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Sidearms & Scatterguns Catastrophic failures in pistols

Jmilera

Jmilera

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Minuteman
Jan 10, 2012
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Texas
#1
Hello gents I am going to start to follow my grandfathers advice" fear the man with one gun" I have been reading about catastrophic failures in glocks especially the 40's. What pistols have the most detrimental failures? I currently own HK,GLOCK,SW,SPRINGFIELD,SIG,KHARR. And nighthawk. Which would you keep?
Thanks
 
#2
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jmilera</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hello gents I am going to start to follow my grandfathers advice" fear the man with one gun" I have been reading about catastrophic failures in glocks especially the 40's. What pistols have the most detrimental failures? I currently own HK,<span style="color: #FF0000">GLOCK</span>,SW,<span style="color: #FF0000">SPRINGFIELD</span>,SIG,<span style="color: #FF0000">KHARR</span>. And nighthawk. Which would you keep?
Thanks </div></div>
I highlighted the ones that I would move on from.
 
#3
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

I think you'll be okay with the KHARR. Searching the 'net, nothing comes back on KHARR + kaboom, or KHARR + failure.

crazy.gif
 
#4
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

Quite the collection you have there.

I'm not sure about the Kharr, but the other ones should all be pretty decent. The HK shouldn't give you any problems if it is is maintained well.
 
#7
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: strangedays</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jmilera</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hello gents I am going to start to follow my grandfathers advice" fear the man with one gun" I have been reading about catastrophic failures in glocks especially the 40's. What pistols have the most detrimental failures? I currently own HK,<span style="color: #FF0000">GLOCK</span>,SW,<span style="color: #FF0000">SPRINGFIELD</span>,SIG,<span style="color: #FF0000">KHARR</span>. And nighthawk. Which would you keep?
Thanks </div></div>
I highlighted the ones that I would move on from. </div></div>

Some jackass touches off a double charge in a Glock and you suggest he sell his because of it?

Ive fed about 2k-3k rounds through my factory G23, and never had a problem. Certainly hasnt exploded in my hand. Was a single round I fired a reload? no.

Dont sell your Glock, (or any other gun) just because you saw on the internet that someone blew one up. If you dont trust it with your life, dont carry it. But i wouldnt sell it just because of a horror story. That said, the Sigs, HKs, Glocks, and of course that Nighthawk should all serve you well. I have no experience with the others, so i will hold my tongue.
 
#8
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 6.5mmman</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: strangedays</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jmilera</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hello gents I am going to start to follow my grandfathers advice" fear the man with one gun" I have been reading about catastrophic failures in glocks especially the 40's. What pistols have the most detrimental failures? I currently own HK,<span style="color: #FF0000">GLOCK</span>,SW,<span style="color: #FF0000">SPRINGFIELD</span>,SIG,<span style="color: #FF0000">KHARR</span>. And nighthawk. Which would you keep?
Thanks </div></div>
I highlighted the ones that I would move on from. </div></div>

Some jackass touches off a double charge in a Glock and you suggest he sell his because of it?

Ive fed about 2k-3k rounds through my factory G23, and never had a problem. Certainly hasnt exploded in my hand. Was a single round I fired a reload? no.

Dont sell your Glock, (or any other gun) just because you saw on the internet that someone blew one up. If you dont trust it with your life, dont carry it. But i wouldnt sell it just because of a horror story. That said, the Sigs, HKs, Glocks, and of course that Nighthawk should all serve you well. I have no experience with the others, so i will hold my tongue. </div></div>
The OP never said any comment on a double charge being the problem. Any gun with a double charge is a problem. I have seen Glocks blow up without a double charge and XD slides split from thousands of rounds of use. Just shoot enough lead through the glock and it will go. I have shot Blazer ammo through my glock and had one fail to ignite the powder but it was enough to get it stuck in the barrel, I noticed the sound and checked but it could have been a Catastrophic event with any gun. Point is sometimes bad things happen and its not the gun. If you have shot all your guns and they work good for you then keep them. Sounds like a fun collection. If you were to be more specific on what guns you own it would help because like glock, Smith and Wesson, Kharr it depends on what gun, caliber ect...
 
#9
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

The HK Mark 23 is probably the best gun to survive any crazy events with ammo. In testing they stuck a bullet in the barrel & then shot it out with another round and the gun kept on shooting after that with reasonable accuracy. There was also a lot of over pressure tests done that it passed as well.

The downside is that it is a huge gun, but if you only have 1 pistol and that was your only weapon it would be something you could bet your life on.

That being said the new HK45 and P30 series are probably a much better option for most people due to size / cost.
 
