Gun Gripes #372 Range Horror Stories

Published on October 20, 2025
Duration: 16:28

This episode of Gun Gripes discusses numerous dangerous and sketchy situations encountered on the shooting range, both in military and civilian contexts. Hosts Eric and Matt share personal anecdotes highlighting critical safety failures, equipment malfunctions, and rule violations. The discussion emphasizes the importance of adhering to range commands, proper firearm handling, and understanding equipment limitations to prevent accidents.

Quick Summary

Shooting ranges can be dangerous due to firearm malfunctions like runaway guns, barrel detachments, and improper handling of explosives. Negligence, such as carrying a loaded firearm with the safety off, and using inappropriate targets like mild steel with steel core ammunition, also pose significant risks. Complacency is a major factor, leading to critical safety protocol violations.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Range Horror Stories
  2. 00:12Sketchy Crap Seen on the Range
  3. 00:46Sponsor: Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI)
  4. 01:27The Inevitability of Range Incidents
  5. 01:41M240B Runaway Gun Story
  6. 02:34M2 Browning Recoil Spring Hazard
  7. 03:40M2 Browning Barrel Detachment Incident
  8. 04:59120mm Mortar Hangfire Procedure
  9. 06:03Civilian Range Incidents: Explosives
  10. 06:32Binary Charge on Dummy Target
  11. 08:00Personal Range Accident: Mild Steel Target
  12. 09:53Lessons Learned from Mild Steel Incident
  13. 10:22Indoor Range Antics
  14. 11:15Mac-11 High Rate of Fire Issues
  15. 12:27Accidental Discharge in Gun Store
  16. 12:52FN 57 Negligence Incident
  17. 14:30Knife and Gun Range Antics
  18. 15:00Conclusion: Range Safety Importance
  19. 15:14Viewer Stories Request
  20. 15:38Podcast Plug: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common dangerous situations that occur on shooting ranges?

Common dangerous situations include firearm malfunctions like runaway guns or barrel detachments, improper handling of explosives, ricochets from inappropriate targets, and severe negligence like carrying a loaded firearm with the safety off and finger on the trigger.

What are the risks associated with shooting mild steel targets?

Shooting mild steel targets, especially with steel core ammunition, can lead to dangerous ricochets. Projectile fragments or the entire projectile can bounce back towards the firing line, posing a significant risk of injury, as one speaker experienced a core fragment hitting their leg.

How can complacency lead to accidents on the range?

Complacency, often stemming from overconfidence or familiarity with firearms, can cause individuals to bypass safety protocols, neglect equipment checks, or perform actions without proper consideration, leading to serious mistakes and potential accidents.

What safety precautions should be taken when dealing with potential hangfires?

Dealing with hangfires, particularly on crew-served weapons or artillery, requires specialized tools and procedures to safely disarm the round. This often involves carefully attaching a tool to the primer or firing mechanism and manually disengaging it, all while maintaining extreme caution.

Why is proper firearm maintenance and understanding of weapon systems crucial?

Proper maintenance and understanding prevent critical failures like runaway guns, barrel detachments, or dangerous spring releases. For instance, incorrect headspacing on an M2 Browning can lead to the barrel separating from the receiver, a highly dangerous malfunction.

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