The dangerous Squib load, and what to look for
In every firearms class that I find myself in, before we issue out brass and get ready go loud, a number of subjects are covered such as range alibi fire, first responder etiquette, eye and ear protection, basic safety guidelines, and what to do with hang fires, misfires and squibs. Squibs? Someone nearly always asks? What’s that?
Glad you asked.
The point by point definition of a squib load is, according to the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI), Glossary of Industry Terms, L,: “A cartridge or shell which produces projectile velocity and sound substantially lower than normal. May result in projectile and/or wads remaining in the bore.”
To make that even simpler, it’s a cartridge without enough umpf to push the bullet. This is bad because if that projectile does not clear the muzzle, and you fire another one right after it, you could have a kaboom
How do you stop it? What do you look for?
Glad you asked…check out my column at SpringfeldXD forum
This includes revolvers maybe even more so because of the malfunction clearance procedure. The shootus interuptus from a squib in a revolver doesn’t require the operator to examine the weapon and cycle another round by operating the slide. On most double action revolvers, the inexperienced shooter will simply keep pulling on the hook until the joy runs out which is pretty fast and on the next shot if there’s a one still stuck in the hole.