Gun dropped?

[Kein Mitleid]

Hello,

I was wonder what kind of damage a barrel or a firearm might suffer if it is dropped on ciment, asphalt, or concrete from a distance of about two to three feet, muzzle first.

Would the barrel crack? Would there be physical damage to it? Should it be checked out by a gunsmith, or are most guns rugged enough to withstand a few falls from about a meter or two (3-6 ft.)? Would it misfire (chamber blows up or the unnoticeable barrel bend, if any, would cause it to explode)?

 

[SignGuy]

better safe then sorry doesnt cost much if any to have a reputable smith check it out and besides whats your saftey worth?

 

[HMCSWebley]

What kind of gun is it ??
If you're talking milsurp, and there's no visible damage to the muzzle, I wouldn't hesitate to fire it...
This is just my opinion, so don't take it as a guarantee, but I think most rifles are sturdy enough to withstand something like that (though it would probably throw any optics off of zero if so equipped, then again, I don't generally use optics myself so it may not be affected)
If you are in doubt and don't feel safe...GET IT CHECKED !! It will be worth a small fee for your peace of mind.

 

[Ripstop]

You would most likely damage the crown or face of the muzzle. I can't see the barrel bending and if it were to crack from dropping, I wouldn't want to fire it in the first place even before dropping it.

I dropped a .22 from about 2 feet (slipped on ice) and it put a flat spot on the muzzle face that didn't get close to the crown. It shot exactly the same afterwards.

 

[tiriaq]

deleted double.

 

[tiriaq]

I'd worry about the crown, sights and stock. But a short fall like that is most likely going to do cosmetic damage.

 

[JohnC]

the shock can affect the trigger group/ firing mechanism The sight alignment ( optical or irons could also be affected- it only takes a thousandth on an inch misalignment to throw off your point of impact). just because it didn't hit directly doesn't mean the acceleration from th eimpact didn't throw something out.

 

[prproulx]

I had a Beretta Centurion drop off the bench at a range. It was three feet.
It landed muzzle first. It scratched the finish but had no effect on the function or accuracy.

 

[prosper]

I'd worry about the crown, sights and stock. But a short fall like that is most likely going to do cosmetic damage.

Yep. Safe to shoot - most likely. Inspect for any obvious safety issues, dry fire it a few times - you're prolly good.

Most likely, if anything, the sights are thrown out

 

[Kein Mitleid]

Nice, thanks for all of your responses.

Nothing yet dropped, though I was just wondering what would happen if I one day did. You know, you give it to a friend and whoops, he thought you were holding it but you handed it to him... and now both of you are staring at a fallen rifle! Hehe.

 

[CanAm]

The standard drop test for miltary guns is 2 metres at any angle. They should work fine after the drop, even to the muzzle.

 

[prosper]

Well, I dropped one of my varmint rigs off a table once. It was cased at the time, and there was absolutely no affect on the gun or scope~

 

[IntelGDR691]

Can't remermber how many times i've dropped my Whalter P99 QA on concrete floor.... after more than 10000 rounds whitout any kind of maintenance...still working like a new one...

Sometimes 5 feet high.... in high risk intervention simulation...

 

[david doyle]

Who would carry a rifle that could'nt handle falling off your shoulder?

I'd check the bore for crap driven into.

 

[ratherbefishin]

I would think military firearms would have to pass a battery of abuse tests and still be capable of firing safely and accurately

 

[Win94]

.................George, you had me worried their. That was my first firearm 25 years ago!!!!

............no dropping it now ya hear me!!!