Pow, Pow, Pow, Pffttt

[Hondo 60]

There seems to be quite an influx of new reloaders - or at least ones smart enough to post questions.
I thought this would be a good time to explain that sound.
The experienced reloaders already know what's coming.

That sound is what is known as a squib.
The case received a primer, a bullet & was crimped, but somehow missed the powder.

WHEN YOU HEAR THAT SOUND, STOP, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU TRY TO PULL THE TRIGGER AGAIN!

The bullet (projectile) most likely is stuck in the barrel. If you are successful at chambering & firing a 2nd round, your gun can literally explode!
You will probably have to use a brass or wooden dowel to tap the bullet out.
DO NOT use a steel rod. It can harm the barrel.

Please stay safe, my friends!

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, if anything ever sounds wrong or feels wrong, stop and check things out.

 

[cemjr]

I haven't been reloading long and I've already had a squib. I don't know if it takes a more trained ear but I could have sworn it was a loud BANG!. The next bullet failed to feed (lucky for me), so now I have a 6" brass dowel in my range bag. I also sit up and take notice when by powder check goes "beep"

 

[rick300]

I mounted a flashlight to my Lee Turret, pointed down into the case. I sit high enough to look at the powder every round. I'm still new (2 1/2 years and about 6 k rounds) but so far so good.
My wife shoots some. Every time she goes, we talk about squibs on the way to the range. Rick

 

[LiveLife]

Good thread!

Yes, it should be more like Bang, Bang, Bang, Pfffttt, What?!

I keep a 1/4 inch extension in my range bag with a set of pliers to tap out any squibbed bullets out of the barrel. To verify that the barrel is clear, I usually visually check the inside of the barrel with the slide locked back. But if the lighting is poor, I will insert the 1/4 inch extension through the barrel to ENSURE that there is no bullet stuck at the chamber end of the barrel.

The 1/4 inch extension will work down to 9mm/380Auto barrel. To remove the squibbed bullet, tap the end of the extension towards the chamber end with the plier. Usually, a few taps will pop out the bullet stuck just forward of the chamber.

 

[Twmaster]

That's a good way to damage a bore...

 

[LiveLife]

"tap" not "hammer"

If you have concerns about the pistol bore, a small wad of paper towel pushed down to the bullet (especially for RN) and some larger piece of paper towel (from range bathroom? or your range bag?) wrapped around the extension will sufficiently center the extension tip and protect the bore/rifling.

But as Twmaster posted, use at your own risk.

 

[icanthitabarn]

I had one recently and a couple years ago, when brand new. They only made a click in my 1911, from the hammer.

 

[Walkalong]

I keep a brass rod in my range bag. While testing some light loads powder forward I have stuck several bullets.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6580981&postcount=10

 

[mdi]

Some plain old electrician's tape wrapped atound that 1/4" extension would be a good idea to help protect the bore...

 

[rondog]

Squibs suck. I've had two on two different 1911's, one RIA and one Colt, and I just talked to a guy last night that recently blew up his Nighthawk with one. I was able to replace my barrels, he had to send his gun back to Nighthawk.

 

[mbopp]

Yeah, I had a squib but didn't notice it. Fortunately the bullet engraved the lands and was still stuck in the case so the slide didn't cycle.

 

[VaGunNut]

It seems like there are way too many that actually prepare for this situation as if it is suppose to happen frequently everytime you go to the range. It is carelessness in your reloading processes and should never happen if care and time is taken. I have gotten a bad primer or two with a fail to fire but never a good primer and no powder...(100k plus rounds)I really like the one with a steel craftsman extension rammed down the muzzle end of the barrel...so much for the crown.......lol

 

[mgmorden]

It seems like there are way too many that actually prepare for this situation as if it is suppose to happen frequently everytime you go to the range. It is carelessness in your reloading processes and should never happen if care and time is taken.

To some level I agree, but it doesn't hurt to know the signs and know how to handle it though. So far I've never had one, but I'm still paranoid about it. So far I only load on a single-stage though. If I ever move up to a progressive I do think I'm going to get a powder check die just to stay safe.

 

[Shadow 7D]

*Stuff* Happens
You can even get Squibs from FACTORY ammo *gasp*
point is, it's something EVERY shooter should know, esp. a reloader.