Range liability for reloads

[winnre]

If I take my .38 to the range and the gun blows up in my hand due to faulty factory ammo, I may have a case against the manufacturer.

If it blows up because I made a hot load, the joke is on me.

But what if I buy range reloads to save money and one of them turns out to be bad and destroys my gun? Did I assume responsibility when I accepted the use of reloads? Is the range of their loader liable in any way? Can this go either way or is there case law already set?

[CS25]

Thats unfortunate, sorry to hear that happened. I would consult an attorney.

[winnre]

Nope, has not happened yet, I am just fearful of reloads and try to use store ammo when I can. But with reload prices about 1/2, I may be tempted. I just wonder who, at that time, is assuming responsibility for a good cartridge.

I can sell you my car as is, you get ten feet off my driveway and it falls apart, I have zero liability. Same with reloads?

[CS25]

Just reload yourself! Just learn from someone.

[uhlan1]

The range would be liable, and the re-loader I would think. A release of liability does not release one from negligence or faulty equipment claims. Those are more for when you do something stooopid.

[toby]

No one is gonna load ammo for resale and not be totaly covered for malfunctions. WAY too much liability don't ya think????? IMO you cheaped out and bought it, you shot it, you deal with it.

[uhlan1]

It's simple product safety/liability law. You cannot waive away someone's liability for product, or negligence for that matter. The range and the re-loader would be on the hook.
They refuse, and I'm assuming damage under 7500.00, off to small claims you go.

[Audredger]

The "range" would only be liable if they did the reloading. The "company / person" doing the reloading would be liable.

This is one reason I reload my own stuff. I will never buy nor shot reloaded ammo that does not have the manufacturers name & address on the package. You see it all the time; zip-lock bags of reloads at the gunshows with no name nor address. Even if it were free, I would not shot it!!!

[Vampyredark]

Dont take this for sure, because I cannot remember correctly, but No they would not be liable if you bought it from someone or someplace that does not have liability for their reloads. Buy stuff that says re-manufactured ammo because they are supposed to have liability.

[DarkSoul]

Something else that may play into this, is that pretty much all gun manufacturers state that using "reloads" will void any and all warranty on said firearm, so that, along with your knowledge that you are using reloads, IMO, it's possible that you may be out of luck.

Now that being said, I have purchased thousands of rounds of reloads, mostly from LAX and have as of yet, never had a problem. I now reload all my own ammo, and have loaded tens of thousands of rounds with no issues (knock on wood).

[RandyD]

The general rules under product liability law is that anyone involved in the stream of commerce of putting a negligent product on the market can be held liable. This is why some products are so expensive. An anaylsis would have to be done to determine if the cause was a hot load, or if the firearm had a maufacturing design or a manufacturing defect. Generally, the only risk an end user assumes is when intentional misuse is involved, or if the harm was foreseeable. Hope this helps.