Exploding Brass

[Starks]

Well, I am back home on leave. After a week of not shooting my Noveske I got bored and bought a S&W MP 15-22 because I figured it would be a fun little gun to shoot, for cheap, and because the kids would love it.

So we went to a local indoor gun range and started shooting rounds down range (Winchester .22LR? I think the rounds were). After about 50 rounds one of them made a really nasty pop, the boy holding it almost dropped the weapon, and there was nasty smoke coming out of the magazine (S&W magazine has a gap all the way down the middle). After clearing the weapon and checking the chamber there was a mangled shell that was the cause, it seemed the rim around the primer exploded outwards almost as if someone took scissors to it, it was almost a perfect circle.

Wondering if this is a normal occurrence or if anyone has any insight on what could've caused this malfunction.

The boy is fine just a bit red hand, no burns.

Thanks

Stark

 

[drmarc]

Re: Exploding Brass

It sounds like it fired out of battery, something I've heard may be a common occurrence with the early made M&P15-22's. Usually this also blows out the extractor.

I have one and it's has never had an issue and runs like a sewing machine. May want to give S&W a call and see what they have to say, their CS has been spot on with everyone that has had an issue with one.

 

[Neo]

Re: Exploding Brass

Mine did the exact same thing and the extractor flew out of the rifle. Call S&W they will want it back to inspect it. It took about 3 days to get the call tag on mine (they mail it to you God Knows Why) and about a week to get it back. They did send a free mag with mine maybe for the hassle. Good Luck

 

[fcordrey]

Re: Exploding Brass

Only had it happen to me once and it was with a marlin model 60 not a M&P 15-22 . Best I could tell was the action was pretty gummed up and it fired out of battery like drmarc stated . I stopped and checked everything out and found the bullet about midway down the barrel . Took a cleaning rod and knocked out the bullet . Cleaned the rifle after that and it's been working fine since . Some hot gases across the hand and a very strange/loud blast will sure get your attention !

 

[RTH1800]

Re: Exploding Brass

I had it happen once with a CCI Stinger. Winchester 52 rifle. Blew the magazine out and gas out the back into my face. Put it all back togather and it was fine. A bit unnerving though.
RTH

 

[Starks]

Re: Exploding Brass

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: drmarc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It sounds like it fired out of battery, something I've heard may be a common occurrence with the early made M&P15-22's. Usually this also blows out the extractor.

I have one and it's has never had an issue and runs like a sewing machine. May want to give S&W a call and see what they have to say, their CS has been spot on with everyone that has had an issue with one. </div></div>

Well, Since then it hasn't had the same problem, just the one exploding brass, we continued firing after that and it was fine.

If it does it again then Ill definitely contact them, scared the piss out of us haha!

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Exploding Brass

I've had it happen with the 10/22 and some steel cased Russian JR ammo, which I have since sent to the bottom of our lake which has some spots about 800ft deep. Not the most environmentally conscientious act of mine, but there was no place quite as right for the stuff that I could imagine.

.22 ammo is mass produced, and as much as I'd like to say it's all made to safe standards, I'm equally certain some are less safe than others. Usually; quality is as quality costs.

Also, not saying this is the cause, a lot of new rifles are pretty cruddy inside when they first come out of the box. Never hurts to give 'em a once over and a spic-and-span.

Greg

 

[GreatGonzo]

Re: Exploding Brass

I've had it happen 3 times with my spikes st22 upper. all with the same box of ammo. I through out the rest of the ammo.

550rd bulk pack federal

 

[AUJohn]

Re: Exploding Brass

I have some HOT win Power Points which do it. Back when Semi Auto's were not banned it used to cause issues in them.

 

[van]

Re: Exploding Brass

Had it happen with my son and his 10/22-CCI Mini Mags. Had it happen myself with 740XR-Winchester T22.

I'm the only one that bled. The doctor says the piece of the case head will work its way out eventually. We were at a state range when that happened. I'm grateful it was me that took that piece and not somebody else.

van

 

[flounderv2]

Re: Exploding Brass

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GreatGonzo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've had it happen 3 times with my spikes st22 upper. all with the same box of ammo. I through out the rest of the ammo.

550rd bulk pack federal </div></div>

Same thing here except mine is the Rem bulk pack.

 

[Badshot308]

Re: Exploding Brass

Had it happen once well over 20 years ago with a 10/22 and Federal ammo. Loud blast and I found that the rim had ruptured. There was no damage to the rifle or me.

 

[Borg]

Re: Exploding Brass

I had that problem with Rem once, shooting a Ruger Mk 1.
Almost lost my right eye. Yes I did have glasses on, but the piece of brass bounced off my hand and went between the nose piece and nose, into my eye.
I will not shoot Rem of any cal nowdays

 

[totway1]

Re: Exploding Brass

I work RSO at a local range indoor here and when we got our first 15-22 it did the same thing and blew the extractor right off.
(scared the crap out of the shooter)