Deaf Smith
Member
Yes good job. And folks, never ever be afraid to yell, "STOP", when you see something is not right.
Apologies are cheap, AD/ND/accidents are not!
Deaf
Apologies are cheap, AD/ND/accidents are not!
Deaf
I noticed he was struggling quite a bit with his little handgun, and he had moved to the bench right beside me and my young charge, to fire at the 25-yard target. After some rough handling (I was keeping a lazer lock on the muzzle of that handgun, to be sure he didn't point it in our direction) he finally got it loaded and pointed downrange.
Spent some time at my usual small-town range Saturday with a young shooter, teaching them proper safety and shooting skill. There was an older gentleman already there when we pulled up. I've seen him there several times. Friendly man. He was shooting a .223 rifle and switched to what appeared to be an older Russian semi-auto handgun of some kind, shooting a .380-sized round (didn't ask).
He had a bit of trouble getting around and his hearing wasn't so great, but nothing you don't often see at a gun range really. I noticed he was struggling quite a bit with his little handgun, and he had moved to the bench right beside me and my young charge, to fire at the 25-yard target. After some rough handling (I was keeping a lazer lock on the muzzle of that handgun, to be sure he didn't point it in our direction) he finally got it loaded and pointed downrange. He touched off a few shots, remarking on it's accuracy, and then I heard a little "pop" and could tell the round was a dud.
I figured he knew that too, but when he ejected that round I noticed only the brass was ejected (again, I was watching this guy like a hawk because of his fumbling around). When he cycled the action, he put a live round in the chamber. He started to aim the next round and that's when I yelled "STOP". He looked at me, took off an earmuff and asked "what?" I said "that bullet is stuck in the barrel!" He looked confused, dropped the mag and ejected the live round, then looked in the end of his barrel. Sure enough, the bullet was still in there. He must have had a round that didn't have powder - only the primer. Regardless, he was "that" close to touching off a live round with a bullet stuck in the barrel, and that gun looked as if it was WWII vintage.
I have no idea what would have happened, but I'm very grateful I heard that dud and caught him in time.
Please be safe out there folks. Not just with your weapons, but those around you.