Always keep the gun pointed in a safe directionAlways keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use
Posted on 08/06/2008 9:55:22 AM PDT by Manly Warrior
Wednesday Edition
By Manly Warrior; NRA certified Rifle and Pistol Instructor, MO CCW Instructor, Avid NRA HP Competitor, Army Combat Infantryman and Engineer officer (retired).
While many of us use firearms frequently and have learned (sometimes the hard way) to deliberately review our weapons safety/handling procedures each and every time we handle firearms, many firearms owners and particularly handgun owners, do not live so close to their weapons.
In this article, I will attempt to review the basic rules of firearms safety, using the NRA rules as a basis as well as reviewing the basic steps in gun handling. For this exercise, assume handguns, both revolver and pistol are the object of the discussion. While many of the procedures are similar to those for long guns, no attempt is made to address them.
Also, while some revolvers and pistols have proprietary and unique characteristics along with unique operating procedures, this article makes no attempt to cover all handguns; rather the focus is on generic double action revolvers and SA, SA/DA and DAO/safe-action pistols, in other words, practical combat handguns commonly found in the hands of every Americans..
Please insure you refer to the owner’s manual for your specific firearm for any unique requirements!
NRA Rules of Gun Safety.
(bulleted comments added by the author for clarification & extension)
1. Never point a firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy.
-Always control the muzzle of your firearm, ALWAYS!
2. Treat All Firearms as if they were loaded.
-Always assume every firearm you see/handle or are aware of, is LOADED, ALWAYS!
-Perform a safety check on all firearms handed to you or that you pick up; regardless of whether or not you just saw another person do the same!
-If you are not familiar with a specific firearms’ operation, do not attempt to clear it, ask the other person to show you how, then do it yourself under observation, carefully paying attention to observing and physically checking to insure no ammunition is in the action or chamber
3. Keep you finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
-Modern Firearms will NOT “go off” by themselves; they require human actuation or at least mishandling, ALWAYS!
-When drawing, ALWAYS place your trigger finger alongside the frame of the firearm and only place it inside the trigger guard when presenting at a target you intend to shoot, not before, ALWAYS!
Basic Firearms Handling and Marksmanship
Clearing/Unloading and Loading and applying Immediate Action (IA) in case of a stoppage.
Pistols.
-Clearing/unloading:
Point pistol in a safe direction and keep it that way.
Keep your finger off the trigger (out of the trigger guard) at all times.
The Following Steps MUST be executed in sequence!!!
Step One-attempt to place firearm on safe if so equipped.
Step Two-remove magazine by depressing the magazine release.
Step Three-move slide backwards to open the mechanism, depress (or lift) the slide lock mechanism to lock the slide open.
Step Four- Observe the chamber as you retract the slide rearward to see if a round is extracted/ejected from the pistol.
Step Five- Look carefully into the chamber/breech area of the pistol to check to see if a round of ammunition is in the chamber/breech area, (DO NOT ASSUME THERE IS NOT) During limited visibility, examine the chamber/breech with a flashlight or insert your little finger into the mechanism and feel to insure there is not a round of ammunition present anywhere in the mechanism.
Step Six-Retract the slide slightly to disengage the slide lock and manually allow the slide to return to its closed position.
-Loading:
Point pistol in a safe direction and keep it that way
Keep your finger off the trigger (out of the trigger guard) at all times.
The Following Steps MUST be executed in sequence!!!
Step One-attempt to place firearm on safe if so equipped.
Step Two- Retract and lock back the slide by drawing the slide rearwards with your support hand while depressing (of lifting) the slide lock.
Step Three-Insert a loaded magazine with your support hand, guiding the magazine into the well with your support hand index finger; firmly seat the magazine by slapping or pressing upwards on the bottom of the magazine with the heel of your support hand.
Step Four depress the slide lock with your firing hand thumb or trigger finger (left-handed firers) or tug rearwards on the rear of the slide to release the slide lock and let the slide shut under its own spring power-do not “ride” the slide forward; doing so may induce a stoppage by not fully allowing the first round of ammunition to be properly stripped from the magazine and chambered.
-Performing Immediate Action:
Point pistol in a safe direction and keep it that way
Keep your finger off the trigger (out of the trigger guard) at all times.
The Following Steps MUST be executed in sequence!!!
(In a combat situation you will always want to seek cover (something that will stop bullets) while fighting, and especially when you have a stoppage)
Step One-Slap upward on the bottom of the magazine with the heel of your support hand to insure it is fully seated in the well and locked into the pistol.
Step Two-Grasp the serrated portion of the slide with your support hand (reach over the top of the slide) so the thumb/heel is on the inside (closest to your chest, thumb pointed at your body) and your fingers are facing outwards and down, firmly grasping the slide.
