USPSA range officer killed in accident

[M1A4ME]

I was looking into the rules for a local IDPA club before this COVID stuff happened, and that's what I understood about how I would use my P-07.  I would chamber a round, decock, then holster the gun to make ready.  Afterward, I would drop the mag, rack the slide and show a clear chamber, then dry fire to a hammer fully down to make safe.

I don't really understand why they have DA/SA guns with safeties start off with the hammer all the way down.  Especially if they are competing against SAO guns that start off cocked and locked?

Doesn't make much sense, does it.

And I specifically stayed away from SIGs and bought CZs (when I moved away from M&Ps) so I could have the thumb safeties and carry cocked and locked. 

And, when the drop safe stuff started back in the early/mid 80's the only pistol I remember reading about was the 1911.  People were shaking in their boots because dropping a 1911 from 6 ft. or more on a hard surface striking muzzle down with a weak firing pin return spring could result in the firing pin moving downwards fast/hard enough to set off a round in the chamber.

Drop safe wasn't about dropping it on the hammer, it was dropping it on the muzzle end.

Has anyone done that hammer to the hammer test with a stock pistol?  I mean vs. a reduced power firing pin return spring and extended firing pin.  Two features the pistol was not designed with nor left the factory with.

Think a firing pin/striker block stops this?  I've got a couple FNS pistols.  Seems like when they came out they went through some growing pains that resulted in the guns firing from being smacked hard on the side of the gun, let alone the front/back (special/unusual conditions, like happen sometimes in real life).  Sig 320's have already been mentioned as having issues as well.

How do you keep making rules to compensate for what people either do on purpose or by accident?  Will shooting sports end up like NASCAR someday?  Everyone basically uses the same car but with a different name painted on it?  If one person wins too much will they alter the rules to make it harder for that guy/team to win?  Think about that one.  Oh yeah, CZ's are too accurate.  If you shoot a CZ you've got to install a sloppier barrel bushing.  Yup, CZ's triggers are too smooth, you've got to turn them in to have the action made heavier/rougher.

[MoRivera]

I think the only thing that would 'justify' amending the starting condition rule to half-cock (IF that was even a consideration) is the fact that the decocker models are already allowed to start at half-cock, and aside from the decocker mechanism they're virtually identical in mechanical operation.  I think anyone who would compare them practically would see that.

[The Principal]

Sad situation.


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[airpirate]

This is very simple in my humble opinion. USPSA needs to change the rules. Pistols without firing pin blocks are not intended to be carried hammer down on a loaded chamber any more than old school revolvers. USPSA is being woefully negligent in this regard to direct people to utilize firearms in a way which they were not designed it’s plain stupid the end. f you wouldn’t do it with an old school revolver why on God’s green Earth would you do it with a pistol?  It’s pretty hypocritical of USPSA from a safety standpoint.

To those that would argue half cock provides a competitive advantage grab a trigger scale no it doesn’t. Also as others have mentioned guns like my P226 doesn’t de-cock hammer fully down.

Lastly anyone who would argue that a real or fictional split second advantage is a bigger deal than safety especially in a match environment should have their head examined.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

This is very simple in my humble opinion. USPSA needs to change the rules. Pistols without firing pin blocks are not intended to be carried hammer down on a loaded chamber any more than old school revolvers. USPSA is being woefully negligent in this regard to direct people to utilize firearms in a way which they were not designed it’s plain stupid the end. f you wouldn’t do it with an old school revolver why on God’s green Earth would you do it with a pistol?  It’s pretty hypocritical of USPSA from a safety standpoint.

To those that would argue half cock provides a competitive advantage grab a trigger scale no it doesn’t. Also as others have mentioned guns like my P226 doesn’t de-cock hammer fully down.

Lastly anyone who would argue that a real or fictional split second advantage is a bigger deal than safety especially in a match environment should have their head examined.

I have yet to see exactly what happened in this case yet I see alot of rants about the way the rules should be changed. No matter what rules they put in place nothing will prevent tragedy when safe gun handling practices are ignored.

[briang2ad]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXwf8-VnJlg

Wow.  Interesting video.  I use CGW kits in my FPB guns, but don't see the need in the PreB.  My PReBs will send a pencil into the air in a big way with 15 LB hammer springs and the DA is dreamlike. Don't see the need on a PreB except if you 'need' a 5-6 LB DA. 

[Tanners Owner]

I shoot USPSA and IDPA.  I am a RO and SO as well. My go to CZ is a SP01T and I prefer decockers in general.

That said, I’m curious what the holster used was.  Was it a race holster or a true scabbard? Am curious if the holster contributed to the dropped gun.

It’s a tragedy for both the RO, his family and the shooter who dropped his gun.

[Hahn-key]

I just feel for all involved. The family of the RO lost a loved one and the competitor that had the accidental discharge will live with this the rest of his life.