Worst experience at the range: Equipment version
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ewlyon
Member
Mine would probably be when the sporterized Norwegian Krag blew into pieces on a minimum charge. I am still not sure what happened but I think the only reason that i was able to afford that rifle was because bubba had gotten to it in a bad way. But I liked the magazine and the cartridge, and the trigger was amazing. Still miss it.
I witnessed the worst range day for one of my brothers where the front sight on his garand decided to jump off the rifle and into the snow, where it stayed until I found it the following spring.
I witnessed the worst range day for one of my brothers where the front sight on his garand decided to jump off the rifle and into the snow, where it stayed until I found it the following spring.
The one that stands out in my mind was a day that I took two guns to the range to shoot. I had recently purchased both of them used.
One was a Glock 17L and I had installed adjustable sights on it. The front sight was hopelessly short and the gun was shooting way high. I shot it for awhile but it was hitting high enough that it was a waste of time & ammo to shoot it.
So I switched over to the Ruger MkII. The chamber edge was sharp and was shaving lead from the bullet. Eventually the lead would build up and jam the gun. Then it was necessary to laboriously clean the chamber before it could be fired again.
Not a very fun day at the range...
One was a Glock 17L and I had installed adjustable sights on it. The front sight was hopelessly short and the gun was shooting way high. I shot it for awhile but it was hitting high enough that it was a waste of time & ammo to shoot it.
So I switched over to the Ruger MkII. The chamber edge was sharp and was shaving lead from the bullet. Eventually the lead would build up and jam the gun. Then it was necessary to laboriously clean the chamber before it could be fired again.
Not a very fun day at the range...
xxjumbojimboxx
Member
Traded a rare sig (p220, 38 super, euro mag release) for a mac10 and a mac11.. Happy to take them to the range, neither of them worked. I was so sad. The mac 10 was keyholing badly and wasnt ejecting, and I had failure to cycle all together with the mac 11. I was able to fix them both (not the keyholing), but it was a total bummer to take them to the range and have them both fail miserably.
Inebriated
Member
Never had a bad day at the range.
Devonai
Member
About 13 years ago I was shooting my '43 Standard Products M1 Carbine up in New Hampshire when I had a FTF. I performed immediate action and discovered that the bolt (flat top) had disintegrated into three pieces. If the bolt had failed any sooner during the cycle you might be calling me Winky.
Radagast
Member
Walther P22 slide broke and caromed off my forehead.
I posted about mine on here the day it happened. Brought three guns to the range: a new KelTec .380, a Bisley Blackhawk .45LC, and a newly acquired Model 12. Keltec jammed every couple rounds and patterned like buckshot, Blackhawk gouged my hand with the hammer using heavy loads drawing blood then locked up solid with some aluminum cased snake shot, and the Model 12 had such a tight cylinder gap that it too would lock up after a few shots until it cooled back down again. Awful day.
Uncle Nubbs
Member
Decided to visit the range on Memorial Day with two old warbirds. First, my new-to-me M1 Garand which I was very excited to try out and also my No. 1 MkIII SMLE. After 3 shots on the garand, the enbloc ejected. On examination, I can see the clip latch pin had walked itself forward and there was too much free space in the stock which should have been holding it in retention. Switched to the SMLE and realize I only brought one box of shells. Packed it up after 20 minutes or so. Boo!
Walking around the gun show a few weeks back and scored a better fitting clip latch pin and 3 Garand butt stocks for 23.00. Which was less than I paid for that range visit.
Long and short is now my Garand sits in a very well fitting piece of walnut which looks much better than the beater stock the rifle came with. Following weekend it operated flawlessy. 80 rounds with nary a hitch.
Walking around the gun show a few weeks back and scored a better fitting clip latch pin and 3 Garand butt stocks for 23.00. Which was less than I paid for that range visit.
Long and short is now my Garand sits in a very well fitting piece of walnut which looks much better than the beater stock the rifle came with. Following weekend it operated flawlessy. 80 rounds with nary a hitch.
1) went to the range with my new to me .357 Blackhawk. Went to load it up for the first time and the round fell way too far into the cylinder. Turns out someone had converted it to .41 mag and didn't mark it.
2) Was going to sight in my new Vortex red dot on my latest AR build. Went to turn it on and the battery was dead. Didn't have a spare and it was the only gun I had brought. Put a new battery in when I got home. Next trip to the range the battery was dead again but I had a spare. This thing has the worst positioned on/off switch ever and you can turn it on just by zipping up your gun case.
2) Was going to sight in my new Vortex red dot on my latest AR build. Went to turn it on and the battery was dead. Didn't have a spare and it was the only gun I had brought. Put a new battery in when I got home. Next trip to the range the battery was dead again but I had a spare. This thing has the worst positioned on/off switch ever and you can turn it on just by zipping up your gun case.
orionengnr
Member
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Only partially equipment, mostly self-induced (on my part).
