Blew up my Sig P229

HughScot · July 23, 2016, 03:00 PM

Not a good day at the range. Was shooting my Sig P229 40sw and after seven shots the next one was extra loud and the recoil excessive. It jammed and when I look at it the grip had cracked and there was damage to the chamber. Not a gunsmith but it looks bad. I was shooting off the shelf ammo. Getting it ready to ship off to Sig so they can evaluate. No warranty of course but I do want to know the cost of repairs.

Reloadron · July 23, 2016, 03:04 PM

While my heart goes out to anyone who manages to have a gun blow up I am glad you were not hurt. It would be nice for others shooting .40 S&W what the ammunition was that caused the problem.

Ron

HughScot · July 23, 2016, 03:12 PM

Unfortunately I don't know. I bought it a number of years ago from a dealer but there is not really anything to identify the manufacturer. Wish I could.

BigJimP · July 23, 2016, 03:16 PM

So the ammo has a mix of headstamps on the cases...??

HughScot · July 23, 2016, 03:20 PM

The case has "40 S&W" below the primer and two letters above the primer an "F" and a "G". Nothing else.

b.m.baumgartner · July 23, 2016, 03:27 PM

Glad you are alright!

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

Reloadron · July 23, 2016, 03:30 PM

Well at least you are OK and that is what matters.

Ron

HughScot · July 23, 2016, 03:45 PM

After looking through head stamp codes it's probably FC rather than FG which may be Federal. I may contact them and see if it could be one of theirs.

armedleo · July 23, 2016, 03:54 PM

Federal Cartridge.

Was there a +P marking on the head stamp?

BigJimP · July 23, 2016, 04:03 PM

My question wasn't clear .....are all the cases out of the box...the same head stamp ....or did buy some kind of a bulk box of ammo / as in someone's reloads...

HughScot · July 23, 2016, 04:26 PM

First there was no +P marking just what I mentioned. The ammo was purchased in a box which I no longer have, not reloads or bulk. Just normal or so I thought.

HughScot · July 23, 2016, 04:29 PM

I've been shooting handguns since early '80s and never have bought cheap ammo. Always a name brand like Rem, Win, Hornady, Federal, etc.

BigJimP · July 23, 2016, 04:38 PM

Well the good thing is you were not hurt.....

All the Sigs I have are all rated for "+P " ...and I would think most of the 229 models would be also- so I doubt that is a factor/ and the case is not marked plus P anyway....but it sure sounds like you fired a round that was significantly overcharged .

As a reloader myself, it's something we are careful about.

Hopefully the repairs are not too significant -- new barrel, new grips and some labor to inspect the gun and fit the barrel ....hopefully not more than around $300...

peggysue · July 23, 2016, 04:43 PM

Has to be a defect in the SIG

HughScot · July 23, 2016, 04:44 PM

Hopefully is right. I used to load my own stuff a long time ago for IHMSA and a few grains to counter for heat and humidity but this sounded very, very hot. The damage was considerable. I have a few more rounds but they won't get used for darn sure.

I might think that peggysue but the sound was very loud. I am going to send it to Sig for inspection.

BigJimP · July 23, 2016, 05:13 PM

In my experience, defects in a barrel are possible....but not likely / especially when the shooter heard a loud report.../ but there is no way any of us can come to any conclusion - we can't see the gun or the case. General condition of the gun, how many rounds thru barrel, etc...../ Sig says shooting reloads will void their warranty

But let Sig take a look and see what they think.../ but not having the original box for the ammo - or the rest of the rounds that were in the box...could be a big issue.

I've been shooting handguns for over 50 yrs - and i shoot about 25,000 rds a yr thru my handguns.- all my own reloads. --- ...and sadly, I see 4 or 5 gun failures every year at my local ranges...and the one's I have been able to inspect were all ammo related...usually questionable reloads/ sometimes a squib round ...but usually an overcharge / guys that buy old ammo at gunshows, their buddies reloads, new reloaders that are careless, odd ball ammo mfg's........

But the OP says he thinks they were standard factory loads...

I would not shoot any more of that ammo either ! See what sig says first -they may want to see the unfired ammo ...but if they say it's a bad round & it's your responsibility -- then i'd pull those bullets and inspect the powder, weigh it for consistency... just out of curiosity.../ reclaim the bullets if they're worth saving...

