If the finger must be frozen in place, I recommend having them set it at beer can circumference.
WTF? So you were teaching her w/ a gun you knew she probably wouldn't be able to control? Way to go. Hard to feel sympathy.
And you weren't shot? the muzzle/sight cut your hand or something? Or you put your hand in front of the muzzle? Or she was about to shoot in the air?
story makes no sense. we'll blame pain killers.
hopefully she will try shooting again... hopefully w/ someone w/ some experience instructing.
"Here, try this .44 mag. hehehe."
-rvb
Tagging. For the pile-on. Just not sure who's going to be the target yet.
Ouch! Glad to hear that you're okay.
Mind if I ask how old the shooter is? I just started teaching my oldest (she's 7), but only with a Savage Rascal. I have no idea (though certainly it will be several years at a minimum) how long it will be before I put a pistol in her hands.
My thinking would be a rifle is easier to control, as you have more of your body holding on to it. But I'm not OP.
Still confused on this one? So you were not actually shot, but burned?
Lesson learned: don't put my digits ove the business end of a Hand cannon. Got it.
get well soon.
P.S. I hope you let the kid you were teaching know NOT to shoot herself in the hand.
Sorry to hear of this and I hope the healing progresses quickly. Thanks for the posting. Incidents like this are usually some anonymous person and it's easy to think 'Couldn't happen to me'. Then you hear of it happening to someone that has built a bunch of respect among friends and it reminds us that it can indeed happen to any of us.
WHERE ARE THE PICTURES?
Rvb,
I was shot. at the time I did not think a 9x18mm would be out of her ability but would have more recoil than the 22.
She was aimed downrange at the time. I was not placing my hand in front but rather over the frame so just in case it would not come back on her. I did not want her hit by recoil at all. Somewhere in there I was wrong. Freely admitted.
Fair enough, just curious. I had a feeling that was the reason. And it worries me. But your kids, your choices. Better to err on the side of caution than be lazy and idiotic and have a tragedy result.Personal preference/choice. I can teach them safe firearm handling rules. I can teach them to aim, and to punch paper. But I'm not a firearms instructor. Until I've satisfied myself that they're capable and ready to handle a handgun, I'm not going to take chances. (See: the OP, and the 9-year-old with the Uzi.)
The first matter is safety of others. Part of the reason for starting them on a rifle is that it is much easier to keep them from pointing it somewhere it shouldn't be pointed. But that's not the biggest issue in the long-term. Mastery of firearm handling safety isn't rocket science; it's just discipline.
The bigger issue is safety for themselves. Handguns require an entirely different level of strength, hand-eye coordination, and other factors that I don't believe she's ready for at 7, and I don't know when that changes.
This is my first go-around with teaching someone to handle firearms and to shoot. I'm playing it by ear. And when it comes to my kids, I'm pretty risk-averse.
When I work with new shooters and a semi auto, I typically only load 1 round in the magazine until they get a feel for it.
Fair enough, just curious. I had a feeling that was the reason. And it worries me. But your kids, your choices. Better to err on the side of caution than be lazy and idiotic and have a tragedy result.
I'm curious: why does it worry you?
If there's a better approach, I'm certainly all ears. Like I said: I'm new to this. I grew up *around* guns, but my dad only had shotguns until I was about high school age, and I never got (or at least: don't remember getting) this type of training. The first time I ever shot a handgun was with my brother in law at Ft. Bliss, three or four years ago.
at 9yrs old she should be able to handle 9mm fine assuming she is taught decent technique. there's nothing in your story that tells me she can't handle it, or didn't. you may not have intended to put your hand in front of the gun, but it sounds like that's what happened. a bullet did not pass through your hand if your hand was over the "frame."
please don't take it personal, just trying to understand what happened. my offer stands.
-rvb
To All,
My friend and I were teaching my goddaughter to shoot when I put my hand over the pistol so it would mot hit her in the face. It came up and caught me in the right hand middle finger.
I am out of surgery now in Lutheran hospital in Ft Wayne.
As of now I have all of my fingers!!!
You never think it will happen to you until it does.
Kirk, keep on preaching!
Posting from my phone so I apologize for poor grammer.
I got some pics from my phone and will post later.
My hand is still numb as hell from the dope.
Booties on my feet squeeze on and off to keep blood clots away.
I will update as I can.
It hit the knuckle on my right hand, middle finger. I hope I can still flip people off...
The really good news is that I am a lefty!
The Dr should be in later and I will keep all informed.
Iam doing well. My friend and I responded well. I have emergency first aid kit in my trunk. Within minutes I washed the wound with alcohol swap and my friend had the hand wrapped in gauze. Within minutes of that he drove us to Adams Cty ER.
They transfered me to Lutheran and I was in surgery several hours later.
Regards,
Doug
I'll keep MY fingers crossed for a safe recovery. Glad you're ok Doug and heal up quick.Hey Now,
I am the one deserving of sympathy or mockery - depending on your disposition.
Doug