Abstract: The self plugging blind rivet with a large grip range includes a tubular shell having a head at one end and an elongate shank portion which includes axial slits for permitting the shank portion to expand radially to form a blind head. The bore extends through the head and the shank portion and includes a shoulder at a midportion thereof to form a locking portion of reduced diameter. A stem is fitted in the bore of the tubular shell and includes a head positioned adjacent the another end of the shell, as well as a shank having a breakneck. A shoulder formed adjacent the stem head has an enlarged diameter swaging portion, while a split ring is formed on the stem shank between the breakneck and the swaging portion. During the setting of the rivet, the swaging portion deforms the locking portion of the shell so that the material thereof flows around the split ring for locking the stem within the set rivet.