sxshep
Member
You live and learn... my ND was a painful reminder that I'm human, and a lapse in judgement is possible for ANYONE to have. Check out my thread for my ND story, glad no one got hurt from yours.
My First Accidental Discharge, I am Freaked Out.. Learning Lesson... Need Advice
- Thread starter Evergreen
- Start date
- Status
ny32182
Member
In this case, you should never get into shooting sports...
cadillacmike
Member
clance - got it - you didn't intend to flip off the thumb safety. And yes, the 1911 magazines sometimes get stubborn whrn inserting them, especially if the slide is forward. Still don't know why you feel the need to cram an 8th round into the pistol though...
strambo - pulling the trigger at the clearing barrel, is the LAST step in a process where the FIRST step is to remove the magazine. BTW, we didn't have clearing barrels in afghan...
If the OP didn't have a loaded magazine in the weapon, it would not have fired.
And leaving an AR with the bolt locked back with a loaded magazine is just bad, the only thing holding the bolt back is that tiny little release catch. just tapping the butt on the floor will dislodge that catch and the bolt goes forward, chambering a round.
strambo - pulling the trigger at the clearing barrel, is the LAST step in a process where the FIRST step is to remove the magazine. BTW, we didn't have clearing barrels in afghan...
If the OP didn't have a loaded magazine in the weapon, it would not have fired.
And leaving an AR with the bolt locked back with a loaded magazine is just bad, the only thing holding the bolt back is that tiny little release catch. just tapping the butt on the floor will dislodge that catch and the bolt goes forward, chambering a round.
Last edited:
I'm glad to hear no one was hurt. Don't let this situation be for not. Let the memory always stay with you and temper your focus a bit when handling firearms.
I agree that pulling the trigger to make sure it is unloaded is illogical. Check the chamber to make sure, it's the only sure/safe way. Don't even trust loaded chamber indicators, check the chamber.
I make it a point to make sure a gun is clear before I start to handle it, especially before pulling the trigger. It's the first thing I do. Also, keep in mind that up is not a safe direction if there is an upstairs. Toward the ground, or an outer wall would be a safer choice (depending on what surrounds your residence).
I agree that pulling the trigger to make sure it is unloaded is illogical. Check the chamber to make sure, it's the only sure/safe way. Don't even trust loaded chamber indicators, check the chamber.
I make it a point to make sure a gun is clear before I start to handle it, especially before pulling the trigger. It's the first thing I do. Also, keep in mind that up is not a safe direction if there is an upstairs. Toward the ground, or an outer wall would be a safer choice (depending on what surrounds your residence).
The Wiry Irishman
Member
The ROs at matches always tell me to show clear (drop mag, eject chambered round, hold action open so they can verify the status of the chamber) then drop the hammer, not "pull that trigger, lets see if there's any bullets in there." Pulling the trigger and dropping the hammer has nothing to do with checking the status of the gun, its just there to add a little bit of visual confirmation for the other people in the match that your holstered gun is unloaded like it should be when you're not on the line.
ny32182
Member
The second part of this sentence is a perfect contradiction of the first part.
Yes, the purpose of pulling the trigger is final confirmation that the pistol/rifle/shotgun is unloaded, and that everything the shooter and RO saw (an empty gun) during the unloading operation was correct. Personally I will be pulling the trigger to verify the gun is unloaded exactly 18 times this weekend.
At the range, you have a safe direction (the berm). At home, you may not, and I would definitely rule out the roof as a safe direction, even if you are standing on top of it.
merlinfire
Member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2010
- Messages
- 793
I have to be honest, after reading the title of this thread I chuckled a little bit due to teenage humor.
clance
Member
longhair75
Member
We have all made our mistakes. I stupidly tried to lower the hammer on a Browning High Power that had a round chambered. I chambered the round, and I should have known better, but half an hour later, I pulled the trigger with my thumb holding the hammer back thinking to slowly lower it. It slipped. The bullet made it through a corner of a wall and lodged in the top lid of our piano.
