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Posted: 7/21/2014 7:16:15 PM EDT
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e206/docxylo/image_zpsc4fbb66c.jpeg

Sorry for the multiple posts, I'm new to posting but I've been reading posts for years. I had a catastrophic failure yesterday when shooting my new build for the first time. I wanted to build a very light Ar and I basically bought all the parts on this link: http://www.tactical-life.com/magazines/building-lightest-ar-rifle-video/?scrape=true

I had a gun shop put together the upper and I grabbed a bag of MBI 55gr ammo. I bought 1,000 rounds of this ammo a few years ago from Lucky Gunner and I've shot about 500 without any problems. It's supposed to be "quality" remanufactured ammo that I bought back when 5.56 was hard to get.

At the range I loaded a Magpul mag with 10 rounds and had 2 stovepipes. Then I loaded another mag with 20 rounds and had another stovepipe at about 8-10 rounds. After clearing it I started shooting again without any issues and then I did rapid fire with the last maybe 5-6 rounds when suddenly the gun exploded. I did not sustain any significant injuries other than a few minor cuts and scratches on my left forearm/biceps. My friend next to me said that he thought the ammo sounded louder than usual.

I have narrowed it down to two possible causes: upper not headspaced correctly or improperly loaded ammo. Any advise on the possible cause will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:17:39 PM EDT
[#1]
<div style="width:480px;text-align:right;"><embed width="480" height="360" src="http://pic2.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed40.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fe206%2Fdocxylo%2Ffeed.rss" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" /><a href="javascript:void(0);" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s40.photobucket.com/user/docxylo/library/" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" alt="docxylo's  album on Photobucket" /></a></div>
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:17:44 PM EDT
[#2]
dont give us too many details now




















IBT - squib load, double charge, bullet setback, handloads
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:18:45 PM EDT
[#3]
<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s40.photobucket.com/user/docxylo/embed/slideshow/"></iframe>
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:19:03 PM EDT
[#4]
whoa, I'm assuming everyone is well, and this didn't require a trip to the hospital.

Tell us more man!
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:20:41 PM EDT
[#5]
That's one of the more forceful AR kbs I've ever seen

Usually you see mag blown out, maybe the BCG jacked up, gun locked up...

That fucking thing blew IN HALF!  

Any injuries OP?
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:23:22 PM EDT
[#6]
Looks like another pistol powder reload.

Vince
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:24:57 PM EDT
[#7]
Damn.  The MAG upper always worried me a bit.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:25:08 PM EDT
[#8]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Looks like another pistol powder reload.

Vince
View Quote


That would be my guess, gross overpressure.

I wonder if MBI will make it right if their "remanufactured" ammo was the cause.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:25:53 PM EDT
[#9]
Damn, never seen a barrel extension go like that before.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:27:07 PM EDT
[#10]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Looks like another pistol powder reload.

Vince
View Quote

damnit, i knew i forgot one
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:32:33 PM EDT
[#11]
Sorry for the multiple posts, I'm new to posting but I've been reading posts for years. I had a catastrophic failure yesterday when shooting my new build for the first time. I wanted to build a very light Ar and I basically bought all the parts on this link: http://www.tactical-life.com/magazines/building-lightest-ar-rifle-video/?scrape=true  

   I had a gun shop put together the upper and I grabbed a bag of MBI 55gr ammo. I bought 1,000 rounds of this ammo a few years ago from Lucky Gunner and I've shot about 500 without any problems. It's supposed to be "quality" remanufactured ammo that I bought back when 5.56 was hard to get.

   At the range I loaded a Magpul mag with 10 rounds and had 2 stovepipes. Then I loaded another mag with 20 rounds and had another stovepipe at about 8-10 rounds. After clearing it I started shooting again without any issues and then I did rapid fire with the last maybe 5-6 rounds when suddenly the gun exploded. I did not sustain any significant injuries other than a few minor cuts and scratches on my left forearm/biceps. My friend next to me said that he thought the ammo sounded louder than usual.

   I have narrowed it down to two possible causes: upper not headspaced correctly or improperly loaded ammo. Any advise on the possible cause will be greatly appreciated.

   Thank you.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:35:09 PM EDT
[#12]
The brass casing is still inside the barrel and the haed of it is stuck in the bolt.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:36:21 PM EDT
[#13]
did the last 5 all come out, if you had one up the barrel, and pulled the trigger again, well... that gas had to go somewhere
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:36:36 PM EDT
[#14]
Plastic rifles kaboom into many parts. That is why they should only be used on .22 builds.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:37:35 PM EDT
[#15]
that thing is all polymer?
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:38:25 PM EDT
[#16]
Not polymer, some kind af magnesium alloy
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:39:59 PM EDT
[#17]
The barrel is clear except for the brass casing in it
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:44:15 PM EDT
[#18]
Misleading thread title is misleading.