Jim Watson · July 23, 2016, 05:17 PM

Early Federal .40 with FC headstamp has a poor reputation, many will not reload it.

HughScot · July 23, 2016, 05:21 PM

Without a doubt, they are factory loads and I do have few from the box left over. Not that it will do me any good. I would never use someone else's reloads.

"Early Federal .40 with FC headstamp has a poor reputation, many will not reload it."

Now that is very interesting.

TMD · July 23, 2016, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Was there a +P marking on the head stamp?

No such thing in 40S&W

Guv · July 23, 2016, 05:38 PM

Why would it have to be he gun that was at fault? Case tension could have been on the low side and the bullet could have set back while feeding, who really knows at this point.
Hugh,
How many rounds to you previously have through that 229? Glad your okay, I'm sure that was pretty scary.
Contact Federal and send them a couple of cartridges. I would hold some back just in case Sig wanted some.

HughScot · July 23, 2016, 05:50 PM

Less than a 100 rounds through the 229.

BigJimP · July 23, 2016, 06:02 PM

+P ammo in .40 S&W....... / Buffalo Bore makes one in 155 gr....and there are probably others.

Jim Watson · July 23, 2016, 06:13 PM

There is no spec for .40+P.
They are selling an overload they don't think will wreck your gun.

RJay · July 23, 2016, 06:19 PM

Souinds like soft brass that didn't take a firm crimp. The cartridge chambered, the bullet moved forward spilling the power r into the chamber behind the bullet, primer ignited, the force of the burning powder was in the chamber and a little behind the bullet. Using early Federal brass ( 9 MM, and I use a tight crimp ) I had the bullet lodge into the chamber and the powder spill into the magazine, the same thing can happen to a factory load if the brass is soft.

HiBC · July 23, 2016, 06:45 PM

Was the fired case recovered?

July 23, 2016, 03:00 PM	#1
HughScot Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2016 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 166	Blew up my Sig P229 Not a good day at the range. Was shooting my Sig P229 40sw and after seven shots the next one was extra loud and the recoil excessive. It jammed and when I look at it the grip had cracked and there was damage to the chamber. Not a gunsmith but it looks bad. I was shooting off the shelf ammo. Getting it ready to ship off to Sig so they can evaluate. No warranty of course but I do want to know the cost of repairs.

July 23, 2016, 05:13 PM	#16
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	In my experience, defects in a barrel are possible....but not likely / especially when the shooter heard a loud report.../ but there is no way any of us can come to any conclusion - we can't see the gun or the case. General condition of the gun, how many rounds thru barrel, etc...../ Sig says shooting reloads will void their warranty But let Sig take a look and see what they think.../ but not having the original box for the ammo - or the rest of the rounds that were in the box...could be a big issue. I've been shooting handguns for over 50 yrs - and i shoot about 25,000 rds a yr thru my handguns.- all my own reloads. --- ...and sadly, I see 4 or 5 gun failures every year at my local ranges...and the one's I have been able to inspect were all ammo related...usually questionable reloads/ sometimes a squib round ...but usually an overcharge / guys that buy old ammo at gunshows, their buddies reloads, new reloaders that are careless, odd ball ammo mfg's........ But the OP says he thinks they were standard factory loads... I would not shoot any more of that ammo either ! See what sig says first -they may want to see the unfired ammo ...but if they say it's a bad round & it's your responsibility -- then i'd pull those bullets and inspect the powder, weigh it for consistency... just out of curiosity.../ reclaim the bullets if they're worth saving... Last edited by BigJimP; July 23, 2016 at 05:20 PM.

July 23, 2016, 05:38 PM	#20
Guv Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2012 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,126	Why would it have to be he gun that was at fault? Case tension could have been on the low side and the bullet could have set back while feeding, who really knows at this point. Hugh, How many rounds to you previously have through that 229? Glad your okay, I'm sure that was pretty scary. Contact Federal and send them a couple of cartridges. I would hold some back just in case Sig wanted some. __________________ Walnut and Gloss Blue, mostly!

