The Client was not familiar with the Glock and accidentally hit the magazine release button and dropped the magazine.
The Client survived.The Guide didn't
I think a second handgun, a revolver would have been a good choice to take in addition to the Glock
Even a shooter who is not familiar with handguns can normally pick up a DA or SA revolver and shoot it.
I agree about a DA, but would generally say the same thing about a Glock. I will admit, in handgun fundamentals classes, I have seen too many new shooters forget to cock the hammer in a single action revolver, I would ALMOST bet on an operator failure with an SA revolver. They might figure it out quickly after glancing at the revolver and wondering why it wouldn’t fire, but they might not in the panic of the moment. They might think it failed and throw it at the bear instead (using “think” very loosely there)...
But for the Glock or the DA revolver: There’s the same number of buttons on a DA revolver as a Glock. If a panicked and inexperienced client picks up a DA revolver, looks for a safety - cuz all guns have safeties, right? - sees ONE button and pushes it, not realizing it’s the cylinder latch release, and effectively incapacitating the revolver. At least the Glock would go bang once - the revolver wouldn’t.
“Pick up handgun, point at Bear, pull trigger.” That describes the operation of the DA or Glock equally, if both start loaded.
Tragic case for sure, and I do not envy that client who unfortunately found out they didn’t have the wherewithal and firearms knowledge to save a life, and who unfortunately has to live with that branded on their heart’s history.
BUT - it does serve as a great exemplar case to remind me why I became a firearms instructor, and do so much free instruction: every American citizen should understand basic firearms operation, at least to a “pick up the gun, point it at the bear, and make it go bang” level. Equally, it speaks to another mantra I live by and recommend for others: I want as little mechanical manipulation between “oh schitt” and “bang” as possible. This case illustrates the fact a lot CAN go wrong, even when there is no mechanical manipulation required.
Consider if the guide had been carrying a Marlin 1895 - the client failed using a Glock, NO MANIPULATION REQUIRED - whereas to operate the Marlin 1895, likely the guide would have the safety on and the hammer down against it. So the client would have to make two intentional mechanical manipulations to operate the firearm... maybe they’ve watched western movies and when the trigger was dead, they realize they should run the lever, which ejects a live round (acceptable mistake at the time), but succeeds in cocking the hammer, they pull the trigger and the hammer slams into the crossbolt safety. Maybe they panic and cycle the lever again, to the same result. Maybe they bewilderdly look at the rifle to figure out what went wrong, see the safety, and attempt to press it.... not knowing the hammer must be cocked off of the crossbolt safety to allow the safety to move...
It’s also very simple to envision a panicked client, unfamiliar and underexperienced, accidentally shooting the stricken guide instead of the bear, even if the client were able to successfully manipulate the firearm to fire. I always expect to hear a report of this kind of thing some year, but thankfully I just haven’t seen this terribly unfortunate possibility becoming a reality.
It’s easy to imagine various realistic failures, especially when panic and unfamiliarity are a very present reality.
Keep it simple, and know it intimately.
