Can I fire the gun or not?

But that is not exactly relevant to Brandon Lee's death. If you read the Wikipedia article, it was not a second round down the barrel but the original squib load fired by a second bulletless cartridge. Probably very little danger to the shooter in that situation.
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Whoops. Should have clarified.

I've heard some people say, I'll just load a blank cartridge without a bullet to push it out. This may or may not work. The danger with this is over-pressuring the gun due to the space between the cartridge and the stuck round.
 
Aluminum Gutter Nails

Use an aluminum rod; Even better than brass, and no possibility of damaging the bore.
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I guess that is another non-original idea that I have. A handy source is Large aluminum nails that I got from the guy that did my gutters. The are long about 5/16th diameter and have a large nail head. I also use a short one to drift out some of my rifle sights. .... ;)

Be Frugal and
Be Safe !!!
 
Use an aluminum rod; Even better than brass, and no possibility of damaging the bore.
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Good idea, but isn't aluminum harder than brass?

Edit: I checked the 'ole engineering textbooks. The alloy hardness is all over the place, but either aluminum or brass should do the job. Just don't use steel.
 
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I've experienced squib loads in both .44 Magnum and .45 Colt when using Winchester 296 powder and magnum primers. Neck tension was not sufficient and the primer simply failed to ignite the powder. The powder charge was pelletized by the primer's pressure.

Using jacketed bullets, they were pretty stubborn to remove. I did as the OP and wrapped a steel rod with duct tape to drive out the bullet. This steel rod is also necessary when seating the recoil plate in Ruger Blackhawks.

After this surgery, no damage was done to the gun and they continue to function well and accurately.

Bob Wright
 
It has happened to me once with some old Magtech 38 spl lead round nose. I used a wood dowel to drive it through and I guess because it was a lead bullet instead of FMJ it drove through without much force needed.
 
Use an aluminum rod; Even better than brass, and no possibility of damaging the bore.
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Yep. I bought an inexpensive, three piece, aluminum, 12 ga shotgun cleaning rod. The female end slips right over the end of the bullet so it doesn't slip. Couple, three taps generally and the obstruction comes right out.
 
Good idea, but isn't aluminum harder than brass?
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I have used aluminum bars and rods for years after I marred a number of sights with brass rods. Brass work hardens with repeated hits and eventually will become harder than the mild steel used in (for example) sights. I also use aluminum for starting various pins; The Al does not flatten the end of the pin like brass. Aluminum will not mar soft steel, and the staining that is left is easily removed with a little bore solvent.

One good source of soft aluminum rods are old Xacto knife handles that have become unusable. Just remember: The silver stain left on the metal cleans right off with bore solvent.
 
And I have used brass rods for years. Ain't seen an X-Acto knife handle long enough to use to slug a 24" rifle barrel.

If they have gotten work hardened, it is at the end where I hammer them. Sure the end peens over. So I always hammer the same end. I have slugged bores for years with my brass rods. Ain't scratched a bore yet.

The trouble with most cleaning rods, yes I have tried them, is the end is too narrow and you may just drive a hole into the bullet rather than driving it out. Been there, done that.

Bottom line is aluminum is fine too. You can usually buy two or three foot lengths of aluminum rod at the same hardware stores that carry brass rods. I just like brass.
 
Hmm...

I thought that Aluminum immediately oxidizes thereby leaving the outside micron layer as Aluminum Oxide...

And one of the uses for Aluminum Oxide is sand paper...
 
Hmm...

I thought that Aluminum immediately oxidizes thereby leaving the outside micron layer as Aluminum Oxide...

And one of the uses for Aluminum Oxide is sand paper...
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I can see you have never used an aluminum rod to slug a barrel or drive a squib out. I don't know anything about forming a layer of oxide on the surface, but I have slugged a lot of barrels with an aluminum rod without any problems.
 
The oxidizing aluminum cleaning rods has been discussed before in the context of using one to brush and/or swab a barrel. I think it is blown way out of proportion and I simply keep my aluminum cleaning rod oiled which prevents oxidation from forming.
 
And I have used brass rods for years. Ain't seen an X-Acto knife handle long enough to use to slug a 24" rifle barrel.
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(a.) The OP was talking about a handgun

(b.) I was referring or removing sights from dovetails and starting or reinstalling pins without damaging the ends.
 
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