I know this guy. I'm building another M14 for him. He posted this over on the M14 forum. Squib from a factory box of PPU Monarch 380.

https://www.m14forum.com/threa...in-a-bad-way.528020/

Enjoy...

Scott in Texas

I recently acquired a Keltec P32 (.32 acp) and wanted to compare it to my Ruger LCP (.380 acp) in terms of ~10 yard accuracy, recoil, trigger feel and reliability.

I set up a 5-spot target and decided to run a 6- round mag of Hornady Critical Defense through the P32, then a 6-round mag of Remington Golden Sabre through the LCP, then back to the Keltec for a mag of 71 gr PMC FMJ, then back to the LCP for a mag of S&B FMJ, and finally another mag of 71 gr PMC for the Keltec and 94 gr FMJ PPU in the LCP.

The PPU rounds are marketed by Academy under their Monarch brand. Everything was brass cased.

I was shooting fairly rapidly, as one might under self-defense situations. The sights on these guns are pretty useless so it's really eyes open aim and fire. I would go through the magazine and then assess # rounds inside a ~6 inch circle.

I was on the last round of the LCP firing the Monarch / PPU when this happened:











Not a great experience.

I think Round #5 of the Monarch / PPU was a squib with enough recoil to eject the shell, load another, and then BAM! the next round blew the gun apart. Since I wasn't watching the paper and had so many holes on the target already I just didn't detect the squib. The LCP is by nature pretty snappy but I just didn't register a squib.

My first thought was "I'm going to need medical attention" but miraculously no blood or damage, just a slight bruise where the steel guide rod hit my finger. I feel lucky.

So this is bad ammo compounded by a bad strategy - not the LCP's fault.

I'm considering a replacement for the LCP (older, circa 2010 version of the LCP) and I'm considering the LCP, maybe the S&W Shield. At one time I ran through all the competitors - Taurus, Kahr, Beretta, Colt Mustang....and after literally owning about 7-8 ultralight pocket .380's I settled on the LCP. I still have a Sig P238 that I will reacquaint myself with. Anyone have an LCP II or other worthy suggestion?

You figured this was going to be a 'Keltec is garbage!' thread didn't you?



Tony.

So, will either send him a new gun or does he just have to suck it up?

If you retrieved your brass, you can tell if one of them was a squib.

He's contacted PPU and Monarch to see what they say. He's waiting on a response.

quote:

Originally posted by dgshooter:
If you retrieved your brass, you can tell if one of them was a squib.

How would you tell ?

When I was shooting a lot of 10mm, PPU was cheap practice ammo.
I found it to be dirty and underpowered.
Cant recommend it.

That looks horrendous. I love his comment about expecting it to be about a Keltec blowing up. Lol I am kind of amazed that these tales rarely do much damage to the shooter. Rifle kabooms take fingers, pistol kabooms see to scare the crap out of you. Either way I’m not a fan.

Very glad he did not have significant injury.

My experience with PPU differs.

I've had good results with lots of rounds of PPU .32ACP and a couple hundred in .30-06 for Garand.

No squibs or other failures.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RichardC,

I've shot a lot of both PPU & Monarch-branded PPU ammo mostly in 9mm and some in 380ACP. I consider it good ammo and one of my preferred brands.

I don't care for PPU in 10mm, b/c it's underpowered, as in, might as well be shooting 40S&W.

This is what unnerves me with the ongoing ammunition “shortage”…producers are stepping up production to answer the increased demand while maybe letting QC take a backseat…don’t get me started on .22LR with squibs, low powered rounds and FTF with some newly purchased CCI Mini Mags (over the years probably the most trouble free rimfire ammo out there)… I’m glad I hand-load most of my pistol and rifle ammo…if I blow my face off it comes back on me doing something stupid.

quote:

I think Round #5 of the Monarch / PPU was a squib with enough recoil to eject the shell, load another...

I can't see that happening.

Sounds unlikely, but what is an alternative theory? Stuck a bullet and racked the slide without knowing it?

That is one way it could happen, yes.

The LCP is designed to be as compact as possible, so if there's a gun that you don't want to subject to those kind of forces, that's probably the one. I'm impressed that it protected the shooter as well as it did, though....blew out rather than down into his hand.

That's impressive. Bugs Bunny would be proud of that banana peeled barrel.

Having a gun that small blow up would be my worst nightmare. He’s lucky he’s got all his fingers!

I’ve never found PPU .380 or .32 to be bad ammo, if anything it was always a little hotter than American stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by Genorogers:

quote:

Originally posted by dgshooter:
If you retrieved your brass, you can tell if one of them was a squib.

How would you tell ?

The squib case may not have obturated (expanded)completely, and you could measure them against each one..finding one that was the same measurement as the unfired rounds might show which one was the culprit…

Well that would be some serious CSI shit right there Mike. You don't mind if I just sit here drinking my coffee while you measure the brass. lol

quote:

Originally posted by Genorogers:

quote:

Originally posted by dgshooter:
If you retrieved your brass, you can tell if one of them was a squib.

How would you tell ?

Take a look at the primers

Yikes! He's lucky he didn't have a hospital trip. Shitty way to end a weekend, regardless.