Step Three-Pull firmly and fully rearwards with your support hand, while observing for any jammed cartridges in the breech area; release your support hand and allow the slide to close under its own spring power.
Step Four-reacquire your target and fire.
This is also called “TAP, RACK, BANG”
Keep your pistol fairly high and your head erect so you can see your surroundings while you execute this task without losing complete situational awareness and tactical control.
If this does not work; you must do “Remedial Action” to get back into the fight.
Remedial Action:
Point pistol in a safe direction and keep it that way
Keep your finger off the trigger (out of the trigger guard) at all times.
The Following Steps MUST be executed in sequence!!!
(In a combat situation you will always want to seek cover (something that will stop bullets) while fighting, and especially when you have a stoppage)
Step One-remove magazine by depressing the magazine release and deliberately ripping the magazine from the pistol.
Step Two-Observe the chamber/breech of the pistol and briskly move slide backwards and forwards several times in rapid succession to insure any malfunctioning rounds or expended cartridge cases are extracted/ejected from the pistol.
Step Three – Secure a fresh magazine and insert it into the magazine well as in loading, however, the slide will be forward, so insure you seat and lock the new magazine into the pistol
Step Four- Grasp the slide and actuate it briskly to the rear, letting it close under its own spring power, reacquire your target and continue to defend yourself.
Revolvers:
-Clearing/unloading:
Point revolver in a safe direction and keep it that way
Keep your finger off the trigger (out of the trigger guard) at all times.
The Following Steps MUST be executed in sequence!!!
Step One-depress the cylinder lock with your firing hand thumb and open the cylinder by grasping the cylinder with your support hand from underneath, the tips of your finger pushing the cylinder towards the left, while your support hand thumb controls the cylinder from the left side.
Step Two-release the revolver from your firing hand and turn the revolver muzzle-up with your support hand.
Step Three-using the knife-edge of your firing hand, strike the ejector rod firmly and full to eject fired cartridge cases or loaded rounds from the chambers.
Step Four-Look carefully into the chamber/breech area of the revolver to check to see if a round of ammunition is in the chamber/breech area, (DO NOT ASSUME THERE IS NOT) During limited visibility, either examine the chamber/breech with a flashlight or insert your little finger into the mechanism and feel tht there is not a round of ammunition present anywhere in the mechanism.
-Loading:
Point the revolver in a safe direction and keep it that way
Keep your finger off the trigger (out of the trigger guard) at all times.
The Following Steps MUST be executed in sequence!!!
Step One-clear your revolver as described above.
Step Two- invert the revolver so that the muzzle is pointed at the ground, gravity helps load a revolver.
Step Three-Secure a loaded speed loader by grasping the release knob between your firing hands ring and index fingers and thumb. (If using loose rounds, insert each round into the chambers of the cylinder one at a time, then continue to step six).
Step Four Insert the bullet tips of a loaded speed loader into the magazine with your support hand and twist the release knob to allow the cartridges to drop into the chambers.
Step Five- let go of the speed loader (do not try to pull it away from the cylinder-allow gravity to let if fall to the ground) and close the cylinder with your support hand as you grasp the grip frame with your firing hand.
Step Six-re-grasp the revolver with your support hand and prepare to fire.
-Performing Immediate Action:
If your revolver fails to fire and you are not out of ammunition, then you may have a disabled revolver. Attempt to clear the revolver and reload; usually if your revolver is disabled, you will not be able to clear and or reload without assistance of a tool (dejammer) and more time than you probably have…. Many Revolver shooters carry a back-up gun (BUG) just in case-this is sometimes called a “NY reload”
(In a combat situation you will always want to seek cover (something that will stop bullets) while fighting, and especially when you have a stoppage)
Remember, muzzle awareness and practicing the requisite steps for your particular handgun is paramount in being safe. We owe it to ourselves as well as the general public to be the epitome of safety and professionalism. The “antis” are always lurking, waiting for a gun owner to make a mistake and beat the drum of gun control. Don’t let it be you!
God Bless and MOLON LABE!
A sincere question on these two steps:
“Step Two- Retract and lock back the slide by drawing the slide rearwards with your support hand while depressing (of lifting) the slide lock.
“Step Three-Insert a loaded magazine with your support hand, guiding the magazine into the well with your support hand index finger; firmly seat the magazine by slapping or pressing upwards on the bottom of the magazine with the heel of your support hand.”
I know that functionally these two steps can be performed in the opposite order (i.e., seat mag, pul slide back fully and then release to fly forward, chambering a round). In fact, it is how I have been taught, inc. in a NRA approved CCW cert. course. Is there a safety reason why they should not be?
