What Is Wrong With These Pictures?

[orygunmike]

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m293/orygunmike/?action=view&current=SquibLoadSW.jpg

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m293/orygunmike/?action=view&current=squibload2SW.jpg


Hint: Not paying attention can harm you and your gun.

Got it yet?

I share this picture and accompanying story to serve as a reminder for those of us who send lots of lead downrange as well as those shooters who are new to shooting sports. Knowing how to recognize a squib load and what to do about it is a necessary fundamental of safe firearm handling.

I have only encountered a couple squib loads in my life time; this is the first time one has resulted in plugging my barrel.

On the 5th shot of a rapid-fire, double-action string, the sound and recoil resulting from pulling the trigger of my Model 19-3 were substantially different. Substantially different. The bang was more like the weak "pop" of a cheap firecracker, and the recoil was practically non-existent. Fortunately, and likely due to my having taught about squib loads and their potential hazards so many times in NRA Basic Pistol course, I didn't fire that sixth shot.

I was shooting .38 Special, 158 gran SWC Factory Reloads from The Outdoor Marksman.
http://www.outdoormarksman.com/product_info.php?cPath=65_1_13&products_id=419

It turned out to be a great object lesson for my two sons and wife who were watching. Being able to open the cylinder, see the slug lodged in the barrel, and to talk about what would have happened had the sixth shot been fired was a terrific object lesson.

I'm going to make a color copy of this picture and share it with my future students when talking about the various types of ammunication malfunctions. Feel free to share these pictures if you think anyone you know could benefit from them.

 

[SoCalShooter]

I cannot see your pictures.

 

[PressCheck]

What picture?

 

[UKTN]

Photos worked fine for me. Glad you spotted it and didn't send another one down the pipe!!!

 

[Omaney]

Whew....

 

[10 Ring Tao]

Hey, yer tube ain't exactly hollow there bud.

 

[AndyC]

Handloads or factory ammo?

I once saw a brand-new Super Blackhawk explode on the 4th shot - 3rd round went pop and he pulled the trigger as we all started to yell "Sto......!"

Glad you're ok.

 

[GotGlock]

That 6th shot would have stug a little.

 

[tydephan]

Holy Cheeet Batman.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Nekron]

Wow! Glad you were paying attention. I would've been a shame to blow up a P&R model 19.

An even bigger shame if someone had been hurt.

Good job!

 

[NeoSpud]

In the words of R. Lee Ermey, "Holy Jesus! What is that? What the f*** is that? WHAT IS THAT, PRIVATE PYLE?"

I do know what that is, but as soon as I saw the pictures that quote jumped into my head and refused to leave

Thanks for posting these. I've never encountered a squib load before, but I'll be sure to keep vigilant.

 

[woolfam]

I was at a range a couple years ago where a shooter a couple lanes to my left could not get the slide on their Glock to cycle all the way forward. They took the gun to the person working the counter at the range who found a squib load lodged in the barrel. The bullet was not quite far enough down the barrel to allow the next load to chamber all the way. Whew!

 

[SoCalShooter]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/cdove8/IMG_0307.jpg

Have had one also.

 

[Kali Endgame]

Heard of, but never seen. I'm a believer now.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Thanks for the Picture of the squib load, that ought to serve as reinforcement for sure. The salmon certainly reminds me of the times I was stationed at Ft Lewis. Good looking Salmon.

 

[Desperado]

Wow. That would sober you up a little....

 

[gbran]

Don't fret, just light off a hotter round to push the first one out.

 

[mustanger98]

Don't fret, just light off a hotter round to push the first one out.

WHAT KIND OF GRABASSTIC DISORGANIZED COMMENT IS THAT?????

 

[Joe Meyer]

I think that was a joke,duh.

 

[Regolith]

WHAT KIND OF GRABASSTIC DISORGANIZED COMMENT IS THAT?????

I'm thinking (Hoping?) that it was sarcastic.




I've never had a squib myself, but now I know what to look/listen for.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I was at a range a couple years ago where a shooter a couple lanes to my left could not get the slide on their Glock to cycle all the way forward. They took the gun to the person working the counter at the range who found a squib load lodged in the barrel. The bullet was not quite far enough down the barrel to allow the next load to chamber all the way. Whew!

I've never heard that about any auto. Was he just inserting a fresh magazine? The one plus that autos have over revolvers is that a squib generally won't cycle the action.

 

[Combat Controller]

Squibs give me the willies, esp when doing rapid fire drills. That is why I like to use a powder that won't double charge, and that's why I try to weigh all the loaded stuff, to see if I missed any. It has happened to me, and I am glad I didn't fire the second round. Standing next to me at another time, my buddy had a .357 sig squib, and pulled the trigger again, and (thank god) had another one right after it. His XD would have sprayed us both. He is much better at handloading now.... eeh, heebi-jeebies!

 

[never_retreat]

What Is Wrong With These Pictures?

It seems you have a bullet lodged in you barrel:banghead:

 

[GhostlyKarliion]

thems them finger eaters!

glad you didn't get hurt.

for those who do not know what a squib load is, or don't understand the danger of them, this should help.

 

[Jason_G]

I think the question is "what could've been alot worse in those pics?". Glad you didn't send another down the tube. I've been lucky so far- never had one. I dread the day it happens, I just hope I can tell it's a squib before sending a chaser after it.

Jason