An interesting thing happened

Published on October 6, 2023
Duration: 4:17

This video details an uncommon firearm malfunction where the safety locked in the fire position due to excessive fouling from frangible ammunition. Approximately 1,000 rounds of frangible ammo, combined with suppressor use, led to a buildup of powder residue on the safety detent, preventing its movement. The issue was resolved by cleaning the detent and reassembling the firearm.

Quick Summary

A firearm's safety can lock in the fire position due to excessive fouling from frangible ammunition, especially when used with a suppressor. Approximately 1,000 rounds of frangible ammo led to a powder residue buildup on the safety detent, preventing its movement. The issue was resolved by cleaning the detent.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Malfunction
  2. 00:08Firearm and Round Count
  3. 00:23Safety Locked in Fire Position
  4. 00:53Training Scenario Details
  5. 01:07Ammunition Type: Frangible
  6. 01:16What is Frangible Ammunition?
  7. 02:00Cause of the Safety Lock
  8. 02:18Suppressor's Role in Fouling
  9. 02:37Comparison with Other Rifles
  10. 02:52Resolution of the Malfunction
  11. 03:08Confirmation from Other Shooters
  12. 03:43Lesson Learned (or Lack Thereof)
  13. 03:56Personal Preference for Frangible Ammo
  14. 04:07Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the firearm's safety lock in the fire position?

The firearm's safety locked in the fire position due to a significant buildup of powder residue from frangible ammunition. This fouling accumulated on the safety detent, preventing the safety selector switch from moving to the safe position.

What role did frangible ammunition play in the malfunction?

Frangible ammunition, while safer for shooting steel targets, breaks down into a fine powder. When used extensively (around 1,000 rounds) and combined with a suppressor, this powder residue can heavily foul internal firearm components like the safety detent.

How does suppressor use affect firearm fouling with frangible ammo?

Using a suppressor with frangible ammunition significantly accelerates the fouling process. The contained gas and heat can cause the powder residue to build up more rapidly and densely on internal parts, leading to malfunctions like a locked safety.

How was the firearm's safety malfunction resolved?

The safety malfunction was resolved by disassembling the firearm, carefully cleaning the safety detent and surrounding areas to remove the accumulated powder residue, and then reassembling the firearm. After cleaning, it functioned normally.

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