So, my AR exploded today…

[Hatch]

I have a S&W M&P sport that has had thousands of rounds through it (but not tens of thousands)
A friend gave me some remanufactured ammo, and I am fairly certain the case failed.
No one was severely injured, but I’m out a rifle, magazine, and can’t trust the ammo.
What would you do next?
EDIT: the company has made us both whole and I have removed their name from this post.

 

[Sixgun]

Hope you didn't get hurt.

Maybe email FM some pics and see what they say...?

 

[JWlineman]

Glad you're ok, and yeah I'd be making a call and some follow up emails with the hopes that they agree with you.

 

[G-rat]

Freedom re-man has a reputation... glad nobody got hurt and thats a bummer to have that happen. With the base of that case being blown off the rest, almost looks like out of battery discharge.

 

[J pace]

I have a S&W M&P sport that has had thousands of rounds through it (but not tens of thousands)
A friend gave me some Freedom Munitions ammo, and I am fairly certain the case failed.
No one was severely injured, but I’m out a rifle, magazine, and can’t trust the ammo.
What would you do next?
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You ask what would I do next.... The very first thing I would do is thank God ,You and the people around you are very lucky.

 

[F4E Phantom]

Feel bad for your friend.
This is why I never buy reloads or remanufactured.
Bought some .38 Spl from Miwall at a gunshow years ago. That stuff was probably +P+, luckily I was using my M-19 .357.

 

[ABlaster]

Definitely glad you're ok. I would call the manufacturer (remanufacturer?) and advise them of what happened with the lot number. Even if they don't come off any cash hopefully they will do the right thing and recall that lot of ammo.

FWIW I caution against using reloaded ammo in rifles unless I'm the one that loaded it. I've seen to many rifles blow up using boutique remanufactured rounds.

 

[rviray]

wow...glad everyone is ok. I shoot Freedom Munition myself, I had an order come short once and I called their Service Number and they were quick to resolve and give me an extra box for my troubles. They were pretty quick to resolve my issues. Also, that does look like a serious casing failure. Any other piece of the cartridge around or did it just totally explode in pieces?

 

[Hatch]

wow...glad everyone is ok. I shoot Freedom Munition myself, I had an order come short once and I called their Service Number and they were quick to resolve and give me an extra box for my troubles. They were pretty quick to resolve my issues. Also, that does look like a serious casing failure. Any other piece of the cartridge around or did it just totally explode in pieces?

Last photo shows the majority of the brass still in the barrel, the rear of the case came out with the ejector and is on the bottom of pic. You can tell the case let go near 7 o’clock because it cracked the trunnion near the bottom and to the left, and completely blew the bottom of the bolt assembly apart.
Round was for sure seated and locked in - an open battery probably would have caused major injury especially to support arm.

 

[wvfatboy]

If it were mine I would also get S&W involved just in case the gun malfunctioned. Who really knows. Just my two cents

 

[Mullet Hunter]

I’d break down the ammo for components, purch a new stripped upper, button her back up, and send it!

 

[Bowhntr6pt]

A well established problem... they are known for this, especially their .223 ammo.

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

Wow, I was just shooting some of this stuff thru my carbon 15 last week. Holy crap.

 

[Jevaughn]

Safety Center | Freedom Munitions

Order your ammo online and we'll ship it directly to your doorstep. New & Remanufactured Ammunition - Made in the USA

www.freedommunitions.com

Seems they've ran into this in the past. I'd contact Freedom Munitions. I doubt they'll replace your firearm, but maybe they'll add that lot number to their list to help others.

 

[sloporsche]

And i guess the bullet is still seated or is it in the barrel ?

 

[fl57caveman]

great, i have 3 boxes of 9mm from freedom arms...

 

[fl57caveman]

first thing i would have done, is to go change pants... anyone have some cleaning wipes?

 

[jettjon]

A well established problem... they are known for this, especially their .223 ammo.

Hmm, this seems to validate my position of only shooting factory ammo thru my AR platforms.

 

[Storman Norman]

This company has had problems in the past. Happend to a buddy of mine with their 223. I steer clear of them entirely.

Black Dot ammo on the other hand..... I have shot multiple hundreds (but not thousands) of rounds of 223 and 9mm with no issues.

 

[jettjon]

great, i have 3 boxes of 9mm from freedom arms...

I seriously doubt you'll have any problem with 9mm.