I shot my leg

[General Geoff]

Claiming that one type of pistol or another is more prone to negligent discharge is a cop-out.

The heavier the trigger pull, the harder it is to negligently discharge. This is why some large PDs and other organizations with major liability problems, specify duty pistols with super-heavy trigger pulls.

Since 1911s in particular tend to have lighter trigger pulls, it could be argued that they are more prone to negligent discharges, though not necessarily negligent handling. In other words, 1911s (and other single action/light trigger pull pistols) don't mollycoddle their users.

 

[CajunBass]

Sorry to hear about your incident. Hope you heal well. I've done the same thing, except I was blessed enough to hit nothing but a bookcase. (Praise God)

Not to highjack your thread, but another aspect of this has me curious. I assume your accidental discharge was inside your home. One thing I am curious about is if you suffered any hearing damage from the report of the gun in an enclosed area.

In the incident I mentioned above, I never heard the shot. I stood there holding the gun wondering what happened. I knew something had. The slide was locked back when it had just been in battery.

The funny thing is, no one else in the house heard it either. My wife's uncle in the next room said he thought I "popped a primer" reloading. My MIL, nor my wife heard it at all.

Scared the bejebbers out of me I tell you.

 

[NG VI]

Would it be impolite to ask what kind of ammunition you had in it?

 

[EddieNFL]

The heavier the trigger pull, the harder it is to negligently discharge. This is why some large PDs and other organizations with major liability problems, specify duty pistols with super-heavy trigger pulls.

And that's much less expensive that proper training.

We now depend on sideview mirrors that warn us of close encounters, sensors that will apply the brake if we get to close to another vehicle, engine speed limiters to prevent over revving. In other words, we let the car drive for us. Maybe we should apply similar technology to firearms to overcome our lackadaisical attitudes and lack of training.

 

[Gtimothy]

Sorry to hear about this! Handling loaded weapons always gets my full attention and I've been fortunate to never have a ND/AD (knock on wood).

I have a question that I see hasn't been asked and I'm curious. Was there a police report filed by the hospital? In movies and cop shows they always say that doctors and hospitals have to report gun shot wounds to the police and I was wondering if this was the case with you. Get better and get back to training and shooting!

 

[Axel Larson]

Yes although I do not think it was that much of a report, the deputy that came in was nice and the information he needed consisted of asking if it was me that shot myself and not someone else then basic information date of birth, mailing address and full name.

 

[BSA1]

Back to the OP's question I would retire the 1911 for now. As others have commented the 1911 is more prone to ND's than a DA auto and revolver.

I would go to carrying a double action revolver. Transfer bar to prevent AD if gun is dropped and a long deliberate trigger pull. Revolvers come in a wide variety of calibers including 45 ACP.

Practice and handled other weapons systems. While some here on the forum will damn you to hell for choosing somethng other the greatest creation since Noah's Ark you will find there are lots of excellent choices out there. As for the 1911 I would eventually bring it out for target practice and plinking.

P.S. I avoid ND's altogether by carrying with a empty chamber.

 

[Skyshot]

Sorry to hear about the ND and your injury, But, maybe it's a blessing in disguise. You now have a more elevated sense of safety that you won't soon forget. I think anyone who handles firearms enough will have an ND happen to them at some point. I've had two in my lifetime and I'm now 57. But I've had some close calls also, one being with my grandson and an AR-15 we had been shooting. I broke one of the cardinal rules of gun safety and forgot to check the chamber on the rifle. Several of us passed the rifle around admiring it and handling it. No one checked the chamber which had a live round in it. Later that evening when I pulled the charging handle to get ready to clean the rifle, out popped the round. I suddenly became so sick to my stomach and felt like a big jackass,which is what I was. My thoughts became to ,what could have just happend, If someone pulled the trigger on that AR and God forbid one of my loved ones became injured or killed. At that moment I wanted rid of every weapon I have. As I realized, that's a wake up call for me and it's gonna be a long time before I forget what could have happend. There's always risk involed in handling firearms just like riding motorcycles or driving fast cars. When laxity becomes the norm we get bit. Best regards,

 

[j1]

I would not send it to Para Ordinance as they have a dog in the race, meaning that they might try to cover up any problems with the gun.

 

[WinThePennant]

I love how the 1911 fanboys always come to the defense of 1911.

The 1911 is a ND waiting to happen. When the gun is being inserted or removed from the holster, it is the gun most likely to ND of all guns out there (IMHO) because of its very light SA pull. I know, I know. Everyone is going to shout (in unison), but "Not if you do [Fill In Blank]."

Glock has its problems, too.

In my view, the KING of safety in high quality handguns is Sig Sauer's DA/SA combination. If you want a steel .45, then you should get the P220. You can spend the extra dough to get Sig's Action Enhancement Package ($180). That really lightens that first DA pull, and the SA after that is nothing short of awesome.

 

[Sav .250]

Must be a ...lesson learned...... in there some where.

 

[Axel Larson]

the lesson is that I will be extra careful handling any firearm from now on. no matter what happened it was at least partially my fault for having the gun near my leg, even though it was a grazing shot it was still pointing at my leg. I hope this can make me a even more experienced firearm owner, today is better so far, past the initial shock.

