A real Scare at the range this afternoon

[HuntClub]

Quick run to test 6 rounds. Everything set up as always. Suppressor screwed on, barrel check - barrel clear, rounds loaded... first shot. Like an explosion. Gun kicked up and scope lightly touched my brow. I see the suppressor land and bounce a few times about 40-50 yards down range. I catch my breath and check myself - everything is ok.

Go down and pick up the suppressor and there is no visible damage. A slight "scarring" on the exit hole. Threads all look good. Back at the rifle, threads all look good and no signs of damage to anything.

Looked the gun over a few minutes. Ran a bore snake down the barrel. Begin to think that somehow, I just didn't get the suppressor on properly. Maybe a piece of "grit" caused it to bind so I thought it was on tight. Put the suppressor on again. Barrel check - line of sight clear. Hand checked the suppressor a second and third time to ensure it is properly seated. Fired second shot. all was good - no problems. But it was hard to squeeze that trigger - if I am to be honest with you. And for all shots that followed...

Shot a total of nine rounds - 8 after the first mishap. I feel very fortunate that it wasn't worse than it was. Still not sure what I think of this incident. Going to buy a new base attachment for sure. Any other suggestions?

I would love to hear how others have handled something like this if you will share.

 

[Ccrider]

I am packing up, going home and not firing that second round until my trusted gunsmith has checked and tested the gun.

 

[Mfitz717]

I would’ve packed up. Just me. Were you using a qd suppressor?

 

[HuntClub]

I would’ve packed up. Just me. Were you using a qd suppressor?

Quick detachable - yes

 

[Mfitz717]

Quick detachable - yes

Maybe it wasn’t on quite right? My neighbor got one of the new OCL cans and it’s supposed to mount on a birdcage flash hider and it can be tricky to get on just right. It can almost look like it’s on right when it’s not.

 

[lefty222]

lf treads were good on can and barrel and this is a quick change sounds like you didn't lock it in place.

 

[HuntClub]

lf treads were good on can and barrel and this is a quick change sounds like you didn't lock it in place.

That is the conclusion I came to as well. It is a quick detach. I will be replacing that with a direct mount base. I want to see it screwed all the way on moving forward.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I saw a flash hider fly about 40'. I helped find it. Shooter said it was a "new build". Blank look when I asked if he used a crush washer ! I figured he would go home and Google it.

 

[falconpilot]

I had same thing happen to me on my AR….ARS quick detach…didn’t have it locked on..it flew about 30 yards out…luckily no damage to anything other than scaring the hell out of me..

 

[precision1]

Don't tell your buddies everyone will be afraid to shoot around you for awhile .lol

What has he done today.stand back get out the way but get out your phone and record him shooting......

 

[boltfluter]

Well, that makes for an exciting time at the range! And, it will usually free up a few benches in either direction! Lol. Glad your ok. All my suppressed rifles are direct mount and no issues. Sounds like the quick mount ones also make for a quick dismount! Sorry, I will stop now.
Paul

 

[coldboreshot]

From now on, give your suppressor a yank before setting up. Especially if it is a QD. Verify its locked on. Its what I do.

 

[Clancy]

There is just no place for a QD. I don’t know how they ever got us to believe we needed it but I got away from it years and years ago. I have a feeling you’ll be doing the same.

 

[Knotwild]

The Silencerco ARS works by having a flimsy round spring with teeth inside a ring with lobes/cam. When you tighten the ring the lobes cam the teeth into the corresponding serrations on the muzzle mount. They must not have used good spring metal because it weakens with use.

Same thing happened to me in a deer stand, but the suppressor went into broomstraw and was very hard to find. It bored a second hole in the edge of the existing endcap hole. I called Silencerco and they acted like it was a common occurence and sent me a video explaining how to re-tension the spring.

They would not replace the endcap. Same suppressor had the whole outer tube come loose from the suppressor and they told me to locktite it on and keep shooting. So now I have 4 suppressors and 3 are NOT Silencerco because of their customer service.

