# Owner: glow
# KeyID: E65A8520F36AEE13CFE4F56BEB8FE331063A4794
# Key: https://glow.li/pgp
# Verify: curl "https://glow.li/posts/rifle-failure/index.html.asc" | gpg
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA512

+++
{
    "date": "2025-04-13",
    "description": "I had my first catastrophic failure with my B&T APC 556, specifically an out-of-battery ignition",
    "excerpt_separator_text": "Check out what what I found when I inspected the rifle",
    "fedi-link": "https://blob.cat/notice/At5n7b35qKmZGnJOtM",
    "layout": "post",
    "sharingimage": "media/images/big/rifle-failure-cartridge",
    "tags": ["guns", "story"],
    "title": "My rifle sort of exploded"
}
+++
[![A broken rifle cartridge. It has burst and is in the shape of a star](media/images/rifle-failure-cartridge)](media/images/big/rifle-failure-cartridge)

I had my first catastrophic failure with my [B&T APC 556](https://bt-ag.ch/en/produkt/bt-semi-automatic-rifle-apc556-cal-5-56-mm-x-45/), specifically an out-of-battery ignition. When I pulled the trigger I heard two distinct discharges in rapid succession, my magazine burst apart and the rifle started smoking out of every hole. The bolt carrier group was stuck halfway.

Luckily, I was not injured. I did feel something hit my face. I think it was plastic from the magazine window. I am glad I was wearing safety glasses. So this is also your regularly scheduled reminder to wear proper eye protection when shooting firearms.

<!--more-->

## Here is what I found upon inspection

<div class="grid2-complex" markdown="1">
<div markdown="1">
[![The chamber of a rifle, clogged with brass](media/images/rifle-failure-brass-in-chamber)](media/images/big/rifle-failure-brass-in-chamber)

The chamber is clogged with the remains of a casing, but the barrel itself looked clear.

</div>
<div markdown="1">
[![A bolt carrier group. It is cracked in various places. The extractor has broken off](media/images/rifle-failure-cracks)](media/images/big/rifle-failure-cracks)

The shell around the bolt carrier is cracked and the extractor is just gone.

</div>
<div markdown="1">
[![A bolt carrier group with pieces of it missing, seemingly broken off](media/images/rifle-failure-shattered-bcg)](media/images/big/rifle-failure-shattered-bcg)

A piece of the bolt carrier is missing. I do not know where it went.

</div>
<div markdown="1">
[![A magazine without a bottom plate. The spring halfway out. It has a shattered window](media/images/rifle-failure-magazine)](media/images/big/rifle-failure-magazine)

The window of the magazine blew out. The three remaining cartridges were all damaged.

</div>
</div>

The failure occurred on approximately the 35th round fired that day, during the fourth or fifth shot of a short firing sequence.

## Analysis and inspection

Preliminary analysis by a technician at the gun shop suggests the firing pin may have been stuck in a forward position. This would have led to a premature discharge as the bolt was still locking. The rifle is being sent to B&T in Thun now to see what they have to say about it. At the very least, the bolt carrier group is a complete loss.

## Safety features

That said, it is worth noting that the APC 556 did disperse the energy downward and away from me, as a modern firearm should. So in that regard, I can vouch for the APC.

While failures like this are extremely rare, even the most reliable firearms can fail. Always prioritize safety, and never underestimate the importance of protective gear.
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
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=5cEP
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----