Man... something just occurred to me. What if it actually *had* gone into battery without me tapping on the back of the slide. If the firing pin is protruding and it does that, it's a recipe for uncontrolled full-auto fire. With a reasonably powerful cartridge, in a tiny gun that I'm not really holding onto very tight.
I think I got pretty lucky that my hand was back there behind the slide to stop it from cycling (it actually trapped the spent brass inside the chamber). As cut up as my palm got from the slide slamming into it, it's a lot better than the potential of full-auto.
Good Lord. Someone was watching out for me last night, and I didn't even think about this aspect of it until right now.
nase:
That nightmare scenario you describe could possibly have happened, but I would think the firing pin would have had to be essentially "welded by fouling" in the exposed position for the force of the initial recoil not to have reseated it back into its channel.
I've been called obsessive-compulsive with regard to the care in handling and attention to detail I give to my firearms, particularly the ones I carry for personal defense. But I've seen what can happen unexpectedly with firearms. As a result, I've adopted a ritual of sorts for loading, unloading, and cleaning a gun.
I never work with a gun if I have had an alcoholic drink or taken medication which might cause drowsiness. Before I pick up a gun or remove it from its holster, I remind myself of Cooper's Rules and take a moment to concentrate on what I am about to do. When I take a semi-automatic pistol to hand, I first remove the magazine, then clear the chamber, and then check the chamber a second time to insure that it is indeed empty. I never attempt to work on a gun while watching television or engaging in conversation. In fact, I prefer not to work on a gun if there is anyone else in the room.
When cleaning a pistol, I use the same routine each time -- following the steps recommended by the manufacturer. And I'm not too proud to have the owner's manual close by for possible reference, no matter how many times I may have read it or cleaned the gun. I examine each part individually, including the firing pin mechanism,
and I take my time. When the pistol has been cleaned, lubricated, and reassembled, I check its function using Snap Caps and apply a protective coating of wax to the outer surface.
With regard to the pistol's ammunition, I unload all of the cartridges from the magazine, inspect each one individually for deformation or other defect, and wipe down each one with a silicone cloth. I then carefully reload the cartridges, starting with the one which came from the chamber, and make sure that each cartridge is fully and properly seated in the magazine.
Before I insert the magazine into the well, I retract the slide to insure once again that the chamber is empty and that the firing pin is fully retracted in its chamber. I then insert the magazine into the well and slowly chamber a round while pointing the muzzle in a safe direction. Last, I carefully give the outer surface of the pistol a final light wipe with a silicone cloth,
avoiding the trigger, and insert the gun into its holster.
I've been carrying handguns for some fifty years now and (thanks be to a merciful God) have not experienced a mishap or negligent discharge. However, since I constantly remind myself that "Murphy's Law" applies to firearms as well as other aspects of life, I treat a gun with something approaching profound reverence -- even though I carry at least one at all times legally possible every day of the year.
Thank you for posting your experience with the slam fire. It serves as a valuable reminder for us all of the responsibilities we assume by electing to use and carry firearms.
Good luck, and stay safe!
[size=10]Edit: Typo. & 1st para.[/size]