Should be "another remanufactured ammo kaboom."

It's always remanufactured ammo...always...
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:46:20 PM EDT
[#19]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Damn, never seen a barrel extension go like that before.
View Quote

That's a first for me too.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:47:15 PM EDT
[#20]
I was told they were made of plastic. Sorry if that is incorrect.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:48:20 PM EDT
[#21]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I was told they were made of plastic. Sorry if that is incorrect.
View Quote


Magnesium
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:49:23 PM EDT
[#22]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I was told they were made of plastic. Sorry if that is incorrect.
View Quote

I would guess Mag in the name equals magnesium. It didn't look like it failed like a forged 7075 upper would, but that extension takes the cake.

That upper could have been made of adamantium and that round still would have popped its cork.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:53:51 PM EDT
[#23]
Contact LuckyGunner. They may tell you to contact the manufacturer of the ammo though. They will want the remaining ammo back for analysis.
If they are a legit manufacturer, they will have a healthy liability insurance. I did when I had my Type 06 license.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:55:23 PM EDT
[#24]
Thanks. I will contact Lucky Gunner.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 7:57:51 PM EDT
[#25]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Misleading thread title is misleading.

Should be "another remanufactured ammo kaboom."

It's always remanufactured ammo...always...
View Quote


^This. Your title is misleading and it unfairly implicates Mag Tactical. The barrel extension is steel and it blew apart too. I don't think it was a problem with you upper receiver.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 8:01:10 PM EDT
[#26]
Glad you're ok.



In for the verdict.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 8:03:30 PM EDT
[#27]
At least you can use the kmr again.

Glad you're ok.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 8:06:59 PM EDT
[#28]
Glad to hear you walked away with only scratches ......
That's a pretty interesting failure mode .  Split the extension in half and receivers.... Wow.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 8:12:35 PM EDT
[#29]
Did anyone else notice the mag catch is sheared?  That seems unlikely to me.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 8:15:10 PM EDT
[#30]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Did anyone else notice the mag catch is sheared?  That seems unlikely to me.
View Quote

It's riveted/swaged right there, I believe, so if it blew outwards, that's the most likely failure point.

I bet if he measured his mag catch spring, it's shorter than it ought to be.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 8:19:01 PM EDT
[#31]
What do you guys think...would forged 7075 receivers have come apart this badly in the same situation?  With the way that barrel extension looks, I wouldn't be surprised if they did.  I'm not sure there's much you can blame the Mag Tactical receivers for here.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 8:19:40 PM EDT
[#32]
Huh. Looks like the KMR is still intact. Would need a new barrel nut and anti-rotation tab, but other than that...



Yeah, that's definitely overpressure, I'd think a squib would've warped the barrel before blowing out the extension. Doesn't seem like the barrel is bulged out, but I can't see too well under the handguard.(Well, that and I've got pretty shitty eyesight) Maybe a headspace problem? But would that blow up the barrel extension and the receiver?

Someone said pistol powder in the cartridge; that'd do it, but I'm thinking it was also overcharged. First time I've ever seen an AR barrel extension blasted apart like that along with the receiver. That BCG would make a nice paperweight, though. A reminder of what can happen when you use bad reloads.  

Dudeman was lucky to not get hurt too badly. Here's hoping that MBI takes care of you, OP. Also, this is exactly why the magwell grip is highly frowned upon.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 8:22:28 PM EDT
[#33]
I guess I should have titled it differently. I did not mean to imply that Mag Tac parts were at fault.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 8:27:59 PM EDT
[#34]
The KMR is pretty much intact. I was able to remove the extension and the barrel nut.  The barrel seems ok except for the stuck casing. I can see the rifling and everything looks great inside.

I'm definitely not buying reloads ever again! Those were the only ones I've ever bought.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 8:28:34 PM EDT
[#35]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


^This. Your title is misleading and it unfairly implicates Mag Tactical. The barrel extension is steel and it blew apart too. I don't think it was a problem with you upper receiver.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Misleading thread title is misleading.

Should be "another remanufactured ammo kaboom."

It's always remanufactured ammo...always...


^This. Your title is misleading and it unfairly implicates Mag Tactical. The barrel extension is steel and it blew apart too. I don't think it was a problem with you upper receiver.



Yep. that's a big clue there.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 8:30:16 PM EDT
[#36]
Yup, it sheared off. That's the only part that I was not able to reuse for another lower.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 8:34:28 PM EDT
[#37]
Nice to see how well the KMR held up, since I have a few of them.  It's made out of magnesium alloy too.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 8:36:12 PM EDT
[#38]
Fugly. Glad you're uninjured.

