Is it just me, or do revolvers seem to blow up more often than other guns?

[fireman 9731]

I might be crazy, but it seems to me that at least half, if not more of all the blown up guns I have seen have been revolvers...

Do they really blow up more often than other guns? Or do they just blow up in a catastrophic way that makes for good pictures?

[TexasRifleman]

Most of these seem to be ammo related, so I would say it's a sign that revolver shooters are more likely to push the limits of reloading than auto shooters.


I can't guess how many threads I see on blow-ups that start off blaming the gun then down on page 3 somewhere the guy will admit he was using handloads :)

[TAB]

revolver chamberings have very large case capicity compared to pistol chamberings. Its more likly that a double charge will fit in a larger case, then in a smaller one.

Which is where I think most people get in to trouble.

[General Geoff]

Agreed. Revolvers just happen to be subject to hot hand loads more often than semi automatics.

[Fat Boy]

If someone wanted to do the research, this might be an interesting question on a general discussion level.

On the other hand, I haven't heard "KABOOM" used in reference to a revolver as of yet, seems like it ties most frequently to an off-brand of gun; CLOCK? BLOCK? something like that:evil:

[TAB]

On the other hand, I haven't heard "KABOOM" used in reference to a revolver as of yet, seems like it ties most frequently to an off-brand of gun; CLOCK? BLOCK? something like that

That just perfection or something.

[Big Mike]

I can't recall any posts here or at TFL or at any of the various online forums recently (if ever) a revolver kaboom occurring with factory ammo; though I'm sure it's happened.

Whether revolver of infamous Glock explosions, it seems like the common denominator is reloaded/hand-loaded ammo.

[SaxonPig]

A friend damaged a Remington Rand 1911 by using 45 Colt reloading data in the 45 ACP. Somehow jammed 10 grains of Unique into the ACP case (still don't know how) and bulged the barrel on the 3rd shot. He had to beat the gun apart with a plastic mallet. A new barrel put in right again.

I agree it's usually due to the large case size of most revolver cartridges. Hard to overload the 9mm.

[230RN]

Hatcher* notes that a revolver, with its barrel-cylinder gap, is more likely to get a squib load (link) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squib_load) stuck in the barrel so that bullet 2, with a full load behind it, jams into it and splits the barrel. (He also notes that the split on M1917 barrels usually occurs right along the line where the "Property of US Government" is stamped.)

Autos, with their sealed barrels, tend to blow the squib load out of the barrel anyhow, so with the next full-powered shot, the barrel is still clear.

In all cases, if anything unusual occurs while shooting, stop, keep the muzzle pointed downrange for a slow count of thirty, then check out the arm thoroughly.

In all cases.

I'm not sure if anybody can ever make a formal valid survey of revolver KBs** versus auto KBs (taking into account relative numbers of each in use), but it seems at least reasonable, for this and the reasons mentioned above, that revolvers might indeed KB more.

Terry, 230RN

--------
* Hatcher's Notebook --see section on barrel obstructions. He also notes a case where five or six bullets got stuck in the barrel of a revolver. The gun had to be taken to a 'smith to have the bullets pounded out.

** KB - a fairly common acronym for "KaBoom."

[parisite]

Due to reloaders pushing the envelope in large capacity cases used by revolving pistols.

No fault of the guns themselves.

[krs]

And there's no action to operate by force of recoil in a revolver, but just every revolver episode I've seen has been due to overcharging or inattention when undercharged.

Years ago I worked as rangemaster for our club - it was how the city allowed us to keep the range open. Three times I had to yell at another shooter on the line to stop because even with hearing protection I noticed the soft sound of their squib load when they hadn't. Each time it proved out that a bullet was stuck in the bore, is what I meant by "inattention" above.

[GRIZ22]

Most of these seem to be ammo related, so I would say it's a sign that revolver shooters are more likely to push the limits of reloading than auto shooters.


Due to reloaders pushing the envelope in large capacity cases used by revolving pistols.


