yesit'sloaded
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What about 1911s. Is there a device inside that prevents the hammer from touching off a round if say, you fell while wearing it cocked and locked with the safety on?
Does dropping a gun make it go off?
- Thread starter davinci
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silverlance
Member
wdls, you are lucky you didn't crack your tiles!
the only gun ive ever seen dropped hard was a weatherby at Angeles Range here in CA about 4 months ago. when range cold was called the guy just left it leaning at a 45 angle, butt on the chair and forestock on his shooting mat spread out on the bench.
as he went out through the benches to check his target he brushed the mat and we all watched in slow horror as the weatherby turned,tipped, and slowly started to rotate off the table. i wanted to catch it but i remember the many stories about guys who shot themselves catching their guns (most usually while doing stupid stunts) and i just watched it smack hard onto the concrete.
the gun did not go off. it was LIKELY not loaded, but i hadn't seen the chamber for myself and was not about find out the hard way.
the only gun ive ever seen dropped hard was a weatherby at Angeles Range here in CA about 4 months ago. when range cold was called the guy just left it leaning at a 45 angle, butt on the chair and forestock on his shooting mat spread out on the bench.
as he went out through the benches to check his target he brushed the mat and we all watched in slow horror as the weatherby turned,tipped, and slowly started to rotate off the table. i wanted to catch it but i remember the many stories about guys who shot themselves catching their guns (most usually while doing stupid stunts) and i just watched it smack hard onto the concrete.
the gun did not go off. it was LIKELY not loaded, but i hadn't seen the chamber for myself and was not about find out the hard way.
Cosmoline
Member
It's not a myth at all, as has been pointed out. There are many firearms, most famously old style single action revolvers, which WILL FREQUENTLY GO OFF if dropped with a live round under the hammer. This has happened before, too many times, because people carry with six. You need to know and understand the limitations of the particular firearm you're carrying.
shooter429
Member
Cosmo and
Carry hammer down on an empty chamber if they are succeptible like the old SA revolvers.
Shooter429
Carry hammer down on an empty chamber if they are succeptible like the old SA revolvers.
Shooter429
RecoilRob
Member
Any pistol with an inertial-type firing pin (won't reach the primer with hammer down) can and will discharge if dropped on the muzzle from sufficient height. If they have a firing pin safety...and it works....they become drop safe.
Most non-inertial pins w/transfer bar have insufficient mass to detonate a primer from being dropped muzzle down.
If the pin will reach the primer when the hammer is pushing it when down...the pistol can fire if dropped on the hammer.
Older pre-80 Series 1911's will drop fire, KelTec P-11's with stock FP spring will fire from 4 feet or so. Installing a heavier FP spring is good drop insurance.
Of course, if dropped muzzle up on the hammer...which has a FP in contact with a chambered primer...BANG! Inertial-pin guns won't fire muzzle up if dropped on the hammer.
Most non-inertial pins w/transfer bar have insufficient mass to detonate a primer from being dropped muzzle down.
If the pin will reach the primer when the hammer is pushing it when down...the pistol can fire if dropped on the hammer.
Older pre-80 Series 1911's will drop fire, KelTec P-11's with stock FP spring will fire from 4 feet or so. Installing a heavier FP spring is good drop insurance.
Of course, if dropped muzzle up on the hammer...which has a FP in contact with a chambered primer...BANG! Inertial-pin guns won't fire muzzle up if dropped on the hammer.
Wasn't gonna add here but will now. Yes,, I have personally seen a firearm go off from being dropped.
My Great Uncle's brother ( both gone now) was running 75 to 100 years ago and the butt of the rifle he was carrying hit the hammer of the revolver on his hip as he jumped over a log, causing it to fire placing a bullet into his leg and comming out about the knee. I didn't see that one though.
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