Canadian,
It is not a matter of "If" you have and unintended discharge, but when.

When that time comes be thankful that basic firearm safety is practiced and there is no blood. If there is blood, be ever thankful that it is superficial at worst.

Glad you weren't permanently damaged. That little bit of skin will grow back and your emotions will heal up but they always take a bit longer.

quote:

Originally posted by cgbach:
I am not familiar with the FA, is it similar to the Colt SAA or the old Rugers, ie no transfer bar just a hammer and firing pin? If so carrying it with the hammer down with the pin resting on a primer is really not a good idea. I have read several accounts (one by Elmer him self) of guys carrying that way, saddling a horse and having a stirrup come flopping down, hitting hammer, and getting shot in the leg. My dad, before he learned the hard way (no one hurt but the fridge took a hit) found out that it was not smart to carry a 1911 with the hammer in the 'safety' notch. Pistol was holstered on a belt on his pants. He was undressing, undid his belt and let his pants slide down to the floor and BOOM.
What I have never seen discussed is carrying a sa revolver with the hammer down with the cylinder half way between two chambers. The old Colt Navy had pins between the chambers and a notch in the hammer so that it could be carried with all 6 chambers loaded.
C.G.B.

The FA 83 has a hammer block. While the block works in most cases if the revolver is dropped or falls out of the holster or something hits the hammer just right the hammer block breaks and the weapon fires

I wouldn't compare the FA83 to a colt or old mod Ruger. They have a hammer block thats much more robust than the others. I don't hesitate to carry new mod Ruger FA83 or S&W with full cylinder.

I was taught not to sugar coat it. This was a negligent discharge. They are quite scary. Hope you are allright.

I've shot and carried revolvers since the late 50's and never had one discharge when I wasn't ready for it.
I did let my thumb slip off a 12ga single shot when the ducks were flying over muzzle up getting ready to shoot. Hammer spur hit the cuticle of my thumb nail. Danm that hurt and lots of blood too.

Three of my cousins yrs ago lived in Cheyenne. Went pheasant hunting. Laid the guns on the back seat. When taking them out, Roy pulled his hammer type by the barrel and it went off and cut his belt off his pants but, didn't draw blood. His brother Del was standing behind him and it took his arm off at the elbow.

When I was about 15 riding in the middle of a 1950 Ford p/u while chasing coyotes across the pastures. The guy on the right had his '06 muzzle up and it went off between us. Both had smoke and powder burns to our faces. Back window blown out, all windows were up at the time. The concussion wrecked my hearing and it's been ringing since. I'll be 70 in three weeks. That's a damned long time to be listening to this racket that's internally in my ears forever.

I don't get in with a muzzle up I don't care if the bolt is out of the gun. Muzzle down or I'll walk and/or you won't ride in my vehicle: period!

I fully believe we can live much better with a missing foot than a missing head.

Stay safe guys,
George

The New Model Ruger Bearcats have a half-cock notch. My son has one. I believe the 3 screw models that were converted also work the same way. Half-cock notch and all. I routinely carry my NMSBH fully loaded. I know that it is perfecly safe and will not discharge unless I pull the trigger. I carry my 3 screw SBH with an empty chamber under the hammer. It has not been converted. It all boils down to Know Your Firearm.

What happened to relying on the safety system between your ears????

We (as a society) have become pathetically irresponsible and litigious. Very sad.

Always thought I wanted a Bearcat.
Then one day I handled one and discovered there's no way I can get my hand around one in a way I could shoot it. The Single Six's are just right though, so I've got a pair of those.

Funny thing, three yrs apart, one here in town new, the other used in Fla gunstore July '11. Both within $50 of each other. Serial numbers less than 100 apart. Makes a nice matching pair.

George