Gun discharging when dropped

I conducted my own drop tests with my own 1911. Fresh firing pin spring and a primed case in the chamber. I dropped it several times from head height, call it six feet, on a viny tile floor in different orientations and conditions of readiness. The primer did not pop and ended up with a tiny mark about like you see when you eject an unfired round from an AR.

I think that a dropped gun going off is either
defective, an obsolete design, or a cheap and nasty make;
or
was grabbed at in the air and caught by the trigger
or
is a coverup for carelessness or malice.

I know of one report of a gun dropped and fired with injury that was most likely a coverup for a domestic dispute that everybody is really, really sorry about. The report was placed by a knowledgeable party and described a gun that is known to be dangerous if dropped.
 
I know of one report of a gun dropped and fired with injury that was most likely a coverup for a domestic dispute that everybody is really, really sorry about. The report was placed by a knowledgeable party and described a gun that is known to be dangerous if dropped.
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The cops I've talked to about this sort of thing laugh. He had a scene where a bullet passed through a cabinet and then a wall and it was really easy to take a string and find the line of sight and realize that the "dropped" gun had to be several feet in the air when it went off.

I'm not saying this is the case every time but forensics does tend to tell the tale.
 
A person stole a Ruger pistol and accidentally shot himself with it. He sued Ruger and Ruger lost. Now they print the warning right on the gun so even if you steal one you have been warned that you need to read the manual before using the gun.
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This is absolutley ridiculous. I've never heard of such a case before, but it doesn't surprise me either.

The problem with this is . . . it makes guns in general look terrible. People out there that have no expierince with firearms what so ever, now believe that all guns are bad and are capable of discharging at any time.

There are guys at work that have said " I would love to buy a gun but I have kids in the house" What kind of logic is this? To me, this is more of a reason to own a firearm. . . to protect my family.
 
About 45 years ago my oldest brother and I were doing some informal shooting. He had a .357 magnum Ruger three screw Blackhawk.
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I was looking downrange to shoot the .22lr rifle I was shooting when I heard his handgun unexpectedly (to me) discharge. It was my turn to shoot.

He had missed his holster and dropped the handgun. We were standing about two feet apart. He was standing to my left. He was right handed and had his holster on his right side. The handgun dropped between us and discharged when it hit the ground.

I have no clue where that bullet went, but it missed both of us. I assume the gun fell in such a way as it landed on the hammer. That model allowed the hammer's firing pin to rest directly on the primer if a round was positioned in-line with the barrel.

I think that may have been the last time I ever went shooting with him.
 
Quote from Lost Sheep
MRI `disarms' police officer Just call it a really magnetic attraction.
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Just FYI a MRI machines magnet has enough power to lift a 747 according to some of the training information that I've seen.:eek:

Where was the MRI tech that is suppose to make sure that there is no medal in the area? I've seen pictures with all kinds of things stuck to these machines but none in person. I guess we had some better MRI techs.:D
 
This is prevenatble. I never keep a round in the chamber.

This should be the first precaution unless you are in a very very bad situation to where you really need a round in chamber. I would say a round in the chamber is comenserate to the high expectation of attack. When the danger becomes evident then chaber a round.

Day to day activities do not justify a round in the chamber. The biggest concern might be a danger of firing off your own weapon vs safety consideration. Just my view.
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I couldn't agree more. That's why I keep an appointment book so that burglars, robbers, muggers, and general pond scum can book with me in advance. Now, I only started this because a burglar broke into my house without an appointment. Then, a thief walked right into our secured building, past a room filled with cops, and stole a co-worker's purse from her desktop and absconded.

If I only had the appointment book, none of this would have happened. I would have been prepared and stood guard with a chambered round in a 12 gauge shotgun. The book works. I have had no similar incidents since getting the appointment book and am still alive.

But, maybe it's not the book. Maybe its the "No Thieves Allowed" sign I have posted on my front porch.
 
OP : the article I read about the cat messing with the gun and him getting shot.... when he was told the gun would not fire from being dropped, the guy changed his story and claimed the cat put it's paw in the trigger guard and pulled on the trigger .... which fired the gun. In other words, he had a AD and shot himself and was trying to blame the cat and not stupidity on his part.
 
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