Ruger sp101 blew up

Status
Not open for further replies.
Wow, a gun defect would never fail in that manner. You might see a split cylinder or bad timing after a gun defect fail, but this screams mucho pressure!!!, also if someone put loaded factory rounds in a tumbler/vibrator for a while this might happen as the powder might be powdered and radically change the burn rate.
 
Well I was pretty sure of the answer before I posted, but I wanted to first show what happened, and second get all opinions. I had little doubt it was a double or triple charged round but a guy can hope that possibly it could be something else.

Anyway, I'll take it as a very very good learning experience (being that I wasn't injured or worse) that I'm sure I will never forget.
 
if someone put loaded factory rounds in a tumbler/vibrator for a while this might happen as the powder might be powdered and radically change the burn rate.
Click to expand...
No, that just doesn't happen.
Factory ammo is tumbled after loading to give it that nice expansive shine.

Military Ammo gets vibrated 24/7 in military vehicles and aircraft for days, weeks, or months, and the powder does not turn into explosive dust.

See this thread for proof:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=498890

The OPs Ruger was blown up by a double charge of fast powder.

rc
 
Last edited:
Rule; Never wear another man's under garments, and never shoot his reloads.
I watched a Ruger Blackhawk come apart with IMR 4227, Ruger found a defect in the cylinder.
 
i am happy that you are ok. i also want to thank you for posting what happend to you. this is a great reminder for me and others to be vigilant and help us all avoid injury. azrn
 
Other pic. First I'm going to call up ruger and see what they will do for me. I know that most likely it's not there fault, but they might help me out with getting it going again.
Click to expand...

You will need to own what happened. The gun is a write-off and does not involve Ruger.
 
Talked to my father in law for a little bit this morning, and he is pretty sure those loads were bought from a local gun store years ago. The gun store is closed and there's no way to know for sure about them.

I called ruger first thing this morning and told them exactly what happened. The guy I talked to was very nice. He gave me a RMA number with no questions asked and ups is picking up the gun tomorrow. Ruger has already been great to deal with, and even if they do nothing more, there customer service is excellent. Makes me want to buy there products even more.
 
I called ruger first thing this morning and told them exactly what happened. The guy I talked to was very nice. He gave me a RMA number with no questions asked and ups is picking up the gun tomorrow. Ruger has already been great to deal with, and even if they do nothing more, there customer service is excellent. Makes me want to buy there products even more.
Click to expand...
They usually treat their customers more than fair. I've seen them completely replace a gun if they could not determine the cause and sometimes sell a new one at cost even when it was the fault of the ammo.

Last year I sent back a brand new defective LCR. They sent me a new one that was also defective. I sent that one back and requested an SP101 for the replacement and they agreed at no extra charge.
 
I'm really glad that you are OK.

Definitely something to be thankful for, that such catastrophic failure didn't result in much greater injury to you or anyone else nearby. Definitely a double- or triple-charge load.

That photo sure speaks a lot for the construction of Ruger revolvers.
 
Thzt USED to be a nice gun.

Yep!

Only one thing will take a cylinder apart and peel the top-strap back like that.

Double or triple charge of fast burning pistol powder.

You can't put enough slower magnum burn rate powder in a case to do that.

rc
Click to expand...

Well, you're probably right in this case, but a barrel obstruction could do this, too, like a bullet stuck in the barrel on a squib previous to the round fired...or something.
 
Very glad you're ok, sir.

I'm a huge fan of Ruger, of both their guns and their customer service. I'll def. look forward to hearing what they come back with as far as a plan.

SP101's are great guns, and no doubt, as others have stated, this one gave it's life to protect you. :) Least you can do is reincarnate it with another SP101.

Cheers!

P.S. This is a great reason to wear your eyes and ears every time you shoot! You never know!
 
If the cartridges are loaded with lead bullets look for a line running up one side, across the nose, and down the other side. This would indicate a cast bullet, and the line was made where the mold blocks came together. This would strongly suggest that what you have is handloads because mainline manufacturers use swaged bullets.
 
Glad you are ok. SP101s are very well built, hate to see what would have happened if that was in a 340pd:eek: (not knocking S&W)!Ruger is VERY good with CS. The fact that they don't have warranties is good if you reload, since that voids most warranties.
 
Hi, MCgunner,

Sorry, but no. A barrel obstruction (like a stuck bullet from a squib load) will cause a barrel to bulge or burst; it won't cause the chamber to blow out like that one did.

Jim
 
Well, you're probably right in this case, but a barrel obstruction could do this, too, like a bullet stuck in the barrel on a squib previous to the round fired...or something.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't that have caused the barrel to bulge, not the cylinder to blow up and frame to warp?
 
Old ammo you know nothing about is not something to mess even if it looks like new ammo. But when it looks old ?? dump it. You can have low pressure or spikes in pressure and you know how that's worked out. Any way. Only shoot reloads you make , not from anyone else. Good that you have all your fingers . Ruger will probably end up sending you a new revolver. again
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
Buckmark blew up
2 3 4
Replies
94
Views
11K
HisSoldier
HisSoldier
A
  • Locked
Ruger Sp101 kaboom.
2 3 4 5 6
Replies
138
Views
16K
MrBorland
MrBorland
P
  • Locked
Reloads...
2
Replies
28
Views
1K
BluesBear
B
F
  • Locked
S&W 640 or Ruger SP101 for PCCA Comp?
Replies
6
Views
702
spudwrench
S
whatnickname
  • Locked
Ruger SP101 9MMlast
Replies
12
Views
759
Dan Forrester
D
Back
Top