 

[HandgunHTR]

There is just no place for a QD. I don’t know how they ever got us to believe we needed it but I got away from it years and years ago. I have a feeling you’ll be doing the same.

I agree.

I don't think that saving yourself 20 seconds makes up for the janky locking mechanisms and 1/4 the amount of threads.

The most common suppressor failures I have seen were due to not properly installing the suppressor on a QD attachment (8 of 11). The others were one due to crappy threading, one due to shooting a .223 suppressor on a .30 cal rifle (baffle strike), and one due to the suppressor blowing up (SilencerCo Hybrid 46 on a 33 Nosler rifle) most likely due to overpressure.

 

[demarpaint1]

QD no thanks for me. I'm glad no one got hurt.

 

[STOMP442]

I have seen this happen multiple times at our local range. Those QD Setups are garbage in my opinion. Direct Thread for me thanks.

 

[NorCalMikie]

I'am from California so I have to ask, "what is a suppressor"?? Can't ever SAY the word suppressor or 50 caliber!!
This thread reminds me of things that have happened when out shooting and at the time I didn't give them much thought TILL NOW!!
Boss man, (ex LEO) out shooting. Him shooting my M1A and swinging the muzzle across my waste nine?
Then him stuffing my Ruger Single Six back in the holster and it going off right next to my face? As you might guess, NEVER went shooting with him AGAIN!! Thinking he would have been good at security for a phone booth. Nice guy but not for a shooting buddy.

Then on another trip, let a Gomer shoot one of our 6BR rifles. Fired a couple of rounds them handed the rifle back. Didn't think much about it till we moved the bolt and a round went off and blew a hole in the wall maybe 1 foot from me. You can NEVER be too careful!!
And taking folks (not kids either) shooting that NEVER should handle a gun!!
Loaded gun getting swung around like it's nothing but a stick???
I prefer ME and ME alone being responsible for ME!!
If I'am showing anyone how to shoot or anything gun related, I HOVER and the gun isn't loaded and the trigger isn't pulled until I'AM READY!!! I like living.

Then on another range trip, way back when, had a slam fire on my M1A.
Couple of rounds got dented from the mag. Laid them on the bench and finish off the 20 rounds. Popped the mag, stuffed a round in the chamber and tripped the bolt lock. BANG!!!
The guy next to me (battle rifle teacher) grinned and said "bet you won't be doing THAT again" . Rifle was pointed down range so no issues. Life IS a learning experience.
Mentioned that incident on one of the BR forums and a BUNCH of folks went WILD!! The gun is junk and you're gunna kill yourself if you keep shooting it!!! Etc, Etc, Etc. Guess they didn't know much about an M1A.
That was maybe 1000 + rounds ago and IT has never missed a lick since. You CAN load a round without the mag if you KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING!! And, you CAN also neck size brass and shoot it in an M1A without full length resizing. Life IS a learning experience.

 

[nakneker]

Glad you didn’t get hurt!


I doubt I would have fired that second shot, I probably would have taken it home and checked it out and gotten a second opinion. Sounds like a QD attachment issue. You can never be too careful.

 

[K22]

Your incident was an equipment related issue - glad to hear you're ok.

It has gotten so bad at one of the clubs where I belong that my smith didn't renew his membership. He has been a member since 1957. The unsafe gun handling, Rambo shooting and behavior has gotten out of hand. Guys walking down the line without clearing the line. Jammed semi's and resultant pointing of a loaded firearm in an unsafe direction.

On the pistol range, a fellow shot himself in the leg playing Wyatt Earp a few years back. I will not shoot pistol at this club, only the other club where I belong.

Was at the range yesterday and a guy set up next to me and proceed to rattled off 20 rounds in his AR with a flash suppressor. The noise was defeating. It rained hot brass on and near the bench I was set up at. I could not shoot, had to wait until he went through a few magazines and departed. One of the one post that holds the100 yard target backer was almost cut in half. Whether he was purposely aiming at it, I can't say or perhaps, his skills were so bad he could hit the target.

I am on the verge of walking away from the sport I love or at least finding an alternative place to shoot. How do you, fellow precision shooters and benchrest shooters handle this mess?