My First Case Failure..

[Walkalong]

Walkalong: Split happens.

That would make a nice bumper sticker.

Ahem, but I used "splits".

But yes, yes it would.

 

[Elkins45]

There's a big difference between a split case and a case failure. If you had experienced a true case failure you would be buying a new gun right now. Cases split along the body all the time with no really bad consequence. But when the case head fails in a Glock often that means the frame will split. I can tell you from first-hand experience it isn't much fun when you're holding it at the time.

 

[RN]

I believe that...I only use fully supported barrles with my reloads in my g29 unless it's new brass. Then I will load up my preferred 10mm carry round with the starndard G29 barrel..

 

[Elkins45]

That's a case failure.

 

[Edster12]

I agree with Elkins45 100%. Have experienced split cases in straight wall ammo and neck splits in rifle cases. Not really a big deal. I reload for my Son in Law who shoots competitively. Last Sunday he was having a STELLAR match! With 5 shots left in the last stage the gun goes BOOM! In semi shock he turns the gun to it's side makes sure it it clear and places it down. The RO came over and made sure the gun was clear and got him off the range.

The only way to explain the cause of the occurrence was case head separation. The bulk of the case was still in the chamber and the case head was no where to be found. SIL was fine although a little shook up. We were unable to get the case out of the barrel (he was looking for a reason to buy a new barrel anyway). The ejector and ejector spring where also nowhere to be found. The only other damage which we found yesterday while test firing after repairs was that the slide hold open tab was sheared off the slide stop assembly.

As a reloader I have gone over the incident in my mind at least a million times. You can never know what was running thru my mind after I got the text saying Dad gun just blew up. Case head separation seems like the only valid cause of the failure. Knowing this all brass is going to be scrutinized more closely than ever.

 

[ljnowell]

I agree with Elkins45 100%. Have experienced split cases in straight wall ammo and neck splits in rifle cases. Not really a big deal. I reload for my Son in Law who shoots competitively. Last Sunday he was having a STELLAR match! With 5 shots left in the last stage the gun goes BOOM! In semi shock he turns the gun to it's side makes sure it it clear and places it down. The RO came over and made sure the gun was clear and got him off the range.

The only way to explain the cause of the occurrence was case head separation. The bulk of the case was still in the chamber and the case head was no where to be found. SIL was fine although a little shook up. We were unable to get the case out of the barrel (he was looking for a reason to buy a new barrel anyway). The ejector and ejector spring where also nowhere to be found. The only other damage which we found yesterday while test firing after repairs was that the slide hold open tab was sheared off the slide stop assembly.

As a reloader I have gone over the incident in my mind at least a million times. You can never know what was running thru my mind after I got the text saying Dad gun just blew up. Case head separation seems like the only valid cause of the failure. Knowing this all brass is going to be scrutinized more closely than ever.

If there was a much louder report than normal I wouldn't blame it on a case failure. The ejector being blown out also points toward an over pressure situation.

I agree replacing the barrel is a good idea. It would be interesting to have known the measurements of the chamber before and then measure after the event.

PS I'm not trying to be a jerk we can all have overcharged happen. Anyone who thinks they are above a situation like that is arrogant or fooling themselves. I'm thankful it hadn't happened to me and I pray that it stays that way.

 

[kimbernut]

Splits

I keep a few in my case holders that I use the most often on a magnetic strip by my press for two reasons. 1) shows me which case holder is needed for which cartridge, and 2) reminds me how important it is to look my brass over well.

 

[edfardos]

Jagged edges indicate poorly anealed brass. A clean edge indicates excessive shear force, headspace or other bad thing. Yours was jagged, nothing to worry about as others have said.

 

[bronco_buster]

Case splits are a real pain in ass to pick up when you're reloading in bulk on a progressive. I inspect cases prior to tumbling, after tumbling, and then roll each loaded round in my fingers before they go into their reload box...and you know what? I still occasionally catch them: