Blew up my Sig P229

H

HughScot

New member
Not a good day at the range. Was shooting my Sig P229 40sw and after seven shots the next one was extra loud and the recoil excessive. It jammed and when I look at it the grip had cracked and there was damage to the chamber. Not a gunsmith but it looks bad. I was shooting off the shelf ammo. Getting it ready to ship off to Sig so they can evaluate. No warranty of course but I do want to know the cost of repairs.
 
While my heart goes out to anyone who manages to have a gun blow up I am glad you were not hurt. It would be nice for others shooting .40 S&W what the ammunition was that caused the problem.

Ron
 
Unfortunately I don't know. I bought it a number of years ago from a dealer but there is not really anything to identify the manufacturer. Wish I could.
 
After looking through head stamp codes it's probably FC rather than FG which may be Federal. I may contact them and see if it could be one of theirs.
 
My question wasn't clear .....are all the cases out of the box...the same head stamp ....or did buy some kind of a bulk box of ammo / as in someone's reloads...
 
First there was no +P marking just what I mentioned. The ammo was purchased in a box which I no longer have, not reloads or bulk. Just normal or so I thought.
 
I've been shooting handguns since early '80s and never have bought cheap ammo. Always a name brand like Rem, Win, Hornady, Federal, etc.
 
Well the good thing is you were not hurt.....

All the Sigs I have are all rated for "+P " ...and I would think most of the 229 models would be also- so I doubt that is a factor/ and the case is not marked plus P anyway....but it sure sounds like you fired a round that was significantly overcharged .

As a reloader myself, it's something we are careful about.

Hopefully the repairs are not too significant -- new barrel, new grips and some labor to inspect the gun and fit the barrel ....hopefully not more than around $300...
 
Hopefully is right. I used to load my own stuff a long time ago for IHMSA and a few grains to counter for heat and humidity but this sounded very, very hot. The damage was considerable. I have a few more rounds but they won't get used for darn sure.

I might think that peggysue but the sound was very loud. I am going to send it to Sig for inspection.
 
In my experience, defects in a barrel are possible....but not likely / especially when the shooter heard a loud report.../ but there is no way any of us can come to any conclusion - we can't see the gun or the case. General condition of the gun, how many rounds thru barrel, etc...../ Sig says shooting reloads will void their warranty

But let Sig take a look and see what they think.../ but not having the original box for the ammo - or the rest of the rounds that were in the box...could be a big issue.

I've been shooting handguns for over 50 yrs - and i shoot about 25,000 rds a yr thru my handguns.- all my own reloads. --- ...and sadly, I see 4 or 5 gun failures every year at my local ranges...and the one's I have been able to inspect were all ammo related...usually questionable reloads/ sometimes a squib round ...but usually an overcharge / guys that buy old ammo at gunshows, their buddies reloads, new reloaders that are careless, odd ball ammo mfg's........

But the OP says he thinks they were standard factory loads...

I would not shoot any more of that ammo either ! See what sig says first -they may want to see the unfired ammo ...but if they say it's a bad round & it's your responsibility -- then i'd pull those bullets and inspect the powder, weigh it for consistency... just out of curiosity.../ reclaim the bullets if they're worth saving...
 
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Without a doubt, they are factory loads and I do have few from the box left over. Not that it will do me any good. I would never use someone else's reloads.

"Early Federal .40 with FC headstamp has a poor reputation, many will not reload it."

Now that is very interesting.
 
Why would it have to be he gun that was at fault? Case tension could have been on the low side and the bullet could have set back while feeding, who really knows at this point.
Hugh,
How many rounds to you previously have through that 229? Glad your okay, I'm sure that was pretty scary.
Contact Federal and send them a couple of cartridges. I would hold some back just in case Sig wanted some.
 
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