So, I did something super stupid today...I picked up a new pistol and decided to swap out the back strap (honestly, who ships a gun with the small option installed anyway?) I took the very nice punch tool that came with the pistol and tried to push out the retainer roll pin from the back strap and found out it was really in there tight.

Instead of getting my punch puck out and tapping the punch with a brass hammer, I decided to push the punch with my right hand while bracing the pistol grip with my left and pushing into it. The pin still wouldn't budge, so I pressed a bit (a lot) harder. Next thing I know, the pin let loose and the punch went all the way through the back strap and into my left palm.

I initially thought the punch just pushed into my palm and broke the skin a little. Yeah it hurt some, but not bad. I started looking around on the floor because I couldn't find the roll pin. While I'm looking and not finding it, I started thinking that I couldn't remember the pin making any noise when it hit the wood floor. It still took me a minute to realize the roll pin I was looking for was completely buried in my left palm.

I could feel the pin under my skin, but it was deep. I tried to get the pin to line back up with the hole I accidentally made so I could push it back out, no dice. I ended up deciding the 35 mile drive to the ER was the only option. Needless to say the ER staff couldn't quite understand how I ended up in my predicament or what exactly was in my hand. It took an x-ray for them to fully understand my lack of good decision making.

Try as she might, the Doc could not get the pin to come back out the same way it went in, so she had to make another incision closer to my wrist and pull it out the opposite way. She thought it was hilarious that the real reason I was there was to get the pin back so I didn't have to order a replacement and wait a week to shoot my new pistol. I ended up with a couple stitches and was sent on my way.

In the end, I got the pin back and after cleaning out its' hollow center of my own burger it seems to be no worse for the wear. However, my sweet deal pistol ended up being a lot more expensive.

Here's the "pics or it didn't happen" proof:

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Turbo216,

Thank you Para. I was having a bit of trouble there.

These image hosting sites seem to make linking difficult intentionally.

quote:

the real reason I was there was to get the pin back so I didn't have to order a replacement and wait a week to shoot my new pistol.

You, sir, have your priorities straight . Well done, I hope you heal up quick!

Ouch

I looked at the pictures, then read Para’s post, “Put your three links back like you had them at first, and I'll fix them”, and for half a second I thought he was telling you how to fix your hand.

I’ll bet that’s not part of the 8 pages of warnings in the owner’s manual.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
I looked at the pictures, then read Para’s post, “Put your three links back like you had them at first, and I'll fix them”, and for half a second I thought he was telling you how to fix your hand.

I’ll bet that’s not part of the 8 pages of warnings in the owner’s manual.

Yeah, back straps were not the only thing I was having issues with yesterday. I don't post many photos and Imgur looked a bit different since the last time I used it. Para must've been trying to fix my image links at the same time I kept re-editing it myself to make it work and undoing his fix.

Ouch! Did the doc put you on antibiotic too?

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
You, sir, have your priorities straight . Well done, I hope you heal up quick!

Thanks! I'm happy to report that 1, I was able to install the correct size insert and 2, the pistol shot great, but I had to resort to using my shooting hand only once the Novocaine wore off.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
Ouch! Did the doc put you on antibiotic too?

No, just the ointment over the wound. I had my tetanus shot at my last visit 6 months ago. I figured I'd get some antibiotics, but I was told to just keep an eye on it.

That sucks, and it sounds like something I’d do with the bad luck I’ve been having lately.
We learn from our mistakes for sure.

Glad to hear they go it out and you are ok, for the most part. I haven't done that yet but it is always in the back of my mind or something like that. I eventually broke down and bought some pistol/rifle blocks and tools to help prevent something like this.

Was it an HK?

What about a neodymium magnet. Docs sure like cuttin'

Honestly, that seems like something I would do.
Glad it 'worked out' for you..

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
Was it an HK?

Nope, it's a Canik Mete MC9. It's a heck of a shooter and was only $299 (before the ER visit it caused) at PSA, plus a $25 rebate.

quote:

Originally posted by SigSentry:
What about a neodymium magnet. Docs sure like cuttin'

I have no experience with those magnets or how they work, but I managed to shove that pin in far enough to spin it about 45 degrees away from the hole it made going in. I'm thinking cutting it out was probably the only way we were going to end the relationship.

Per a recent thread, an MRI could have gotten that for you. Glad no other harm done. Keep it clean.

quote:

Nope, it's a Canik Mete MC9. It's a heck of a shooter and was only $299 (before the ER visit it caused) at PSA, plus a $25 rebate.

Nice. I have a Canik patterned after the Walther P99. I forget the model designation. I loaned it to my dad during the ANTIFA unrest in Utah back in 2019 (iirc). I haven’t asked for it back though I miss shooting it. Great gun. Sorry about the injury.

Did something remarkably similar resizing a watch band once. Fortunately, those pins are much smaller in diameter and mine was still sticking out of my palm, so no surgical extraction was necessary.

Cool x-ray, though!

-Rob

Ouch! Glad the removal was successful. I’ve had my share of ‘oops’ moments too - the old saying ‘we live and we learn’. It only took me one attempt as a small child to try putting a metal hair lift into a 110V outlet to learn to never try that again.