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God smiled on me today. Brother and I were out at the end of the range of Wolf Creek where North Fork Road turns into Sunset Grade. We're both shooting 9mm pistol loads I developed for my R51, he shooting his Hi Power, me using my R51. We are doing slow fire, and our shots are nearly synchronized. I take a shot, and my gun, which had been recoiling very nicely, suddenly feels like a very hot 44 Mag load. I think, WTF? and watch as the contents of my magazine drop out.
There are black powder marks on both hands, the slide is only partially opened (~3mm), and it dawns on me, "I just had a kaboom."
Nothing in my face, and no injuries.
I eject the formed magazine sleeve (all that remains). Found the spring, spring retainer, and follower, but never found the heel plate.
The R51 handled it very well. My presumption is double charge.
When I loaded these rounds, I double checked OAL and bullet retention (i.e. could I push the bullet back into the case).
Now to completely strip and clean the R51 and do close inspection for any damage.
Looking at all the bullets I picked up from the ground, I note the unfired one in the photo has been severely pushed back into the case and the mouth belled.
There are black powder marks on both hands, the slide is only partially opened (~3mm), and it dawns on me, "I just had a kaboom."
Nothing in my face, and no injuries.
I eject the formed magazine sleeve (all that remains). Found the spring, spring retainer, and follower, but never found the heel plate.
The R51 handled it very well. My presumption is double charge.
When I loaded these rounds, I double checked OAL and bullet retention (i.e. could I push the bullet back into the case).
Now to completely strip and clean the R51 and do close inspection for any damage.
Looking at all the bullets I picked up from the ground, I note the unfired one in the photo has been severely pushed back into the case and the mouth belled.