JohnBiltz
Member
If you are going to be dropping the hammer you need a safe direction to do it, not the ceiling. When I clear a Glock to clean it I aim at a book shelf at an oblique angle. A foot or so of books will stop it.
I think some of the others are right. You are fiddling too much with the guns. One rifle, keep it loaded but chamber empty if that is what you want to do and leave it that way. Put it in the safe that way, if its the only gun that has a magazine in it then you know the condition it is in. Wise to have the TAP ammo though, I'd be surprised if it went through the roof.
I think some of the others are right. You are fiddling too much with the guns. One rifle, keep it loaded but chamber empty if that is what you want to do and leave it that way. Put it in the safe that way, if its the only gun that has a magazine in it then you know the condition it is in. Wise to have the TAP ammo though, I'd be surprised if it went through the roof.
KingMedicine
Member
"For those who wonder why I pulled the trigger, this is my way of verifying 100% the gun is unloaded."
That may be one of the scariest quotes i have heard in my life...
That may be one of the scariest quotes i have heard in my life...
22-rimfire
Member
I had a ND once. You never forget. It has always been on my mind just about everytime I pick up a firearm indoors. I am safer as a result of that accident. But I kicked myself in the butt for years over that event. I refused to keep a loaded gun inside my house because of that ND. My home was burglarized once while I was asleep and I had no loaded firearm. That was another reality check.
If I am concerned about a gun being loaded (Added: They are all loaded until you check.), I check it. If it is loaded, I check it again after I unload it. If for some reason I intend to dry fire that weapon, I check again and probaby a second time. Absolutely no loaded magazines in the firearm after I verify that it is unloaded. To me it is still loaded even though you need to chamber a round to fire it.
Learn from your mistakes. We all make mistakes of some sort. But do your penance and make the repairs. Check the roof from inside the attic during the day time. You deserve to sweat a bit over this. Move on!
If I am concerned about a gun being loaded (Added: They are all loaded until you check.), I check it. If it is loaded, I check it again after I unload it. If for some reason I intend to dry fire that weapon, I check again and probaby a second time. Absolutely no loaded magazines in the firearm after I verify that it is unloaded. To me it is still loaded even though you need to chamber a round to fire it.
Learn from your mistakes. We all make mistakes of some sort. But do your penance and make the repairs. Check the roof from inside the attic during the day time. You deserve to sweat a bit over this. Move on!
Last edited:
Well, it worked. If he hadn't pulled the trigger, he would have wrongly thought the gun was unloaded. 
OP you just learned a lesson the hard way, that's all. You now understand that an empty chamber is only half the equation, and you'll never make that mistake, again.
When I first started shooting, I didn't even trust my eyes. I always poked my finger into the chamber and mag well before doing any dry-firing. But now I think that's overkill.
OP you just learned a lesson the hard way, that's all. You now understand that an empty chamber is only half the equation, and you'll never make that mistake, again.
When I first started shooting, I didn't even trust my eyes. I always poked my finger into the chamber and mag well before doing any dry-firing. But now I think that's overkill.
I know...but what does pulling the trigger have to do with the process of unloading a firearm?
Anyway...we got rid of all our on-FOB barrels towards the end of my tour so things were going the right way again.
I taught my soldiers to clear all firearms properly and the same way (and not to squeeze the trigger), I was willing to assume risk and train them properly, then trust them to do it. I was backed up by my BN Commander. We had zero ND's in my company over a year of convoy and security ops.
gatopardo
Member
quite frankly
No loaded weapons at my home any time!
And whomever is unable to load a weapon and present it in two seconds should not have one.
Is the same as "carrying a hot cup of coffee everywhere just in case I need one" , it'll spill sooner or later.
Just think about it, does anyone remember a standard safety check on a pistol? you know, you show it with the action open scene? Well jut live your pistol like that, open action, then insert magazine, release slide, round chambered, you're ready to defend your life and your family.
And sadly even this is not enough to prevent guys shooting their foot off.
Now a "funny" story:
There was a famous general, admired for his gallantry.
The day he finally retired, two wars and several medals later, some reporters cornered him to ask him a few questions about his career.
