semi auto...is it safe if dropped?

[hdtwice]

Hi everyone,

Being a newbie on guns I have a question on the safety of my shield 9mm.

For some perspective, when I handle my revolver, I never think twice about setting it down a certain way, being overly gentle, or even think about what if scenarios.

However, I notice with my semi auto I always wonder if set down to hard, will it go off. OR, if dropped will it go off. The logical side of me says I am being a bit paranoid but I think it's because I don't fully understand the mechanism inside the gun and how it works.
With a revolver, you can see the hammer move back, and then it has to go forward to cause the gun to fire (if not cocked in singe action)
But with the striker fired semi auto, in my mind when the gun is loaded and hot with a round in the chamber, I think of something internally holding back the striker just waiting for the release kinda of like a kids rubber band gun where it is stretched back and just waiting for the trigger to be moved.

So, can someone help this newbie out and kinda of paint me a picture of how the internals work so that it is safe when bumped, or dropped.

Thanks.

 

[rwsmith]

Well, anything is possible....

...but it has several design features that keep that from happening including blocks in the mechanism. But there is a special link that prevents a fall from 'pulling' the trigger. Those two half triggers are jointed slightly differently so that inertia from a fall, can't affect both the same way. Only if you pull them both together will it fire.

The Shield also has a 'magazine disconnect' so that you don't have to pull the trigger when taking it apart.

One thing you don't hear about much. If you drop a pistol, don't try to grab it before it hits the floor. The danger of pulling a trigger by accident is greater thanthe chance of a gun going off due to a fall.

The best safety device is YOU. Following those few basic rules of firearm safety goes a long way to preventing 'trouble'.

 

[Bullzaye]

The Shield also has a 'magazine disconnect' so that you don't have to pull the trigger when taking it apart.

I don't own a Shield, nor have I ever fired one, or even looked at the internals. But...unless I'm misunderstanding what you're saying...this doesn't sound quite right. To my mind, a "magazine disconnect" is synonymous with "magazine safety". This is a device which renders the gun *safe*, unable to discharge, while the magazine is absent from the pistol. I don't know whether the Shield requires that the trigger be pulled for take-down, but a magazine disconnect has nothing to do with it.

I just did a quick search, and I see that the Shield has a small lever which can be pressed down while the slide is locked back, which eliminates the need to pull the trigger. Also, I see that the Shield does NOT have a magazine safety.

Tim

 

[Texas40]

No it wont GO OFF. It has an internal drop safety.
As well as the trigger safety.
Above he is referring "sear deactivation lever"
Shield has No Mag disconnect

Yes you CAN pull the trigger but SW provided a way to break it down much safer.

Id suggest the OP bust out and RTFM.

Read
The
Fing
Manual

ALL the answers you seek can be found in it.

If you bought used and no manual down load it.


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[Arik]

Yes it's safe. Actually safer than some older revolvers.

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[Muss Muggins]

A modern, properly functioning, properly maintained firearm, revolver or semi-automatic, will not fire on its own motion if dropped, so long as it's not acted upon by some outside force. Call that Muggins' First Law of Firearm Dynamics. At least one other poster has warned you to not attempt to catch the firearm on the way down, and that is good advice. Just follow the Big Three rules and you'll be fine. Enjoy your new pistol . . .

 

[BSA1]

Hi everyone,

Being a newbie on guns I have a question on the safety of my shield 9mm.

For some perspective, when I handle my revolver, I never think twice about setting it down a certain way, being overly gentle, or even think about what if scenarios.

With a revolver, you can see the hammer move back, and then it has to go forward to cause the gun to fire (if not cocked in singe action)

Thanks.

FYI.

Ditto Arik. Not all revolvers are safe to carry with a round under the hammer and are not drop-safe. In fact a revolver without a transfer bar is more likely than a striker fired semi-auto due to it's exposed hammer.

 

[wingriderz]

Like others have already typed most are safe. I too would caution never try and catch a hot firearm wheel or semi if it's falling.Only had that happen twice so far since 1980 a ruger super black hawk and an Lc9 neither hit ground very hard. I also have found that firearm arm owners can be like motorcycle owners on a drop issue. Bolth may not be totally honest.So keep in mind the more clicks you have on the clock the bettet chance you will drop them.