Always keep the gun pointed in a safe directionAlways keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use
There's a name for people like that: DUMBA$$!
I am an “expert” at several weapons. Not only that, expert marksman with those weapons.
I’m quite confident with most ANY M16 sort of weapon and in particular my own AR15 (especially that one). A certain model shotgun, and my normal 9mm I carry.
I’m also... “an expert marksman” with a longbow (one I built) and shoot pretty well with most other types of bows, including recurve bows, and a couple types of compound bows.
So who ever said that is full of it.
It’s all in what you PRACTICE with.
One other thing...
Practice doesn’t make perfect....
PERFECT practice makes perfect. So when practicing make sure you’re doing everything right to begin with, then practice doing it correctly!
I prefer that my students retract/lock the slide first, then insert the magazine. The reason is that a full mag MAY be difficult to seat and LOCK in; potentially causing an operator-induced failure to load (chamber).
Also, inserting the mag first, then manually retracting the slide MAY cause a failure to fully go into battery (slide fully closed on a chambered round) IF the operator rides the slide forward rather than letting it close under full recoil/operating spring pressure.
If your pistol does NOT have a slide lock (many older, smaller guns) then you must follow the order you describe. Most modern combat pistols do not fit this parameter.
If you must do this task in inverted manner, I recommend you grasp the slide firmly with the support hand, pinky forward, fingers over the slide, thumb along side away from the hammer or wrapped around the rear of the slide (hammerless/striker fired) and pull the slide briskly rearward toward your firing shoulder, allowing the slide to be pulled from your grasp when it reaches full retraction, thus allowing the recoil/operating spring to get “a full head of steam” to strip, feed and lock on a round.
Hope that helps.
God Bless & MOLN LABE
I focus mainly on handgun training, as I sideline in CCW training here in MO.
I agree-get to a first steps rifle course-often NRA instructors will offer a discount on a “two-for”; doing both basic rifle and pistol in succession.
We owe it to ourselves and those around us to be properly trained.
Good shooting.
God Bless and MOLON LABE!
I simply bump the latch with my trigger finger, punch the cylinder out with my right thumb, grasping the frame with my fingers underneath the trigger guard/bottom metal , muzzle upward, slap the ejector rod with the knife edge of my left hand, continue down to my speed loader carrier (same side as my holster) bring it up while flipping the muzzle down, insert, twist, close, re-grasp and re-engage.... I feel very comfortable with this method.
God Bless & MOLON LABE.
Thank you for the info.
/I love the wealth of knowledge we have here in Freeper land.
Do you ever practice reloading with one hand as though the other hand has been disabled or is required to keep you from falling. With a revolver, stuff the barrel in your belt once the cylinder is open, reload and close the cylinder as you withdraw it from your belt.
I have never practiced with a pistol and would have the slightest idea where to start.
To anyone interested, the above link takes you to a free online set of self defense course videos regarding concealed carry.
To verify that a semi-auto is unloaded, the instructor in the videos recommends physically inspecting the chamber with your finger rather than just visually inspecting it. His reasoning is that there is no room for error if you actually stick your pinky or index finger in there. I think he talks about it in chapter 19. The worst that can happen is that you accidentally let the slide pinch your finger once or twice in your life. The best that can happen is that you save yourself from having an N.D. when you thought you didn’t see a round in the chamber. I personally do both visual and physical inspection.
At slide lock, drop the mag using grip hand finger. Stick barrel into pocket, belt, or between knees. Anywhere that’ll hold it steady enough to retrieve a spare mag and feed it into the mag well. Regrip, drop the slide, continue administering dirt nap pellets.
"Uhhhh, let me look down the barrel while you work the trigger, maybe we can see what's stuck..."
Gun Safety Rules - Jeff Cooper
RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY
RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET
RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT’S BEHIND IT
RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
There are no exceptions. Do not pretend that this is true. Some people and organizations take this rule and weaken it;e.g. “Treat all guns as if they were loaded.” Unfortunately, the “as if” compromises the directness of the statement by implying that they are unloaded, but we will treat them as though they are loaded. No good! Safety rules must be worded forcefully so that they are never treated lightly or reduced to partial compliance.
All guns are always loaded - period!
This must be your mind-set. If someone hands you a firearm and says, “Don’t worry, it’s not loaded,” you do not dare believe him. You need not be impolite, but check it yourself. Remember, there are no accidents, only negligent acts. Check it. Do not let yourself fall prey to a situation where you might feel compelled to squeal, “I didn’t know it was loaded!”
RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY
Conspicuously and continuously violated, especially with pistols, Rule II applies whether you are involved in range practice, daily carry, or examination. If the weapon is assembled and in someone’s hands, it is capable of being discharged. A firearm holstered properly, lying on a table, or placed in a scabbard is of no danger to anyone. Only when handled is there a need for concern. This rule applies to fighting as well as to daily handling. If you are not willing to take a human life, do not cover a person with the muzzle. This rule also applies to your own person. Do not allow the muzzle to cover your extremities, e.g. using both hands to reholster the pistol. This practice is unsound, both procedurally and tactically. You may need a free hand for something important. Proper holster design should provide for one-handed holstering, so avoid holsters which collapse after withdrawing the pistol. (Note: It is dangerous to push the muzzle against the inside edge of the holster nearest the body to “open” it since this results in your pointing the pistol at your midsection.) Dry-practice in the home is a worthwhile habit and it will result in more deeply programmed reflexes. Most of the reflexes involved in the Modern Technique do not require that a shot be fired. Particular procedures for dry-firing in the home will be covered later. Let it suffice for now that you do not dry-fire using a “target” that you wish not to see destroyed. (Recall RULE I as well.)
RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE
TARGET
Rule III is violated most anytime the uneducated person handles a firearm. Whether on TV, in the theaters, or at the range, people seem fascinated with having their finger on the trigger. Never stand or walk around with your finger on the trigger. It is unprofessional, dangerous, and, perhaps most damaging to the psyche, it is klutzy looking. Never fire a shot unless the sights are superimposed on the target and you have made a conscious decision to fire. Firing an unaligned pistol in a fight gains nothing. If you believe that the defensive pistol is only an intimidation tool - not something to be used - carry blanks, or better yet, reevaluate having one around. If you are going to launch a projectile, it had best be directed purposely. Danger abounds if you allow your finger to dawdle inside the trigger guard. As soon as the sights leave the target, the trigger-finger leaves the trigger and straightens alongside the frame. Since the hand normally prefers to work as a unit - as in grasping - separating the function of the trigger-finger from the rest of the hand takes effort. The five-finger grasp is a deeply programmed reflex. Under sufficient stress, and with the finger already placed on the trigger, an unexpected movement, misstep or surprise could result in a negligent discharge. Speed cannot be gained from such a premature placement of the trigger-finger. Bringing the sights to bear on the target, whether from the holster or the Guard Position, takes more time than that required for moving the trigger finger an inch or so to the trigger.
RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT’S BEHIND IT
Know what it is, what is in line with it, and what is behind it. Never shoot at anything you have not positively identified. Be aware of your surroundings, whether on the range or in a fight. Do not assume anything. Know what you are doing.
If you are serious about practice, get a "blue gun" that matches (as closely as possible) your real one.
My blue guns have taken numerous falls that my real ones would have had to endure. This is especially important when trying out holsters or practicing the draw. And since the blue (or red) guns are a hard plastic, it's easy to modify them to more closely match your gun. In each case, I used a needle file to open up a rear sight notch, so I could actually get a decent sight picture. My S&W Model 60-NY has a bobbed hammer spur, so I sawed it off on the blue gun, too.
I've also taken some tips from friends who know some things about oriental martial arts. Mental training can be done at any time, any place. Your mind can always picture the perfect draw, perfect sight alignment, perfect follow-on, perfect immediate action drill.
Another method of practice is to do everything as slowly as possible, being aware of everything that is happening, and what should happen next. Everything is designed to strengthen the neural pathways that will take over, and make everything seem instinctual, in a real-life stress situation. You're working to purposely build instinct. And that should include instinctive safe gun handling.
A final training aid I learned from my father. Watch movies and TV shows, see how many safety errors are committed. Then watch "reality" cop shows, and see what you get when you give someone a taxpayer-supplied badge and gun.
Or you can buy snap caps for each caliber used.
* * * * *
Regarding your essay question:
In 50 words or less, describe what late means to you.
It means I didn't miss. :)
How do you pull the slide back to lock it with just one hand?
The NRA Rules read as follows:
“1. ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
This is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.
2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.
3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.”
I apologize for any confusion. The subsequent text was intend to expand on basic rules and bring out certain nuances in execution, not to “rewrite” or mis-publish the NRA text.
Thanks for the heads up!
God Bless and MOLON LABE
All gun owners should take a NRA gun safety class, even if they are not applying for a concealed carry permit. I have been shooting with too many people who REALLY needed this class.
If still loaded, drop mag, place on safe (if equipped) secure (knees only in my view)with muzzle pointed safely away, insert mag, re-grasp, continue mission.
All this done preferably behind cover, even if still fully capable.
God Bless & MOLON LABE
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