All this is true. There are more magnums among revolver cartridges and many try to make it more magnum.

[chuckusaret]

In 56 years of shooting I have had only one weapon Kaboom on me. It was about a year ago with a Glock with factory ammo. Had a gunsmith look at it and he said it could have been the ammo. The round came out of the first box out of a case. I have since fired the rest of the case with no problems. But none thru a Glock.

[Dirtpile]

A friend damaged a Remington Rand 1911 by using 45 Colt reloading data in the 45 ACP. Somehow jammed 10 grains of Unique into the ACP case (still don't know how) and bulged the barrel on the 3rd shot. He had to beat the gun apart with a plastic mallet. A new barrel put in right again.

Now THAT is a compressed load! Probably made Cor-Bon look like a squib in comparison.

[Hawk]

I tend to believe that revolvers do blow up a good deal more than other types of firearms. My opinion is that this is due to internet revolver forums and 230RN's notes regarding Hatcher.

1. Start a "revolver vs. autoloader" or "revolver love" thread in the revolver section and I can almost guarantee that before the first page is filled, someone will be by to tell us that misfires in a revolver are best dealt with by "just pulling the trigger again".

2. Revolvers are simply more susceptible to "primer only" or "too light" loads. This is primarily from homebrews but I've had at least one factory squib in the last couple of years. See 230RN's post above.

3. Squib plus "just pull the trigger again" = 'sploded revolver.

There are some remarkably smart and safety conscious types in the revolver section as indicated by this thread:
Dud, What to do? (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=391450)

I've come to the conclusion that those that participate in a "dud" thread are, by and large, too smart to involve themselves in a "versus" thread which is how the "just pull the trigger again" advice goes largely unchallenged.

[krochus]

I haven't noticed revolvers being more prone to Kbooms

But I have noticed that all Kabooms do have one thing in common.

The use of a progressive reloading press

[230RN]

chuckusaret:

In 56 years of shooting I have had only one weapon Kaboom on me. It was about a year ago with a Glock with factory ammo. Had a gunsmith look at it and he said it could have been the ammo. The round came out of the first box out of a case. I have since fired the rest of the case with no problems. But none thru a Glock.

Out of curiosity, was this with the Glock .45 GAP cartridge?

Also out of curiosity, was/were the other gun(s) you fired the ammo out of with true land-and-groove rifling, as opposed to polygonal rifling?

I've long felt that the .45 GAP is a dangerous cartridge --that it is overloaded for the case volume, bringing it to a critical point of loading density, where even excessive ambient temperature may cause the charge to detonate instead of burning progressively.

I note, in this respect, that Glock recommends that these cartridges not be reloaded, and apparently have taken some pains to see that they are not... as with the rebated rim, and having to use the less "hot" small pistol primers. I also seem to recall that in an American Rifleman article when the .45 GAP first came out, it was noted that Glock apparently had a little trouble finding the right powder for the cartridge.

Just a theory, looking for confirmation/disconfirmation.

Disclaimer: I have nothing against the Glock designs, I'm just suspicious of this particular cartridge.

Terry, 230RN

[browningguy]

I think it's just you. But it does go to show that people can do stupid things with revolvers also.

[Bezoar]

To many people have read and re read about the early days of the 38-44, 357, and 44magnum. They think that with modern steel comes a handgun that is 100 percent better and stronger then the handguns Elmer keith experimented with.
And as a result of rather easy to get loading equipment and supplies. People are able to do the old bubba routine of "if elmers favorite powder did this, then i should use twice as many grains using a powder thats roughly 2-3 times as powerful as keiths favorite powder"
As a result, you have handguns and body parts disentegrate when these experimental rounds are fired.
And when a gun dismantles during a range session, everyone gets the photos online in order to get some kind of lawsuit going.

[Mike the Wolf]

The problem is primarily that revolvers are chambered for much heavier loadings than even the largest traditional semi-autos (not factoring in AR-15 pistols or other insane things that really are hand rifles). They have to absorb much more energy. You're dealing with much higher pressures and recoil, so even a small flaw can be expanded and cause a failure. Cracks can expand under recoil shockwave, and metal can bow under pressure. The ammo is also more capable of being spectcularly overloaded.

