Had a case blow apart in my Kel-Tec .380

[steelhead]

On my last range trip I was shooting my Kel Tec .380 when on the 78th round it happened. It was number 3 in the magazine and when I pulled the trigger all I heard was ppppphhhhhhttttt and pop. I waited 30 seconds and then racked the slide and a broken casing came out. The round and the other missing piece was still in the bore. I the field stripped the pistol and used a wooden dowel to punch out the round. I didn't see any visible damage so I ran a bore snake through it a couple times and then fired another 122 trouble free rounds.

I've seen cracked cases before (not out of the KT) but not a case that would break like that. I am also sure it didn't fire out of battery.

Any thoughts on how this happened? Was it overpressure, weak brass, etc?

I was shooting 90gr Independence range ammo.

 

[ugaarguy]

Steelhead it looks like a brittle case that cracked. Whether it was overcharged or not I don't know.

Edit I'd also contact the ammo maker and the dealer you got the ammo from. The ammo company will want to know the lot # off the packaging so they can make record & investigate. The dealer will likely pull any ammo from that lot and send it back for replacement.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Glad you and the KT are fine Now Please go buy some good ammo to practice with. Win. Rem. S&B Magtec

 

[hnm201]

+1 on the magtech.

Regarding Independence Ammo: I've never shot the stuff in any of my guns. However, I have tried to reload Independence brass (free, range pickups) on a few occasions. A 9mm indepence case would load once and split under moderate pressure. The .40s and .45 cases tended to disintergrate on the first attempt to to bell them or seat a bullet. It's remarkably crappy brass. Any Independence brass that I find from this point forward I just toss in the "recycle" bucket.

 

[steelhead]

Glad you and the KT are fine Now Please go buy some good ammo to practice with. Win. Rem. S&B Magtec

Not always an option unfortunately. The range I was using only allowed you to use their ammo which was "Indy". I wouldn't personally buy Magtech either because of hard primer issues with revolvers and semi's.

 

[hnm201]

I've loaded about 1.5K of Magtech's small pistol primers in my 9mm loads and have an no misfires and excellent, clean ignition in my Glock 17, which is bone stock. YMMV.

 

[ugaarguy]

The range I was using only allowed you to use their ammo

I'd talk to the range owner and show him/her what their ammo could have done to your gun. Tell him you'll gladly their ammo in their guns, but you'll shoot your ammo in your guns. If he/she disagrees let it be known that you'll be taking your business elsewhere. Most ranges require you to shoot their ammo in their guns to ensure safety & proper function. You should have the same right for your guns.

 

[51Cards]

Mine won't function properly with Magtech. Wish it did. It seems to prefer 85gr.

Glad that thing didn't make your day worse!

 

[wally]

Since the bullet was stuck in the barrel I'd say someone forgot the powder and the pffffffft you heard was only the primer going off. Anyone who reloads knows the sound Weird that the case cracked like that.

--wally.