- Sep 5, 2016
- 778
I’ve been considering a S&W Performance Center Revolver in a 357 mag. As I was leaving the range the other night, I saw the basic model for rent, so I gave it a try. I got a box of 38 Special and 357 Magnum, went back to the range and proceeded to make many terrible shooting mistakes.
I already shot 250 rounds of my 9mm which is usually my limit (mistake 1). As I started shooting the first box of 38's, two different rounds didn’t fire. It was near closing time and I was in a hurry (mistake 2), so I finished the 38’s and proceeded to the Magnums. Another round didn’t fire so I inspected the round further and found an off-center primer strike. The revolver was out of time and the cylinder wasn’t locking up.
I took a close inspection and had a hard time seeing any grooves in the barrel. My eyes are not the greatest, so I didn’t trust them (mistake 3). I also had half a box of Mags remaining, so I decided to finish shooting. (mistake 4)
Loaded another six and the gun shot fine. Loaded another six and this time the second chamber didn’t fire again. Not paying close attention (mistake 5), I finished off the last four rounds and clicked on the expended first chamber. At that point, I should have opened the cylinder and removed all empty brass and the unfired round, but I was lazy (mistake 6) and pulled the trigger again to test.
When I pulled the trigger to test, I was expecting the round not to fire again, and I wasn’t paying attention to my grip, (mistake 7 and biggest mistake). I usually shoot strikers and my habit was to have my support hand finger/thumb up, which on a revolver is around the barrel/cylinder gap.
This time the round didn’t go click and the magnum round fired. My support hand grip was loose not expecting it to fire but close enough to the cylinder gap to get caught in the blast. My fingers were nicely seared and totally numb for 15 minutes. If my support hand fingers were tight, I would have been in the emergency room.
When I turned the gun in, the gentleman inspected the revolver and said there were no grooves left in the barrel except for the last inch. He estimated there were 80,000 to 100,000 rounds already put through the gun and needed a serious rework or retirement. I also suspect the cylinder gap was out of spec and renting the gun was another error of mine.
I was so disappointed in myself to make so many slip-ups after shooting for many years. If I was shooting one of my revolver hand cannons, I wouldn’t be giving the thumbs up ever again. Hopefully this will remind someone else before they injure themselves.
I already shot 250 rounds of my 9mm which is usually my limit (mistake 1). As I started shooting the first box of 38's, two different rounds didn’t fire. It was near closing time and I was in a hurry (mistake 2), so I finished the 38’s and proceeded to the Magnums. Another round didn’t fire so I inspected the round further and found an off-center primer strike. The revolver was out of time and the cylinder wasn’t locking up.
I took a close inspection and had a hard time seeing any grooves in the barrel. My eyes are not the greatest, so I didn’t trust them (mistake 3). I also had half a box of Mags remaining, so I decided to finish shooting. (mistake 4)
Loaded another six and the gun shot fine. Loaded another six and this time the second chamber didn’t fire again. Not paying close attention (mistake 5), I finished off the last four rounds and clicked on the expended first chamber. At that point, I should have opened the cylinder and removed all empty brass and the unfired round, but I was lazy (mistake 6) and pulled the trigger again to test.
When I pulled the trigger to test, I was expecting the round not to fire again, and I wasn’t paying attention to my grip, (mistake 7 and biggest mistake). I usually shoot strikers and my habit was to have my support hand finger/thumb up, which on a revolver is around the barrel/cylinder gap.
This time the round didn’t go click and the magnum round fired. My support hand grip was loose not expecting it to fire but close enough to the cylinder gap to get caught in the blast. My fingers were nicely seared and totally numb for 15 minutes. If my support hand fingers were tight, I would have been in the emergency room.
When I turned the gun in, the gentleman inspected the revolver and said there were no grooves left in the barrel except for the last inch. He estimated there were 80,000 to 100,000 rounds already put through the gun and needed a serious rework or retirement. I also suspect the cylinder gap was out of spec and renting the gun was another error of mine.
I was so disappointed in myself to make so many slip-ups after shooting for many years. If I was shooting one of my revolver hand cannons, I wouldn’t be giving the thumbs up ever again. Hopefully this will remind someone else before they injure themselves.
No rush, no more.
