A what if situation.

[Polish-Jack]

I try to reload 9x19. I was wondering what would happen if I forgot to put powder in one of the rounds? Would the primer create enough pressure to force the bullet through the barrel or will the bullet jam?

 

[SDC]

What would LIKELY happen is that the primer would have enough force to push the bullet at least partway into the barrel (a "squib"); at that point, a lot of people have a tendency to say "WTF? It didn't work; oh well, I'll rack another one in and go back to shooting." If that bullet is far enough into the barrel that it'll let you chamber another round behind it, you'll now be holding a hand grenade, and firing that round will destroy the pistol.

 

[Polish-Jack]

I can see that happening. Now, assume that there is no gap between the first bullet and the second. Tthe first bullet is seated far enough that the new round chambers properly. What could happed?

 

[(((Echo)))]

What could happen?

- the gun blows up in your face.
- the barrel ruptures, blowing off the slide.
- just short of infinite odds:1, both bullets come out and you live another day.

You could lose your hand, your arm, various other body parts, your life.
If something doesn't sound/feel right, stop and find out why. Unless you've got lizard DNA in you, body parts don't grow back.

(E)

 

[joe-nwt]

Makes no never-mind whether there is a gap or not. The first bullet is a bore-obstruction, and a very good one at that. Best case scenario: after a very large bang, the barrel is bulged but you still have all your fingers and other body parts.

Worst case: gun is gone and you have caught way too many pieces of your gun with your hand and face........

 

[Slash5]

I can see that happening. Now, assume that there is no gap between the first bullet and the second. The first bullet is seated far enough that the new round chambers properly. What could happed?

As long as both bullets are touching, from the experiments in Hatcher's Notebook, likely both bullets would be discharged without damage. There would be excess pressure on the cartridge case.

 

[Polish-Jack]

As long as both bullets are touching, from the experiments in Hatcher's Notebook, likely both bullets would be discharged without damage. There would be excess pressure on the cartridge case.

Thats what I was looking for. An answer with some sort of reference. Thank you.

 

[ricciardelli]

"As long as both bullets are touching, from the experiments in Hatcher's Notebook, likely both bullets would be discharged without damage. There would be excess pressure on the cartridge case."

I disagree!

What you are essentially saying is that the powder load for a 9mm with a 90 grain bullet is the same as the powder load for a 9mm with a 180 grain bullet (if you can find any)?

With a 90 grain bullet:
N-330 From 4.6 grains to 6.5 grains
CCI-500 Primer
N-340 From 4.7 grains to 6.8 grains
CCI-500 Primer
N-350 From 5.4 grains to 7.8 grains
CCI-500 Primer

With a 150 grain bullet:
N-330 From 3.5 grains to 3.8 grains
CCI-500 Primer
N-340 From 3.9 grains to 4.2 grains
CCI-500 Primer
N-350 From 4.4 grains to 4.7 grains
CCI-500 Primer

With that 180 bullet load:
N-330 at 6.5 grains pressure would be in the area of 107002 PSI
N-340 at 6.8 grains pressure would be in the area of 106264 PSI
N-350 at 7.8 grains pressure would be in the area of 117025 PSI

In a semi-auto you will be picking pieces of the gun out of your body, in a revolver, with a large cylinder gap, you might get away lucky with just a ruined firearm.

 

[HKfan]

I try to reload 9x19. I was wondering what would happen if I forgot to put powder in one of the rounds? Would the primer create enough pressure to force the bullet through the barrel or will the bullet jam?

A primer will not push the round out of the barrel. It will lightly be wedged just in front of the chamber. A second primer will push it about 1/2 and inch down the barrel again, and then it will be firmly stuck.

A squib round like this will not cycle the action and you should notice that there is something wrong. If you rack the slide and chamber another round then you will almost certainly damage your gun. I have seen this happen, and depending on the load used I have seen bulged barrels and slides, and on the other extreme, kbooms.

Moral of the story is that if the slide does not cycle then unload and check the barrel for obstructions. Failure to do this risks damaging your gun and your fingers.

As for holding a grenade or losing an arm, I would say that is a bit dramatic when talking 9mm, but in a bad kboom you may cut your hand pretty badly and have bits of metal fly into your face. I have only experienced one kboom of sorts myself (overseas) with a Glock 26. It was a double charged round and the case blew out where it is not supported and I got hot powder and a piece of brass in my thumb. The rest of the pistol was fine but I did not shoot that ammo again!

 

[JasonYuke]

you will know a squib when you sqeeze t off. Some come out easy some try your patients! I had one in and I was lucky that it never madi it into the rifleing full. but a squib is very noticable someting you should be willing to recognize.
I have heard horror stories one in particular the guy never got hurt but he
a squib occured in a 338 win mag BAR cycled the round what he figured the round may have been only charged partialy #### happens!
The rest is histoy so is the gun and the guy is lucky.
When reloading if charging the powder or dropping it pay attention, dont be on the phone re talking awy or doing two things #### can happen!
I also shoot and turkey hunt with a old guy that was not as luck as the first with a 6.5x55 and wears the scares for life from a squib than full load back to back