"Soft Fire" damage?

usnrlcdr

April 23, 2003 17:45

Recently, while firing a Walther P99 9mm, I had a "soft-fire" (sort of a "pfft" sound). This was a first for me. I'm guessing the casing was empty of powder due to some factory glitch and the primer had enough pressure to push the projectile into the barrel. When I racked the slide the empty casing ejected and next round actually chambered fully. (Thankfully as I was beginning to reaquire a sight picture and fire again (Ouch!) that little voice reminded me of something an old Gunner's Mate once told me that if it sounds and acts weird--something is probably wrong.) So I emptied the gun and stripped it. I had a cleaning rod with me so I pushed the projectile out the breech without too much trouble, reassembled and resumed firing. When I related this story to a friend he was concerned that the pressure of the soft-fired round could damage the barrel due to over-pressure (!?). He thinks I should buy a new barrel. Does this make sense to you folks? I carefully cleaned and inspected the barrel and it looks fine. It still fires a nice tight group so I'm thinking I'm OK.

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  22WRF

  April 23, 2003 18:02

  quote:When I related this story to a friend he was concerned that the pressure of the soft-fired round could damage the barrel due to over-pressure (!?).
  Where would the "over pressure" come from without powder in the case?
  The primer didn't have enough pressure for the bullet to exit the barrel.
  I see no problem here. Now if you had fired the next round without removing the stuck bullet then you would have damaged the barrel.
  
  
  Amphibious Squadron 7
  Mission....Assault
  

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  rldowns3

  April 23, 2003 18:15

  I would remove the barrel from the weapon and check for any bulges or cracks and use a light and look at the inside of the barrel and make sure you didn't damage the barrel any while extracting the bullet, if it dosen't have any bulges or cracks and the rifling is ok then I'd say your barrel should work just fine, put it back in the weapon and if it operates correctly and the barrel bushing dosen't hang anywhere along the barrel then it should be fine.
  
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  Python

  April 23, 2003 22:12

  usnlcdr;
  About the only damage you could have incurred is bore damage. It is possible to burr the riflings pushing the bullet out with a metal rod. I tend to doubt it as you stated it took only light pressure to push it out.Over pressure is not an issue. If there was insuffient pressure to cycle the action it is unlikely to have damaged a fine gun such as you're Walther. Besides which you continued firing after ward with appearently no unusual incidence.
  If you are still uncertain, by all means, have a gun smith check it over for a clean bill of health.

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  Xracer

  April 24, 2003 06:14

  Since it went "pfffft", the bullet stuck in the bore, and the slide didn't cycle, you certainly didn't have an overpressure....you had an underpressure.
  
  As Python says, the only damage you could have done is to burr the bore with the cleaning rod. For these situations, it's always best to use a wooden dowel and try to push the bullet out from the barrel end toward the breech. If that doesn't work, tap the dowel lightly with a rubber hammer.

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  Xracer

  April 24, 2003 06:15

  Since it went "pfffft", the bullet stuck in the bore, and the slide didn't cycle, you certainly didn't have an overpressure....you had an underpressure.
  
  As Python says, the only damage you could have done is to burr the bore with the cleaning rod. For these situations, it's always best to use a wooden dowel and try to push the bullet out from the barrel end toward the breech. If that doesn't work, tap the dowel lightly with a rubber hammer.

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  usnrlcdr

  April 24, 2003 07:15

  Thanks for all the responses. The "overpressure" comment did not make much sense to me either so I appresiate the confirmation. I definitely had not thought about maybe damaging the bore using the cleaning rod so I'll keep that in mind (although I hope this will be a 1x event). Really appreciate all you guys (and gals) helping us new guys out.

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  rldowns3

  April 24, 2003 08:05

  If you shoot a lot long enough it'll happen from time to time. So just always check your gun when that last round dosen't sound quite right.
  
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  captkirk3@dslextreme.com

  April 24, 2003 08:28

  Sound Responses from the Gang...You just got a One in a Million with an empty of Powder Round...and Lucky too! I hope that You kept the Case and Bullet and Notified the Manufacturer of the LOT Number and Type of Round....They need to be informed of this unfortunate happenstance...It could happen to someone else shooting this particular Lot Cartridges.....
  
  Captain Kirk, Tech Staff

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  Sunray

  April 24, 2003 09:39

  You really have to work hard to burr a rifle barrel with a cleaning rod. Aluminum, brass and soft steel will never bother a rifle barrel. It's too hard. If you had fired the next shot you would have either blown the gun or bulged the barrel. (Yes, I did thank you very much.) An underpowered round will do nothing alone.

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