Firearms inspection/report - Who to use?

[phaedra1106]

As you know my SGC 9mm blew up in my face and the failure was attributed (by SGC) to faulty ammunition (PRVI factory) but as I had used reloads they said there was no warranty at all.

However, another owner has now had an identical failure with the exact same damage, charge handle channel/picatinny rail separating from the upper and the rear locking lug sheared above the pin.

Like this,




So, can anyone recommend someone to prepare an independent report on both rifles?.

[Steve E]

If you are a member of the NRA, I suggest that you contact them as they have amongst the Trustee's a member who does just that for the association and also acts as a professional witness in firearms cases. He is also a professional gunsmith of the highest calibre.

[StanDeasy]

Try Norman Clark or John Bloomfield.

Both are highly experienced in this area.

SD

[hitchphil]

Try asking the institute of Materials London. Or a well known & respected gun smith poss Fultons if they might look into it. It may cost you £100+ exp would be low end but share that either the owner of the other occurrence. Also ask trading stds to recommend? If you win you get all costs back so keep records of all your costs & time. Poss tell the manufacturer you intend to act jointly with professional advice & they may compromise. I presume yup have all the metal & bits inc empty cases. Well stored & preserved.

[phaedra1106]

Steve, the other owner is a member and has been in touch with them over several weeks but has not gotten very far with getting any help just told to get professional reports and test.

[hitchphil]

That was £100/HR.............. & would the proof house be any use?

[kennyc]

I would expect a company specialising in material stress and design would be the best bet, as you would presumably be looking to see if the fault was due to design,ie was there enough of the correct material in the correct places or was the failure due to a production fault in the material used beyond the control of the rifle manufacturer? Or was the fault due to a faulty cartridge? I would be surprised if you could find a gunsmith able or willing to argue this in court.
On the bright side you can give a big finger to all the armchair experts on various forums who were happy to blame you as incompetent!

[waterford103]

The one I saw in Aberdeen was clearly a case of the round being fired before being fully chambered , the front 2/3rds of the case remained in the breech and rear had exploded into fragments .All the energy was directed rearwards at high velocity and the bolt sheared the rear lugs. I advised the chap tp send it to Peter Sarony at Armalon as he has been making pistol calibre firearms for many years and is well respected in the trade.