round went off in magazine 1911

At the CQB Pistol Clinic last week we were taught about a problem with the 1911 and 40 S&W. If the round falls off the extractor it can be racked back, hitting the primer on the ejector = KaBoom. I guess the 10mm has the same issue.

The point was that it can be dangerous to reach over the top of the ejection port to rack a 40 S&W 1911. I made not of this because I have one.
 
CaptainKellog said:
Does anyone have experience / know of any cases where the shooter had Kevlar gloves on during a kaboom, and if it made a difference in the amount of damage their hands took?

I would definitely start wearing these (even though I hate wearing gloves while shooting) if it significantly reduced the amount of danger to the hand.
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No kevlar, but I saw a gentleman get a broken bone in his hand after a kaboom with no outward signs of damage to the hand other than a bruise.
 
Ganderite said:
At the CQB Pistol Clinic last week we were taught about a problem with the 1911 and 40 S&W. If the round falls off the extractor it can be racked back, hitting the primer on the ejector = KaBoom. I guess the 10mm has the same issue.

The point was that it can be dangerous to reach over the top of the ejection port to rack a 40 S&W 1911. I made not of this because I have one.
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exactly what happened to me it sounds like. Thats why i posted my pics, as we all need to be aware.
 
A friend had a double charge in his Colt that resulted in the exact same damage as the OP's gun, right down to the cracked grip. His hand was sore, but otherwise OK.

Auggie D.
 
enefgee said:
No need for Kevlar gloves - you can put steel liners between the frame and the grips of a 1911 - it's something that was done when 38 Super +P became the ISPC load of choice.
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Good to know, I'm going to look into that. I also make sure to NEVER rack using the front serrations, so no worry about having my hand over the ejection port in case of a kaboom.
 
A 45 case will easily hold 3x the charge for fast powder like titegroup. The HDY LNL is a great press, if ever in doubt remove that round or remove everything and start all over again.

I just finish reloading 357, 44 and 45 with lead, plated and HDY XTP over the last two days. Can get real confusing real fast so take your time.
ccain said:
I'm also getting my first reloading set up this week as well. I've ordered the Hornady Lock-N-Load Progressive Press. I'm going to start off with loading .45ACP. I've watched numerous videos, read a lot, and I especially pay attention to incidents like this so I can learn from other peoples' mistakes and accidents.

Thanks to the OP and all who have responded for this excellent learning material and information.
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With no distractions other than the radio, I find that I can load 100 rounds on my Dillon 550B before my attention starts to wane. That's the time to have a coffee break or whatever.
I've also learned to discipline myself that if I get out of sequence for any reason, I finish that cycle and start afresh. I've never had a blow up - yet - and I'd rather not.
 
Ok, so I'd call it an overcharge, or undercharge, both will cause high pressures, which obviously happened here as the primer is gone. I just had a case failure Tuesday night, round hit the target (steel) but case didn't eject properly and sprayed burning powder all over. But no evidence of high pressure, primer was still there, no brass flowing etc. Your picture clearly shows high pressure.
 
PerfCenter said:
Now we see why they say don't put your hand under the grip of a pistol when shooting...

Because that's where the pressure goes when there is a problem in the chamber.

Here's what the FN looks like after the Kaboom
IMG_1288.jpg


Not exactly as friendly as the SR1911
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Different failure. The FN occured in the chamber where pressures reach much higher levels. Rounds detonating outside the chamber are near harmless. The strength of the brass is very very weak and does not allow pressures to build to dangerous levels like those generated when the case is supported in a chamber.

TDC
 
burnaby said:
A 45 case will easily hold 3x the charge for fast powder like titegroup. The HDY LNL is a great press, if ever in doubt remove that round or remove everything and start all over again.

I just finish reloading 357, 44 and 45 with lead, plated and HDY XTP over the last two days. Can get real confusing real fast so take your time.
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Thanks for the advice, Burnaby. I plan on starting nice and slow. Until I am very familiar with the process, I intend on creating a single round at a time and taking measurements at each stage during the process. This will be a new hobby for me. And, like all hobbies I've ever engaged in, I plan on learning the entire process inside and out. Playing with powder and primers is definitely something I will not take for granted.
 
Glad to hear you are OK!

I had a similar injury to my hand two years ago... Was shooting a 1911 in .38 super and I went to clear a jam by racking over the slide, the extractor hit the primer setting the round off. Took some shrapnel to the pinky and the palm, lucky there was no nerve damage.

As a professional guitarist it was brutal not to be able to work for a couple months, definitely trying to avoid it happening again...Anyone know how to reduce the risks of these kind of accidents?

I try to rack the slide by pinching from behind now, but I find it really hard to clear jams that way, not enough force. Has anyone had a kaboom like this using factory ammo, or is it only with handloads?
 
Looks like a overcharge / double to me.

What kind of powder was it?
<curious if it is the one I'm thinking of...>

Does the Ruger 1911 use a ramped barrel or a regular unsupported barrel? (never saw one up close)
 
StainlessFan said:
Was shooting a 1911 in .38 super and I went to clear a jam by racking over the slide, the extractor hit the primer setting the round off. Took some shrapnel to the pinky and the palm, lucky there was no nerve damage.
As a professional guitarist it was brutal not to be able to work for a couple months, definitely trying to avoid it happening again...Anyone know how to reduce the risks of these kind of accidents?
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That sucks. I think you mean the ejector hit the primer, right? I've heard of this being a rare but not impossible event in 40cal pistols, something about the location of the ejector relative to the primer. I've never heard of it happening with 45s, or 38 Super for that matter. Regardless, that's just one more reason to use the hardest primers you can as a precaution, however rare the event may be!
 
I'm glad you're back in the game, and the gun's back in service! Got to be a pretty rare thing, indeed - like getting hit by lightning, I suspect the chances of it ever happening to you again are probably next to nil...
 
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