Guns that Broke

[EdC]

In my mind, I seem to have experienced an unusual amount of handgun breakage.

Without going into a complete inventory of all the firearms I own or owned, I've had more revolvers "break" than semi autos (and very early in their life, without a lot of use).

Here they are:

Ruger SP101-firing pin return spring broke (twice).
Ruger LCR-firing pin return spring broke (just once, but hey, it's only 2 weeks old).
S&W 686-sear spring broke (twice).
Charter Arms Undercover, broken transfer bar (I've lost count)
Ruger New Vaquero, .357/.38, broken transfer bar.
S&W 642, broken hammer stud on frame.

Semi autos:

SA Milspec-broken extractor, just once, after about 800 rounds.
Dan Wesson Bobtail, sear on hammer chipped, would not fall to half cock position (quite dangerous, and was sent off to factory ASAP).
Kel Tec PF9, slide release broke.


Tupperwear guns (other than the KelTec) never broke-Glock, Springfiled, M&P, Kahr, no problems.

What do you think? Average, below average, or am I cursed?

 

[churchmouse]

Are you you using these pieces as hammers???

We all have failures if you use them.

 

[dhw9am]

Other than the Kel-Tec and Charter Arms, you have better guns than I do.
Other than a Kel-Tec P-32, I have never had one break.

 

[Leo]

I have three of the handguns you listed above. Mine are at least 20 years old. (four if you lump all springfields together) I have never had a single problem with any of them. I do not believe in going out of my way to "not wear them out" I keep them reasonably clean, reasonably lubricated and shoot them every opportunity I can. Lots of rounds of many kinds. I cannot think of anything that a person can possibly do to cause all those problems. sorry about your luck

 

[45fan]

Id have to agree with the others here, my collection includes many of those that you have listed, and several others that are of similar make and/or quality(according to popular opinion of manufacturers) I even have a few that are of lesser quality, and the only thing I have replaced on any of my handguns (aside from springs, something I tend to change on any used gun I buy) was an ejector that I broke on my heritage revolver. That part was a poor design, and admittedly, I was being a big rough with it when it broke, so I cant honestly blame that on the gun either.

Either you have the worst luck I have ever heard of, or you are the most abusive handgun owner ever. Sometimes when a reoccurring issues arise, its best to look at the common denominator in the equation.

 

[EdC]

That's what got me wondering- I would say that I'm not hard at all on them
I shoot em, clean and lube, and repeat.

About the only thing I can think of is that every breakage on the revolvers occurred when I was dry firing (a lot).
Despite what the owners manuals say, I'm never going to dry fire without snap caps again.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

You are either exceptionally unlucky or exceptionally tough on your guns. Wow.

 

[357 Terms]

What do you think? Average, below average, or am I cursed?

Way above average!

You may very well be cursed.

 

[knot4reel]

I hope its not spreading like a virus. Two for me in the last week.
Taurus PT22 Barrel release lever popped off.
Ruger SR9C Slide stop spring kaput after only 23rds.

 

[chezuki]

In my mind, I seem to have experienced an unusual amount of handgun breakage.

Without going into a complete inventory of all the firearms I own or owned, I've had more revolvers "break" than semi autos (and very early in their life, without a lot of use).

Here they are:

Ruger SP101-firing pin return spring broke (twice).
Ruger LCR-firing pin return spring broke (just once, but hey, it's only 2 weeks old).
S&W 686-sear spring broke (twice).
Charter Arms Undercover, broken transfer bar (I've lost count)
Ruger New Vaquero, .357/.38, broken transfer bar.
S&W 642, broken hammer stud on frame.

Semi autos:

SA Milspec-broken extractor, just once, after about 800 rounds.
Dan Wesson Bobtail, sear on hammer chipped, would not fall to half cock position (quite dangerous, and was sent off to factory ASAP).
Kel Tec PF9, slide release broke.


Tupperwear guns (other than the KelTec) never broke-Glock, Springfiled, M&P, Kahr, no problems.

What do you think? Average, below average, or am I cursed?

Any chance you're a reloader using sub-standard measuring equipment?

 

[K_W]

Only think I've broke so far was a Murray's firing pin on my SKS at 500 rounds, turned out to be part of an improperly heat treaded batch of pins. New one has been fine.

 

[Manatee]

Sounds like a lot of dry firing?

The Ruger transfer bars had a problem a few years back that was, supposedly, remedied.

Fortunately, Ruger parts are inexpensive.

 

[Hoosierman]

How many, and what kind, of rounds do you run? Do you shoot thousands of rounds and reload to +P standards? It's either than or you're unlucky.

 

[churchmouse]

Sounds like a lot of dry firing?

The Ruger transfer bars had a problem a few years back that was, supposedly, remedied.

Fortunately, Ruger parts are inexpensive.

And plentiful.

 

[EdC]

Any chance you're a reloader using sub-standard measuring equipment?

A very good guess, but nope. I don't reload (yet), and I shoot run of the mill rounds (white box, blazer, Remington etc.) from commercial manufacturers. Very little +p even.

 

[EdC]

How many, and what kind, of rounds do you run? Do you shoot thousands of rounds and reload to +P standards? It's either than or you're unlucky.

Don't reload, so it's gotta be that I'm unlucky. I suspected that the failure rate of my handguns was unusual, and now I've confirmed it.

 

[Slawburger]

I have only had one handgun that required repair.
I would check for gremlins nesting in your gun safe.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

I've had two guns "break".

Bought a used Springfield EMP that began, after a while, to pierce primers with the FP. That, in turn, would lead to failures to fire as little pieces of primer cup would be blown back into the FP channel (or be dragged back by the FP).

Really thought it was an ammo problem at first. Even sent the remaining lot of ammo back to Fiocchi for their examination - as they were concerned about the issue, too. (Got an equal amount shipped to me, actually. The way they treated me really made a good impression on this guy). I ended up getting a new slide, gratis, from Springfield. Worked like a champ after that.

I also had a frame issue with my former Kahr CW-40. Part of the non-load-bearing zones under the frame rails began to split off. Looked like someone had taken a pen knife and started to whittle off a sliver. It probably would have been A-OK had I just clipped the plastic off and gone about my business - but Kahr wanted the pistol back. Got a new frame out of that one. THEN, that frame's mag catch was wonky. Now, I think I'd have just asked for the parts to fix it myself. But back then - they wanted the gun back. That time it was just a mag catch replacement.

I later sold both firearms, with full disclosure of their former issues and what had been done to fix them.

-J-

 

[Hookeye]

I know a guy that had 5 go down within a week or so. All fixed, nothing expensive. Had to wait for a few of the parts though.
Myself? Broke a Smith 629 trigger pivot stud, and had a POS Auto Ordinance that cracked bushings.

 

[B00MSTICK]

Had a Ruger P95 a few years ago. Bought it brand new and after about 80-100 rounds, the ejector start catching on the side of the shells as it was feeding out of the mag after a few more rounds it jamming on every shot.