PMR 30 Question

[CharliesHammer]

Was at the range today and while shooting my PMR 30 I got hit in the face with hot powder, glad I had my glasses on. Gun jammed, looking in the chamber I could see the base of the shell split, around the base.I was shooting factory CCI ammo.
Got home and got the gun apart. I could see no apparent damage to the gun. Just a factory round too hot??

 

[Obturation]

I have heard of early pmr 30s firing out of battery, I think the slide was updated. That's my best guess, check with keltec

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Do you have a photo of that particular case?

If not, you should always keep them for diagnostic purposes.

Is your firing pin moving smoothly against the spring?

You should be able to get tour fingernail in there and push on the flat, rear of the firing pin and see it protrude at the front against a couple ounces of spring pressure.

Todd.

 

[CharliesHammer]

I do have the case but I mangled it removing it from the chamber.
I was able to push the firing pin forward. Is it supposed to return?

 

[CharliesHammer]

I will try to post pic

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I do have the case but I mangled it removing it from the chamber.
I was able to push the firing pin forward. Is it supposed to return?

Yes. Smoothly back and forth.

Was the case fully seated in the chamber?

Todd.

 

[CharliesHammer]

It appeared to me to not be fully seated. I don't know however if the ejector moved it a bit.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

It appeared to me to not be fully seated. I don't know however if the ejector moved it a bit.

Sounds like it might be a one-off but eye protection is always indicated and more so here.

If it happens again, after it cools, try tapping the case from the muzzle end with a rod to maintain the case integrity to diagnose better.

Just to be sure, is the bore clear and the chamber wall smooth?

Todd.

 

[CharliesHammer]

I checked both under magnification and the bore and chamber look good.

It was my fault for attempting to remove the case at the range.
Thank you very much for your time and help!

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Neither myself nor pals with PMRs have had this problem but I see a bunch of internet returns on the subject.

Ironically, it is limited primarily to the very first recommended ammunition on the list; the CCI 40s.

Forgot to ask, did it fire as the slide went forward or only after you pulled the trigger?

Todd.

 

[CharliesHammer]

When I pulled the trigger. I did pull the firing pin and gave the whole assembly a better cleaning. The firing pin moves more smoothly.

We have two PMRs and they have to date been family favorites. At least one always makes it to the range. I have purchased a good bit of the CCI ammo.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

One hates to say - "guess it happens" considering the degree of damage on some of the affected pistols.

It's all but impossible - some would say quite impossible for the PMR30 to fire out of battery with actuation of the trigger.

So, if I back out of the problem, excluding that, I wonder if the slide did not perhaps begin its rearward motion too soon?

Does your barrel move the nearly .750 inch freely if you lock the slide to the rear?

The barrel not following the slide back might give the blow-outs described.

Todd.

 

[CharliesHammer]

My barrel moves 1/4 in. With the slide locked back. I measured both the PMR and they have the same travel.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

That's good.
Looking around, no one seems to have a definitive answer as to why this has happened from time to time.
Conventional wisdom tells me it should either be the firing pin becoming *fixed* and firing upon contact before seating - NOT your case.
Or
Firing correctly but the slide beginning it's rearward motion prematurely which can be mimicked by the barrel not following it correctly.

Some folk lay it down to CCI 40s but if all else is well, seems that would have to be a significant over-charge to have the pressure remain too high to exhibit this upon cycling. Still they seem to be the common denominator though that may have more to do with being the predominantly chosen ammunition too.

I'll be looking about more curiously about this.

Todd.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Since you've been shooting yours a bunch, I'm curious, do you ever load the mags full - or even try?

Personally, I don't think it's worth the loading tools as 25 is just fine for me but I am curious.

Todd.

 

[CharliesHammer]

I have never loaded a full thirty, usually 10 to 20 just to preserve ammo. We have two teenagers who would like to shoot 30 round magazines. They are however hard to nail down when it's time to place a large SG ammo order.

 

[CharliesHammer]

I got online and like yourself found others with the same problems and like you stated, some with serious failures.
I'm not going to let the kids shoot the one that had the case blowout.
I could find no helpfully info nailing down the problem or solution.
Thanks again for you help. I really appreciate the willingness to share experience and skills on THR.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I got online and like yourself found others with the same problems and like you stated, some with serious failures.
I'm not going to let the kids shoot the one that had the case blowout.
I could find no helpfully info nailing down the problem or solution.
Thanks again for you help. I really appreciate the willingness to share experience and skills on THR.

The more I look at it, the more it comes down to almost having to be extraction timing as the barrel on these is not captured by the slide allowing a possible early, partial extraction.

That's my guess anyhow, looking at the various scenarios and the pistol its self.

All I can add to that is periodic confirmation (as the pistol gets dirty and/or hot) that the barrel continues to move freely over the course of its natural travel with the slide locked back.

Todd.