[Matt VDW]

When a combatant armed with a handgun is shot in the shooting hand or arm, what are the usual results? Is the shootee likely to drop the gun or be too impaired to continue firing?

Obviously, there are a lot of variables involved here, but I suspect that as a general rule, the reaction is neither as swift nor as incapacitating as Hollywood has led many people to believe.

 

[Shane1911]

Generally speaking, pain or trauma to the body in any non-lethal form will cause an involuntary muscle contraction. In other words - the grip on the gun will get TIGHTER, unless the injury is a mechanical shutdown of the affected area (broken bone, severed tendon, severe nervous system trauma).

Therefore, unless you hit the arm in such a spot as to physically and mechanically disable the gripping hand, it will for the most part remain intact (or stonger).

Of course, a lot of this is subjective. Some people have lower tolerance for pain. My 14 year daughter will walk around with her arm in a sling if she gets a hangnail. :wink:

Those with higher pain tolerance (naturally or chemically induced) are not likely to drop their weapon if they are shot with a "flesh wound".