Good2Golf said:
I dare say it has been a partial contributing factor in probably a few BHP NDs.
This is not knocking you G2G, but, throughout this thread, the magazine disconnect safety has been blamed a lot for causing or contributing to ND's.
I would like to re-inforce that the magazine disconnect on the BHP does not magically and un-expectedly shoot off bullets. It is the operator 98% of the time.
The causes of ND's
-Improper training or lack of training
-People "making up" drills and TTP's for the weapon
-People not understanding the basic concept of how the weapon functions,
-Fatigue,
-and lastly, fault in the weapon. (the other 2%)
I watched a person on a range stop firing and clear their weapon by: removing mag, locking the slide to the rear, inspect the chamber to verify that it was clear, then re-insert a loaded mag (wouldnt have been a problem if the slide was already forward), hit the slide-lock lever and fire the action. bam. ND.
I have also seen (more then one person) "clear" their BHP, inspect the chamber and fire the action without removing the source of ammo (the mag). ND.
In these two instances, perhaps it was the 10-15 minutes of TOET's prior to going onto the range which was the contributing factor?
This pistol has been used since WW2. It may not be the best weapon, or the most modern, but its all we have for now, and its definately better then nothing. Christ, if it was a good enough weapon for my Grand-Father and my Father, then its good enough for me.
Good2Golf said:
What was the purpose of the BHP's mag "safety"?
I would venture, that in 1935, when the pistol was designed, the "Magazine-Disconnect safety" was probably a new and innovative idea of how to stop ND's from occuring.
Since, "in theory" you would never shoot a pistol without a mag inserted, the Mag-Disconnect ensured that the weapon would not fire, in case someone was foolish enough to somehow leave a round in the chamber and remove the mag.