Talk:Jacob Kovco

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Contents 1 9mm handguns in the ADF? 2 Died in Baghdad? 3 Birthdate? 4 Previous jobs 5 3RAR 6 Unusual deaths 7 Update needed

[edit] 9mm handguns in the ADF?

An anonymous contributor has raised doubts about whether ordinary soldiers in the ADF carry 9mm pistols. Expert commentary on this issue would be very welcome. — JEREMY 08:50, 27 April 2006 (UTC)

45 is and has been standard issue through most military organisations throughout history; however issue of 40 and 38sig (depending on country) are also an option, however I couldn't see someone using a nine in a combat scenario. Further, I truly couldn't see any known modern firearm (pre-1980) that could 'discharge' no matter how hard one hit it, no matter from what height it dropped and no matter what went on short of a finger covering the trigger fully and discharging the firearm with intent.

Due to the lack of a 'safety switch' mechanism, almost all semi-automatic handguns have a triple or dual split trigger which requires full coverage of the trigger, when the hammer is cocked (and even in the uncocked position) there is literally a chunk of steel blocking the firing pin from hitting the primer of the ammunition in the chamber, thus preventing any accidental knocks occasioning discharge.

This entire situation stinks of cover-up, there is no question of 'if' something is wrong with this story, the question is why he was shot / shot himself. Jachin 10:43, 18 May 2006 (UTC)

Firearms chambered in 9mm are actually quite common in various military organisations. As I understand it, by and large the U.S. military currently uses the 9mm Beretta 92FS (M9) as the standard sidearm. And I'm pretty sure the Browning Hi-Power 9mm remains the sidearm for Australia, Canada and the UK.

I feel that there are several errors you have made in your statement. You said "Due to the lack of a 'safety switch' mechanism, almost all semi-automatic handguns have a triple or dual split trigger which requires full coverage of the trigger", which does not make much sense to me. The Browning Hi-Powers DO have a manual safety, as do virtually all single action semi-automatic pistols.

I also do not fully understand what you mean by "triple or dual split trigger". As far as I know there's no mechanism of any kind on a Browning Hi-Power that would in any way prevent discharge of the pistol should the safety be disengadged, the hammer cocked, the firearm loaded, and the trigger pulled to the rear in any manner. The Hi-Power has no trigger safety like a GLOCK, or grip safety like a 1911.

You are correct that like all well designed modern semi-automatic pistols, the Hi-Power has a half cock, disconnector, and firing pin safety that would keep the pistol extremely safe from accidental discharge, assuming of course common sense firearms handling is maintained, specificly keeping your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard.

Unfortunately common sense isn't as common as one would like, and negligent discharges of firearms do happen when people act foolish, and I see absolutely nothing unusual about the scenario that Private Kovco accidently killed himself. It wouldn't be the first time such an accident has happened, and won't be the last until everyone understands that you don't point firearms at what you can't afford to shoot, and you don't put your finger on the trigger unless you have a reason too. IUJHJSDHE 07:07, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

Most SECDET Private Soldiers now have MKIII Browninh Hi Power Pistols with a dual safety catch. It is a single action pistol, which means the safety catch must be flicked off in order to fire weapons.

[edit] Died in Baghdad?

I wasn't aware there were Australian soldiers in Baghdad. Aren't they all in al-Muthanna? QazPlm 11:47, 28 April 2006 (UTC)

(Elements of?) 3RAR are in Baghdad, guarding the embassy. — JEREMY 13:29, 28 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Birthdate?

Does anyone have a cite for Kovco's birthdate (or at least the year of his birth)? It doesn't look good to have a question mark in there. — JEREMY 20:46, 29 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Previous jobs

Kovco previously worked in a slaughterhouse "where he was responsible for shooting injured cows". Not only is this an odd thing to be responsible for in a slaughterhouse (don't they all get "injured"?), it seems to me to be an extraneous, and even salacious, piece of information. What's wrong with "worked in a slaughterhouse"? We can imagine the rest. - LP

[edit] 3RAR

Removed the "elite" tag and the "Selection" one for 3RAR. It is not elite, and there is no selection process to join it, it is the same as the other regular battalions in the way soldiers are assigned to it

Also, Kovco failed 'elite' sniper selection - kovco failed one part of the selection. He passed everything on the course except for the last day. This last day was essential to pass. He was placed in the Snipers cell as OJT's (On The Job Training) and would have completed another selection on return to 3RAR

[edit] Unusual deaths

I have removed him from List of unusual deaths because the aspects of his death that might make it truly unusual are all unproven. Right now, he's a soldier who died of a gunshot wound. If official findings support really weird circumstances, then perhaps he can return to the page. - DavidWBrooks 11:46, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Update needed

Now that the Board of Inquiry Report into the death of Private Jake Kovco is complete and available this article needs a major overhaul to remove all the speculation over Private Kovco's death, much of which is has now been proven wrong. I've added a link to the report and the ADF's response to it at the bottom of the article. --Nick Dowling 23:42, 24 December 2006 (UTC)