My first squib serves as a needed reminder

[maylebox]

Mods feel free to move this to reloading if this is the wrong place to post.

So I experienced my first squib yesterday. I've been reloading 9mm and 45 ACP for about 6 weeks now. I've loaded and shot 250 rds of 45 and 800 rds of 9mm. Until yesterday my only problems were 2 total failures to fire. I'm using a Lee single stage press. Near the end of my range session I pulled the trigger on my CZ 9mm and no bang just a click and a poof-like sound. Fortunately I noticed something was wrong. I racked the slide and the spent case was still in the chamber and appeared darker than my other spent cases. There was another round in the mag ready to be chambered. I thought there was a good chance the bullet had not left the barrel so I removed the slide and barrel. Looking at the pic below it was obvious the bullet was lodged in the barrel but I did not see it because I keep the gun pointed downrange until I removed the slide. I thought I was being very careful with my reloads but obviously there was an issue with this powder drop that I did not catch.

So this was a big wake up call/reminder to me to triple check all my handloads during each step of the process. Also a reminder to others that if something isnt right when you pull the trigger check your gun before you pull the trigger again. I know we all know this so this advice is for the one person who forgot it. Bad things could have definately happened had I not done that (think Warner bros cartoons where Bugs Bunny sticks a carrot in the end of Elmer Fudds gun, or worse). Whether you load your own, buy ammo from gun shows, or exclusively use factory loads, stuff happens so be aware.


Regular spent case on left, squib case, SP01 barrel with Berry 124gr rn

[Cheezle56]

Thanks for the pics!

[alex332]

cool pic. glad were seeing that and not your hand in little bits.

[russ69]

How did you miss putting in powder? Did you visually inspect for powder?

I charge mine all at once, then visually check for powder level in all cases.

[maylebox]

How did you miss putting in powder? Did you visually inspect for powder?

I charge mine all at once, then visually check for powder level in all cases.

Mine are all charged at the same stage and then placed in a loading tray awaiting inspection before I change the die for seating and a light crimp. I'm using Unique powder so double charges or really light loads are obvious. I must have just missed it, didn't pay enough attention? Slow deliberate individual inspection with a flashlight will be the rule going forward.

[Whatisthis?]

Well, it's a great thing you caught it. But be careful with your handloads. I have to assume these situations arise from people failing to stay focused while doing some repetitive activity, like reloading. I've noticed my eyes glazed over a couple times when I first started reloading and now I make it a habit to make sure I am actually 100% focused and not just going through the steps.

[HighLander51]

Bad things could have definately happened had I not done that (think Warner bros cartoons where Bugs Bunny sticks a carrot in the end of Elmer Fudds gun, or worse). Whether you load your own, buy ammo from gun shows, or exclusively use factory loads, stuff happens so be aware.

Just so you know, you can't Kaboom your gun from a squib, it may, or may not, bulge the barrel, but not Kaboom. That is caused by bullet setback. The important thing is now you know that very specific sound, "poof't" So one squib out of 1,250 rounds is no big deal for someone only reloading for 6 weeks. Usually this stuff happens, especially on a progressive, when you get a primer jam. Realize you are on a single stage, but when you get to a progressive, just pull all the stations and throw the stuff in a box to sort out later. Here is the "Perfect Squib" and the "Perfect Miss"