Corbon DPX almost killed me.

[Datsun40146]

Here is the story. I just bought a new 9mm and retired my tried and true Firestorm .380 with its 7 month old Corbon DPX ammo. I planned on using up that ammo along with some other "old" stock ammo I had laying around at a local shooting match this past weekend. However my new S&W 3913 came in earlier that I expected so I used that in place of my .380. Boy am I glad I did. After the match I went home and decided to go ahead and shoot up my old carry ammo. Keep in mind that I depended on these rounds for 6-7 months. I fired the 1st 3 rounds and upon firing the 4th I felt something that I can only describe as odd. I have never experienced a squib load before but I knew something just wasn't right. I broke down the weapon and sure enough there was a 90 grain DPX round half way down my barrel. It was a very good thing that I was using slow fire and not the rapid fire that shooting .380 in a steel match requires. Otherwise I would be typing with 8 fingers right now instead of 10. The round is still jammed in the barrel I could not get it out, so it will go into the smith in the morning and Corbon will get an unhappy letter from me. It should not matter that I carried this ammo for 6-7 months it should still fire and not threaten my life. I have the last four rounds and was able to find two of the fired cases. I am debating sending the left over ammo with my unhappy letter. Anyway the pictures are posted below. I thought I'd see what you guys thought.

BTW I do not have the lot number for the ammo

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[TWO GUNS]

That sucks really bad.

[Der Alte]

The very reason a lot of individuals carry a back up weapon. Anything made by the hand of man is likely to fail and always at some inopportune moment.:)

[Bark'n]

The very reason a lot of individuals carry a back up weapon. Anything made by the hand of man is likely to fail and always at some inopportune moment.:)

I dunno... A lot of people here feel there is absolutely NO reason what so ever to carry a back-up weapon! I guess they all have crystal balls or something.

I'm not of that opinion. I always have a BUG or two.

Datsun40146 Very glad you weren't injured! +1 for paying attention to what was going on with the gun and noticing the squib!

[JD]

Keep that support hand up on the grip for more control, up above is "tea cupping" and is a poorly executed grip.

As for the squib, I haven't had one YET and only hope that I notice it when it does happen.

[Datsun40146]

Thanks for the advice JD I will keep that in mind. I know my arms should be extended with my elbows locked in the proper 'weaver" stance, but my stance works just fine. My right arm is locked with the left acting as support.

[AKsrule]

I have no exp. with Corbon but squib rounds in factory ammo by
major manufacturers are exceedingly rare.

Still , crap happens - lucky you caught it.

[ctm]

I guess they all have crystal balls or something.

Hmmm......

[Chorizo]

It will happen with any ammo if you do not ensure that you dry the face of the slide, dry the firing pin, and the chamber after cleaning and oiling. It can cause the primer to only partially ignite and fail to ignite the powder.

This can occur with most of the penetrating oils, especially if you use the same rounds, kept in the chamber for say......7 months!

Is the copper jacket on your bullets corroded/hazed? The picture looks like it, but photos can be deceptive.

[Rustynuts]

Thanks for the advice JD I will keep that in mind. I know my arms should be extended with my elbows locked in the proper 'weaver" stance, but my stance works just fine. My right arm is locked with the left acting as support.

Elbow cocked or locked is a different issue. You need to use a wrap around grip with both hands, not the teacup as mentioned above. You can still cock the elbow with a proper grip. Your grip should look like this. See how you can't even see the trigger or even the trigger guard? Now compare to your photo.



Watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48

[shooterX]

Glad your ok.

[Datsun40146]

I didn't keep the same round chambered for 7 months they were rotated often as I went to the range or to compete. I knew my grip wasn't standard I'll have to work on that next range trip. Thanks for the advice!

BTW how much should I expect to pay to have that round removed?

[EW3]

Glad you didn't blow the gun up!

+1000 on trying out the "thumbs forward" grip and ditching the "teacup" grip, it has worked phenomenally well for me. Takes a little getting used to, but now it's seconds nature for me when I pick up my SIGs and HK.

[rottkeeper]

I have had a squib round before and used a wooden dowel rod and mallet to drive the bullet out. If you are uneasy about it though you should take it to a smith.
Glad you noticed and are ok, good luck.

[Datsun40146]

I tried knocking it out with one of the steel cleaning rods I have, no dice. That round is really in there.