[chuckusaret]

Out of curiosity, was this with the Glock .45 GAP cartridge?

No it was a Glock 27 sub compact 40 caliber loaded with off the shelf name brand target ammo.

[Jim Keenan]

I can't count all the times I have read something to the effect that "Rugers (or a specific Ruger revolver, usually the SRH) are so strong they can't be blown up."

So, naturally, some dodos set out to prove that. When it turns out not to be true, their little feelings are hurt (they are lucky if that is all that is hurt) and they hasten to post stories about "how my gun blew up."

Sometimes, the same happens with S&W or Colt or some other make, but the Ruger myth seems to really challenge the nutcases.

Jim

[TEDDY]

the biggest problem to me is this idea that you have to have the most powerful charge or your a wimp.I honestly dont think 500 smiths and the 460 is necessary.I like my 38 and 45 with target loads,I would not hesatate to use it in a confrontation,as I know where I can put my rd.I do have other guns.I have resently seen pictures on other site of blown glocks in 40.all with reloads.40s are in the 40,000# class 38 & 45 in the under 20,000.why make a cartridge that is in the rifle pressure class.:rolleyes::uhoh::eek:

[ciwsguy]

In 34 years of shooting I have also had only one weapon Kaboom on me. It was about 2 years ago with a Glock 19 with factory new 9mm NATO ammo. The magazine was toast, but the gun was basically undamaged. The problem was most likely an overloaded factory round.

[Mike the Wolf]

why make a cartridge that is in the rifle pressure class.

Even worse is that a .40 round, once chambered, should not be loaded back into the magazine. A .40 bullet can be pushed back into the casing through rough chambering. Even 1/10 of an inch can double the pressure and cause a kaboom. The round itself is problematic. Used in pistols less capable of handling overpressure (polymer guns), and you've got a recipe for disaster. I don't care how effective it is, I'm not buying a .40 because it's no better than a .45 and has a lot more potential for problems.

Some day I want a Super Redhawk in .454 Casull. I fired one at a firearms expo a couple weeks ago, and that's one nice gun.

[unspellable]

I suspect on average revolver shooters are a little more prone to pushing the weight on the loading scale a bit more to the left than semi-auto shooters.

On the other hand, when a self loader lets go, it typically does so down through the magazine well and most of the damage is internal, so they don't make the striking pictures that a blown top strap and cylinder do.

[Larry Burchfield]

Wait till you have to pick the splinters from you new custom wood grips when you blow up your 1911.
Larry Burchfield
Seabees/RVn 67/68/69
DAV

[VegasOPM]

There is also the reality that .357 has a lot more case capacity than the 9mm and .44mag has more case capacity than the .45ACP. Double charging is harder to detect in larger capacity cases.

[Drail]

The likelihood of a gun blowing whether it's a semi auto or revo is about the same. When people blow guns it usually a result of human error in handling or loading, not weapon design. As a smith and a range officer I have personally seen far more 1911s blow up than revolvers. But a revolver can certainly be blown. Most of the cases I saw were from a squib followed by a normal round.

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[Big Daddy Grim]

More reloads pushing the limit and also I have noticed that some just because it is a revolver take really crappy care of them expecting they will be fine no matter what.

[Confederate]

It's clearly because the case size on a revolver cartridge is so much larger than that of an auto. People who blow up guns do so because they overload the case. You can see this much easier in a 9mm or .45ACP. The extra powder that would blow up a gun would come over the brim of a case.

I wouldn't think squib loads would be a great cause for a gun actually popping its cork, though it can sure buldge barrels.

I've seen both revolvers and autos fail, but you're right—revolvers (which are inherently more powerful) are more susceptible.

[Drail]

A question for Mike the Wolf, are you implying that ONLY .40 cal. bullets are susceptible to being pushed back into the case?