After 58 Years My First Squib

[Barbarosa]

I started shooting at age five. I remember my dad teaching me about squib loads and what to do when you have one. Today dad's teachings were finally put to use.

I reload 99.9 percent of the revolver cartridges I shoot, and I've probably reloaded over 100K rounds, but the squib was a factory round!

A while back I decided to add a revolver to my CCW. I figured just to be safe I would shoot factory ammo at qualifications so I bought two boxes of Federal ammo. I practiced with one box and shot quals with part of the other one. I recently restacked my ammo supply and came across the partial box so I took it to the range this morning.

I went through a couple hundred rounds of wadcutters and was ready to call it a day so I decided to use up the partial box of factory ammo. The first three rounds went off fine but they were much hotter than the wadcutters I had been shooting. The fourth round just made a popping sound but there was no recoil at all, and no ring from the gong I was shooting at.

My first thought was I mixed in a wadcutter, but in the back of my mind I felt that something wasn't right. I emptied the gun and packed up and went home. As soon as I got there I got a wooden dowel and sure enough there was a bullet lodged about halfway through the barrel of my 5-screw K-38. Fortunately it pushed right out and the barrel looks fine. Lucky day for me!

[ysr_racer]

I shoot a .38 special revo. Reloaded ammo is more likely to squib because of the large case capacity, and small amount of powder.

When you drop a round in the cylinder, all the powder falls forward.

['ol shooter]

That's why I use Titegroup most of the time for non-magnum loads, it is not position sensitive.

[newbie1234]

That's why I use Titegroup most of the time for non-magnum loads, it is not position sensitive.

it is good to know.

[Skip_Dog]

Happy it worked out for you. What did you do with the rest of that ammo, or was that the very last round?

[Barbarosa]

I have about a dozen left. I brought them home and will pull them apart so I can reuse the cases.

[Cowboy T]

Factory ammo had a squib, eh? Probably a good idea to call up the ammo maker and let 'em know. Should be a lot number on the box somewhere.

[divingin]

Factory ammo had a squib, eh? Probably a good idea to call up the ammo maker and let 'em know. Should be a lot number on the box somewhere.

It happens. In the last 5ish years, I've seen new factory ammo (seen, not experienced by me - I don't shoot much factory ammo):

More than a couple that had no flash hole punched in the case

At least one with no powder.

One with a primer installed backwards (I've been guilty of this with reloads as well...)

Two with bullets seated backwards.

Several with the lip of the case mouth folded inwards (wouldn't chamber due to bulging.)

Those are just the ones I remember. I'm sure there were more.

[robert101]

OP, if or when it happens to me I hope I'm aware like you were. I've been reloading and shooting for over 30 years and so far have been fortunate. But, one never knows when an over-charge or dud load get through or will occur. I know you said it was a factory load and not reloaded by you. Congratulations that your gun and you are both fine. Happy trails on reloading and shooting.

[sigstroker]

I shoot a .38 special revo. Reloaded ammo is more likely to squib because of the large case capacity, and small amount of powder.

When you drop a round in the cylinder, all the powder falls forward.

When I made light loads in .38 or .44 Magnum I put a piece of polyester fill in there to hold the powder near the primer.