Ruger sp101 blew up

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Yes, thank the Lord you're ok. That's really sad that your gun is destroyed like that.

But I'll chime in with the others, viz. it was a double charge of some fast burning powder somebody reloaded.

I bought some reloads out of a jar in a sporting goods store when I was a kid. 357 magnums. I dropped the hammer on the first round and ... nothing. I just stood there. After a second or two, the round ignited. Same with the next round.

These days I try to shoot only ammo where I know the history. Either I reloaded them or they came from the factory.

Good luck.
 
I agree this looks like a double charge of fast pistol powder, but couldn't heavily degraded powder do this? I'm thinking about powder that has corroded the inside of the case and has turned to red dust.
 
Possible Repair

It has been stated the gun is a total loss. What are the chances of heat treating the top of receiver/frame, and banging it back into shape ? Buying a new cylinder, and assessing other parts (cylinder rod, etc.)? Then having a gunsmith advise on fitness to shoot ?

Or do all the above in reverse order ?

Mainly I'm asking if there "is" a possibility of repairing the gun ?
 
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I would isolate the ammunition to see if Ruger needs it for any reason.

IF they don't, then see if you can determine the manufacturer from the box/inventory number if you still have it. You said the store is out of business.

If you can't find the original manufacture, have the bullets pulled and weigh powders.

If Ruger replaces the SP101, I'd say that they are a very generous company.

If they don't, you can likely recoup a bit of money parting out the usable parts, like the hammer, trigger, barrel, grips, etc. Probably at least $100-200 in parts.

You got really lucky.

This makes me reconsider shooting some of the ammo acquired with "gun and ammo" purchases I've made over the years... never really know the origin of that ammo.
 
What are the chances of heat treating the top of receiver/frame, and banging it back into shape ? Buying a new cylinder, and assessing other parts (cylinder rod, etc.)? Then having a gunsmith advise on fitness to shoot ?
Click to expand...

I don't see a gunsmith worth his salt advising to ever shoot that one again.
 
Just a couple of thoughts in no particular order....

1) The gun is toast. Maybe one of the top gunsmiths could do something with it but it would cost you darn near as much as buying a brand new revolver.

2) Ruger might be nice and give you something toward the purchase of a new gun. That would be probably your best bet.

3) Don't bother buying a lottery ticket, you used up all of the luck you were alloted for any reasonable period of time when that gun blew up and you weren't hurt.

4) Most certainly a double or triple charge like so many others have mentioned.
 
This is the primary reason I will never shoot ammunition that I don't positively know it's origin. Sure glad your OK, but let this stand as a lesson to not ever shoot ammo you didn't personally load, or buy as new factory.

Many years ago I bought a 9mm from my best friend. he gave me a bunch of reloads that someone gave him. I fired a few with no incident, and then one didn't fee/sound quite right, good thing I looked, cause there was one stuck in the barrel. I pulled the bullets, and when I did I found one that was very likely a double charge, and two more squibs, wow!

I've seen a SBH 44 mag. taken apart like that before. A double or triple charge will do the trick every time.

I would venture to guess Ruger will take care of you this time, being that it's new and all.

GS
 
I had one more thought. Many years ago I got fed up with factory ammo due to mis fires mostly, but I had some pretty hairy experiences too, which is when I started reloading. Haven't had a repeat of any problems since, so maybe reloading is in your future?

GS
 
So, about this ammo. I'm never going to use it. But I'd like to keep the brass to reuse. It's around 300 rounds of ammo. If I pull the bullets, dump out the powder, what do I do with the primers? Do I leave those in? Or should I soak the cases in something that will basically make the primers void and then deprime them? Sorry if this is covered somewhere else.

I plan on keeping them in tact until ruger decides on what to do. That way if they want some of it, I'll have it ready to go.

I don't know anything about the ammo. The stuff wasn't organized well. It was all in one big box. Im now about 100 percent sure after all this discussing it, the one round that blew my gun up was a reloaded round, that I never should have even allowed in my gun. I should have been more vigilant about inspecting the ammo.

But a safer route would just have a standard in place (like I do now) that I don't shoot ammo that are not either my own reloads, or I personally bought factory rounds at a store.
 
The primers are fine. Just load em back up using published data.
You don't know for sure if they are magnum or standard primers so I wouldn't use a powder like H110 or W296 that requires them. Just pick a nice medium burning powder like Unique and load em up about middle of the road power wise. You shouldn't have an issue.
The way components are nowadays I sure wouldn't waste 300 primers.

And that's good practice to not just shoot any old reloads. There are VERY few people that I will shoot their handloads. I can count them on one hand. These are people that I have put in a lot of time in the loading room with and know that their practices are at least as thorough and meticulous as my own.
 
gamestalker said:
I had one more thought. Many years ago I got fed up with factory ammo due to mis fires mostly, but I had some pretty hairy experiences too, which is when I started reloading. Haven't had a repeat of any problems since, so maybe reloading is in your future?

GS
Click to expand...
I do reload. I'll admit not for a long time. If anything this is a very good way to make sure I pay very close attention. I'm usually very careful, and I respect guns and ammo. I just got bit on this one.
 
Live primers can safely be decapped, the same way fired primers are. Just go slow and wear eye protection. Primers could be left in and used as I doubt they were the cause of the catastrophic incident that killed your Ruger. Only thing is, without knowing what kind of primers the are, you would have to use a powder that does not require a magnum primer, while adjusting your powder charge as if they were magnum primers.
 
As to salvaging the gun - that topstrap steel has cashed in all of it's structural integrity. Can't stretch it and then reconfigure it - no. As to the old ammo , there is a tool which makes salvaging the bullets , casings and primers easy - someone help me with the terminology - the clear plastic mallet into which the round is inserted , then one good whack and the bullet pops right out with no damage. Primers stay put. I pounded out 1,000 rounds a while ago. It was kind of fun , in a mindless way. (beer helped.)
 
Well whatever happens with your gun I know I would like to know the ending to this story. So keep us all informed and if they do nothing post some pics of your new gun.
 
Given the fact that too much or the wrong powder was used and given the unknown age of the ammo I would decap the primers and trash then. New primers are readily available and are inexpensive.

I also would not send the remains of the gun to Ruger. The accident was clearly a result of your negilence. I would mount it on the wall above my reloading bench as a expensive reminder about using some bodies else ammunition.
 
I'm sending the gun to Ruger. I get what a few of you guys are saying about not sending the gun off or eating the cost. I really do.
Ruger will know the whole story. I'm not going to lie or bend the truth, or fight them for a new gun. I'm not trying to make it there fault in any way. I'm not going to expect anything, but if they do decide to give me anything, I'll take it as a blessing. It's completely there decision. For the ones that don't think that's right, I'll have to live with your opinion of me.
 
What are the chances of heat treating the top of receiver/frame, and banging it back into shape ? Buying a new cylinder, and assessing other parts (cylinder rod, etc.)? Then having a gunsmith advise on fitness to shoot ?
Click to expand...

Zero
 
Wow
Glad your ok, hope ruger wll give you some kind of credit to another gun.
Ruger is a tough gun. Did you have a light load before that kaboom ?
First thing I think of is a bullet stuck in barrel.
 
Couldn't you just pull the bullets, empty out powder, and then shoot the primers before de-priming? Obviously in a different gun..Then you won't be paranoid when reloading the brass.....kind of a work around but, I figure you're already a little nervous. glad you didn't sustain any injuries.
 
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