Accidental discharge - Appendix Carry

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jwgunny

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There are some info videos on YouTube lately about the
hazards of carrying an M&P shield appendix carry and there have been cases of people shooting themselves in the groin. Does anybody have knowledge of that actually happening and what were the circumstances surrounding the incident?
 
jwgunny said:
There are some info videos on YouTube lately about the
hazards of carrying an M&P shield appendix carry and there have been cases of people shooting themselves in the groin. Does anybody have knowledge of that actually happening and what were the circumstances surrounding the incident?
Click to expand...

It could happen with any gun improperly handled or with a cheap holster that doesn’t properly cover the trigger guard, but it is certainly more likely to happen with a striker fired weapon with no manual safety. Guns don’t just go off. Something pulled that trigger. Ask Plaxico Burris.

But if you’re worried, the Shield does offer a model with a manual safety. It was the original Shield before they came out with the no safety version.

I won’t carry appendix carry. Just not comfortable to me. Eithe IWB at 3 o’clock or OWB at 3 o’clock. Or occasionally pocket carry.
 
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It can happen with any form of carry, as a lot of ND happens when reholstering, or while carrying in a holster that doesn't cover the trigger. I agree with kbm6893 in that it's just not comfortable for me.
 
All holstering methods pose risk of accidental discharge. Yes there have been several. The issue is an accidental discharge with appendix carry is often fatal. There are 2 types of people out there, those that have had an accidental discharge, and those who will have an accidental discharge. For me I’d rather shoot myself in the *** if it happens than in my groin. While it would be painful, it would likely be survivable. Hence why I choose to carry at 5 o’clock. Being a chubby guy it is far more comfortable, doesn’t require me to have to remove to sit comfortably, and doesn’t put my dangly bits or femoral artery in the path of a bullet should a discharge occur.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
The one clear video I've seen of a ND while appendix carry was clearly a holster/carry/weapons choice failure.

The person bent at the waist and the weapon discharged.

The combination of carry position, holster and firearm caused an unsafe situation that the person should have reasonably anticipated thus the ND designation.

The only possible safe way to appendix carry a single action (which striker fired is essentially) pistol is in a holster designed with ZERO flex.

Not a very comfortable option and only viable if you knew you will not be sitting long or often.

The safest situation I could anticipate would be a double action with exposed hammer in a flexless holster with a hammer strap coupled with not having to bend at the waist much or at all.

Too many constraints to make it a viable general carry option and even then, it's not optimal and comfort/safety goes down from there.
 
AD while holstering is often caused by a finger placed on the trigger while holstering, thus violating basic rules of safe gun handling. Any form of carry can present the potential for an AD when safe gun handling procedures are not followed. That being said, a holster that does not guard the trigger or a holster than has something that could press the trigger during holstering also present a potential AD. Proper equipment selection, diligence, and safe handling will prevent an AD.
 
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I get uneasy every time I see a video of someone carrying IWB/appendix with an auto loader, especially striker fired. I carried my J frame like that for years absent any mishaps but w/a stricker fired weapon, not my cup of tea.
 
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I have not seen those videos, and I'm not going to look for them. Here's what happened: Something, or somebody, pressed the trigger to the rear . . .

jwgunny said:
There are some info videos on YouTube lately about the
hazards of carrying an M&P shield appendix carry and there have been cases of people shooting themselves in the groin. Does anybody have knowledge of that actually happening and what were the circumstances surrounding the incident?
Click to expand...
 
jwgunny said:
There are some info videos on YouTube lately about the

hazards of carrying an M&P shield appendix carry and there have been cases of people shooting themselves in the groin. Does anybody have knowledge of that actually happening and what were the circumstances surrounding the incident?
Click to expand...



Where are you getting your info from? Provide links to the videos.
There’s nothing about a Shield that makes it more susceptible to AD.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
seebee62 said:
Where are you getting your info from? Provide links to the videos.
There’s nothing about a Shield that makes it more susceptible to AD.
Click to expand...