#10
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: strangedays</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 6.5mmman</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: strangedays</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jmilera</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hello gents I am going to start to follow my grandfathers advice" fear the man with one gun" I have been reading about catastrophic failures in glocks especially the 40's. What pistols have the most detrimental failures? I currently own HK,<span style="color: #FF0000">GLOCK</span>,SW,<span style="color: #FF0000">SPRINGFIELD</span>,SIG,<span style="color: #FF0000">KHARR</span>. And nighthawk. Which would you keep?
Thanks </div></div>
I highlighted the ones that I would move on from. </div></div>

Some jackass touches off a double charge in a Glock and you suggest he sell his because of it?

Ive fed about 2k-3k rounds through my factory G23, and never had a problem. Certainly hasnt exploded in my hand. Was a single round I fired a reload? no.

Dont sell your Glock, (or any other gun) just because you saw on the internet that someone blew one up. If you dont trust it with your life, dont carry it. But i wouldnt sell it just because of a horror story. That said, the Sigs, HKs, Glocks, and of course that Nighthawk should all serve you well. I have no experience with the others, so i will hold my tongue. </div></div>
The OP never said any comment on a double charge being the problem. Any gun with a double charge is a problem. I have seen Glocks blow up without a double charge and XD slides split from thousands of rounds of use. Just shoot enough lead through the glock and it will go. I have shot Blazer ammo through my glock and had one fail to ignite the powder but it was enough to get it stuck in the barrel, I noticed the sound and checked but it could have been a Catastrophic event with any gun. Point is sometimes bad things happen and its not the gun. If you have shot all your guns and they work good for you then keep them. Sounds like a fun collection. If you were to be more specific on what guns you own it would help because like glock, Smith and Wesson, Kharr it depends on what gun, caliber ect...
</div></div>

True for the most part, but I would trust my life to a Glock any day before an HK. Simply because my Glock has digested more rounds more accurately than i can count. I dont have as much time behind an HK, and my life is valuable, so it takes a lot of trigger time to make me happy.

Point 2: All guns will jam. They are mechanical devices, and all mechanical devices malfunction. As many wanna-be's are on this site, you would think more of them would attend quality hands on training with a qualified instructor, but 99% of gun owners will not. I have never been to a firearms instruction class of any quality (tactical or otherwise) that did not include some type of malfunction clearing drills. Attend quality training, learn how to clear a jam/malf, and practice until you get it wrong. then learn how to make it right and practice some more. Amateurs train until they get it right, pros train until they get it wrong. then train some more. Training can solve 99% of gun problems. guns do not blow up often. They just dont.

point 3: Glock says very clearly, do not fire lead non jacketted bullets through factory glock barrels. the polygonal rifling isnt designed for that. If you choose to do it anyway, and your gun explodes, thats your fault, not the Glock.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: W54/XM-388</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The HK Mark 23 is probably the best gun to survive any crazy events with ammo. In testing they stuck a bullet in the barrel & then shot it out with another round and the gun kept on shooting after that with reasonable accuracy. There was also a lot of over pressure tests done that it passed as well.

The downside is that it is a <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">huge gun</span></span>, but if you only have 1 pistol and that was your only weapon it would be something you could bet your life on.

That being said the new HK45 and P30 series are probably a much better option for most people due to size / cost. </div></div>

Huge is an understatement. That is a COLOSSAL gun.
 
#11
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

I thought that the Bren Ten and the Wildey were catastrophic failures... and the Raven .25 auto, except that the first two could also feed ammo... Oh, that's not what you meant, nevermind.
laugh.gif
 
#13
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ShooterMcGavin33</div><div class="ubbcode-body">*Looks suspiciously at his G23 on the nightstand waiting for a catasrophic failure..

</div></div>

That's the boat I'm in brother. Looks like we better sell off all our Glocks
 
#15
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

Please sell off all your olds glocks to me for a dollar because they obviously suck royal ass and no one should own them what so ever..........jesus christ. They are not time proven and tested over the multiple years they have been out. Not sure why you even bought in the first place.......what were you thinking. let me do ya a favor and purchase your glocks from you before one blows up right in your face.
 
#16
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ShooterMcGavin33</div><div class="ubbcode-body">*Looks suspiciously at his G23 on the nightstand waiting for a catasrophic failure..

</div></div>

My 17 and 32 are side by side in the safe. Guess I need to warn my neighbors about possible shrapnel from the explosions
laugh.gif
 
#17
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

You probably read/hear about blown up Glocks because it is the second most popular competition pistol in use today, the most popular sidearm used in law enforcement, and I bet Glock out sells HK Sig S&W combined. As for 40 cal Glocks blowning up or any other pistol in any other caliber, double charges = blown up handguns, it's really that simple, to say a Glock with its unsupported chamber is a liability is a grave mistake, my G35 has 10k thru it, most are reloads, and I have yet to clean it, and when I do decide to clean it I'll throw it in the dishwasher.
 
