Ruger Sp101 kaboom.

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Analogkid

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Update: Ruger has contacted me and wanted the Ser# of the gun and the pictures. I sent probably more than I needed to but I had them so I sent them. I told them the Firearm would be sent back to them if they needed it but only through my local fun shop.

I want tracking and delivery confirmation. They were pleasant to speak to on the phone and asked me if I was alright. The asked me not to ship the gun to Federal and I stated I didn't because I wanted to wait and hear what they (ruger) said.

I sent all the pics I had tonight and the ser#
Federal has had the remainder of the Ammunition sent back to them

.....End edit......................................................................



It's Been several months before I could get out to the range. Had some health issues.

Took out a new to me Rossi m971, a beater taurus .357 and my 5 year old Ruger sp101 .357

I grabbed a few boxes of Walmart bought Federal .357 mag 158gr I had stashed and ran through one box between the revolvers and then started on the other box.

Got about 15 rounds into the second box and the Ruger Sp101 grenaded in specatular fashion. I counted all my fingers and regained my composure. The Range master called for a cease fire and and allowed me to collect the pieces of the firearm that were scattered downrange. Still a little shaken as I type this so sorry for the spelling errors if any.

I was using fresh shoot and see targets for each cylinder so 3 made it out and to the target and the 4th round the gun blew up.

Not sure if I Should write it up as a loss and be thankful I didnt get hurt or start talking to Ruger or Federal.

Thoughts?

kaboom_zpsq52ywgbc.jpg
 
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I got some BBQ on the way home. Thats about the same right?

But yes...I was pretty lucky and I am glad I Didnt get hurt.
 
Glad you are OK

Factory ammo blew up your gun, that was in good repair and functioning perfectly prior to the ka-boom.......

Uh,yea, I would for sure drop a dime to both Ruger and Federal, but, I would contact Federal first.
 
Did you notice any excessive recoil when this happened?

Hard to point fingers, but I'd probably say Federal is to blame. SP101s, and Ruger revolvers in general, are well known for their strength. With the cylinder blown apart and the top strap gone, I'd have to say this was probably a double charged cartridge. Are you sure you didn't get a squib load?

Probably an ammo issue, I've noticed a lack of QC in most maker's ammo since the ammo crash of 2012. Makers are still pumping out as much ammo as they can onto the market, and this is the result when products get rushed.

Make some phone calls, talk to your lawyer.

Compensation is in order.
 
Im not sure how many rounds I have run through the sp101. Maybe 1000-1500 half .357 and half .38 special since new. I would say the majority was .38 special magtech plinker ammo. I bought a few thousand rounds of that on sale a few years back.

The Federal .357 is soft point semi jacketed ammo is from walmart. I bought it a year or so ago when it started coming back into the store. I have 10 or so boxes of it.



The Taurus has maybe twice and many rounds down it. I have had it for about 10 years
 
No excessive recoil and was firing SA. 3 rounds hit the fresh shoot and see target and the 4th well.....Kaboom.
 
robhof

By all means contact both Federal and Ruger, and don't use any more of that box of ammo. You also might check the lot number of that box and see if any other of your boxes are the same lot. Be sure you save all parts you found, as Federal and Ruger will probably want to have them analyzed. Good luck and glad you're safe. Don't know much about Federal, but Ruger customer service has always been great to both me and many of my friends.
 
I have as many of the parts I could find. I am pretty sure I got them all.

I have sent a inquiry to Federal through their website.

Ruger does not have a Email set up for Customer service. Looks Like I will have to wait until Monday to call them.

I have this box saved with 15 used. I was not able to find the 5th round that wasnt fired. It was lost in the mass of brass out in front of the lanes when the gun came apart. I was lucky the range master called for cease fire so I could pick up my shiny stainless Cyl parts scattered about.

I'll have to check the lot#s and see if they all match up.
 
so the pressure blew the cylinder wall off with enough pressure to break the top strap. It he cylinder was faulty I doubt that a normal pressure discharge would have torn the top strap.

I strongly suspect the ammunition.

Congratulations on being intact.
 
I'd be contacting Ruger and Federal. It's possible you have a double charge with a round, and if that is the case I would keep the box and the rest of the ammo from that box. Federal will probably want it back.

It could be that the ruger failed to properly cycle the action and maybe the bullet went into the forcing cone wrong. Either way, you should not just take the loss.
 
Federal with definitely want lot numbers and probably ask to have the remaining ammo. I would send photos of the gun to both Ruger and Federal. I suspect that Ruger will want the gun for analysis. Neither of these manufacturers will want the liabilities associated with this kind of incident so, they will be egar to make you happy. This was a catastrophic failure and you are a very fortunate man to be unharmed.
 
The Forcing cone is intact and undamaged. Nothing impacted it as you can see in the pic. Looks to be in good shape.

I havent cleaned the gun so it obviously shows all the filth left over from the range day.

kaboom2_zpstd8z5obd.jpg
 
I agree this is likely bad ammo, and both Federal and Ruger should be informed.

Glad you're OK. I'm going to guess you were wearing shooting glasses?

Good safety engineering means that when things fail, they fail as gracefully as possible. This little revolver's dying effort was to shield you from the blast as best it could.
 
Yep I seem to be alright save for sore fingers? I have z87-2 presciption shooting glasses with side shields that I wear.

Thank God nothing hit my face. Im ugly enough already.
 
How did your arms fair ? Did the failure all blow straight up ?

Think of as a modern car that gave its life to save you.

Curious as to the response you will get back from Federal as well as Ruger.

Again, glad you are OK, and sorry this has happened to you, can put doubt into the mind.
 
Wow...

First of all, so glad you are unharmed other than some sore fingers!

Next, as post #16 mentioned send photos to both Ruger and Federal... more than likely you'll get a return shipping label emailed to you after you communicate w/ them some. I had a not as dramatic ammo failure with some Winchester hunting ammo in my LR308... they paid to get their ammo back as well as cut me a check to cover replacing the lot that I mailed back (if all from the same lot, they'll want ALL of it back, not just your unused half-box).

Ruger will more than likely swap guns w/ you. In the rare and unfortunate case that a Ruger firearm fails (like yours due to hot Fed ammo) they've been prompt to replace with NIB. Only downside is for CA residents having to wait another 10 days b/c of NEW SN. Good luck!
 
You don't see a blown up Ruger SP 101 everyday, they are tough guns to blow up. Federal isn't known to manufacture bad ammunition either. This is one of those deals where you look at what happened over and over again wondering what the hell went wrong? Did the investment casting of the revolver have a flaw, a small crack or imperfection which finally surfaced? Did Federal with all the QC and Checks that go into manufacturing ammunition let a double charged or worse round get through?

I don't have a clue but I would be sending the gun to Ruger and the remainder of the ammunition to Federal. Not that doing so will solve anything but it's a start. I am glad you came away from the line intact with fingers and vision, thank God and good safety equipment on that note.

Ron
 
Where's the empty case? That would be important to examine I would think.

EDIT COMMENT: Re-reading, I see you lost the 5th cartridge but you have the rest of the spent cases in the original box.
Doesn't one of them look like it had pressure issues? I would think the one that blew up the revolver would be an obviously damaged case.
 
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That's why I trust my own reloads more than factory ammo. I have a powder cop that will cease up my press if there's a double charge.

Glad you're ok. Federal owes you a new gun.
 
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