AD statistics

[rjenks]

Can anybody point me to a source for information about the rates of accidental discharges for various handguns.  I'm not so much interested in rate of negligent discharges, only truely accidental discharges.  I've spent the last 20 minutes with google and yahoo and have not really been able to find anything authoritative.

I carry a glock in .40 sw and the other day my wife asked me "is it safe to carry that with a round in the chamber?"  My answer was "yes" but then I got curious and wanted to know actual numbers.  So far, all I can find are opinions about the safety of carrying various handguns.

Robert Jenks

[Hazcat]

True ADs are EXCEEDINGLY rare.  Most are ND even if not called that.

[Texas_Bryan]

It seems the terminology is constantly changing on this, I was brought up with ND being an AD, and AD being 'misfire'.  But there are many types of misfires, mechanical failures and slam fires.  I, in fifteen years of shooting, have never witnessed a mechanical failure of a weapon system that led to misfire or a round being discharged.  I've heard from a few primary sources about slam fires on various rifle platforms, but never on handguns.  I'm sure someone like MB would have the shooting experience, to enlighten us.

I wouldn't be worried about it, you could remind the wife that cops leave their chambers loaded for literally months at a time with the the same round in the chamber without the hammer falling.  The true misfires are probably so few and far apart that no one keeps those numbers, and even if those statistics were kept, you would only being seeing those that were reported to a manufacturer.

[Timothy]

Just assure your wife that gun deaths are not even close to the top of accidental anything in this country.  Alcohol, automobiles, Doctors, fires, etc...are all FAR more responsible for death than guns...

As long as you know your firearms and check them for function EVERY time you touch them, you should be safe.

http://www.the-eggman.com/writings/death_stats.html

[tombogan03884]

Lightning and sharks EACH kill more people per year than even Negligent (careless) discharges do, true Accidental, (malfunction) Discharges are about as common as winning the lottery.
I've been shooting for over 30 years and have NEVER seen a fire arm discharge that did not involve some one being careless with the trigger.

[Sponsor]

[TAB]

ND happen alot more then are made public.  hell one small town in UT this year had 2 very public ones in less then a month, both made national head lines...  There was also one recently of a professional trainer that was carrying "mexican".  It can happen to anyone, I can't stress this enough,   guns are made to destory, always treat them with that in mind.

[tombogan03884]

While I seldom agree with TAB, He is right when he stresses appropriate safety. You would not act carelessly with a chainsaw. Do not act carelessly with firearms. Negligent discharges seem to be more common among people who have more experience and should know better,  but Familiarity DOES breed contempt if you allow it to and that contempt can cost a life.

http://www.negligentdischarge.com/

Carelessness Kills

[Texas_Bryan]

While I seldom agree with TAB, He is right when he stresses appropriate safety. You would not act carelessly with a chainsaw. Do not act carelessly with firearms. Negligent discharges seem to be more common among people who have more experience and should know better,  but Familiarity DOES breed contempt if you allow it to and that contempt can cost a life.

http://www.negligentdischarge.com/

Carelessness Kills

Beyond sobering.  I consider myself to be a safety minded person, my number one rule is muzzle direction and keeping the trigger clear of any dangers, like wandering fingers, but you can never be reminded too many times.  Humans are forgetful creatures, and I'll take any bit of safety reminders that someone can offer.  My dad's safety stories, be it about guns, cars, or motorcycles, always end with, "and there were brains all over that place."  Stay vigilant, it may be mentally tiring and your friends may be fed up with your 'safety BS' but its worth it.

[Green Mountain Gringo]

While I seldom agree with TAB, He is right when he stresses appropriate safety. You would not act carelessly with a chainsaw. Do not act carelessly with firearms. Negligent discharges seem to be more common among people who have more experience and should know better,  but Familiarity DOES breed contempt if you allow it to and that contempt can cost a life.

http://www.negligentdischarge.com/

Carelessness Kills

THAT was a great find Tom.  This guy screwed up and spent months documenting it.  Well worth a gander.  He has several links in the document that take you to updates etc.

[Ping]

Not sure where to look but I have only seen a few accidental discharges. All but one were in the military till I saw a slam fire a few weeks ago at the range.