Carbine bolt failure

[Sailormilan2]

My youngest took his mother shooting the other day, using his Quality Hardware carbine I had built up from QHMC parts kit over 15 years ago. While shooting the carbine suffered a complete/total right lug failure of the right locking lug. Blowing out the bottom of the magazine, and splitting a piece off the stock. Stock piece split off where there was an existing crack. The shell casing mushroomed. The base came off with a completely flat primer came off, and the case peeled liked a banana. I can find no damage to the receiver. The only parts that were lost were the extractor spring and plunger as well as the ejector spring and plunger.
He wasn't hurt, but what a thing to happen in front of my "ex". This stuff only seems to happen to him when he goes shooting without me.
I just got a chance to examine the carbine, and it appears fixable. It needs a new bolt, and am now in the process of a search. But also trying to decide if I should switch to a round bolt, for its added strength. I prefer the looks of a flat bolt, but the serial number is high enough that I can use a round bolt if I can find one. The stock appears to be fixable, which is a good thing since it is a Quality Hardware stock.
Another "project" for me to do.

[edwardm]

Wow! Glad no one was hurt, other than a nice M1.

What ammo did that? Almost looks like improperly sized or work-hardened, reloaded brass. If it went OOB, I would expect the rear face of the receiver's lug cutouts to be peened.

[kurac]

ouch! that hurts but at least no one was injured. make sure you inspect that reciever extra good. What ammo was he shooting when it happened?

[xrayoneone]

Bolts break. If it was out of battery I would expect to see more damage. The round bolt won't be any stronger than the flat bolt in the lug areas. If you get a round bolt try to get a GI one. There are unscrupulous sellers listing civilian cast round ones as GI. You can repair the stock.

Get a new bolt, check for headspace and carry on.

[kendog4570]

Double check your receiver in the lug seat areas for cracks. Had one go through a month or so back that was cracked completely through the right lug seat to the magazine well. It was only visible after complete disassembly and flexing the receiver. The one before that was cracked longitudinally from the ring to well past the lug seat on the left side. It is not uncommon for them to be cracked, and that would contribute to the bolt failure.

[AR22]

Go over to te CMP Forum. Sign up if you are not a member..You will find a bolt there in no time from people you can trust and at a good price..