^ Good analogy.
I understand our subject Special Agent was doing a backflip when his gun fell out? It went off when he picked it up, that part is clear, but I'm not too familiar with modern pre-loaded double action handguns.
Could the fall have partially released the sear or something? Or the safety on a cocked and locked 1911-style pistol?
No offense to cocked and locked devotees, but I did have a shoulder rig which often flipped the safety off when you holstered the gun. Very disconcerting to discover that. No bang, just a "holy *expletive deleted*it."
I'm assuming it was an issue semiauto, and not something like an SAA with six rounds in it.
Nevertheless, I'm thinking he violated the "keep your booger hook off the bang switch" rule.
Terry, 230RN