Thread: Ruger 10/22 out of battery detonation

Hi all,
I'm not sure if this is the right part of the forum for this do sorry if it's not.
I had an intresting experience today..
I was out shooting vermin with the missus and the ol reliable 10/22 about to try out some cci mini mag (I usually use agulia or remingtion)
When I had at first a malfunction. Firstly I had a fail to extract with the first round so I dropped the mag, racked the rifle cleared the failure re inserted the mag racked the charging handle and I was away laughing.. so I thought. I then lined up the bunny (which waited rather paitently for my fluffing around) then *click* bullet didn't fire. "maybe a light strike or something? Unlike cci to fail" I thought. Anyway, I waited a few seconds then I dropped the mag racked the charging handle and as I did it slipped out my fingers (note my finger was nowhere near the trigger or the guard) and BOOM! my ears are ringing and my face is stinging me and the good lady looked at each other in shock I checked the chamber and there was a mushed up piece of brass sitting right in it.. well thank fuck I'm not bleeding it was just gun powder that hit me and the bullet was seated enough to still go down the barrel just a massive brass blow out.

Needless to say, that ending shooting tonight and once I got to my work bench I pulled the gun apart and it looks like my extractor is broken, my understanding is it toggles in and out a bit when manipulating the bolt. Now, I've always looked after my guns, cleaned them regularly and kept them dry and safe. Never dropped them beaten the up or whatever. I have owned this gun since brand new about 2 ywars ago and ive put <500 through it so I'm unsure why this has happened.

What I think happend is is that the extractor didn't move as it was suppose to and when the bolt was clambering the round, the extractor hit the risk of the cartridge detonating it on its way into the chamber. I think this because
A) the extractor is fixed in place
B) the bolt doesn't close properly anymore and is left slightly ajar with the extractor leaning

I'm not really sure what to do from here, do I email ruger? Do I go back to Hunting and fishing (not that I'd be able to fond the recipt for the life of me lol) do I take it to a private gun smith? Do I have to tell the police I had a NG? (No one got hurt).

Anyway, that's my little story, check that your extractor is working properly before shooting your 10/22 next and if this has happened to you or something similar please let me know or if you have any advice on ehat my next steps should be please please help me out.

Cheers,
Beans.

I think you're right. Something prevented/is preventing the extractor from retracting and it hit the rim and set the round off.
Bit of debris stuck between the action and the extractor?
Either way you need a new extractor.
Glad you weren't hurt.

@Makros
Im glad someone else agrees about the extractor thing.
I think I'll get the extractor replaced then pass on the gun. I'm all of a sudden not very fond of 10/22s for some reason.. Those semiautp CZs (525 is it) llook quite nice though....

I'm glad I wasn't hurt too. When I felt all the fowling? Gun powder or whatever pepper my face and in my eye I panicked a little but I dodged a bullet (ha!) And no permanent damage or broken skin very lucky. I could be in ED right now.

polite discussion with Hunting and Fishing - less than 2 years old, (I presume you bought it new) they will have a record of it, well - heck they better have a full record of the sale. They may have comment or make an offer.

IF not - I would be thinking they sold you somethiing "not fit for purpose" - however this is me saying that in absence of all the known details.

Talk to the poilce? - Why? Hell no

Whoa, a great story..thanks for sharing. As a result of an incident I had while sighting in a new Anschutz .22 about 50 years ago, I always wear safety glasses when using a .22 (you mentioned your face was stinging). I had fired a round or two, the next one went off with a duller crack than normal, and the next round produced a loud crack, and bits of metal spattered my face. The penultimate round had lodged in the barrel (duller crack), the next one hit it and blew the front end off the bolt, bits of which hit my face.

Thanks for the advice gentlemen. And now that's a good story too. You always think it won't haooen to you eh?
Yeah I never really wear ear pro with the .22s because they're not that loud unless I'm at the range that is, but saying I still have a loud ring in my ear that's no longer the case ear pros on when shooting all firearms from now on for this fella

Wanna know what the crazy thing is,
I went back to H+F 9 months or so after buying it (yes new) because it was failing to eject properly but when they "tested it" it didn't happen once and all it needed was lube, the next time I shot it it jamed on the 3rd round. I gave up trying to get them to fix it after that, i dont use it ofen enoigh to care tbh. iIt's always had an issue with ejecting cases, I always thought it was the cheap ammo hence why I tried the mini mag tonight but clearly there was a bigger issue at hand. I judt find it bizarre it happens or has happened every time I've ever used the gun but it didn't happen once for them in the alleged 2 magazines they shot out of it...