My third rifle (first was a Glenfield Model 60, second was a Colt AR) about 32 years ago. Remington 700BDL in 30-06, bought used.
I figured that a rifle of that power deserved a scope, so I bought a Bushnell or something of that ilk. Then a set of "See-Through" rings. See where this is going? I sure didn't...
I "bore-sighted" it by removing the bolt, setting the rifle on sandbags, looking at something 100 yards away through the barrel and then looking through the scope...and adjusting the scope to align with the barrel.
Hey, don't laugh...it actually works.
Took it to the range, and I'm chasing it all over the paper...what??? Finally realize that the scope is turning in the rings. I don't have the right Allen wrenches, so I'll just look under the scope and see if I can't get a decent group using the iron sights...gotta love those see-through rings, eh?
Now do you see where this is going? I still didn't...
Anyway, I snuggled in on those iron sights, lined up on the target, and caressed that trigger...BAM!
Seeing stars...and bleeding from a crescent shaped gash just above my right eye. Now I know what a good punch from Manny Pacquiao feels like.
I learned a few valuable lessons that day...
My third rifle (first was a Glenfield Model 60, second was a Colt AR) about 32 years ago. Remington 700BDL in 30-06, bought used.
I figured that a rifle of that power deserved a scope, so I bought a Bushnell or something of that ilk. Then a set of "See-Through" rings. See where this is going? I sure didn't...
I "bore-sighted" it by removing the bolt, setting the rifle on sandbags, looking at something 100 yards away through the barrel and then looking through the scope...and adjusting the scope to align with the barrel.
Hey, don't laugh...it actually works.
Took it to the range, and I'm chasing it all over the paper...what??? Finally realize that the scope is turning in the rings. I don't have the right Allen wrenches, so I'll just look under the scope and see if I can't get a decent group using the iron sights...gotta love those see-through rings, eh?
Now do you see where this is going? I still didn't...
Anyway, I snuggled in on those iron sights, lined up on the target, and caressed that trigger...BAM!
Seeing stars...and bleeding from a crescent shaped gash just above my right eye. Now I know what a good punch from Manny Pacquiao feels like.
I learned a few valuable lessons that day...
Ignition Override
Member
The brand-new Auto Ordnance M-1 Carbine back in '07 was my first gun purchase. I had neglected to read up on these before the purchase.
Suddenly after about 500 rds., using only new Rem. ammo, the bolt operation while chambering a round felt a bit tight. Trying to loosen it, the bolt seized up and could not be moved. The gun had not yet been cleaned but had never been hit or dropped etc.
Free factory repair under warranty, but I was so disappointed with Auto Ordnance quality in a brand-new rifle that I sold this gun anyway.
Immed. afterwards no malfunctions were experienced with the newly-acquired very used (18 year old) Ruger Mini 14, used Mini 30 or three SKS rifles.
jlr1962: Germans are very careful when they pack gear for an outing. But a friend (from Essen Germany) had forgotten his AR-15's mag when he stopped by. I told him no sweat, he will consume less ammo.
That's one of the reasons I never bought an AK clone.
Suddenly after about 500 rds., using only new Rem. ammo, the bolt operation while chambering a round felt a bit tight. Trying to loosen it, the bolt seized up and could not be moved. The gun had not yet been cleaned but had never been hit or dropped etc.
Free factory repair under warranty, but I was so disappointed
with Auto Ordnance quality in a brand-new rifle that I sold this gun anyway.Immed. afterwards no malfunctions were experienced with the newly-acquired very used (18 year old) Ruger Mini 14, used Mini 30 or three SKS rifles.
jlr1962: Germans are very careful when they pack gear for an outing. But a friend (from Essen Germany) had forgotten his AR-15's mag when he stopped by. I told him no sweat, he will consume less ammo.
That's one of the reasons I never bought an AK clone.
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CountGlockula
Member
I shot the ceiling at my local indoor range. I was a noobie gunny.
Ewylon
I want to make a guess as to what happened. I have never seen a malfunction like this but I have read about them.
Normally the primer ignites the read end of the propellent and it then burns from rear to front. However, especially in large bore cases, if the amount of powder put in the case is too small, then when the case is laid sideways in the chamber the powder will settle so that the flash hole of the primer pocket is not covered. Then when the primer is ignited the flash created ignites the rear of the powder, the front of the powder, and the middle all at the same time! So even though you have a much reduced load the powder burns all at the same time and creates a pressure spike strong enough to blow up even a very strong receiver.
Many people who load reduced loads will put cornmeal as a filler on top of a reduced load to make sure that doesn't happen.
So I have read in the past.
