W. Va. Deputy's Gun Explodes in His Hand

[Policía Loco]

Officials in Marshall County said they've learned it could have been the weapon -- not the ammunition -- that caused a gun to explode in a deputy's hand last week.
Chief Deputy Kevin Cecil said organizations from across the country have called him recently, saying they've had similar situations with their guns.
"It's a combination of them wanting to know what happened … along with possible problems with their firearms," Cecil said.
A deputy was using the .45 caliber Glock 21 for the first time at a firing range last week when the lower half exploded, breaking off the trigger, sending parts flying and injuring his hand.
Cecil said he initially thought it was the ammunition that caused the problem, but not he's not so sure.
He said, as time goes on, he's learned quite a bit about similar situations throughout the country.
"We're actually adjusting our thinking a little bit. It might not just be the ammunition. There may be a certain issue with the firearm itself, so we're going to send it off to have it independently evaluated," Cecil said.
At Shooter's in Bridgeport, Bill Monahan has a collection of guns that have exploded.
"I've seen lots of handguns blow up over the years. Usually it's an overload that causes it. There's many different factors that could cause it, but that's the most common," Monahan said.
He said he doesn't want to speculate on what happened with the deputy's gun, but said there are several reasons he's known a Glock to explode.
"(With) Glocks, you can't fire lead bullets. Not saying that's what he did, but that's one of the culprits," Monahan said.
He said he's like to take a look at the Marshall County weapon, but Cecil said he is preparing to send it to an independent evaluator to find out exactly what happened.
"They'll know when they get to examine this gun just exactly what took place," Monahan said.


http://www.officer.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=49728

[gaijinsamurai]

Scary. If the issue is with the pistol, Glock had better get to correcting the problem ASAP.

[notoo7]

With all the shortages in ammo some departments have increase the use of reloaded ammo. Because the Glock 21s do not have a fully supported chamber firing reloaded ammo is highly not recommended.

When I managed a gun store years ago, I seen only 2 Kabooms from Glocks and few more from other guns. The main reason was reloads or crap ammo.

The biggest problem with polymer guns versus a metal framed guns, is a metal gun frame tends to handle a Kaboom better. With that said I will still take my polymer guns over my metal frame guns.

http://www.notoo7.com/images/Jguns.18.jpg

[18SASS]

What i really hate about glock is that if you put it to someones head/body and push hard. (bad Guy gets the jump on you, this leads to say, a scuffle on the ground) The slide moves back and it wont fire because the round is slightly out of battery. Nice eh? Should of had a ****ing sixgun or a M9. Ever since then i have a pistol with a threaded barrel just so no meat pushes back the slide.

[Hollis]

What i really hate about glock is that if you put it to someones head/body and push hard. (bad Guy gets the jump on you, this leads to say, a scuffle on the ground) The slide moves back and it wont fire because the round is slightly out of battery. Nice eh? Should of had a ****ing sixgun or a M9. Ever since then i have a pistol with a threaded barrel just to no meat pushes back the slide.


As far as I know all automatic pistols has the built in safety feature of not firing unless it is in battery. Even wheel guns has a week spot too. If the gun is not cocked grabbing the calendar to keep it from turning will prevent firing.

Rifles are similar to prevent firing when not fully in battery.


To is more to defensive shooting, such as avoiding Hand to hand contact.

[18SASS]

Yes it was an awkward situation. Pistols that have more of a barrel potrustion from the slide aka 92F have less chance of that happening. I guess it didnt help that it was a heavily clad assailent. Learnt the hard way.

[kevlar308]

This problem was most likely caused by a reloaded cartridge that was too hot. (too much powder or wrong type of powder) Its not the first time that has caused a Glock to blow up. Lead build up from unjacketed rounds could have contributed, but unless a lot had been fired out of it, it is unlikely to be the main cause. That said, they are the best gun for the money. I my experience they are more accurate and reliable than anything else in their price range.

[Chulo]

Sounds like what happend with the FN FiveseveN last year, too much charge in a handload
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=134212

[Gothjod]

Sounds like Mythbusters material to me....

