Ruger Sp101 kaboom.

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Pretty impressive bit of engineering for the revolver to have protected you as it disintegrated in your hands. Very glad you are OK after the event.

I agree with others that the ammo is the suspect here. For what it's worth, here is my recommendation.

1: maintain professional with your contacts to federal and ruger.

2: do not clean or modify anything. Leave it as it failed.

3: take detailed photos of revolver and ammo (incl lot number). Do not continue to fire ammo from the same lot number and request federal replace any full boxes that you have with same lot number. I'd wager that they would like to see as much from that lot as possible for analysis.

4: federal and ruger will want them back for analysis. If they don't send you return tags for prepaid shipping, I would be shocked. If they don't, politely ask them. To send you the tag for shipping.

5: do not "lawyer up" unless the result from federal and ruger are completely unacceptable which I would be shocked if it wasn't to your satisfaction.

6: shipping a handgun from a private party to manufacture for repair is fine, but it cannot ship USPS. This is where the shipping tag from ruger is handy.

7: shipping ammo is ups or fedex only. This is where the tag from federal is handy.

I'm sure it will all work out, but be patient and let the companies involved do their research and come to a proposal for you.

Good luck and again, very glad you are unharmed from the KB.

Don
 
Every single problem I've ever had with ammunition has been with factory, and most recently with Federal. The primer seal completely let go, not a pierced primer, but the circumference of the primer pocket to primer seal completely failed, the resulting pressures ripped the extractor out, along with a piece of the bolt that supports the extractor. This happened while shooting a Ruger American.

Some years back I had an extreme over pressure situation, and again, it was with factory ammo. And not too long ago I shot some Federal, and again produced excessive pressures, enough to make opening the bolt a struggle. In my defense, I didn't but that box, my son did and gave it to me to replace some reloads of mine he used up.

Anyway, Ruger never blinked an eye and repaired the rifle no charge. They're great folks, they even did a couple upgrades, brand new stock and new magazine, even though both were undamaged. It only took them 10 days to repair it, just a little over 2 weeks including shipping time before I had the rifle back in my hands. I also told them it was Federal ammunition, and asked them if they wanted me to contact Federal, and they said don't worry about it, just send it in.

In your case, I would definitely let Federal know what has happened, but for sure talk to the folks at Ruger. It's obvious that the barrel wasn't obstructed. And knowing how well built those Ruger's are, my first guess would be the ammunition, likely a double charge. Either way, I would think someone will replace that revolver, it will probably be Ruger, just because that's how they are, and how they treat their customers.

GS
 
WOW, glad you are okay. Would you please post the lot number of the ammo. I have some on hand and would like to know if it's the same lot. Thanks!
 
Will do let me get out to the car and get the # off of it. I don't recall seeing anything that specifically stated "lot#" but I will pm you the numbers I see on it.
 
Glad you are OK. And here I've been eyeing a ruger for my first revolver. Don't get me wrong, your little ruger protected you admirably taking the overcharge for you and saving your hand. Though now I'm questioning getting the little LCR as a pocket carry gun instead of a stronger sp101
 
Thank you. I appreciate it.

Update.

Federal called me early this morning and wanted to know lot # and events prior to the kaboom and after.

They wanted pics of the gun and they will be sending Ups by tomorrow to pick up left over ammo.

So Kudos to FEDERAL for getting back to me straight away.
 
Federal called and have decided that they would like to have what's left of the gun as well to look at it.

I guess I'll go ahead and send it all off to them to have it checked out.
 
Analogkid, glad you're okay! And good to hear that Federal is taking your incident serious.
 
Not so certain I would send them the revolver.

1: Does Federal have a FFL to receive it?

2: if you ship it to Federal and Ruger wants it for warrant replacement, what are you going to tell them.

I'd hold onto the revolver until you hear from Ruger
 
Wow. Glad you are intact. Can't imagine the flinch you might have going forward...