The total destruction of the barrel extension makes me think "catastrophic case failure". Were you able to recover *any* of the case remnants?

Link Posted: 7/21/2014 8:37:37 PM EDT
[#39]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Fugly. Glad you're uninjured.

The total destruction of the barrel extension makes me think "catastrophic case failure". Were you able to recover *any* of the case remnants?

View Quote

There's a good bit stuck to the bolt face.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 8:43:40 PM EDT
[#40]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Sorry for the multiple posts, I'm new to posting but I've been reading posts for years. I had a catastrophic failure yesterday when shooting my new build for the first time. I wanted to build a very light Ar and I basically bought all the parts on this link: http://www.tactical-life.com/magazines/building-lightest-ar-rifle-video/?scrape=true  

   I had a gun shop put together the upper and I grabbed a bag of MBI 55gr ammo. I bought 1,000 rounds of this ammo a few years ago from Lucky Gunner and I've shot about 500 without any problems. It's supposed to be "quality" remanufactured ammo that I bought back when 5.56 was hard to get.

   At the range I loaded a Magpul mag with 10 rounds and had 2 stovepipes. Then I loaded another mag with 20 rounds and had another stovepipe at about 8-10 rounds. After clearing it I started shooting again without any issues and then I did rapid fire with the last maybe 5-6 rounds when suddenly the gun exploded. I did not sustain any significant injuries other than a few minor cuts and scratches on my left forearm/biceps. My friend next to me said that he thought the ammo sounded louder than usual.

   I have narrowed it down to two possible causes: upper not headspaced correctly or improperly loaded ammo. Any advise on the possible cause will be greatly appreciated.

   Thank you.
View Quote


Holy shit. I haven't been around all that long but I've never seen anything like that. Glad your ok and sorry about your rifle that sucks.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 8:49:01 PM EDT
[#41]
I don't think a STEEL receiver would have survived that Kaboom!

Case loaded with Bullseye Powder?
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 9:01:29 PM EDT
[#42]
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 9:02:39 PM EDT
[#43]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


OP,

If you send me all those blown up parts, I will send you a BALIOS-lite receiver set to replace them.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e206/docxylo/image_zpsc4fbb66c.jpeg


OP,

If you send me all those blown up parts, I will send you a BALIOS-lite receiver set to replace them.



THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is good business.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 9:04:49 PM EDT
[#44]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


^This. Your title is misleading and it unfairly implicates Mag Tactical. The barrel extension is steel and it blew apart too. I don't think it was a problem with you upper receiver.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Misleading thread title is misleading.

Should be "another remanufactured ammo kaboom."

It's always remanufactured ammo...always...


^This. Your title is misleading and it unfairly implicates Mag Tactical. The barrel extension is steel and it blew apart too. I don't think it was a problem with you upper receiver.


I haven't seen an aluminum upper KB like that before though - seems like the magnesium is more brittle.
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 9:05:25 PM EDT
[#45]
Part of the case is still stuck in the barrel, the other part is stock in the bolt
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 9:08:59 PM EDT
[#46]
Yes, it is very brittle.

Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


I haven't seen an aluminum upper KB like that before though - seems like the magnesium is more brittle.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Misleading thread title is misleading.

Should be "another remanufactured ammo kaboom."

It's always remanufactured ammo...always...


^This. Your title is misleading and it unfairly implicates Mag Tactical. The barrel extension is steel and it blew apart too. I don't think it was a problem with you upper receiver.


I haven't seen an aluminum upper KB like that before though - seems like the magnesium is more brittle.

Link Posted: 7/21/2014 9:10:21 PM EDT
[#47]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


OP,

If you send me all those blown up parts, I will send you a BALIOS-lite receiver set to replace them.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e206/docxylo/image_zpsc4fbb66c.jpeg


OP,

If you send me all those blown up parts, I will send you a BALIOS-lite receiver set to replace them.


Are you serious?
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 9:13:31 PM EDT
[#48]
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 9:20:04 PM EDT
[#49]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:



Well  yeah......  

I want those blown up parts though... if it's serviceable, you can keep it. If it's junked, I would like to have it.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e206/docxylo/image_zpsc4fbb66c.jpeg


OP,

If you send me all those blown up parts, I will send you a BALIOS-lite receiver set to replace them.


Are you serious?



Well  yeah......  

I want those blown up parts though... if it's serviceable, you can keep it. If it's junked, I would like to have it.


I'll find out if MBI will want to inspect the barrel/bolt since they have the parts of the casing stuck in them. If they dont do right I'll contact you, Thanks for the offer!
Link Posted: 7/21/2014 9:21:12 PM EDT
[#50]
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