I want to make a guess as to what happened. I have never seen a malfunction like this but I have read about them.
Normally the primer ignites the read end of the propellent and it then burns from rear to front. However, especially in large bore cases, if the amount of powder put in the case is too small, then when the case is laid sideways in the chamber the powder will settle so that the flash hole of the primer pocket is not covered. Then when the primer is ignited the flash created ignites the rear of the powder, the front of the powder, and the middle all at the same time! So even though you have a much reduced load the powder burns all at the same time and creates a pressure spike strong enough to blow up even a very strong receiver.
Many people who load reduced loads will put cornmeal as a filler on top of a reduced load to make sure that doesn't happen.
So I have read in the past.
WestKentucky
Member
Ever driven an hour carrying 9mm ammo in an ammo can that you thought contained 38spl and 357 mag? That equipment was my brain...
My most frustrating was with my rem 11 when I first brought the old gal home. She was rough...really rough. I did some work to free her up and decided I would try the gun out. Single shot auto. It was too rough to operate and would always eject, but never feed a new round in. I polished the worn 1928 era internals again and now it's smooth as can be but still has that "grandpas work gun" charm.
Another bad one was with a buddies glock 26. He bought it and we went out shooting. Like OP mentioned it was sticky on load. Kept having to smack the back of the slide to seat a round. Stripped it, cleaned it, tried it again. All day same thing until one round wedged in differently (me behind it) and I immediately dropped the mag and tried to eject to see what was wrong. We ended up putting a piece of 1x4 in the grip to hold the gun, putting the edge of the slide on a tabletop, and using a rubber mallet to smack the grip and clear the round. It was oversized winchester white box rounds in a tight chamber. Gun went to a gunsmith friend, then back to glock and came home with a different barrel and slide, barrel from needing replaced for out of spec small chamber, and slide from beating the piss out of it.
My most frustrating was with my rem 11 when I first brought the old gal home. She was rough...really rough. I did some work to free her up and decided I would try the gun out. Single shot auto. It was too rough to operate and would always eject, but never feed a new round in. I polished the worn 1928 era internals again and now it's smooth as can be but still has that "grandpas work gun" charm.
Another bad one was with a buddies glock 26. He bought it and we went out shooting. Like OP mentioned it was sticky on load. Kept having to smack the back of the slide to seat a round. Stripped it, cleaned it, tried it again. All day same thing until one round wedged in differently (me behind it) and I immediately dropped the mag and tried to eject to see what was wrong. We ended up putting a piece of 1x4 in the grip to hold the gun, putting the edge of the slide on a tabletop, and using a rubber mallet to smack the grip and clear the round. It was oversized winchester white box rounds in a tight chamber. Gun went to a gunsmith friend, then back to glock and came home with a different barrel and slide, barrel from needing replaced for out of spec small chamber, and slide from beating the piss out of it.
FROGO207
Member
Shot the sky screens to peices on my Crony. Bought a new set and took it back to the range a week later. So this time I aimed carefully so as not to repeat the previous problem and promptly shot the Crony dead center instead!
That is one that I would have kept to myself. Video??Only partially equipment, mostly self-induced (on my part).
My third rifle (first was a Glenfield Model 60, second was a Colt AR) about 32 years ago. Remington 700BDL in 30-06, bought used.
I figured that a rifle of that power deserved a scope, so I bought a Bushnell or something of that ilk. Then a set of "See-Through" rings. See where this is going? I sure didn't...
I "bore-sighted" it by removing the bolt, setting the rifle on sandbags, looking at something 100 yards away through the barrel and then looking through the scope...and adjusting the scope to align with the barrel.
Hey, don't laugh...it actually works.
Took it to the range, and I'm chasing it all over the paper...what??? Finally realize that the scope is turning in the rings. I don't have the right Allen wrenches, so I'll just look under the scope and see if I can't get a decent group using the iron sights...gotta love those see-through rings, eh?
Now do you see where this is going? I still didn't...
Anyway, I snuggled in on those iron sights, lined up on the target, and caressed that trigger...BAM!
Seeing stars...and bleeding from a crescent shaped gash just above my right eye. Now I know what a good punch from Manny Pacquiao feels like.
I learned a few valuable lessons that day...
orionengnr
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2005
- Messages
- 5,712
That was long before they invented video.
Probably 1982 or so.
Probably 1982 or so.
