Anyone ever had a firearm explode?

10-08-2005, 01:10 AM

Years ago (when they were legal) I had an Aussie made 223 semi auto called a AAA (Triple A - Australian Automatic Arms) pre-ignite & blow itself to bits. My ears rang for a couple of days.

I was left sitting on my bum with the pistol grip & stock in one hand & the forend & barrel in the other & the mag unfolded on the ground.

They were a great looking bit of kit & took the AR15 mags but they all had the same problem, the hammer could fall when the bolt head wasnt properly locked.

**Preacher** · 10-08-2005, 01:18 AM

Not really, but I did have one come apart in my hands due to a barrel pin being left out. Wasn't really violent. I fired and then I had one peice of the weapon my right hand and the other half in my left. Put it back together and it was fine.

Numbnut has a nice story to tell about his 1919.

**WC846** · 10-08-2005, 01:25 AM

no, and i hope i never do..glad to hear you didn't get hurt

10-08-2005, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WC846

no, and i hope i never do..glad to hear you didn't get hurt

Thanks for that. It was 18 shots into a brand new gun too.

The seller sent me another on straight away but I was never confident with it. Man, did I flinch with it! I sold it very soon after.

**cheezytwang** · 10-08-2005, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Preacher

Not really, but I did have one come apart in my hands due to a barrel pin being left out. Wasn't really violent. I fired and then I had one peice of the weapon my right hand and the other half in my left. Put it back together and it was fine.

Numbnut has a nice story to tell about his 1919.

hmmm, ak crackin in half? nahhhhhh!

**RebFootCav** · 10-08-2005, 06:04 AM

I guess a BP wheelgun cooking off, isn't quite as "impressionable"

(no lead, just powder.)

But I did have this go off under my nutts one fine morning.

kernelkrink · 10-08-2005, 04:15 PM

Nineteen11, we used to have those over here in the US back in the 80's. They were called an "Australian Leader", came with a folding stock and there was a short stockless "pistol" version sold also. IIRC, they also advertised a 9mm version as well but AFAIK none were ever imported. I guess KaBooms are another reason not to pick one up.

I've never personally had one go boom, but I did see the aftermath of a friends 37mm underbbl flare launcher, the one that looks like an M203 grenade launcher. Using factory loaded flares he set one off and the bbl blew apart in his hands. Luckily the hand he was holding it with was far enough back he didn't lose it, but that bbl was something else! Made of aluminum, about 3 inches in front of the shell the bbl is split apart like a banana peel. Looks just like the cartoons where the roadrunner plugs the bbl with his finger and Wiley E blows the gun up!

CELTIC-PAGAN · 10-08-2005, 04:20 PM

I had a .25 raven that blew up around my hand nothing happened to me though.

10-08-2005, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kernelkrink

Nineteen11, we used to have those over here in the US back in the 80's. They were called an "Australian Leader", came with a folding stock and there was a short stockless "pistol" version sold also. IIRC, they also advertised a 9mm version as well but AFAIK none were ever imported. I guess KaBooms are another reason not to pick one up.

I've never personally had one go boom, but I did see the aftermath of a friends 37mm underbbl flare launcher, the one that looks like an M203 grenade launcher. Using factory loaded flares he set one off and the bbl blew apart in his hands. Luckily the hand he was holding it with was far enough back he didn't lose it, but that bbl was something else! Made of aluminum, about 3 inches in front of the shell the bbl is split apart like a banana peel. Looks just like the cartoons where the roadrunner plugs the bbl with his finger and Wiley E blows the gun up!

Your friend was very fortunate!

Yes, the Leader (early model AAA) was exported and was like a "poor man's" AR-15. There were just a few cosmetic differences such as the removal of the cheap looking carry handle on top.

In the end, they had 3 models SAR, SAC & SAP. Semi auto Rifle, carbine & pistol respectively. The little SAPs were cute but again all had the same problem waiting to happen.

I did see pictures of the 9mm version but never for to see one in the flesh. I kind of lost interest when that one stripped itself during firing.

**Templar** · 10-08-2005, 05:17 PM

I was firing a Maremont M60 that had an out of chamber detonation. Shooting shitty Israeli surplus (not my ammo or my weapon), I had just gone from shooting at the shoulder to the "Rambozo" hip position when the bolt stripped the round half into the chamber and the round detonated, setting the next round in the belt off as well. Top cover flew up, I had blue/black smoke all over, a numb and bloody right hand and a few scars there to remember it.

I've also had a Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special 1911 detonate the primer while I was unloading it. The extended ejector hit the primer of the round hard enough to make it go. I now have scars on my left hand. I knew better than to cup the ejection port with my hand to catch the round, but was doing so anyway and paid the price.