Had a 458 SOCOM slam-fire

[davsel]

Handed my 458 to a buddy at the range, and he rode the charging handle forward, pulled the trigger, and nothing happened.
He handed the rifle back to me and I dropped the mag, pulled the charging handle, locked the bolt back, and noticed there was an unfired round in the chamber.
I released the bolt, and BAM! (basic safety procedures ensured the round went into the backstop)

This was a reload using a Federal primer. I've heard tell that Federal primers are soft, but I've never had this happen before.
Thinking about it, I don't believe I've ever dropped a bolt onto a chambered round before. Maybe I've found a practical use for that pesky forward assist - that is absent on my 458.

Just thought I'd share.

[thvigil11]

How's your shorts?

Scary stuff when that happens. Had that happen with Federal primers in my Garand a few times.

[davsel]

It didn't really surprise me - expected that it might happen - I always have it down range when dropping a bolt or slide.
But it was fired from the hip.
My buddy on the other hand - face lit up like I just blew up a grenade in my hand.
I just reinserted the mag, charged it (properly), and handed it back to him.
He only fired 3 rounds and is still scared of that rifle - not a "gun guy" anyway.

[Alpha2]

Attended a precision rifle reloading class yesterday put on by Colorado Precision Rifle at Pawnee Sportsmen's Center. The instructor recommended against Federal primers for gas guns, but he uses them for his 5.56 bolt gun. Personally, I use CCI or Winchester.

[Schrambo]

I haven't had that happen with my 458, but I'll bet it was exciting... Thankfully no injuries... Here's a couple of threads in slamfires from the 458 SOCOM forum...

Was it a rifle or pistol primer?? I use CCI 350s with no problems yet...

http://458socomforums.com/index.php?topic=660.0
http://458socomforums.com/index.php?topic=1810.0

[Great-Kazoo]

your firing pin may have been hung up from the riding the bolt forward, just enough. The momentum when you dropped the bolt (the right way) it went BANG.

[MarkCO]

AR15s have floating firing pins. Dropping the bolt with a round IN the chamber should not be done with an AR15...hard on the extractor and the lack of retard from stripping the rounds can cause the slam fire. I won't use Federal primers in auto-loaders either. You had two if not three of the common conditions that are prone to cause a slam fire in an AR15. FA carriers are also more prone to slam fire.

When we go to low mass carriers, extra power buffer springs, Federal primers, it is prudent to use a Titanium firing pin.