1911 Pistol Detonation While Unloading


m gardner

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I haven't seen this discussed here yet but there have been several well documented cases of injuries associated with clearing a loaded round from 1911 style pistols ( This was in USPSA's Front Sight magazine ) and it could happen with others too we assume. From what has been determined the round does not clear the front of the ejection port and then drops out from under the extractor and then the ejector slams into the primer setting it off. This usually, but not always, happens when the shooter is trying to catch the ejected round by placing his hand over the ejection port as the slide is forcefully cycled back and trips the round back into the port. It has also been associated with rounds loaded long and flat nosed bullets that can catch the front of the port and not slide off. The 40 S&W seems to have the most trouble probably because it takes less to move it off center. I had a round hang in the ejection port recently with a long loaded flat point bullet and you could plainly see where the front of the port caught it and the ejector hit the back of the case near the primer. Thank God it didn't hit the primer! Time for some re-training so I don't have to have brass removed from my hand. Gently working the slide and dumping the loaded round on the ground is best.

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It's odd you bring this up now. I just had my 1911 out, and as is every time I hold, it I remember my Range Officer in Basic training showing us his partial thumb. This was a result of just what you stated. He was very adamant about clearing the weapon, making sure the round was fully ejected and a visual check before letting the slide go back.

Of course he was just as adamant about the piece being clean to help the situation.

One other thing he stressed was to make sure the slide was pulled completely back to the end of its travel. Just a little slack can make a difference.

Don't let that slide go until you are sure it's clear.

Thanks for bring this up. Brings back some memories.

Lynn

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