 

[Claude Clay]

the lesson is that I will be extra careful handling any firearm from now on. no matter what happened it was at least partially my fault for having the gun near my leg, even though it was a grazing shot it was still pointing at my leg. I hope this can make me a even more experienced firearm owner, today is better so far, past the initial shock.

you must to take full responsibility----you can not heal in your mind till you do. and after all, you were the one holding the gun.
further, you swept your self and touched the trigger--reality can be harsh and you actually got off lucky what for the negligent acts you performed. most certainly you need to go back to training, re-training perhaps with an instructor cause you broke more than one of the 4 rules; it may be beyond you to self correct.

while you are relearning gun handling id give serious consideration to another platform...such as a DA/SA with a decocker--Sig P239 in 40 or 9mm or a 45acp Sig P220. as was noted previously, some guns are more forgiving when mishandled.

bottom line--pay for some time with a professional. you have habits that need to be identified and stopped. thats why you need an instructor.

moving forward, good luck and i hope you heal without any scars.

thank you for sharing what has to be a physically and emotionally painful experience

 

[1911Tuner]

The 1911 is a ND waiting to happen.

Not for those who keep their fingers clear of the trigger when they don't want to fire the pistol.

. When the gun is being inserted or removed from the holster, it is the gun most likely to ND of all guns out there (IMHO) because of its very light SA pull.

If you want the gun to fire, pull the trigger. If you don't...don't. It's really that simple. Really.

 

[WinThePennant]

Yes, that's what everyone says. Don't put your finger on the trigger until you want to shoot. Still, it happens.

The "safest" design is one that reduces the likelihood of human error. I still maintain that Sig's DA/SA is, by far, the safest of all trigger systems.

 

[1911Tuner]

Yes, that's what everyone says. Don't put your finger on the trigger until you want to shoot. Still, it happens.

Yes, because people load guns and monkey-finger the triggers. See...Pulling the trigger is what makes the gun fire...as designed. Nothing can be made fool proof because fools will always find a way.

Bottom line:

Is gun. Gun not safe. Be careful. Life is hard. It's harder when we're stupid.

 

[denton]

Glad to hear that you are OK. Bet that smarted plenty.

I have to share my favorite ND story:

About 25 years ago, we lived on the east side of the Sierras, just down the mountain from Tahoe. One night a couple of deputies were hitting the buffet at Harrah's, which, at that time, was a cheap place to get a good meal. As one of them sat down, somehow his weapon and holster ended up under him. Through means not exactly understood, perhaps poor holster design, or a confluence of unlikely events, as he sat down the firearm discharged.

Nobody (but possibly him) was injured. He heard a loud bang and felt something whack him solidly on the butt. He didn't know whether he was shot or not, so he and his partner retired to the men's room to check it out.

So picture this: The deputy is in the restroom, with his partner behind him, his pants down around his ankles. With his pants down, he had no convenient place to put his weapon, so he was holding it in both hands, with the muzzle up.

In walked a couple of tourists.

The possibly injured deputy turned to his partner and said, "Kiss it."

The tourists left.

Fortunately, the deputy was only suffering from the effects of recoil. But I'll bet those tourists had a story to tell when they got home.

 

[Axel Larson]

Wow, makes my situation not seem so embarrassing. thanks.

 

[Certaindeaf]

^
That's pretty dang funny.

 

[SimplyChad]

Ive had one AD and one ND. The AD was a SW sigma that had a faulty sear that grazed my pants leg throught the seat of my car and my boot heal. Scary and ****ty birthday lol. The ND was with a DA/SA revolver. Yes guys revolver. It was new and I was practicing lowering the hammer. Loaded it tryed a few times and killed House on my plasma screen. 357 mag in doors. almost got away with it except i couldnt get another TV before the wife came home.

 

[MrDig]

"Keep Booger Hook off the Bang Switch" the ND I had was with a 30-30 lever a hand full of gun oil and checking how it cycled and pulling the trigger after I field stripped it. I had my thumb all over the hammer but the hammer slipped free from my well Oiled thumb, thus reaffirming the adage, "Keep Booger Hook off the Bang Switch".
I have lots of guns and even a 1911 Springfield but none have "gone off" unless I had a finger near the Trigger. There are rare occasions where the trigger was manipulated by a foreign object engaging the trigger, but I would venture they are more rare than any of us care to admit.

 

[loose noose]

I'm sorry Axel, about your encounter, however, I've carried a Colt Gold Cup National Match for over 35 years and never came close to a ND or AD. I teach shooter safety and I've allways stressed when you draw your weapon out of the holster with your finger along the frame, until your arms are outstretched and it is safe to fire (allways keeping your eyes down range) then you insert your finger onto the trigger, not until then. Now I'm sure some of you will ask what happens in a self defense case. Well when I requalified as a range master here in Southern Nevada out in Pahrump Nv. at Front sight I could put 2 rounds in less than 2 seconds from my holster in between the eyes of a silouette target at 7 yards. I know that is under a less than stressful situation but I'm certain I could put two shots in center of mass in less than 2 seconds under a very stressful condition. Any way best of luck in your recovery.

 

[Pilot]

Thanks for posting. It is always good to get a reminder on safe gun handling. I live by these two rules when handling a pistol.

Keep my finger off the trigger.

Keep the gun pointed in a safe direction, which usually means at the ground. Not at my feet!

 

[JellyJar]

First I am not a gunsmith. However, I read once long ago that if the sear of a 1911 is stoned to smooth the trigger pull and it is not done properly that this can make it possible for the sear to disconnect even if the safety is engaged and the trigger is not pulled.

Take the gun to a good 1911 gunsmith and have him/her examine the trigger group.

 

[shappa357]

Did you recover the bullit?

Maybe you should encase it in plastic as a reminder.


Easier to look at that as a reminder than dropping trousers.




Glad it didn't do much damage.