Challenger Target Load Blows up on extraction from chamber

Had a semi “slam fire” as the manufacturer called it. Action blew back and jammed permantly open. And the mag ramp bent 45degrees the other way.. wasn’t challenger... I have a whole case of challenger sitting on the shelf, hopefully doesn’t blow up this gun too
 
I don't understand while everyone is down on the ammo. It did what is expected to do: go off when the primer is struck by something, not necessary to be a firing pin. The gun has to be at fault somehow and I hope the first primer can be found to determine how it was struck.
As a stunt we used to load a paper target load in a Winchester Model 12 then remove the barrel assembly so the brass was supported only by the head-spacing ring. When fired we could catch the pellets and wad in a paper shopping bag because the case would split lengthwise and very little pressure generated. For those Challenger shells to do what they did they had to be supported at least partially by the chamber or something close by. One generated so little pressure that the wad apparently did not clear the barrel so it was mostly unsupported. Mystery for sure.
 
Jetman said:
Had a semi “slam fire” as the manufacturer called it. Action blew back and jammed permantly open. And the mag ramp bent 45degrees the other way.. wasn’t challenger... I have a whole case of challenger sitting on the shelf, hopefully doesn’t blow up this gun too
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This one isn't a slam fire, it fired on opening the bolt to extract a live round.
 
If the firing pin was lodged in the firing hole the case head would be against the bolt face that is all it would take I would disassembled the bolt if there is s firing pin spring that has collapsed that would hold the firing pin in a forward position. If the diameter of the pin is a bit larger than the hole that would cause it to stick in the hole there are a few more possibilities
 
struff55 said:
If the firing pin was lodged in the firing hole the case head would be against the bolt face that is all it would take I would disassembled the bolt if there is s firing pin spring that has collapsed that would hold the firing pin in a forward position. If the diameter of the pin is a bit larger than the hole that would cause it to stick in the hole there are a few more possibilities
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The gun was and is in perfect working order. Fully disassembled and inspected.
 
gttsc said:
The gun was and is in perfect working order. Fully disassembled and inspected.
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"When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."

With one hand cradling the gun and your other other on the charging handle, operator error would be impossible.

Shells randomly going off would also be impossible.

It would also be impossible for any sudden pressure to be put on the primer while pulling back on the charging handle.

This IMO leaves three improbable but possible scenarios. The first being that the hammer dropped on the firing pin due to wear or dirt in the trigger group. The second being that the charging handle slipped from your grasp and the firing pin was stuck in the out position. The third being that the second shell was released from the tube prematurely, struck something as indicated by the evidence and went off. The blow back into the trigger group caused the hammer to release striking the firing pin and discharging the first round. Any of these scenarios would indicate a malfunction of the firearm.
 
And that is why I don’t own any semi autos or pumps. You have to cycle the action to unload them. Break action guns with intercepting sears, I say. Move the top lever and it’s all there to see.
 
Melvin said:
And that is why I don’t own any semi autos or pumps. You have to cycle the action to unload them. Break action guns with intercepting sears, I say. Move the top lever and it’s all there to see.
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I won’t speak on semis but with any pump action 12g I own you don’t have to cycle the action to unload shells in the tube mag, with the action closed and locked you push the lifter up and depress the shell latches releasing rounds into your hand out the bottom loading port. Or if there’s a live round chambered you can open the action halfway till the nose of the shell clear the port, manually remove it and then push up the lifter and open the action all the way releasing the shell in the tube into your open hand. At no time does a live shell have to touch the bolt face if your paranoid about an out of battery detonation.
 
Melvin said:
And that is why I don’t own any semi autos or pumps. You have to cycle the action to unload them. Break action guns with intercepting sears, I say. Move the top lever and it’s all there to see.
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The next step for more safety is not to own any firearms at all !!!!!
 
gttsc said:
and my hearing for the last 24 hours!
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I was testing in a pit, shooting using a rest off the tailgate. At 90 degrees, went to check targets. Popped my muff up. Back to the truck, took a shot. Didn't put the muff down again. Noise from the muffle braked 375rum reverberated back from inside the canopy, amplified a probable 200 decibel shot into my left ear.

Didn't hear well for three days. Have been checked, no permanent damage. One moment of inattentiveness/idiocy. There is a reason for safety rules. Not as serious a shooter as some on this board, but, I'm sure to be in the top....say 95% in country.

Yours was a fluke, ammo fault. We both got lucky. Happy you still have all your fingers and eyes. I would be contacting the ammo manufacturer.
 
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