This is why you check the chamber

[CoffeeNut]

He's extremely lucky that the circulation to his hand is intact, otherwise that hand is coming off. He basically shot himself through part of his carpal tunnel. He may end up with some long term damage to the use of his hand from nerve damage too, just judging by the picture. Hopefully not. But two nasty looking holes don't exactly give the picture of what lies between them, below the skin.

According to his update the doctor said he'll regain full use and feeling with the exception of one finger. Apparently he only nicked one nerve so he got lucky there.

[mr1337]

All 4 rules were violated.

• Treat all guns as if they are loaded
• Keep them pointed in a safe direction (a.k.a. don't point it at anything you're not willing to destroy)
• Keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard until you're ready to shoot
• Be sure of your target and what's beyond it

Even if he thought it was unloaded, it should still be treated as if it's loaded. It should remain pointed in a safe direction, and booger hook should stay away from the bang switch.

If you do choose to dry fire, double, triple, quadruple check that the chamber and magazine well are empty, and that no ammo is in the room. (Lest you inadvertently load a hot mag.) Then, point in a safe direction and dry fire.

[SRH78]

All 4 rules were violated.

• Treat all guns as if they are loaded
• Keep them pointed in a safe direction (a.k.a. don't point it at anything you're not willing to destroy)
• Keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard until you're ready to shoot
• Be sure of your target and what's beyond it

Even if he thought it was unloaded, it should still be treated as if it's loaded. It should remain pointed in a safe direction, and booger hook should stay away from the bang switch.

If you do choose to dry fire, double, triple, quadruple check that the chamber and magazine well are empty, and that no ammo is in the room. (Lest you inadvertently load a hot mag.) Then, point in a safe direction and dry fire.

He sort of has to get a pass on 3. He wasn't dry firing. He was performing a necessary step to disassemble the pistol.

[LAYGO]

All 4 rules were violated.

• Treat all guns as if they are loaded
• Keep them pointed in a safe direction (a.k.a. don't point it at anything you're not willing to destroy)
• Keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard until you're ready to shoot
• Be sure of your target and what's beyond it

Even if he thought it was unloaded, it should still be treated as if it's loaded. It should remain pointed in a safe direction, and booger hook should stay away from the bang switch.

If you do choose to dry fire, double, triple, quadruple check that the chamber and magazine well are empty, and that no ammo is in the room. (Lest you inadvertently load a hot mag.) Then, point in a safe direction and dry fire.

He sort of has to get a pass on 3. He wasn't dry firing. He was performing a necessary step to disassemble the pistol.

Makes me appreciate that the M&Ps do not require a trigger pull to disengage the sear. You can either pull the trigger or slide the sear release bar.

[mr1337]

Yeah, and that's one thing I don't like about my Glock.

However, when disassembling it, I always point it in a safe direction before touching the trigger. And only after checking the magazine well and chamber multiple times, visually and by touch.

I need to get a sand bucket and do it over that though. I live in an apartment complex and you can never be so sure that any direction is completely "safe."

[Abraham]

Thanks for the reminder.

I'm VERY careful with my firearms, but no one's perfect...and a reminder every now and then is a very good idea.

[SRH78]

Yeah, and that's one thing I don't like about my Glock.

However, when disassembling it, I always point it in a safe direction before touching the trigger. And only after checking the magazine well and chamber multiple times, visually and by touch.

I need to get a sand bucket and do it over that though. I live in an apartment complex and you can never be so sure that any direction is completely "safe."

That is a great point about apartments.

[A-R]

Check - the - darn - chamber!

Every time!

Without fail!

[williamkevin]

Check - the - darn - chamber!

Every time!

Then do it again!

[bmwrdr]

Thanks for the reminder.

I'm VERY careful with my firearms, but no one's perfect...and a reminder every now and then is a very good idea.

Ack!!!! I take the magazine out, knowing there is one in the chamber I rack the slide and it comes out, than I do the visual check.
Honestly, I have had chunky guns but wouldn't opt for anything lesser than highest quality for my EDC. I have heard of a round not ejecting correctly and remember our drill sergeants statements: check ammo for visible corrosion, keep the gun clean no matter what and do not operate a firearm you are not familiar with!
From a technical point of view there are more possible causes besides familiarization with a handgun, cleaning and ammo inspection. Change in or poor metallurgy, improper maintenance (aka fiddling) and operating a gun under the influence comes to my mind.

Anyway, thanks for the reminder!!!!!

[gljjt]

Check - the - darn - chamber!

Every time!

This is exactly why my habit is to lock the slide back, look inside, & then stick my finger in to feel the chamber.

For me, at least, it makes the process much more deliberate in case I happen to get distracted. I know me... so I hedge the bet.

I was taught to lock the slide back. Visually inspect, feel the chamber, visually inspect, feel the chamber. That is what I do too this day.

[Pawpaw]

Check - the - darn - chamber!

Every time!

This is exactly why my habit is to lock the slide back, look inside, & then stick my finger in to feel the chamber.

For me, at least, it makes the process much more deliberate in case I happen to get distracted. I know me... so I hedge the bet.

I was taught to lock the slide back. Visually inspect, feel the chamber, visually inspect, feel the chamber. That is what I do too this day.

Too much is just right.

[patterson]

you especially need to check the chamber on a 1911 before taking it down because you have to have your hand in front of muzzle to twist bushing

[threoh8]

you especially need to check the chamber on a 1911 before taking it down because you have to have your hand in front of muzzle to twist bushing

You do?





Totally agree on checking for rounds in the chamber, mag well, slide face, hovering about the ejection port ... twice or more ... and minding the muzzle all the while.

[patterson]

Wouldn't matter if your bushing wrench is 2 foot long you still have to depress the recoil spring retainer