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Rise in accidental gunshots by L.A. County deputies follows new firearm [Smith & Wesson M&P9]
L A Times ^ | Cindy Chang

Posted on 06/14/2015 7:09:29 PM PDT by BenLurkin

ne sheriff's deputy shot himself in the leg while pulling out his gun to confront a suspect..

Another accidentally fired a bullet in a restroom stall. A third deputy stumbled over a stroller in a closet as he was searching for a suspect, squeezing off a round that went through a wall and lodged in a piece of furniture in the next room.

Accidental gunshots by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies have more than doubled in two years, endangering bystanders and occasionally injuring deputies. The jump coincides with the department's move to a new handgun that lacks a safety lever and requires less pressure to pull the trigger.

...

The M&P has obvious benefits. It is easier to shoot accurately, can be fired more reliably under stress and is a better fit for people with small hands. The switch was prompted in part by the threat of a lawsuit by women who had failed the Sheriff's Academy. More recruits — including more women — are now passing the firearms test, and veteran deputies are also logging better scores at the firing range.

But the sharp increase in accidental discharges has prompted an investigation by the Sheriff's Department's new inspector general. Critics say this type of semiautomatic, which is widespread in law enforcement and includes the Glock used by many agencies, is too easy to misfire.

...

The M&P is made of lightweight polymer, with a hand grip that comes in three sizes. Firing a round is as simple as pulling the trigger with a consistent 6 to 8 pounds of pressure.

Sheriff's deputies have the option of sticking with the Beretta, and some have, saying they are used to it. But many who have switched to the M&P say their shooting has improved.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Local News
KEYWORDS: banglist; mp9; smithwesson
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1 posted on 06/14/2015 7:09:30 PM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

Well, it helps if you keep your finger off the trigger ...


2 posted on 06/14/2015 7:11:20 PM PDT by ClearCase_guy (Claire Wolfe should check her watch. It's time.)
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To: BenLurkin

Ooops. It looks like back to the SAA for them.


3 posted on 06/14/2015 7:12:11 PM PDT by Parley Baer
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To: BenLurkin

It sounds like an SA/DA issue on the accuracy, and also on first shot misfires. Anybody like the Walther AS system?


4 posted on 06/14/2015 7:13:54 PM PDT by Pearls Before Swine
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To: BenLurkin

Silly cops need to get revolvers and one bullet (stored safely in a short pocket).


5 posted on 06/14/2015 7:15:45 PM PDT by Bryanw92 (Sic semper tyrannis)
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To: BenLurkin

Back Revolters and speed-loaders.


6 posted on 06/14/2015 7:16:35 PM PDT by headstamp 2
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To: BenLurkin
Apparently they haven't learned all the primary rules for gun safety:

(1) Always point the firearm in a safe direction. Always.

(2) KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE BANG SWITCH UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO FIRE.

7 posted on 06/14/2015 7:16:59 PM PDT by imardmd1 (Fiat Lux)
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To: BenLurkin

Their procurement department f’ed up.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_766223_-1_757954_757781_757781_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y


8 posted on 06/14/2015 7:18:42 PM PDT by Bryanw92 (Sic semper tyrannis)
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To: BenLurkin

My Department just switched to the Smith&Wesson MP9.After my initial training with it.I found that the weapon is a good pistol,though its magazines are very difficult to load.

Something that could be very dangerous in a combat situation.

As a matter of fact I have never found an Auto Pistol with magazines that are more difficult to load than the ones used in the Smith&Wesson MP9.

I hope Smith&Wesson Figures out a way to loosen those tolerances in the magazines so they can be reloaded easier without putting excessive wear on the shooters thumb.


9 posted on 06/14/2015 7:18:59 PM PDT by puppypusher ( The World is going to the dogs.)
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To: BenLurkin

LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF (LASD) DEPUTY

10 posted on 06/14/2015 7:19:25 PM PDT by JoeProBono (SOME IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED;-{)
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To: BenLurkin
Critics say this type of semiautomatic, which is widespread in law enforcement and includes the Glock used by many agencies, is too easy to misfire.

Time for a little 101:

A misfire is when you pull the trigger, intending to fire the weapon and it appears to function, but does not strike the primer with enough force to discharge the round. This may be caused by either a malfunctioning weapon or bad ammunition.

What we have here are a string of negligent discharges which indicate the operators of the weapons are either handling their weapons with their finger on the trigger or drawing them that way.

see the video at the link

11 posted on 06/14/2015 7:19:51 PM PDT by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: BenLurkin

Factory Glocks hqave a 5.5lbs trigger pull.


12 posted on 06/14/2015 7:22:50 PM PDT by umgud (When under attack, victims want 2 things; God & a gun)
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To: BenLurkin
(3) Never rely on a safety.

(4) Always assume the gun is ready to shoot.

13 posted on 06/14/2015 7:26:29 PM PDT by imardmd1 (Fiat Lux)
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To: puppypusher
its magazines are very difficult to load.

Are you referring to the act of inserting cartridges into the magazine, or the act of inserting a filled magazine into the pistol?

14 posted on 06/14/2015 7:29:24 PM PDT by NorthMountain ("The time has come", the Walrus said, "to talk of many things")
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To: BenLurkin

Its not the gun, its the training. More is needed.


15 posted on 06/14/2015 7:31:29 PM PDT by gwgn02
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To: BenLurkin
6-8lbs and the trigger is TOO LIGHT?

I wouldn't have a clunker like that in my house.

Hell, there's revolvers that only go 7lbs in DOUBLE ACTION mode.

16 posted on 06/14/2015 7:31:56 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18 - Be The Leaderless Resistance)
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To: JoeProBono

Are they doing the locomotion?


17 posted on 06/14/2015 7:32:51 PM PDT by Steely Tom (Vote GOP: A Slower Handbasket)
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To: puppypusher

They make devices that facilitate loading the mags, I can’t recall the exact name.

If you have to reload magazines in a combat situation, aren’t you already eyeball deep in s***??? ;-)


18 posted on 06/14/2015 7:34:06 PM PDT by Axenolith (Government blows, and that which governs least, blows least...)
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To: Steely Tom

Macarena


19 posted on 06/14/2015 7:39:25 PM PDT by JoeProBono (SOME IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED;-{)
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To: puppypusher
I have never been able to get the advertised number of rounds in a Glock mag. My agency uses HKs with a funky DAO style trigger. Issues have been bad failures when exposed to salt water. Those agents were switched over to Glocks.

As far as loading mags, my most unfavorite is the UMP 40. First they load like a tight pistol mag, second they take 30 rounds, third they are so long it is difficult to find a good place to carry extra mags.

20 posted on 06/14/2015 7:43:11 PM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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