The split is from frame to muzzle, on both sides. I don't think it was from a hot load because the cylinder and etc appear to be on good shape. The owner said he hit the target with previous, and the final shot that caused the damage, so it's unlikely that there was a bullet lodged in there. Basically we don't know what happened. One thing is for sure, he has quit the shooting sports due to this experience.
If for no other reason I'll keep it as a novelty to show other shooters. Interesting, Eh?
2 comments:
So what do we call that? If the gun flies apart it is called a kaboom, but what do we call it when the barrel just splits?
Those are tough guns. My old man has a SBH that he screwed up royaly when firing handloads (go figure). Rounds one and two go bang, round three goes pop. For reasons I still can't figure out, he thumbs the hammer back and attempts to fire the other three rounds, which all go pop, and fortunately doesn't blow his hand off.
Why he didn't wait for a few seconds before checking to see what the problem is defies all common sense.
The four pops were from the primers, and the four bullets were lodged in the barrel: one at the muzzle, two crammed into each other in the middle of the barrel (bulging the barrel slightly) and one stuck in between the cylinder and the forcing cone.
Ruger installed a new barrel, new hammer, sear, springs, screws and re-blued the gun for $113.
It looks and shoots great.
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