Incidents like this are definitely unpredictable and uncommon. Sure we have our typical ammunition malfunctions but rarely do we see a weapon explode in a student’s hand. As a LEO Training Officer and Firearms Instructor, I certify hundreds of officers and civilians yearly and safety issues are my number 1 priority. On the range, instructors have a great responsibility to ensure everyone’s safety including his own. As a gun owner, he or she should always inspect their firearms to ensure it’s in top working condition not only for self defense reasons but also to prevent safety hazards like this one. It will only take 5 extra minutes to inspect your firearm for damage or signs of stress. By doing this, not only could you save yourself or a fellow shooter from injury but also save yourself the financial burden of having to buy a new weapon.

Also, as a certified Glock Armorer, I inspect 65 Glock pistols quarterly and also throw in a few random inspections before officers go on duty. I have seen signs of wear and have replaced parts on 10 year old Glocks but I have never witnessed an incident like this on the firing range.

Stay Safe!

Jeff E.

_________________________________________________________________

 
I teach civilians in South Carolina.  I have had two incidents that I believe were caused by faulty ammo.  In the 1st incident, a pistol did not fire.  The young lady raised her hand to let me know there was a problem.  I called "cease fire" while I checked her gun.  At first, I could not tell exactly what happened.  I asked her to sit down while I finished with the other students, then I would examine her pistol.  I kept her pistol with me for safety reasons.  When I finished with the others, I examined her pistol.  I could not determine why it did not fire because I could not see a problem.  I thought maby the pistol fired but she did not realize it since it was a .22 with little recoil.  However, when I broke the pistol down, I found a bullet lodged in it.  I did not pass through the barrel.  I told her she had to take it to a gunsmith to get it out.  I did not want to get in trouble by trying to fix it.  It was an old pistol and I think that was a big part of the problem.  Never spoke to her again.  The 2nd incident was a kaboom.  The pistol exploded.  The explosion broke the metal, and it hit the person standing next to the shooter.  Except for a cut on the hand of the shooter, no one else was hurt.  The person standing next to him was hit in the shoulder.  It was in the winter and he was wearing a jacket that absorbed the flying metal.  I let the person use one of my range guns to finish his qualification. These were the only two major problems I have seen in over ten year conducting CCW qualifications.

Walter M.

_________________________________________________________________