While finishing up at the range I choose to sight in the mini red sight on my newly milled pistol slide. I also have installed on this pistol a screw on compensator attached via the threaded barrel. I used the wooden bench to support my pistol as I about to sight it in. However when I installed my compensator I failed to ensure it was locked into place via the locking setscrew. As such, the compensator had rotated during transport to the range. I was using all proper personal protection equipment (eye and hearing protection), and was obeying the four basic firearm rules. After acquiring my target, I decided to break the shot. As noted above the compensator had rotated and the ports had rotated so that they were point down towards the wooden bench as opposed to up to mitigate muzzle rise. The blast blew the first layer of the wood on the bench, splinters blew everywhere, a few hit my safety glasses, and the round hit the target down range. After the shock of being hit in the face from wood, I noticed the damage I caused due to my negligence. I immediately notified TCMSA personnel via Facebook messenger who informed me to fill out an incident report found on the website. The take away from this incident is the following:

• Obey all firearm safety rules (the consequences can be tragic and will be used to take away our rights);
• Wear all personal protection equipment (I was the only one at the range and if I hadn’t been wearing safety glasses it would have been painful to drive myself to the emergency room with a splinters in my eye, can be equally tragic, and be used to take away our right);
• When you make a modification to your firearm, double and triple check to make sure the modifications are properly secured, and in proper working order before using the firearm; and
• When you do something stupid (accidental or intentional) own it, and notify the proper authorities so you can start the remedy process and make restitution.

Don’t be me,
Signed
A very embarrassed club member