Do not catch ejected rounds

[Big Frank]

When you're unloading a pistol do not catch the ejected round in your hand. I saw this on another forum and heard that several people were hurt doing this.

[alfsauve]

I don't believe it.     The ejector is not pointed enough to properly dent the primer and I don't think you could pull the slide fast enough to generate enough momentum even it if did.   

I'd love to know what forums are carrying this.

[ellis4538]

Alf, it has happened!  Then again USPSA shooters do it all the time without mishap!

FWIW


Richard

[les snyder]

it usually happens when the ejected round does not completely clear the ejection port, bullet nose temporarily catches the ejection port, cartridge is turned at an angle, and drives the primer against a long ejector....

[kmitch200]

If it does happen wouldn't EVERY manufacturer now have that 'catch all' included in the owners manual...like they do with reloads?

Warning, never unload the gun without pulling the trigger on the chambered round.

[Sponsor]

[Timothy]

Wouldn't it fire the round immediately after striking the ejector?

Doubt very much it's going to squib and explode while it's airborne or when caught.  An un-chambered cartridge case will move farther than the bullet, won't it?  It's the lighter of the two components therefor, Newton gets involved and pooches up the whole mess with physics!

[tombogan03884]

We're talking about either 3 hands, or darn quick yank on the slide.
Tim, you are right, but do you want a little explosion in your hand regardless of how far the constituent pieces go ?

[PegLeg45]

I can not and will not say it can't happen, BUT.... Looks to me like it would have to be a sho'nuff mechanical failure like a bent (?) ejector.

Being the type I am, I just checked with my Commander and do not see it happening, at least with a 1911 style pistol. 1911's have a slot in the slide for the ejector to ride in, so it would be hard for one to be bent enough to hit the center of the cartridge.

I loaded a single cartridge and with the gun pointed in a safe direction looked into the port while ever so slowly drawing back the slide. The extractor held the case perfectly straight (against the breechface) all the way back until the RIM of the cartridge (at about the 7-ish o'clock position) contacted the tip of the extended ejector.


It might be much easier to happen in another type of semi-auto. I just think it'd be mighty hard in a 1911.


Like I said, I won't say that it is impossible.....heck anything can happen from time to time.

YMMV   

[Timothy]

Tim, you are right, but do you want a little explosion in your hand regardless of how far the constituent pieces go ?

No!  That would hurt...

;(

[Solus]

We're talking about either 3 hands, or darn quick yank on the slide.
Tim, you are right, but do you want a little explosion in your hand regardless of how far the constituent pieces go ?

You roll the pistol to the side so the ejection port is on the downward side.

Grasp the slide with your left hand while it covers the ejection port.

Work the slide and the ejected round ends in your  hand rather than flying through the air.