorough cleaning and inspection would be prudent.

 

[Thor]

I thought that we all knew that there is only one way to clear a squib

Man, I took this thing to the range and didn't hit the target ONCE! I want my money back!