While in a rapid fire sequence with my new P320, I noticed a hollow sounding pop sound. It failed to eject, but was out of battery when inspected. Smoke was coming out of the ejection port and from the magwell when ejected the magazine. I ejected the round, and inspected for a barrel obstruction or damage to the barrel, slide, ejector and extractor.

I then inspected the case. The suspect case is the one on the left.



I thought it could be that I managed to fire it while out of battery, but measured the case heads, and they all seem to be the same. Granted, this was just range ammo from Federal, so even if it was an OOB, I doubt it would be enough to damage the gun. I wonder if I could've gotten away with such a lucky outcome if it was with a hot 357 sig.

After careful inspection, I kept shooting it and all went smoothly.

Based on what you’ve told us, my suspicion is that it was a grossly underpowered round. That’s supported by the odd discharge noise, the failure to eject, and the fact that the chamber pressure was evidently not great enough to expand and seal the case to the chamber wall to prevent gas from flowing back around the case and causing the soot deposit on the case. The smoke from the ejection port and magazine well also indicates that the case wasn’t sealed in the chamber properly.

Good that it didn’t leave the bullet in the barrel, but I also imagine that its velocity was low. Did you see where that shot hit in comparison with the rest?

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:
Based on what you’ve told us, my suspicion is that it was a grossly underpowered round. That’s supported by the odd discharge noise, the failure to eject, and the fact that the chamber pressure was evidently not great enough to expand and seal the case to the chamber wall to prevent gas from flowing back around the case and causing the soot deposit on the case. The smoke from the ejection port and magazine well also indicates that the case wasn’t sealed in the chamber properly.

Good that it didn’t leave the bullet in the barrel, but I also imagine that its velocity was low. Did you see where that shot hit in comparison with the rest?

Thank you, you are probably right. No, unfortunately, I didn't see it hit paper.

My vote is for a squib, too.

I can't see the picture, but the description sounds like a squib round. The fact that it didn't eject, the pop sound, and the smoke from the firearm are all typical of a squib.

If the pistol has had the "upgrade," it shouldn't be able to fire out of battery.

Sounds like squib to me too.

There was a faulty primer or little/no powder in the case. You're lucky the bullet made it out of the barrel.

Had the same thing happen with my PPQ using Fiocchi. Happened in 3 rounds out of 11 that I shot before I put the case away. Fiocchi replaced it.

You were good to notice it in rapid fire and cease.

I am somewhere that I can see the picture now. The blackening on the case is indicative of a low power round; the brass case did not expand to seal in teh chamber and experienced blow back in the chamber. Low pressure, the bullet just pushed out, and the back pressure past the case to blacken it, and produce the smoke in the mag well, as reported. Typical of a low pressure round.

Thank you all for your input. It's greatly appreciated.

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this was just range ammo from Federal,

Stuff like this keeps turning up. I think Covid/Floyd panic increases in production has led to a reduction in quality.

Man it sure sounds like a squib. I shutter with that sound..