OK - A little more information - ejection issues at 9 months - and a new gun - i would be piling on the pressure, very politely (with menaces - haha). From a PR point of view they would be well advised to come to the party (so as to speak)

Yeah I suppose you're right. I should have been a bit more blunt.
But when I get a chance to go in there, I think it'll be a long chat because I'm not too happy about it all just gotta be polite still. It's not their fault as per say, rather its Rugerd I'm betting tbis reciver has a factory issue or something this one just happens to be that 1 in a million I guess. Ruger are lucky I'm not in the states otherwise I'd be running round town to find the best lawyer and file a big ol lawsuit hahaha
Do y'all think it'd be worth getting an outside opinion on the rifle before I take it back to the shop? Incase they try to deny it or pull a fast one?
Other issue is I sold the original stock and I bought and fitted a wooden one (6 months ago or so) . I wonder if that voids the warranty even though I didn't fuck either the action or anything. Just dropped the ugly grey plastic and slapped in a old wood stock.

Originally Posted by gassedupbeans

Thanks for the advice gentlemen. And now that's a good story too. You always think it won't haooen to you eh?
Yeah I never really wear ear pro with the .22s because they're not that loud unless I'm at the range that is, but saying I still have a loud ring in my ear that's no longer the case ear pros on when shooting all firearms from now on for this fella

Wanna know what the crazy thing is,
I went back to H+F 9 months or so after buying it (yes new) because it was failing to eject properly but when they "tested it" it didn't happen once and all it needed was lube, the next time I shot it it jamed on the 3rd round. I gave up trying to get them to fix it after that, i dont use it ofen enoigh to care tbh. iIt's always had an issue with ejecting cases, I always thought it was the cheap ammo hence why I tried the mini mag tonight but clearly there was a bigger issue at hand. I judt find it bizarre it happens or has happened every time I've ever used the gun but it didn't happen once for them in the alleged 2 magazines they shot out of it...

I had almost identical issues many years ago, but much worse with a new 10/22 from a different store. I was constantly fobbed off but when I took it to a H&F branch they said it was shit when they tested it, They contacted the distributor and they in turn sent a rocket up the seller. I got a call a few days later and problem was fixed ASAP.
Nice rifle but just lost confidence in it after that.

Originally Posted by gassedupbeans

Yeah I suppose you're right. I should have been a bit more blunt.
But when I get a chance to go in there, I think it'll be a long chat because I'm not too happy about it all just gotta be polite still. It's not their fault as per say, rather its Rugerd I'm betting tbis reciver has a factory issue or something this one just happens to be that 1 in a million I guess. Ruger are lucky I'm not in the states otherwise I'd be running round town to find the best lawyer and file a big ol lawsuit hahaha
Do y'all think it'd be worth getting an outside opinion on the rifle before I take it back to the shop? Incase they try to deny it or pull a fast one?
Other issue is I sold the original stock and I bought and fitted a wooden one (6 months ago or so) . I wonder if that voids the warranty even though I didn't fuck either the action or anything. Just dropped the ugly grey plastic and slapped in a old wood stock.

When I got my 1 I stopped at work on my way home from the shop, cut 3" off and threaded it. Even though I had problems with the seller there was no mention of my mods so don't stress about your stock.

Your contract is with H&F, not Ruger, despite what they may try and tell you. You deal with H&F, they deal with Ruger.

Noting NGNL comment - approach with an open mind, and dont be fobbed off.

@No good names left that's intresting, did they ever say why it happened or what they actually fixed in the rifle? Also what H+F store did you take it too. Because I bought this one on taupo but it was the Hamilton branch that said it had no issues and only needed lube
I'm happy I'm not the only one but I'm disappointed it happend to you and that the same problem is still occurring much later on....

Thank you! Boys I'll keep you posted if ya like?

@gassedupbeans I purchased from Serious Shooters in the early 2000's and it was H&F Te Rapa that helped me out. Initally all I was ever told was it needed was lube & breaking in (as if 2 bricks the first weekend didn't do it), I was never informed what was the problem or what was done. I've had nothing but great service from all shops other than this one issue so it's not an ongoing service complaint.
I already had a BA Marlin but since I sold the 10/22 I got myself a couple of 795's as well.

Bugga not a cool experience, I wouldn't write the gun off, a new extractor and spring will probably fix it along with checking head space and barrel fit, try not to use oil on 10/22 actions as it tends to make a paste with the powder residue and gum everything up Teflon spray is what I use, take it back to the shop and see what they say