[18SASS]

Sounds like what happend with the FN FiveseveN last year, too much charge in a handload
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=134212

Damn SS190 hand loads. LOL.

[Pappy]

Yes it was an awkward situation. Pistols that have more of a barrel potrustion from the slide aka 92F have less chance of that happening. I guess it didnt help that it was a heavily clad assailent. Learnt the hard way.

What are you talking about? It's REALLY easy to stop an M9/92FS from firing if you push the barrel to the back. In fact, it's one of the listed safeties for the weapon system.

[James]

What are you talking about? It's REALLY easy to stop an M9/92FS from firing if you push the barrel to the back. In fact, it's one of the listed safeties for the weapon system.

I agree, and I think it's actually more difficult with Glocks than most autoloaders, because the frame extends all the way to the end of the slide. Glocks, 1911s, Sigs are all easily put out of battery if pressure is applied to the muzzle or the front of the slide.

[LineDoggie]

The Disconnector stops the pistol from firing out of Battery. Easiest example to use is the M1911 Series. Only takes about 1/4" to keep it from firing. But in a Tactical situation, keeping that roscoe pressed that tight to engage the disconnector seems far fetched with 2 humans fighting for their lives.

In this case with the Deputy, My Guess is Ammo related, either too much powder, or wrong type

[JC0352]

What i really hate about glock is that if you put it to someones head/body and push hard. (bad Guy gets the jump on you, this leads to say, a scuffle on the ground) The slide moves back and it wont fire because the round is slightly out of battery. Nice eh? Should of had a ****ing sixgun or a M9. Ever since then i have a pistol with a threaded barrel just so no meat pushes back the slide.

Like other have said, Glock isn't the only autoloader that does that; it's the same for an M9 and a USP.

[18SASS]

http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/problems.html

Interesting read.

[18SASS]

What are you talking about? It's REALLY easy to stop an M9/92FS from firing if you push the barrel to the back. In fact, it's one of the listed safeties for the weapon system.

Then i am misinformed as i thought with the 92fs falling block it locked up quite well. Can you direct me to some info on that safety ? Guess i should just carry a desert eagle, jk.

Well i am ready for the flame on the below.

Originally Posted by 18SASS
Long story. Was no space to move. In a small elevator in South Africa to visit in laws. Gut cut pretty bad as the individual had a SOG seal of all knives. This was supposed to be in a secure apartment building. In the scuffle he noticed my weapon and repeatedly tried to take it while i tried to bury my holster into the floor of the elevator while he stabbed me. Serpa failed and the pistol popped right out. (then the part you are refering to) Anyway managed to finally get on his chest and shoot him. I think they just kill you over there first then rob you. It was the buildings security guard who was off duty and in plain clothes. Everyone forget to mention to me that he had been fired hrs before. I greeted him as i normally did.WTF

Just wanna say sorry for the Hijack.

[ktk.ace]

I agree, and I think it's actually more difficult with Glocks than most autoloaders, because the frame extends all the way to the end of the slide. Glocks, 1911s, Sigs are all easily put out of battery if pressure is applied to the muzzle or the front of the slide.

i heard that the XD pistol has a part built in to prevent such out of battery incidents.

not sure which part thou.

[Dean1962]

The Browning/FN Hi Power has the same system; it cannot fire if the weapon is out of battery. Personally, I do not see this as a weakness, as there is no way that I would want to fire a weapon in that state. In most weapons, that would mean that the chamber is either unlocked or starting to unlock, and if it fires, the chance of a big kaboom in your hand is much much higher. If someone pushes on the front of the weapon, just pull it back an inch and fire. He won't do it again.

[sgt_G]

The Browning/FN Hi Power has the same system; it cannot fire if the weapon is out of battery. Personally, I do not see this as a weakness, as there is no way that I would want to fire a weapon in that state. In most weapons, that would mean that the chamber is either unlocked or starting to unlock, and if it fires, the chance of a big kaboom in your hand is much much higher. If someone pushes on the front of the weapon, just pull it back an inch and fire. He won't do it again.


1911a1 has that same function too