Squib load malfunction

[jayinsat]

I hate these stories. I can well imagine, particularly if you're new and in CHL range class firing the multiple-rounds sequence that one might not notice a squib, especially depending on what sort of hearing protection one is using. Glad you're OK PaJ.

It would never occur to me to buy reloads but this cinches that particular deal for me. Maybe for revolvers or bolt/lever actions but not semi-autos.

Thankfully it seems not to happen very often.

It would be truly scary if it was just the sound, but you should be able to feel the absence of normal recoil as well. As it so happened I was at a range with only my son present, so I did hear the difference, but what really connected for me was how the shot "felt" --my 45 felt like a 22, actually, more like a pellet gun.

Again, the conventional "tap, rack, reload" drill is what makes this dangerous if you didn't recognize the squib load. I don't feel comfortable just blindly following that procedure. I want to visualize the barrel if I don't get a clear "bang" after I pull the trigger.

[TomsTXCHL]

I hate these stories. I can well imagine, particularly if you're new and in CHL range class firing the multiple-rounds sequence that one might not notice a squib, especially depending on what sort of hearing protection one is using. Glad you're OK PaJ.

It would never occur to me to buy reloads but this cinches that particular deal for me. Maybe for revolvers or bolt/lever actions but not semi-autos.

Thankfully it seems not to happen very often.

It would be truly scary if it was just the sound, but you should be able to feel the absence of normal recoil as well. As it so happened I was at a range with only my son present, so I did hear the difference, but what really connected for me was how the shot "felt" --my 45 felt like a 22, actually, more like a pellet gun.

Thank you VMI77 for this! I really hadn't thought it through.



Of Course the failure of the gun to "kick" normally should be very obvious indeed. Thanks again--clearly I need to get-out and shoot more often. Good grief I think it's now been a year and a half since last I discharged a firearm.

DOUBLE

[VMI77]

To all but the most inexperienced of shooters doing slow fire it should be pretty apparent, yes - to folks who've never had it, it can be a perilous moment.

During the stress and speed of competitive shooting, though, the signature lack of noise/recoil is often unnoticed by the shooter. I had one guy blow up a gun right in front of me (I was the RSO) after doing a really rapid Tap-Rack-Bang drill - I barely got my mouth open to yell a warning when the pistol blew.

Good distinction. I didn't specify slow fire, but shooting rapid fire, yeah, my finger would probably already be pulling the trigger on the next shot before my brain caught up, even if I noticed the lack of noise/recoil.