Unless you look at it as a fact that a striker fired action pistol is inherently "easier" to fire via the trigger inadvertently than any long stroke action.

I say "long stroke" in the sense that a "double action" pistol/revolver has TWO modes of "Action", one of which is much easier to initiate in both force and distance than the other.

A striker fired pistol, depending on the design usually doesn't have as much of a trigger stroke and can be analogous to a cocked or partially cocked hammer.

Clearly cocked revolver is less safe from the stand point that it is "closer" to firing than an uncorked one and any striker fired pistol is always in that "closer to" mode.

So as I said previously, mode of carry can be less safe depending on the action of the weapon involved so yes, the Shield as a single action pistol with no exposed hammer is less safe compared to a "long stroke" action with a hammer that could be blocked by a holster strap.

TG
 
I agree with many of the other posts. I have not seen the videos, but have investigated my share of negligent discharges during my law enforcement career. You are ultimately responsible for your trigger finger, and safe firearms handling.

I have heard cops make dozens of excuses, but in every case their finger somehow and negligently found the trigger of the firearm.

No one means to do it, so we use the term accidental, but in fact is was negligence on the part of the operator.
 
Lot of ADs are caused by finger still on trigger while reholstering pistol w a light trigger. Also use a holster that covers trigger guard but doesnt have an edge that can get inside the trigger guard to get to the trigger.

1st cause is software, 2nd is hardware. Train yourself no finger on trigger until you're ready to shoot. 2nd is buy a well made holster designed for your exact pistol then check it thoroughly with an empty pistol to make sure it can't hit the trigger.

Other than those 2 things my only issue w appendix carry is too much of me where my appendix is to carry comfortably. Standing up walking around ok, sitting not ok. Different pistol or holster won't fix it. Less potatoes and more sit ups might.
 
9adam1 said:
I agree with many of the other posts. I have not seen the videos, but have investigated my share of negligent discharges during my law enforcement career. You are ultimately responsible for your trigger finger, and safe firearms handling.

I have heard cops make dozens of excuses, but in every case their finger somehow and negligently found the trigger of the firearm.

No one means to do it, so we use the term accidental, but in fact is was negligence on the part of the operator.
Click to expand...

Truth... Negligent Discharge is pretty much the only way to properly classify probably 99.999% of these situations.

We had a Trooper killed by a hunting rifle that discharged when a tow truck righted the truck it was in and the weapon discharged. People kept saying "accidental" but it was negligence on the part of the owner for storing the weapon with a round in the chamber.

The Trooper's Patrol Rifles are stored with a mag inserted and an empty chamber for just this reason.

TG
 
I've watched the bending-at-the-waist video a few times but can't find the link now. Supposedly it was a Glock 43 - the guy can be seen doing something to the pistol, then putting it back into his waistband, then a walks a short distance, bends over, and ... well, ouch! I wouldn't even think of carrying a striker pistol AIWB, and thus don't have any holsters. My current go-outside-before-daylight go-to is a 360J inside a hoodie pocket ...

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSJQdw_RoiA[/ame]

The more I look at this video, the more I think it was staged and fake. The subject (victim?) walks in an odd manner after re-holstering the pistol. I hope it is fake and that he wasn't actually hurt!!
 
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I'm working on brain carry. It's a holster that hides inside a hat. The muzzle is point at your temple, but as long as you keep your finger off the trigger you're o.k.

Actually I've debated appendix carry over the years because I agree it's extremely easy to conceal, but for my own uses I just can't get comfortable with where the muzzle is often pointed. I'm fine with however others choose to carry, but it's just not for me.
 
Good info guys. Thanks for the advise and taking the time to
Respond to my question.
 
So, given this information, we don't even know if he was using a holster . . .

GeoJelly said:
I've watched the bending-at-the-waist video a few times but can't find the link now. Supposedly it was a Glock 43 - the guy can be seen doing something to the pistol, then putting it back into his waistband, then a walks a short distance, bends over, and ... well, ouch!
Click to expand...
 
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