#18
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #FF0000">You probably read/hear about blown up Glocks because it is the second most popular competition pistol in use today, the most popular sidearm used in law enforcement, and I bet Glock out sells HK Sig S&W combined.</span></span> As for 40 cal Glocks blowning up or any other pistol in any other caliber, double charges = blown up handguns, it's really that simple, to say a Glock with its unsupported chamber is a liability is a grave mistake, my G35 has 10k thru it, most are reloads, and I have yet to clean it, and when I do decide to clean it I'll throw it in the dishwasher. </div></div>

BINGO! This sums it up. No need to discuss further. Bottom line is, Glock is a rock solid handgun. I will shoot one and carry one until I die. If you dont feel safe behind one, dont shoot one, but dont tell others they are dangerous explosion machines and to sell it.
 
#19
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 6.5mmman</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #FF0000">You probably read/hear about blown up Glocks because it is the second most popular competition pistol in use today, the most popular sidearm used in law enforcement, and I bet Glock out sells HK Sig S&W combined.</span></span> As for 40 cal Glocks blowning up or any other pistol in any other caliber, double charges = blown up handguns, it's really that simple, to say a Glock with its unsupported chamber is a liability is a grave mistake, my G35 has 10k thru it, most are reloads, and I have yet to clean it, and when I do decide to clean it I'll throw it in the dishwasher. </div></div>

BINGO! This sums it up. No need to discuss further. Bottom line is, Glock is a rock solid handgun. I will shoot one and carry one until I die. If you dont feel safe behind one, dont shoot one, but dont tell others they are dangerous explosion machines and to sell it. </div></div>

11kxy6p.jpg
 
#24
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 71firebird400</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Shot my Glock 29 this afternoon, lived to tell about it.
eek.gif
</div></div>

Dodged a real bullet there.
 
#25
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mead</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 71firebird400</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Shot my Glock 29 this afternoon, lived to tell about it.
eek.gif
</div></div>Dodged a real bullet there. </div></div>If you're shooting a Glock and dodging the bullets you're doing it wrong.
laugh.gif
 
#27
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

To many people just arent willing to accept fault for there fuck ups so they blame whatever they were using when they fuck up. Thats why ladders have 7 warning labels on them. Before the world was so damn lawsuit crazy you got hurt doing something stupid and people called you an idiot( because you were an idiot). But now we cant hurt peoples feelings and these people are allowed to do something stupid then go on the internet as an expert and trash a great product because the broke it. To quote the great Forest Gump " stupid is as stupid does". I just wish Darwinism wasnt such a slow process.
 
#28
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

I understand what your going after here, have 1 gun and shoot it so much you become ninja like with it. The answer is which 1 do you shoot best in which 1 has given you the least amount of problems.
 
#29
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Roadwild17</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I understand what your going after here, have 1 gun and shoot it so much you become ninja like with it. The answer is which 1 do you shoot best in which 1 has given you the least amount of problems. </div></div>

what he said. Or better yet, have 2 of that same gun for when 1 goes down for maint.
 
#30
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Roadwild17</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I understand what your going after here, have 1 gun and shoot it so much you become ninja like with it. The answer is which 1 do you shoot best in which 1 has given you the least amount of problems. </div></div>

what he said
 
#31
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

OP, I understand your reason for only wanting one handgun. Practice with one pistol until you become completely proficient with it. However, my 0.02 would be to keep 2-3 handguns in the same caliber and practice with all three. You never know when one might break or malfunction, and then you are defensless.
Out of your list, I would sell the Kharr (lol) and then pick a few that you like the most out of the remainder. Stockpile ammo and train train train until you are proficient on the pistols you choose to keep.
 
#32
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

I've owned Glocks for several years and I've seen 1...yes 1 kaboom! This was due to an over charge of the reload and the gun performed as it was supposed to, by blowing the mag out the bottom. The operator got some minor burns on his hand, but was no worse for wear! I've shot thousands of my own reloads through my glocks, which all have factory barrels, but I don't shoot lead through em! It's pretty simple, just know you guns and know what you should and shouldn't do or shoot through em. I have other manufacturers guns as well and never had a problem with reloads or factory ammo blowing up! Hell I even had a jennings 380 that never blew up in my hand either! I'm a firm believer in having different guns for different purposes and I fully intend to keep everyone unless I decide to get rid of it, but it won't be because some knuckle head blew the same up in freaking hand! It's rediculous to think that just because someone had a catastrophy with a certain gun that it will happen to you. It's kinda of like saying that since this one guy stepped out in front of a bus and got killed that all busses are now catastrophic in nature! Use some common since and if you do reload, then take the time to ensure that all you ammo is in spec. I've reloaded thousands of rounds in pistol and rifle calibers and never had an issue, but I generally try to error on the side of caution and never stop and walk away in the middle of loading a round. I'm responsible for my safety and I don't think that because I screwed up it would be the responsibility of the gun manufacturer to clean up after my mistake....or anybody else for that matter. Guns don't kill people....people kill people!
 
