First ND

[tikka_madras]

Well, after several hundred assorted shooting days I’ve finally had an ND.

Happened as we got back to the truck, I pointed the gun at the ground, took the mag out and took the safety off to open the bolt. Rifle discharged into the ground six feet away immediately the safety was disapplied - I didn’t move a muscle and looked at my hands which weren’t near the trigger. Unless memory is faulty (and in these sudden things it may well be) I don’t think I touched it.

The entry in my game book for the day reads “1x dog fox, 1x Bedfordshire”.

Please remember there are only two types of shooter - those who’ve had an ND and those who are going to.

 

[ashray]

good afternoon ,thank you for your honesty and yes these do happen! muzzle awareness has probably saved a lot of injuries/property damage.

 

[SussexFallow]

what rifle ?

 

[Greenmist]

Sounds more like a mechanical failure rather than a negligent discharge

 

[bowji john]

I've had two

One with a CZ 452 whilst rabbiting - took safety off, touched trigger with gloved finger and bang. Muzzle pointing in a safe direction

Second was more serious as I was teaching a novice - I leaned over said novice who had control of rifle - went to slide safety into fire position - as I was at an awkward angle I must have used my trigger finger to give me purchase against the safety slider (it does take some force to compress the spring with an R8 blaser). Muzzle was pointing correctly down range, novice was bench rest shooting.

No harm resulted from either mistake

Route cause(s)

1. Operator error as a result of poor procedure and control and insufficient familiarity with changes to equipment as was wearing gloves for the first time that winter

2. Instructor error caused by trying to short cut the process resulting in an unsafe practice

 

[finnbear270]

As I have said previously, there are only two types of shooter in this case, those who have had an ND, & those who will have one.

 

[GJE]

It'll happen... ! fatigue, cold, adrenaline etc. increase risk exponentially.
The only mechanical failures I've come across are from incompetent tinkering, one incident caused from a dropped rifle resulted in a rather interesting hair cut and a change of underwear.

 

[VSS]

It's happened to me, too. In my case it was unfamiliarity with an "estate" rifle. I forget the make of it now, but the safety catch was located inside the trigger guard, which wasn't something that I'd come across before. Strikes me as a really stupid place to put it! Anyway, all lined up to shoot a fox, fumbling for the safety catch, and managed to hit safety catch and trigger simultaneously. Thank god there was a reasonably generous backstop, as I'd moved my head away from the stock to try and see the safety catch when the gun fired, so had dropped the butt slightly, and the shot went high.
Got the fox with the second shot though!

Now I've got a bit more experience, and have used a number of different designs of rifle, I do think that in a lot of cases the design of the safety catch leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[Cootmeurer]

It does happen - and muzzle discipline is clearly one form of insurance against further damage.

I had once notable instance with a SxS 20 ga. It is a quite old and well worn gun, but one I routinely take out for dog training as it has no more damage that can be done to it (little bluing, more scratches than lacquer on the stock). Dropped two shells in, closed the breach and BANG. Finger was nowhere near the trigger and safety was applied. I immediately retired it until it could be inspected, and as expected - lots of wear on the sear.

 

[kennyc]

what rifle ?

relevent point, there was a recall/warning about a manufacturers safety causing the rifle to fire when it was switched to fire, the much lauded Remington in which case I would not class it as an ND.

 

[Dexter]

Thank you for your honesty. Ingrained muzzle awareness saves the day again.

 

[pheasant sniper 1]

As an ex forces fella this is something that to happen is akin to chopping a leg off and destroying your head.

I have raynauds disease or vibration white finger. I had a ND which literally broke my heart.

To say you have had a ND is quick off the tongue but the damage mentally to me has been hard to live with.

Ive done many courses since and all without problem.The underlying reason they were all not in field conditions.

Sitting for wild boar in minus 5 for 6 hours then pulling the trigger would be a big ask for most people.. Add hand injuries and its a bloody nitemare.

What i would say to add a positive to this thread is.... Know your limitations - Accept them and dont try to do something that causes discomfort.. Its just not worth it..
Potentially the outcome could be life changing for more than one family.

Im a hot weather hunter these days and all the more happier for it.....

Hats off to those that had the balls to be honest on a subject which draws such distain from many that have short memories....

 

[tikka_madras]

Thanks for the replies. Rifle was a Tikka T3, and I’ve had a good look at it (and will get a gunsmith to do the same) and sad to say I think the problem is more likely to be operator error. I don’t recall touching the trigger, but I think it best to take that lesson whether I did or not.

I posted this hopefully as a reminder to all that “it can’t happen to me” is very much not the right mindset because it can and like me you may be left not understanding why afterwards.

 

[Woodsmoke]

“it can’t happen to me” is very much not the right mindset because it can and like me you may be left not understanding why afterwards

All respect to you for posting this! I too had an ND a while ago, in exactly the same circumstances as bowji john, and with the exact same rifle! It leaves a definite impression on you, for certain. Again, muzzle awareness saved the day, and nothing except your pride was injured. Don't beat yourself up about it? Treat it as another lesson learned, and reassure yourself that your handling practices were good enough to ensure the round went safely into the ground

 

[Harry mac]

The hairiest moment I had was with a Norica, 3 shot, bolt action .410. I didn't know it at the time, but if you worked the bolt quickly, the gun would discharge as soon as you closed the bolt. The first I knew of it was out lamping with a mate on the lamp. All was going swimmingly until I worked the bolt for my second shot and the bloody thing went off into the ground. At first, I couldn't work out what had happened, until I worked the bolt a few times without cartridges in it. Every time I worked the bolt quickly it did the same. I'd only had the gun about a week, and I took it back for a refund as I now didn't trust it.

 

[kennyc]

Thanks for the replies. Rifle was a Tikka T3, and I’ve had a good look at it (and will get a gunsmith to do the same) and sad to say I think the problem is more likely to be operator error. I don’t recall touching the trigger, but I think it best to take that lesson whether I did or not.

I posted this hopefully as a reminder to all that “it can’t happen to me” is very much not the right mindset because it can and like me you may be left not understanding why afterwards.

out of interest what is the trigger pull set to?

 

[tikka_madras]

out of interest what is the trigger pull set to?

Factory setting. I do think it may have changed though as I used to think it was a shade too heavy and now I think it seems very light. Not sure if that’s just familiarity or something has moved. Planning to ask the gunsmith to check.

 

[artschool]

I will admit to shooting the side of my washing machine with a .22 air rifle many years ago whilst cleaning it on a bench.

 

[kennyc]

Factory setting. I do think it may have changed though as I used to think it was a shade too heavy and now I think it seems very light. Not sure if that’s just familiarity or something has moved. Planning to ask the gunsmith to check.

it may have moved, especially if it feels light to you, personally I would not want much less than 2-3lb pull on a hunting trigger,but each to his own.
I have a rimfire rifle with a set trigger that probably measures in ounces and that doesn't seem too light to me as I have got used to it, so if you are noticing the trigger seeming lighter even though you have used it for a while I think you are doing the sensible thing by having it checked

 

[kennyc]