S&W Model 29 Mountain Gun. The loads were factory CorBon 200gr .44 Special. The operator was an experienced shooter with military training.
The shooter started with .44 Magnums, then switched to Specials. It’s likely that he expected the milder report and recoil of the .44 Special loads and therefore didn’t notice the discrepancy at first.
Surprisingly, the ejector rod is fine, as are the topstrap and cylinder. Looks like a new barrel assembly should have her back up and running. The shooter was wearing eye protection and was not hurt.
Lesson learned: be careful when switching between Magnum and Special loads, as you might not pick up on the difference in time.
A squib load is defined as a bullet doesn’t have enough “oomph” to make it out of the barrel. This can be due to an undercharge of powder or a weak primer. Minor barrel obstructions and dried oil can also contribute.
The squib itself didn’t do this; the shot that followed it did. Most of the time, a squib will distinguished by less-than-usual recoil, a “pooft” instead of a bang, and smoke venting from the breech. If you’re shooting and anything feels or sounds “different,” stop shooting immediately. Clear and inspect the weapon.
Upon ignition, a bullet is followed by hot gases under high pressure. If something gets in the way, all of that backs up in an enclosed space. All that energy has to go somewhere.
Normally, squibs are caused by careless reloading. However, they can occasionally happen with good factory ammunition, as today’s example shows.
Of course, someone’s bound to read this and conclude, “CorBon blows up guns.” That isn’t the case. Any company manufacturing millions of rounds over the course of decades is statistically bound to have a dud sneak through production at some point.