# So my rifle blows up in my face today... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 11, 2004, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358 "2004-12-11T22:15:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2004, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/1 "2004-12-11T22:15:03Z")
So today I’m in our backyard getting ready to shoot my [FAL rifle](http://www.falfiles.com/images/stg58logo.jpg). My buddy, who was next to me, was also getting ready to shoot his FAL. I loaded a magazine (containing 20 rounds of FMJ) into the mag well, pulled back the charging handle, and let go. The first round did not chamber all the way. Not thinking, I peered into the chamber and pulled back the charging handle _again_ and let go. **BAM!!** :eek: I received an impressive blast to the face. I dropped the rifle. My buddy is freaking out. “Your face is bleeding!!” Though I was visibly shaking, I didn’t feel hurt. And my eyes could still see. (Good thing I was wearing my glasses.) I went inside the house and washed up. I could feel hundreds of little bumps all over my face. Still shaken, I went back to the range to inspect the rifle and evaluate the situation. The rifle is toast. The upper receiver is slightly bent. We found the receiver cover 30 feet away. The magazine exploded. The firing pin broke in two. A brass case (minus the head) is stuck in the chamber. The 19 rounds that _were_ in the magazine were scattered all over the grass. A casual inspection revealed that the explosion bent the bullet in most of the rounds. Here’s what I think happened: when I attempted to clear the jam I must have inadvertently tried to force a round into the chamber which was _already_ occupied by another round. The sharp tip of the bullet must have hit the primer of the chambered round. BAM!! I think I’ll be O.K. But here are some lessons learned: 1. While my prescription glasses probably saved my eyes, I’m still _damn_ lucky. From now on I will never shoot a gun - not even a frick’n _BB gun_ - unless I’m wearing full-size, ANSI-rated goggles. 2. When a gun jams I will _carefully_ study the situation before attempting to fix the jam. ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2004, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/2 "2004-12-11T22:42:20Z")
That sucks. At least you’re al right. Too bad about that gun, though. That’s one sexy gun. ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2004, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/3 "2004-12-11T22:45:52Z")
Sorry for the way I think, but that gun would still be right sexy some place else as a decoration or something. Oh, and good thing about the eyes. For me, that would be the worst organ to lose. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2004, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/4 "2004-12-11T22:46:50Z")
Yeah, that gun is pretty hot! Glad you’re okay. That shit is no joke. My buddy had a similiar situation involving a potato gun (I know, but still just as serious!), except with his hand. Almost took the thing off after messing with the chamber and compressed air. Safety first! ---
**Author:** ![Chairman\_Pow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Chairman\_Pow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chairman_Pow)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2004, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/5 "2004-12-11T22:48:24Z")
Glad you’re OK. Are there warranties on new guns/ammunition? ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2004, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/6 "2004-12-11T22:51:39Z")
See Ralphie? We all told you you’d shoot your eye out, kid. Now do you believe us? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2004, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/7 "2004-12-11T23:11:39Z")
[Ranier Wolfcastle] Ze goggles! Zey do nothing!! [/RW] Seriously, I’m glad you’re OK. I’ve always relied on my trusty “wrap” Smith sunglasses for protection. Since reading this thread, I’m reconsidering. Can someone give me a recommendation for a proven set of comfortable, scratch-resistant eyewear? ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2004, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/8 "2004-12-11T23:48:02Z")
Holy crap on a stick!! Thank Og you’re okay, **Crafter\_Man**. I had no idea those things were so touchy! [sub]See? That’s why I stick to the AR-15 family . . . [/sub] 😃 That will be a nice collectible, though. Tripler And thank Og for glasses, eh? ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2004, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/9 "2004-12-11T23:58:40Z")
Yikes. I’m sure glad that you weren’t hurt badly! It is amazing how something that happens so fast could potentially change your whole life. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/10 "2004-12-12T00:23:19Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > See Ralphie? We all told you you’d shoot your eye out, kid. Now do you believe us? Guess what movie is on right now, as I read this? And what scene is playing right now? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/11 "2004-12-12T00:25:33Z")
_gurmphin crumbin submit button_ Glad to hear you’re OK, **Crafter\_Man** , sheesh. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/12 "2004-12-12T00:32:26Z")
Ouch! Good to hear you’re all right! That is a sexy gun. Looks like something Han Solo would carry. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/13 "2004-12-12T02:35:55Z")
You know if you want to exfolliate there are easier, if less manly ways to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/14 "2004-12-12T03:09:43Z")
_hugs for **Crafter\_Man** _ Your only consolation out of this whole thing is that more than half of the SDMB thinks you and your gun are sexy. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/15 "2004-12-12T03:27:38Z")
Man. On the upside, I bet that was something of an adrenaline rush. however, I recommend finding your highs in safer places, which involve fewer explosions inches from your face. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/16 "2004-12-12T05:30:03Z")
Holy crap! Be careful with that thing, buddy. Glad you’re ok, though. I second the vote for mounting the gun on your wall as a conversation piece. “See that gun?” “Yeah.” “Blew up right in my face!” “:eek:” ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/17 "2004-12-12T05:53:29Z")
Wow! Glad you’re OK, **Crafter\_Man.** ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/18 "2004-12-12T06:14:56Z")
Man, that lesson was cheap at twice the price. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/19 "2004-12-12T06:32:58Z")
Had an old plinking rifle (.22 short) do that a few years ago, if less spectacularly, and we were never quite sure why. Glad to hear you had your eyes on, pal. I usually wear a baseball cap pulled fairly low when I shoot, as well as my eyes. Did you have a true Fabrique Nationale FAL? What kind of mags were you using? Failure to chamber followed by a double feed. Ouch! ---
**Author:** ![Bendarr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e56c9b/32.png) [@Bendarr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bendarr)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358/20 "2004-12-12T07:48:15Z")
I’m glad to hear that your ok and nothing too horrible (Other than the loss of the gun) happenned. I also would like to cast a vote as toward the idea of you mounting that baby on a wall as a conversation piece. This would have several advantages. 1. conversation piece (What the heck happenned there? type). 2. It woiuuld be availiable that way to loan to instructers for gun safety courses to serve as an object lesson. 3. Hi, Opal! 4. A reminder never to allow that to happen again if you can help it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-rifle-blows-up-in-my-face-today/279358.md?page=2)