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Pyron27 wrote:I took my wife with me to the range to continue the break in of our new Taurus TCP 780. She had been to the range with me several times before. I had my .40 with me so I was firing that while she handled the pocket pistol. I had already given her a refresher on safety and we were off to a great start. As we were using the last of the rounds, I started to police the brass as she picked up the last full magazine for the Taurus. She put it in, released the slide and chambered a round. I looked away as she sighted in on her target and fired a shot down range. Then I heard her say "Ouch" and saw her hold the pistol out with one hand while bring her non dominant right hand to her chest.
That is when I saw the splatters of blood on the ground start to multiply rapidly, though I could not see where it was coming from exactly. A hundred thoughts raced through my mind within a second. Staying calm was important in order to keep her calm. I was finally able to see the wound and it was not as bad as I assumed, but it was very painful to her and bloody. She grabbed a gun cleaning rag from my range bag and stuck it on her thumb. She saw the blood and went into mild shock (slurred speech and mild confusion).
Realizing what had happened, I took the pistol from her and cleared it while talking to her calmly. She had crossed her thumbs over each other behind the slide action area and had a nasty gouge across the top of her first thumb knuckle. I wouldn't recommend using a gun cleaning rag to put pressure on a wound or stop bleeding, but...This where I learn my lesson. I did not have any first aid supplies in my range bag...An oversight that should not be allowed if possible. Secondly, I cherish my wife above all and should not have taken my eye off of her, given her lack of experience compared to mine.
The injury, although painful, did not require stitches or a trip to the hospital, but it did highlight to need to reevaluate our level of safety and preparedness when we go to the range. Moral of the story, be prepared and stay attentive when shooting with new equipment and new shooting partners. After this, I think she is considering a compact revolver for her personal defense pistol. Many ladies have a fearful respect for guns. I would like peace of mind, knowing that my wife is not more afraid of her own weapon than a potential assailant. That is why, after this event, I would recommend that people with a respectful fear of pistols, start learning with a revolver. I hope that people that read this gain from our experience.