Finding himself surrounded, he had no other option but to oblige:
"Tell me General" said one,
"Is there anything at all you are afraid of?"
" Only one thing: idiots ",
and why is that?, the reporter asked,
" There are so many, you can never win!"
No loaded weapons at my home any time!
And whomever is unable to load a weapon and present it in two seconds should not have one.
Is the same as "carrying a hot cup of coffee everywhere just in case I need one" , it'll spill sooner or later.
Just think about it, does anyone remember a standard safety check on a pistol? you know, you show it with the action open scene? Well jut live your pistol like that, open action, then insert magazine, release slide, round chambered, you're ready to defend your life and your family.
And sadly even this is not enough to prevent guys shooting their foot off.
Now a "funny" story:
There was a famous general, admired for his gallantry.
The day he finally retired, two wars and several medals later, some reporters cornered him to ask him a few questions about his career.
Finding himself surrounded, he had no other option but to oblige:
"Tell me General" said one,
"Is there anything at all you are afraid of?"
" Only one thing: idiots ",
and why is that?, the reporter asked,
" There are so many, you can never win!"
We did that for several years after our youngest son had an ND in our house. I could live with the hole because it was a stark reminder to him.
However, to the OP...get up on your roof and check! When my son shot through our ceiling with his father's 12 gauge, we had to have the roof patched (and there was roofing material on our NEIGHBOR'S ROOF). Do NOT assume it didn't penetrate.
Jan
However, to the OP...get up on your roof and check! When my son shot through our ceiling with his father's 12 gauge, we had to have the roof patched (and there was roofing material on our NEIGHBOR'S ROOF). Do NOT assume it didn't penetrate.
Jan
revolversrbetter
Member
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2010
- Messages
- 84
sounds to me like too much fiddling with the darn things
I'd consider getting a revolver and leaving it in the holster
if you want a gun near you, pick up the holster
I'd consider getting a revolver and leaving it in the holster
if you want a gun near you, pick up the holster
Yukonstorm
Member
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2006
- Messages
- 51
AD's do not happen to every shooter, probably a very small percentage. Learn from this error. Someone could have lost their life due to your negligence.
sig228
Member
Lets call a spade a spade
What you had was a NEGLIGENT discharge, not an accidental discharge.
Glad your OK though, hopefully lesson learned.
What you had was a NEGLIGENT discharge, not an accidental discharge.
Glad your OK though, hopefully lesson learned.
HuntAndFish
Member
Agree with this, but you really need to stop the practice of pulling the trigger on a "known empty" gun. GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED. Never pull a trigger to check it. This practice caused your ND.
sig228
Member
Hunt and Fish, good point. Lets not forget:
RULE #2: ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
RULE #2: ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
ArmedLiberal
Member
Hey, why don't you post to this thread again in a few weeks and tell us how you've changed your routine gun handling. And tell us if you have a leaky roof during the first rain.
HuntAndFish
Member
Yes, there is that too.
Seriously though, there are exceptions to the trigger rules (dry firing, etc), but they are specific training with safety precautions to ensure that nothing bad happens. Generally yanking a trigger when pulling guns out of the safe is not one of those training scenarios.
Also, there is no gun spring in the world worth having an ND over. I leave empty guns cocked if that's necessary rather than risk an ND. I've never had a problem with that procedure either.
PS: Good on the OP for wanting to learn from the community. Took guts.
Seriously though, there are exceptions to the trigger rules (dry firing, etc), but they are specific training with safety precautions to ensure that nothing bad happens. Generally yanking a trigger when pulling guns out of the safe is not one of those training scenarios.
Also, there is no gun spring in the world worth having an ND over. I leave empty guns cocked if that's necessary rather than risk an ND. I've never had a problem with that procedure either.
PS: Good on the OP for wanting to learn from the community. Took guts.
evergreen: first off, take a breath. it doesnt happen to all of us, but unfortunately it does happen to some of us. the best thing you can do now is to stop, take a breath, relax, but never forget it. i know that it is a very scary situation, ive been there, but the best thing you can do now is to always remember your mistake and to learn from it.
- Status