While browsing through the SAAMI standards (just for fun), I came across the "official" specifications for a drop test. Note that the test should use a full magazine of dummy rounds, and also simulate a fully accessorized weight. Also note that the people who write this stuff are not fun at parties.
5. Drop Test
5.1. Applies to: Rifles, Shotguns and Handguns
5.1.1. This test simulates the abusive dropping of the firearm.
5.1.2. With the firearm in the "Safe Carrying" condition, the firearm shall be capable of passing the below test criteria for drop testing from a height of four (4) feet (1.22 m) onto a 85±5 Durometer (Shore A) rubber mat, one (1) inch thick (2.54 cm), backed by concrete. The mat and concrete shall be large enough so that when the gun is dropped it will fall and come to rest without interference within the perimeter of the mat. The drop height shall be measured from the surface of the rubber mat to the center of gravity of the firearm. The center of gravity shall be determined to an accuracy of ± one (1) inch (2.54 cm) by any recognized method for finding the center of gravity of an irregular shaped object. The firearm shall be re-cocked and reset in the "Safe Carrying" condition after each drop or a separate firearm may be used for each drop. As an alternative to free dropping, other methods may be substituted if they provide equivalent impact characteristics.
5.2. Criterion - The firearm shall not fire a chambered empty primed case of its designated cartridge when tested in accordance with this procedure. In a multi-chambered gun the primed case(s) shall be inserted in the chamber(s) directly in front of the firing pin(s). Parts breakage or other damage resulting from drop testing does not constitute failure as long as the empty primed case does not fire and the firearm can be unloaded safely after each drop.
5.3. Test Procedure - The firearm or firearms shall be dropped in such a way as to cause them to strike the rubber mat surface in each of the following attitudes:
a) Barrel vertical, muzzle down.
b) Barrel vertical, muzzle up.
c) Barrel horizontal, bottom up.
d) Barrel horizontal, bottom down.
e) Barrel horizontal, left side up.
f) Barrel horizontal, right side up.
5.3.1. The test shall be conducted with the trigger pull force set at the minimum force specified by the manufacturer.
5.3.2. The test shall be conducted with the magazine, clip or remaining revolver cylinder chambers fully loaded with SAAMI-compliant gun functioning dummy cartridges and locked in place.
5.3.3. The test shall be conducted with firearms of minimum and maximum weight configurations of a given model, including weight variations introduced by accessories cataloged by the manufacturer.