I would at least be interviewing lawyers. There is NO reason not to. It is an unfortunate reality in today's world. Not saying you need to hire one, but you'll be better informed - which is ALWAYS a good thing - and NOTHING gets the attention of a corporation faster than "My lawyer says..." Sad but true.

"The man that represents himself has a fool for a client"

Best of luck. I suspect both companies will do what that can to remedy this quickly.

Thanks for posting. As an owner of several SP 101's I am glad for the reality check.
 
Just remember that the second you say you are represented by an attorney, Federal and Ruger can no longer communicate directly with you. All communications would have to go through your attorney.

I would only "lawyer up" if the resolution offered by federal and ruger are completely unsatisfactory.

Just my opinion here, and I am not an attorney.
 
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Glad that you are ok! A tough gun and good ammo maker. Want to hear their response.
 
I suspect it's the ammo. Like any respectable manufacturer, Ruger proofs their firearms with hot proof loads before allowing it to leave the factory. Still, like Robhof suggested, contact both Federal and Ruger.
 
I too think that you should not be in a hurry to lawyer up.

HOWEVER - I do not like the idea of sending the gun to Federal !!!

I'll bet Ruger would not like that either.

TALK TO RUGER before making a move.
 
Some good friends in the Local firearms industry here have told me the same thing. I have emailed the rep that contacted me this morning and have said I wanted to wait until I hear back from Ruger.

I'll still ship their Ammo off to them tomorrow if they want.
 
I agree with others, talk to Ruger before you ship what's left of the revolver to Federal. If Ruger says that's advisable, then I would be more comfortable with that, but not unless.

As far as getting legal counsel involved, I wouldn't, at least not yet. That would immensely complicate the process, and could lead to an expensive out come as well. I mean your ok, and thus far your only loss is the revolver, so I would first see how Federal and Ruger want to proceed, I think one or the other will take care of you.

GS
 
If you ship the gun to Federal, be sure that you're not running afoul of any laws. It'll obviously never fire again, but as far as the ATF and the state of California are concerned, it might still be a "firearm." Glad you made it out OK - and thanks for sharing.
 
goon said:
If you ship the gun to Federal, be sure that you're not running afoul of any laws. It'll obviously never fire again, but as far as the ATF and the state of California are concerned, it might still be a "firearm." Glad you made it out OK - and thanks for sharing.
Click to expand...
Legally, it's still a handgun. Ship in accordance with the laws.
 
Analogkid said:
Some good friends in the Local firearms industry here have told me the same thing. I have emailed the rep that contacted me this morning and have said I wanted to wait until I hear back from Ruger.

I'll still ship their Ammo off to them tomorrow if they want.
Click to expand...
Make sure you photograph everything that that you ship to either Federal or Ruger. Type up a detailed shipping manifest that identifies (For Federal) the number of unfired rounds being returned, the number of spent cases being returned, the identifying lot number from the package, the Federal part number from the package label, and keep a copy of the manifest for yourself.

Also, make sure to record or photo the shipping label they provided (it's UPS or FedEx, correct?) and ensure that you get the tracking number in your photo so you can confirm receipt to Federal.

They have a vested interest to look into this asap as they likely have a large amount from this lot floating around that they may need to recall.

Finally, request, in writing, a written response be either company letter or email with their findings upon inspecting the ammo returned.

This is important as Ruger will want to know what Federal found with the ammo.

Finally, I would offer to share with them the findings that Ruger returns to you on the revolver when they get a chance to inspect it.

Remember, these are two very large companies, so sometimes correspondence goes a bit slower than anticipated....remember to be patient.

Best wishes for a positive outcome,

Don
 
And folks, another example of why we wear protective glasses and ear plugs!

Thank God, and I do mean to thank Him, for you, and others on that range that day.

I have no doubt Ruger and Federal will make good on your gun. So rest easy and count your blessings.

Deaf
 
I called them today. They asked for Pics of the firearm Ser# and a detailed statement. I sent many up close High res pics of the firearm and the cylinder pieces.


I obliged and have yet to hear back from them. I had to wait until I got home to get them the Ser#.
 
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