I want to preface this by saying I've shot both powder burners and air guns pretty much my entire life, always safely and without incident. I'm the guy that's always jumping on everyone else for seemingly minor safety infractions when we're out shooting, I've even been a range safety officer in the past.
That being said, I slipped up for a moment on New Year's Day, and I payed for it.
I bought myself a used Leshiy for Christmas, mounted a bugbuster and a bipod, and sighted her in. Right off the bat, I noticed 2 things: the trigger is unlike any I've ever shot (it's lite, but doesn't have any "break", it also has no spring return. If you pull the trigger back part way without firing, it stays there.) Second, the combination of a very short barrel and the eccentric moderator puts your non-trigger hand really close to the muzzle.
Anyway I noticed and noted these two things, but had no troubles during initial site in. The next day, I decided to take the Leshiy out hunting, but first I wanted to check it on paper one last time. I set up to shoot off of the back of my pickup with bipod folded under the gun and because of the angle, I shouldered the rifle left handed (I'm right handed but left eye dominant and shoot ambidextrously). I put my right hand under the bipod, started my shot sequence, had a wierd trigger pull/fire and somehow managed to have my finger sticking up enough to result in this:
It shattered my middle phalanx and destroyed the joint. I went to the hand surgeon today, the bone is in 10-15 pieces and I'm looking at a joint replacement if everything works/heals perfectly, or amputation if not.
I want to be clear that I'm not blaming the design solely here, I made a really dumb mistake. I just want others to be aware and extra careful when out shooting their Leshiy's (or any gun for that matter). All it takes is that one second lapse in attention.
That being said, I slipped up for a moment on New Year's Day, and I payed for it.
I bought myself a used Leshiy for Christmas, mounted a bugbuster and a bipod, and sighted her in. Right off the bat, I noticed 2 things: the trigger is unlike any I've ever shot (it's lite, but doesn't have any "break", it also has no spring return. If you pull the trigger back part way without firing, it stays there.) Second, the combination of a very short barrel and the eccentric moderator puts your non-trigger hand really close to the muzzle.
Anyway I noticed and noted these two things, but had no troubles during initial site in. The next day, I decided to take the Leshiy out hunting, but first I wanted to check it on paper one last time. I set up to shoot off of the back of my pickup with bipod folded under the gun and because of the angle, I shouldered the rifle left handed (I'm right handed but left eye dominant and shoot ambidextrously). I put my right hand under the bipod, started my shot sequence, had a wierd trigger pull/fire and somehow managed to have my finger sticking up enough to result in this:
It shattered my middle phalanx and destroyed the joint. I went to the hand surgeon today, the bone is in 10-15 pieces and I'm looking at a joint replacement if everything works/heals perfectly, or amputation if not.
I want to be clear that I'm not blaming the design solely here, I made a really dumb mistake. I just want others to be aware and extra careful when out shooting their Leshiy's (or any gun for that matter). All it takes is that one second lapse in attention.
yikes, that truly sucks. I hope the prognosis is good, and you can heal quickly. Thank you for sharing this also. It goes to show that accidents can and do happen to the best of us. Safety protocol is there for a reason, and this trigger issue should be made known. Also, shorter carbine or similar guns do present an issue with hold and associated dangers. Again, I hope you heal well.