#33
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

The odds of any firearm failing are so slim it is better to worry about your toaster incinerating your house than your firearm blowing up.

That being said, try to avoid "hot" handloads and factory ammunition in .40 and you should be fine.
 
#34
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

First things first, it's spelled Kahr.

second... None of the pistols mentioned are any more prone to catastrophic failure than the others. If you double charge any of 'em, it'll blow. If you are really worried about it, stick with a metal frame because when they blow up, the frame generally holds up VERY well and is often still usable, wheras polymer seems to crack up and blast away, possibly injuring your hand. I've <span style="font-style: italic">read </span>many times of people KBing 1911's and SIGs and just replacing the barrel and shooting the gun without issue after that.

But to choose a metal frame gun over poly just because it holds up better to kabooms is ridiculous in my mind. Just hold onto the guns that you like best and do what you will with the rest.
 
#35
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

I think your question makes as much sense as getting rid of your Chevy because sometimes they breakdown. Anything mechanical can fail. Every gun you own is built by a reputable company and should last longer than you will. I would keep the one that you shoot best and covers your needs- it sounds like you have a nice selection to choose from.
 
#36
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

i myself am a 1911 guy and wont shoot anything else. you couldnt give me a glock or any other "plastic" gun. that being said glocks are very good guns rarely fail and can take a beating. i would say they are the ak of the pistol world. if i were u i wouldnt sell any of those guns. you will regret it later
 
#37
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: goatmurray</div><div class="ubbcode-body">First things first, it's spelled Kahr.</div></div>

Don't tell Shatner. He hates reshooting scenes.
 
#38
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

Different strokes for different folks. I LOVE my G17. I put through hell and she just keeps going. I have friends that would never get rid of their Sigs/HK's/etc. Find the pistol that YOU enjoy shooting the most and has given YOU the least problems. From there... shoot, smile, repeat.
 
#39
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

agreed with majority....prior to being issued a glock 13 years ago i was a bit skeptical...but been shooting and carrying several models.....put thousands and thousands of rounds through all of them with no issues....also been shooting along side others issued or carrying glocks and have not seen one blow up yet....you're safe with your glock....of course be smart about your shooting, but the horror stories are obviously largely exaggerated and happens few and far...
 
#41
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

I had a polymer frame Kahr .40 blow the top strap off the barrel. If I would not have had shooting glasses on I would have been minus two eyes. As it was I picked brass out of my face for an hour. Kahr promptly replaced it, and I traded it even faster...

T.
 
#42
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

I have an HK USP .40 fullsize with a few hundred thousand rounds through it (yup, was single at one point and making six figures...had nothing to do but blow 5k rnds of ammo every weekend for about 2 years). No failures. The only thing that's been replaced is the recoil spring after a couple hundred thousand. It's not nearly as accurate as it once was though, needs a new barrel. I only missed about 3 weekends shooting in those two years and went through about 5k rnds every weekend. Since it was the only pistol I owned at the time, it was the only one that got shot when I went out (had 100 10rd mags for it...now I'm at about 20 12rd mags).

--Wintermute
 
#43
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

Great responses guys I will keep all of them except my KHARR. The reason was the polymer frames tend to warp in the texas sun. I was carrying my 45 at the ranch about a year ago feeding cactus to our cattle. When I decided to do a little target practice the trigger guard was bent to the point it didn't allow me to pull the trigger! Once it cooled off it returned to its original shape, but it could have been a bad situation if I needed it to protect myself. By the was we we chamuscando nopal in case you were wondering.
 
#46
Re: Catastrophic failures in pistols

Never Liked Glocks until I finally bought one. I love the things! "The AK-47 of the semi auto pistol" Ugly, tough, reliable, dont got to maintain it, (But I still do) hasnt failed once. 3K rounds put through it. Reloads, Factory, +P, ive fed it everything. As far as reloads go, as long as the reloader is not an idiot, reloads are as safe as factory. Glock is my carry gun. My competition/shooter/shit hits the fan sidearm is a Kimber custom 2 1911. Gotta love the 1911. If I had to lose one I would lose the kharr. But if your HK is a usp, lose that one first. (the trigger pull makes Glock Look like a hair trigger) Then again, keep every gun you got cuz depending on what happens in November, guns might be outlawed...
 
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