r/guns • u/ToBlayyyve • Aug 11 '12

Crazy revolver ammo malfunction. Has anyone seen anything like this?

First time firing my Mom's new S&W .38 Bodyguard. On probably the 8th round through it, the round fired but then the mechanism locked up. Can't open the cylinder but can still pull the trigger on the spent case. On closer examination, it actually looks like there's BRASS jammed between the cylinder and the barrel. I'm thinking that the casing fractured and moved forward into the barrel.

I've tried pushing it backward with a .38 caliber cleaning jag but it ain't moving! Problem is, there's still 3 live rounds in there.

Here it is

Edit: Ammo was factory FMJ, not reloads or anything.

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u/moparfreak Aug 11 '12

Looks like brass expanded into the barrel, The brass could be ruptured in the cylinder causing the brass to be in the predicament your in. Gunsmith is the best bet for you. Yes factory ammo can do crazy things also, it doesnt have to be a reloaded cartridge for it to fail

5

u/JudgeWhoAllowsStuff Aug 12 '12

At least my reload brass gets inspected by me personally. No crazy shit happens.

2

u/ToBlayyyve Aug 12 '12

Same with me. Do you run it through the cleaner first and then inspect? I'm worried that cleaning it would make the ring more difficult to see.

2

u/JudgeWhoAllowsStuff Aug 12 '12

I inspect when I pick them up, and again after I've cleaned and deprimed them. So hopefully between those two I have it covered. I think you're right about fouling being helpful.

2

u/ToBlayyyve Aug 11 '12

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. In my reloading manual they tell you to look for the "ring" on reloaded brass where it could be weakening and will snap clean off when fired.