I own a G21SF and G30, and I just bought a G19. I usually carry the G30 and planned to shoot the G19 side by side with it today as I was considering switching back to the G19 for daily carry (I used to carry a G19 before I sold it and started carrying the G30 a couple years ago).

I setup two 50 round Dot Torture targets to start my evaluation. After shooting about 15 or so rounds through the G30, I started thinking to myself about how well the G30 handles for me despite its relatively small size and large caliber. I then draw the G30 again, aim, squeeze, and BOOM. I drop the gun and start pacing up and down the shooting line yelling and swearing. I had been the only one in that shooting bay (besides my wife watching me shoot), but I quickly draw a crowd. I finally look down at my searing right hand and am relieved to find all of my digits still attached.

After the searing in my hand dulls down to a throb, I retrieve my G30 from the dirt. The magazine was in the dirt next to it, and the slide was closed. I racked the slide, and the ruptured case was still in the chamber. The good news is that the only broken piece appears to be the magazine catch which broke when the magazine was blasted out the bottom of the grip. Actually, the catch still functions with a fresh magazine––it just rattles around when no mag is the in the gun. I imagine that the gun would still function normally if I had the desire to continue shooting on that range trip.

The ammo that kaboomed was factory Remington UMC that comes in the green and white box from Walmart. While I do reload for a .45, I reload cast lead bullets that I use in my 1911 and not in my Glocks, so it wasn't a faulty reload.

ETA: I'll try to answer everyone's questions by updating my original post.

1. I did not take pictures of the G30 because it looks normal except for the broken mag catch.
2. I'm not sure what caused the wound on top of my trigger finger. That area of my hand was resting against the frame just below the slide. Both of my hands had powder burns that formed lines tracing the top and bottom edges of the frame.
3. The bullet did leave the barrel and was not a squib.
4. The primer does not appear to be flattened.
5. OAL of ruptured case is 1.891".
6. The gun is around two years old and probably has around 1000 rounds through it.
7. I have never shot cast lead through it.
8. I've shot well over 5000 rounds through Glocks without any trouble.
9. I no longer have the box that the ammo came in, so I don't know the lot number.
10. I have not posted a picture of the gun because it looks normal except of the broken mag catch. If someone wants to see something specific, let me know and I will take a picture and post it.

Pics of the ruptured case and my hand:

You should have known better!!

Glad you're ok.

Glad you're intact
In before the glock fanboys

...getting popcorn...

I didn't know the .45 cal Glocks did that.

So it wasn't the Glock? Or was it the unsupported bbl?

I'd contact remington

I try and tell people!  
 

ouch.......glad you're goin to survive the grenade Glock encounter...i bet that stung like a bitch

Damn

It was the wal mart factory seconds.

 

Isolated incident....................

It will be interesting to see what they come up with ammo vs. gun...

Did you accidentally pull the pin?

Not the first time Ive heard of that ammo doing that.

IN!!!

Glad your ok. I havent seen a .45 Kaboom yet.

You probably limp wristed it.

Sorry to see this happen, but I'm glad to see it wasn't the fault of reloads.

Have you contacted GLOCK yet?

Shweew.  For a minute there I thought your 21 blew.  That would suck.

I've heard of a few, but no more than the numbers of 1911s and other weapons chambered in the round

Why would you be glad it wasn't the fault of reloads?

Next time don't drop the gun and run around like a sissy.

Send the back to glock befor you shoot it again. You may have damage you can't see.

wow, a lot of hate for the Glock.  even though it was the ammo's fault.

I agree with this.

Glad you're okay for the most part.

Dont buy that plastic piece of shit and it wont happen. ITs 1911 time baby, oh yeah.

if it was a reload, the glock warranty is voided.  factory fresh ammo, the warranty is still there and he shouldnt have to shell out any cash

I still love my glocks.....


Glad you're okay..... Fingers all seem to be there..... Hand okay!

In before the Glock lovers call BS.

Aaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnddddddddd we're off...........

Gotta be the ammo.........
You must be using reloads...............
Limp wristed it...........oh, wait, that's the excuse for something else.
You screwed up somehow and/or the ammo is bad.  That's the only explanation.

Oh ok, I gotcha. I was scratching my head trying to figure out why that would be a good thing. Now I understand.

like everyone else im glad your ok.



if i was you i would be contacting glock and Remington about the matter. they may not do anything but i would be curious to see what they had to say

After that little surprise, I think I'd be investing in an aftermarket barrel with a supported chamber.

I have yet to have a KB in a 1911.  Heard of them, all from reloads gone bad.  

Oh I see  

 Glad to hear it didn't do more damage to your hand.

Definitely ammo caused kaboom.  Case failed right at the base.

Like every AR user I see trying to explain why his AR doesn't work at the range

(wee!)

Just how did you arrive at that decision?

b/c the possible fault could lay on the person or equipment reloading..   too much bang-juice

Glad you still have all your parts!!!

I know it.  That's why I usually only use premium ammo, and don't reload.  I value my hands too much.  I'm scared shitless of blowing one off.

 

really?  Never heard of a 1911 going kb, sure it can happen just never heard of it.



 

Explain.

Looks like a call to Remington is in order.

That sucks, I didn't know those things blew up.