 

[Will41]

I was going to say most people have had this happen at least once or twice. Just never try to catch it. Semi autos are safe if you drop them.

Like others have already typed most are safe. I too would caution never try and catch a hot firearm wheel or semi if it's falling.Only had that happen twice so far since 1980 a ruger super black hawk and an Lc9

 

[hdtwice]

Thanks for the good info everyone.

And BTW, for the benefit of Texas40, The "Fing Manual" does not address my question of the gun being dropped or bumped and you are incorrect in regards to mag disconnect. Kalifornia models like mine do have the mag disconnect.

Again, thanks for the information all. I can't visualize how the internals work so I'll hit up google and see if I can find an exploded view but in the meanwhile, it's good to hear from the experienced on not to worry about a bump or a drop. (not that I drop stuff much but you never know)

 

[Rampo]

Thanks for the good info everyone.

And BTW, for the benefit of Texas40, The "Fing Manual" does not address my question of the gun being dropped or bumped and you are incorrect in regards to mag disconnect. Kalifornia models like mine do have the mag disconnect.

Again, thanks for the information all. I can't visualize how the internals work so I'll hit up google and see if I can find an exploded view but in the meanwhile, it's good to hear from the experienced on not to worry about a bump or a drop. (not that I drop stuff much but you never know)

hdtwice, I found this animation on Youtube. It's not a Shield but still shows the basics of the striker in action.

How A Semi-Automatic Handgun Works - YouTube

 

[Texas40]

Well commifornia is different normal shields do not and will fire with the mag removed.
So no mag disconnect.
Sear disconnect is not same.

Hmm I coulda swore the manual covered the safeties on the weapon and there functions.
Got confused with the section on features and their functions.

No mag disconnect

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[Shield9mm]

I rolled down the window of my car dropped my shield on the ground and it didn't went off. I guess the internal safety worked

 

[0849]

What the hay is a ****

My Shield came with a manual that is labelled "M&P Shield", I did not get the "Fing" manual in the box with my Shield. I wonder what happened to that manual, left out of the box at the factory, someone at Cabela's took it out to read and forgot to put it back, or? Is the "Fing" such an important and complex part that requires its own manual?

 

[Texas40]

My Shield came with a manual that is labelled "M&P Shield", I did not get the "Fing" manual in the box with my Shield. I wonder what happened to that manual, left out of the box at the factory, someone at Cabela's took it out to read and forgot to put it back, or? Is the "Fing" such an important and complex part that requires its own manual?

WOW
No sense o humor I see.


RTFM is a common response when someone ask how does such n such operate.

Why dont you RTFM and find out.

Some folks however need an Fing manual.



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[Dad_Roman]

Is the "Fing" such an important and complex part that requires its own manual?

The "Fing" is the critical component that locks the Gyrating Pin in place.

....and you know how catastrophic that can be if it should fall out

Its plain as day there on page 45 of the manual

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I did not get the "Fing" manual in the box with my Shield. I wonder what happened to that manual, left out of the box at the factory, someone at Cabela's took it out to read and forgot to put it back, or?

I wouldn't worry about it. Real men don't read it, anyway.

 

[InsideWaist]

...is safe when bumped, or dropped

At least in California it is safe if dropped. That is one of the (multiple) requirements of pistols for sale in this state—to be safe from droppage.

 

[k22fan]

The real hazards are in quickly holstering and to a lesser extent drawing fast. Generally, kids fresh out of hunter safety classes are more deliberate and thus safer gun handlers than the most frequent gun handlers. Competitors tend to quit focusing their attention on their pistol as they holster after loading. Holstering winds up being far more dangerous than flinging a loaded modern pistol across the room.

 

[Beemer-mark]

Believe it will go off and hit you in the family jewels. Be deadly afraid of it.

Point being - DON'T EVER DROP A FIREARM

Being afraid is the first step in being safe