July 23, 2016, 06:19 PM	#24
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	Souinds like soft brass that didn't take a firm crimp. The cartridge chambered, the bullet moved forward spilling the power r into the chamber behind the bullet, primer ignited, the force of the burning powder was in the chamber and a little behind the bullet. Using early Federal brass ( 9 MM, and I use a tight crimp ) I had the bullet lodge into the chamber and the powder spill into the magazine, the same thing can happen to a factory load if the brass is soft. __________________ Ron James

July 23, 2016, 03:04 PM	#2
Reloadron Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2016 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Suburbs Posts: 1,750	While my heart goes out to anyone who manages to have a gun blow up I am glad you were not hurt. It would be nice for others shooting .40 S&W what the ammunition was that caused the problem. Ron

July 23, 2016, 03:12 PM	#3
HughScot Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2016 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 166	Unfortunately I don't know. I bought it a number of years ago from a dealer but there is not really anything to identify the manufacturer. Wish I could.

July 23, 2016, 03:16 PM	#4
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	So the ammo has a mix of headstamps on the cases...??

July 23, 2016, 03:20 PM	#5
HughScot Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2016 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 166	The case has "40 S&W" below the primer and two letters above the primer an "F" and a "G". Nothing else.

July 23, 2016, 03:27 PM	#6
b.m.baumgartner Member Join Date: April 10, 2016 Posts: 19	Glad you are alright! Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

July 23, 2016, 03:30 PM	#7
Reloadron Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2016 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Suburbs Posts: 1,750	Well at least you are OK and that is what matters. Ron

July 23, 2016, 03:45 PM	#8
HughScot Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2016 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 166	After looking through head stamp codes it's probably FC rather than FG which may be Federal. I may contact them and see if it could be one of theirs.

July 23, 2016, 03:54 PM	#9
armedleo Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2015 Posts: 265	Federal Cartridge. Was there a +P marking on the head stamp?

July 23, 2016, 04:03 PM	#10
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	My question wasn't clear .....are all the cases out of the box...the same head stamp ....or did buy some kind of a bulk box of ammo / as in someone's reloads...

July 23, 2016, 04:26 PM	#11
HughScot Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2016 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 166	First there was no +P marking just what I mentioned. The ammo was purchased in a box which I no longer have, not reloads or bulk. Just normal or so I thought.

July 23, 2016, 04:29 PM	#12
HughScot Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2016 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 166	I've been shooting handguns since early '80s and never have bought cheap ammo. Always a name brand like Rem, Win, Hornady, Federal, etc.

July 23, 2016, 04:38 PM	#13
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Well the good thing is you were not hurt..... All the Sigs I have are all rated for "+P " ...and I would think most of the 229 models would be also- so I doubt that is a factor/ and the case is not marked plus P anyway....but it sure sounds like you fired a round that was significantly overcharged . As a reloader myself, it's something we are careful about. Hopefully the repairs are not too significant -- new barrel, new grips and some labor to inspect the gun and fit the barrel ....hopefully not more than around $300...

July 23, 2016, 04:43 PM	#14
peggysue Junior member Join Date: May 20, 2014 Posts: 1,835	Has to be a defect in the SIG

July 23, 2016, 04:44 PM	#15
HughScot Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2016 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 166	Hopefully is right. I used to load my own stuff a long time ago for IHMSA and a few grains to counter for heat and humidity but this sounded very, very hot. The damage was considerable. I have a few more rounds but they won't get used for darn sure. I might think that peggysue but the sound was very loud. I am going to send it to Sig for inspection.

July 23, 2016, 05:17 PM	#17
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,542	Early Federal .40 with FC headstamp has a poor reputation, many will not reload it.

July 23, 2016, 05:21 PM	#18
HughScot Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2016 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 166	Without a doubt, they are factory loads and I do have few from the box left over. Not that it will do me any good. I would never use someone else's reloads. "Early Federal .40 with FC headstamp has a poor reputation, many will not reload it." Now that is very interesting.

July 23, 2016, 05:50 PM	#21
HughScot Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2016 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 166	Less than a 100 rounds through the 229.

July 23, 2016, 06:02 PM	#22
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	+P ammo in .40 S&W....... / Buffalo Bore makes one in 155 gr....and there are probably others.

July 23, 2016, 06:13 PM	#23
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,542	There is no spec for .40+P. They are selling an overload they don't think will wreck your gun.

July 23, 2016, 06:45 PM	#25
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,286	Was the fired case recovered?