Army soldier death

24 April 2006, 15:12

GreybeardBushman

Army soldier death

I feel really sorry for our soldier in Iraq who shot himself dead.

What in the hell is wrong if the stories in the papers are true.

A loaded semi auto in a room, cleaning it, the muzzle pointed towards one's head. A live round in the chamber. If this is the standard of our army training, where are we at?

I'd skin someone with a closed rifle near me.

One thing I want to do is detract heat from some other topics at present.

24 April 2006, 15:25

Tumbo

No, I doubt this very much would be the case, from what i've heard this was an experienced soldier, no way would he accidentally shoot himself in the head.

I heard the weapon involved was a browning 9mm High power which would be an L9A1 Browning.

I have had alot to do with the L9A1 and recon it would be virtually impossible to accidentally shoot yourself in the head with it, especially an experienced soldier like he is reported to be, too many safety aspects, and breeches of procedure would have to be overlooked.

No it doesn't sound like an accident to me.

In any case I feel sorry for his family.

24 April 2006, 17:51

darwinmauser

quote:
Originally posted by Tumbo:
No, I doubt this very much would be the case, from what i've heard this was an experienced soldier, no way would he accidentally shoot himself in the head.

I heard the weapon involved was a browning 9mm High power which would be an L9A1 Browning.

I have had alot to do with the L9A1 and recon it would be virtually impossible to accidentally shoot yourself in the head with it, especially an experienced soldier like he is reported to be, too many safety aspects, and breeches of procedure would have to be overlooked.

No it doesn't sound like an accident to me.

In any case I feel sorry for his family.

I agree, to clean a browning, especialy in dusty conditions you would have to strip the slide off the frame,you don't look down the barrel from the front to check that the weapon is unloaded. sad for the family.

24 April 2006, 18:21

BwanaBob

I've put a lot of rounds through Browning HiPowers, both in RAAF service and privately and I cannot envisage any circumstance where you could shoot oneself accidentally while cleaning the weapon.

My guess is that suicide or skylarking are the most likely truths - the latter certainly very possible.

25 April 2006, 01:18

WannabeBwana

The word "suicide" is so unseemly, and hard on the family.

Ernest Hemingway's suicide was first reported as "an accident while cleaning his gun."

Too bad. I hope he's free of whatever demons he was hoping to get away from.

25 April 2006, 01:40

Johnny_Revolver

An Irish coroner once said: ` and to be sure, he was cleaning the barrel with his tongue` There is the urban lengend among police that if you are going to top yourself, get out the cleaning kit... I personally lean towards the skylarking aspect, but we`ll never know, probably. Pity his family.

25 April 2006, 03:38

RLI

Only going on info supplied by media and having experiences with the Browning L9A1 in the army , my guess is he was "playing" with his pistol . The standard response "accidently shot while cleaming his gun" I do not believe as drills you complete to strip the Browning for cleaning make sure it is empty so not knowing the soldiers state of mind may be suicide but most likely misuse of the Browning. Very sad for his family and mates.

RLI

25 April 2006, 03:55

Pete E

quote:
Originally posted by Fischer:
The word "suicide" is so unseemly, and hard on the family.

Ernest Hemingway's suicide was first reported as "an accident while cleaning his gun."

Too bad. I hope he's free of whatever demons he was hoping to get away from.

If there was any scope for doing so, such incidents were often reported as "an accident while cleaning his gun." simply to be kind to the family and try to convey a little dignity to the deceased...

What ever the cause, my heart goes out to the family and his loved ones...

25 April 2006, 10:54

T3Shooter

It would probably be best if the whole thing was accepted as originally claimed, no matter how implausible it sounds to anyone who has ever cleaned a gun (any gun).
Cheers

Ladies and gentlemen, when I was a young boy I dreamed of being a baseball. But we have to go forward, not backwards, upwards, not forwards, and always twirling, twirling, twirling, towards freedom!

28 April 2006, 08:39

Sambar 9.3

Another reason we always tried to say that "he accidentally shot himself while cleaning his firearm" is that his Defence health life insurance would pay out for an accidental death, but not for a suicide.
His folks are asking for trouble carrying on like they are. His insurance would be around the 200- 250,00 $ AUD mark, if they want an inquiry they can kiss that goodbye.