...it's a "tang sight touch". 
Quick backstory: I have been shooting rifles for over 55 years, and scoped rifles for about 45. Despite having long arms and a long neck...I somehow managed to never, ever be scope-bitten. Maybe the occasional hat displacement, and a couple of shooting-glass adjustments, but never a cut or mark on my skin.
BUT...I just returned from a very relaxed and entertaining meat hunt in Montana, where I used my C.Sharps in .45-70 to take my first elk, a nice big cow. Walking up on the downed animal, I was quite surprised when she attempted to clamber to her feet when I got within a few paces. Now, I wasn't being incautious; I always approach "dead" animals carefully and unseen, rifle ready, and check them thoroughly. So, when she lurched upwards, I raised the rifle and quickly fired...realizing only as I touched off the round that my tang sight had become folded horizontal during my approach through some brush. That placed the top of the staff about 1/4-inch from my cheek. Unfortunately, recoil placed it right through my cheek and almost into my mouth.
Didn't feel a thing, in fact wasn't even aware of it until sometime later when I started to notice blood that wasn't coming out of the elk. The combination of cold air and adrenaline had deadened the sensation completely. Eventually it grew into a dull ache that lasted a couple of days. The cheek was swollen and nasty-looking for a day or two as well. If this had happened at home I would probably have gone to the ER and I suspect they would have put in a stitch or two. As it was, I washed it out carefully, put on a dab of Polysporin and a bandage, and just kept it clean and covered until I got home.
This was a couple of weeks ago. Looking at it now, it looks like it may leave a bit of a scar; my rugged, chiseled good looks are only slightly affected.
Now, had that sight been folded only halfway down, it would have been pointing right at my eye. In playing with it now, I think that seeing it like that would stop me in my tracks, before I squeezed the trigger...but, honestly, when you raise the rifle expecting to peer through an aperture, but find only an open sight instead...and yet you still fire the shot...it's a bit nerve-wracking to think what might have been.
Be careful out there.
Quick backstory: I have been shooting rifles for over 55 years, and scoped rifles for about 45. Despite having long arms and a long neck...I somehow managed to never, ever be scope-bitten. Maybe the occasional hat displacement, and a couple of shooting-glass adjustments, but never a cut or mark on my skin.
BUT...I just returned from a very relaxed and entertaining meat hunt in Montana, where I used my C.Sharps in .45-70 to take my first elk, a nice big cow. Walking up on the downed animal, I was quite surprised when she attempted to clamber to her feet when I got within a few paces. Now, I wasn't being incautious; I always approach "dead" animals carefully and unseen, rifle ready, and check them thoroughly. So, when she lurched upwards, I raised the rifle and quickly fired...realizing only as I touched off the round that my tang sight had become folded horizontal during my approach through some brush. That placed the top of the staff about 1/4-inch from my cheek. Unfortunately, recoil placed it right through my cheek and almost into my mouth.
Didn't feel a thing, in fact wasn't even aware of it until sometime later when I started to notice blood that wasn't coming out of the elk. The combination of cold air and adrenaline had deadened the sensation completely. Eventually it grew into a dull ache that lasted a couple of days. The cheek was swollen and nasty-looking for a day or two as well. If this had happened at home I would probably have gone to the ER and I suspect they would have put in a stitch or two. As it was, I washed it out carefully, put on a dab of Polysporin and a bandage, and just kept it clean and covered until I got home.
This was a couple of weeks ago. Looking at it now, it looks like it may leave a bit of a scar; my rugged, chiseled good looks are only slightly affected.
Now, had that sight been folded only halfway down, it would have been pointing right at my eye. In playing with it now, I think that seeing it like that would stop me in my tracks, before I squeezed the trigger...but, honestly, when you raise the rifle expecting to peer through an aperture, but find only an open sight instead...and yet you still fire the shot...it's a bit nerve-wracking to think what might have been.
Be careful out there.
. My first Moose. Oh, and the contact broke the rear scope mount.
