A Porcupine may have saved my life!

[Jackam]

A week ago, my best buddy tangled with a porcupine. I stopped counting after I hit 100 while pulling quills from his nose, lips, tongue, neck, gums and shoulder.


Yesterday, I was driving my tractor about a 1/4 mile back to the pole barn and the dog was running along the two-track ahead of me. Halfway to our destination he stopped on a dime and made a 90 degree turn, sniffing and hunting the area. I thought that it may have been a deer or a turkey, even a squirrel, but when I saw his enthusiasm, I knew that whatever it was, was close!

I spotted the porcupine and immediately ordered the dog to sit. I then ordered him to the tractor and made him stay while I walked in and dispatched the porcupine.

I fired one shot from my pocket carry Airweight revolver. It hit the mark and all was well, but the trigger did not reset.
Had this been a self-defense situation and another round needed, I would have been in trouble.

So why did this happen? Well, because I pocket carry a lot and the dirt and dust accumulated. I've never really had to worry about it because my youngest son has ALWAYS cleaned the handgun for me. He loves doing it. Well, he's gone now, treating covid and cardiac patients on the West side of the state. I've never given it a thought (cleaning this gun) because I never HAD to think about it!

So the good news is, the dog minded me (begrudgingly) and didn't get porcupined again. I was taught a valuable lesson at a very low cost. Some might say that there is good news that there is one less porcupine in the woods, but the porcupine would disagree.

[dirtmcgirt76239]

interesting, how long has it been since he cleaned it last for this to happen ?

[Einthewoods]

I open carry in a holster when out working on my property. I don't even think about it being there so I will proceed to use my chainsaw and all other sorts of things. When I look at my pistol at the end of the day it is often covered in 'stuff'. I use my air compressor to blow it clean each day. I shoot it at least twice a week when it gets a proper cleaning.

Edit: my point was and forgot to say, I suspect I would quickly get jammed up too.

[Jackam]

interesting, how long has it been since he cleaned it last for this to happen ?

I think it's been since February.

[hendo]

Poor boy! I'm glad you are both safe and he didn't get zapped again.

[somecrazygreek]

I think it's been since February.

I usually tell people who pocket carry to strip and clean their gun at LEAST once a month, pocket lint is no joke and finds it's way into everything.

[JohnS624]

I usually tell people who pocket carry to strip and clean their gun at LEAST once a month.

You keep guns that long?

[Jackam]

You keep guns that long?

LOL! No, he doesn't!
He was giving advice to those of us that aren't as addicted.

[Roundballer]

Porcupines are primarily nocturnal animals.

If there is one out, openly, in the daylight, There is a chance that it is also sick.

[dirtmcgirt76239]

I think it's been since February.

I have never owned a revolver, does it require taking the grip panels off, cleaning in the grip right?

You hit it with an air compressor ?