Friend Shot Himself Reholstering

[packinnova]

Something that I have been saying for years.

This is where the part of the holster that "covers the trigger guard" causes NDs rather than prevents them.

A shooter goes to quickly reholster - the index finger is (whoops!) still inside the trigger guard - the holster pushes the index finger - the finger then pushes the trigger - the gun goes Bang!

Just FYI.

Yeah but that's still not an issue with the holster. It's still violating one of the all important rules of keeping the booger hook off the bang switch. That holster pressing the index finger into the trigger CANNOT happen if the finger isn't in the guard and/or already on the switch. It ALWAYS comes back to RULES RULES RULES!

edit:
I'd be really curious to see what actually happened in this case, if of course the friend is readily able to admit to all the factors involved.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[kazzaerexys]

One of my club's experienced IDPA shooters managed that same trick, while reholstering after loading for a stage. (At least he had the good grace to have his oops elsewhere, and not at our local club! )

We always remind out shooters---you may draw on the clock, but you don't holster on the clock. That's true about most holstering situations, too. It's always worth taking the time to do it right.

[BradyM77]

It couldnt have been booger picker hanging up on the holster simply because the entry wound was at his belt line. Either he still had his finger on the trigger and snagged some clothing or something or it was a cook off. Sadly the people with him were well behind the firing line and didnt see anything. He's still a little out of it from the pain killers I believe. The doctors said today would be when he really feels the pins and metal rod they inserted in his leg. I dont even want to imagine what that feels like.

[JAT40]

Just wondering, is it possible that he re-holstered at an inward angle and the holster caught the trigger? The shot entered at "belt level" traveling down the leg.
Standing with feet shoulder width apart a downward shot would hit mid to lower thigh on most of us.
Something else to look at, cook off, finger on trigger during re-holstering or trigger snagged on holster.
See if we can find out info on his carry gear.

[BradyM77]

See if we can find out info on his carry gear.

He has a Blackhawk Serpa and a Comptac (I believe the Minotaur). Im not sure which holster he was using.

[JAT40]

I know the M-TAC has a area that can be a potential trigger snag.
In order for weapon to fire you have to miss completely sliding the gun along the outside of the holster witch points the shot down and away from you.
I can't speak for the Blackhawk Serpa.

[Rcher]

A shooter goes to quickly reholster - the index finger is (whoops!) still inside the trigger guard - the holster pushes the index finger - the finger then pushes the trigger - the gun goes Bang!

I couldnt agree more. Firearm safety is a fulltime job.

[98LSWON]

I would guess he was using the Serpa if the bullet hit his thigh first, the Minoutaur would have probably hit his butt cheek. So much for all of the XDs are safer than Glocks threads I've seen on other forums. Hope he doesn't have any long term damage.

[QKShooter]

I agree that it's not really a holster issue but, folks that try to move quicker than their skill level and then have that "brain fart" when reholstering and as soon as they realize it - it's already too late.

[PastorPack]

Oh man, that's gotta hurt. And as someone with permanent metal in my leg (plate and 9 screws), I know that the recovery can hurt more than the injury.

Prayers sent!

As for the gun issue, as an XD owner, I always reholster with hand off the grip safety.

The Wolf cook-off issue may certainly be the cause. Question is why did he reholster after click? If you're out of ammo, slide locks back, so click means something is wrong. (Not in any way trying to beat up on your friend, just wanting to reinforce these issues for myself and others.)

[Ram Rod]

Those XD's are dangerous!

[QKShooter]

It's never good news when any person that enjoys any of the shooting sports gets hurt.

The thread is a good reminder for folks to be careful and mindful around firearms.

Hoping that he has as complete a recovery as is humanly possible.

[Nova]

Best wishes for your friend.

Everytime I push my XD into the holster, I take my hand off the grip and push down on the slide, next to the metal indicator (that shows the slide is cocked). That way, if in the off chance the trigger were to be pressed somehow, the grip safety is engaged. Definitely not something I rush, as I am relatively new to this whole thing.

[retsupt99]

Sorry about your friend...he let his muscle memory lapse.
When ever I tuck my Glock back in the holster, I'm thinking about my finger and my shirt...nothing can be in the way.
You don't reholster a Glock when your brain is 'farting'...never!
(If it's just a regular old fart, it's OK...I can do that without muscle memory being ruined...although it may ruin the muscle memory of those around me.)

[matdicdad]

Sorry about your friend. The one thing that I don't like to do and therefore do it as infrequently as possible is to reholster a firearm. I am so anal about my trigger finger that for the past 10 years when I run I always hold my index finger pointed. When I go to pick up a spoon or fork my index finger is always pointed. I am very careful and figure for the most part I can avoid an accident as long as my finger is off the trigger.