Chronographing my first .223 reloads, I kept getting errors from the Chrony. I thought "maybe I need to get the bullets lower / closer to the sensors." I kept getting them closer and closer, until I realized I'd put the last 3 shots through the Chrony
Not only did I kill my Chrony...I got very little usable data out of it for my .223 loads.
hemiram
Member
I got my garbage Colt Commander back from Colt for the second time and it was almost as bad as it was out of the box, jamming about every other round. It, to this day, is the most expensive gun I have ever bought, and was beyond "disappointing". After I decided to sell it, and not mess with it anymore, I took out the Dan Wesson 15-2 I had just bought from a pawn shop. It had come with some really ugly tiny grip on it, so I put on one of the fullsized ones I had. Unfortunately, I didn't check the screw length that holds the grip on, and proceeded to load the gun up with full power 110gr JHP rounds and, cocked it while pointing it up at a slight angle. If you don't know, a too long grip screw in a DW small frame revolver will cause a hair trigger, or it won't cock in SA at all. It instantly fired and severed the target travel cable and blew a decent sized hole in the roof. I don't remember what it cost me to fix what I broke, but all in all, it was a bad day at the range..
I was shooting my M44 carbine with russian berdn ammo. Had a click / no bang. Waited 30 or 40 seconds, muzzel down range, no bang. Carefully opened bolt, ejected round. As it was on the table I went to pick it up and suddenly a pop and something hit hard on my finger. Afraid to look, hand is in arm pit, some stinging. Looked at my finger, blood blister. Inspected cartridge, primer blew out. There were no flash holes.
herkyguy
Member
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2009
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- 1,409
Smith and Wesson M&P15 a few weeks back shooting steel-cased .223 (Herters Brand). Anyhow, on my third magazine, all by myself, pinging steel plates at 100 yards and having a good old time when it failed to load the next round. I did the standard steps to clear it with no luck. Well, turns out the extractor had ripped half the rim off and I had a stuck case.
I've shot plenty of this Herters steel-cased stuff. First time failure and totally my fault - I've read all the warnings about steel-cased .223. Anyhow, luckily I had my G42 on my hip and finished the range session with that.
Cleared the case when I got home and just out of curiosity, the next time I took it shooting a week or so ago, I mixed magazines between steel-case and brass, making sure that I had thoroughly cleaned the bore before I took it shooting. 60 rounds of steel-cased Herters without a problem. 30 rounds of brass-cased Lake City surplus also without a hiccup.
Takeaway for me is to pay extra attention to a clean bore when shooting any polymer coated steel-cased ammo. It can get a bit gunky when it gets hot.
I've shot plenty of this Herters steel-cased stuff. First time failure and totally my fault - I've read all the warnings about steel-cased .223. Anyhow, luckily I had my G42 on my hip and finished the range session with that.
Cleared the case when I got home and just out of curiosity, the next time I took it shooting a week or so ago, I mixed magazines between steel-case and brass, making sure that I had thoroughly cleaned the bore before I took it shooting. 60 rounds of steel-cased Herters without a problem. 30 rounds of brass-cased Lake City surplus also without a hiccup.
Takeaway for me is to pay extra attention to a clean bore when shooting any polymer coated steel-cased ammo. It can get a bit gunky when it gets hot.
stonecutter2
Member
I was espousing the benefits and satisfaction I had with my Glock 19 to my friend, who was thinking about getting a pistol for his house. As I then unholstered it, the slide fell off the frame and luckily I caught it with my other hand before it nose dived into the ground.
My friend was like, "Yeah, nice pistol there man!"
I was, however, upset that something had obviously gone horribly wrong.
Luckily, the failing part mostly remained in the pistol - it was the slide lock spring. Somehow it had managed to fold over itself or otherwise "fail" and some of it snapped off. The rest remained bent and inside the frame. The slide lock was totally gone, lost forever at the range.
They cost like $4 online, so I bought another. Some searching online later that day demonstrated that this seemed to occur with some Glock 19 gen4's. Edit: here's the page I found.
Not the best time for that pistol to decide to literally fall apart on me, for Glock PR reasons, but darn glad it wasn't when it counted during a self defense moment!
Up to that point, and ever since, it's been totally reliable. Just crazy I was talking about how reliable and awesome it was, then it fell apart...
My friend was like, "Yeah, nice pistol there man!"
I was, however, upset that something had obviously gone horribly wrong.
Luckily, the failing part mostly remained in the pistol - it was the slide lock spring. Somehow it had managed to fold over itself or otherwise "fail" and some of it snapped off. The rest remained bent and inside the frame. The slide lock was totally gone, lost forever at the range.
They cost like $4 online, so I bought another. Some searching online later that day demonstrated that this seemed to occur with some Glock 19 gen4's. Edit: here's the page I found.
Not the best time for that pistol to decide to literally fall apart on me, for Glock PR reasons, but darn glad it wasn't when it counted during a self defense moment!
Up to that point, and ever since, it's been totally reliable. Just crazy I was talking about how reliable and awesome it was, then it fell apart...
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stonecutter2
Member
Wow that's crazy!! Glad nothing worse happened.
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