A question for our gun users

[Abbey Marie]

Can a gun accidentally fire if the safety is on? Does the answer change depending on what caliber gun?

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Can a gun accidentally fire if the safety is on? Does the answer change depending on what caliber gun?

With older models perhaps but with the newer guns its almost impossible unless the safey has been damaged. Caliber has nothing to do with it. Some guns have back up safeties in that one must cock the hammer before it will fire even with the safety off. As always most the older models were less safety conscious when designed and manufactured. The thinking then was that most gun owners know proper safety procedures with guns and are experienced with their proper use, at least here in USA that was pretty much true. Treat every gun like its loaded as an extra precaution .Never put your finger inside the trigger guard unless you are aiming at a target with intent to shoot or are using the gun to hold off an intruder /attacker. Never leave loaded guns were others can get to them unless its a trusted family member even then I dont reccommend it unles that person is extremely skilled in gun safety and use of such weapons! I have mine close by with chamber empty , clip out next to it when at home at night as my son is far too young to put in the clip or rack in a shell. When he gets a few years older I'll have to come up with a different method. A gun that takes too long to get to is MOST OFTEN as useless as "tats" on a boar hog IMHO. -Tyr

[logroller]

Disclaimer: If you have any concerns, whatsoever, contact a gunsmith before attempting to operate any firearm. Is this a generic concern, or have you something specific?

Answer: no, it should not and matters not the caliber.
Can it? Sure. Depending on the weapon, firing groups (pin, sear, hammer, trigger etc) have a variety of parts which, if worn, damaged or improperly modified, can lead to unintended discharges.
There is an inviolable rule to firearm safety, never point a weapon at something you are not willing to kill or destroy. That alone renders grave accidents to an ah shit moment.

[Abbey Marie]

Disclaimer: If you have any concerns, whatsoever, contact a gunsmith before attempting to operate any firearm. Is this a generic concern, or have you something specific?

Answer: no, it should not and matters not the caliber.
Can it? Sure. Depending on the weapon, firing groups (pin, sear, hammer, trigger etc) have a variety of parts which, if worn, damaged or improperly modified, can lead to unintended discharges.
There is an inviolable rule to firearm safety, never point a weapon at something you are not willing to kill or destroy. That alone renders grave accidents to an ah shit moment.

It's a claim made by someone I know who accidentally discharged a gun while it was holstered, in a house while people were visiting with little children. He said the safety was on. I wasn't there, and don't know if the gun was old or new. I didn't believe him, and was wondering about it.

[tailfins]

It's a claim made by someone I know who accidentally discharged a gun while it was holstered in a house while people were visiting with little children. He said the safety was on. I wasn't there, and don't know if the gun was old or new. I didn't believe him, and was wondering about it.

[Mr. P]

It's a claim made by someone I know who accidentally discharged a gun while it was holstered in a house while people were visiting with little children. He said the safety was on. I wasn't there, and don't know if the gun was old or new. I didn't believe him, and was wondering about it.

Neither do I.

[aboutime]

Neither do I.

No way. Anyone who believed that story is probably guilty of buying the mortgage for the Brooklyn Bridge too!

[logroller]

It's a claim made by someone I know who accidentally discharged a gun while it was holstered in a house while people were visiting with little children. He said the safety was on. I wasn't there, and don't know if the gun was old or new. I didn't believe him, and was wondering about it.

For the most part, all holsters cover the trigger, so I'm not quite sure how it went off (regardless of being on safe). My guess is he was (mis)handling the weapon, and if in fact his weapon was capable of discharging while on safe, he has an extremely unsafe weapon-- to which he should have been aware. I couldnt fathom having a loaded weapon in my possession in which I was anything less than 100% confident. My life could depend upon it after all. Plus, given the circumstance of his having a loaded (unsafe) weapon around children and handling it, I have to question his awareness on a broad swath of firearm related issues. From the sound of your story, thank God no one was injured.

[Abbey Marie]

Yup, he's a Darwin Award candidate at this point, as he accidentally shot himself with it. No major injuries, though.

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I believe that you all know what you are talking about, and as I've said, I didn't believe him.

[logroller]

With older models perhaps but with the newer guns its almost impossible unless the safey has been damaged. Caliber has nothing to do with it. Some guns have back up safeties in that one must cock the hammer before it will fire even with the safety off. As always most the older models were less safety conscious when designed and manufactured. The thinking then was that most gun owners know proper safety procedures with guns and are experienced with their proper use, at least here in USA that was pretty much true. Treat every gun like its loaded as an extra precaution .Never put your finger inside the trigger guard unless you are aiming at a target with intent to shoot or are using the gun to hold off an intruder /attacker. Never leave loaded guns were others can get to them unless its a trusted family member even then I dont reccommend it unles that person is extremely skilled in gun safety and use of such weapons! I have mine close by with chamber empty , clip out next to it when at home at night as my son is far too young to put in the clip or rack in a shell. When he gets a few years older I'll have to come up with a different method. A gun that takes too long to get to is MOST OFTEN as useless as "tats" on a boar hog IMHO. -Tyr

I agree with this, except it's a magazine, not a clip. (unless you have a revolver, Garand or linked-belt fed weapon) the key is the spring; if it has a spring inside, it's a mag!