I hope you enjoy and find it profitable.
In Canada we use the acronym ‘P.R.O.V.E’ when teaching people firearms safety:
1) Point the firearm in the safest available direction;
2) Remove all ammunition;
3) Observe the chamber;
4) Verify the feeding path;
5) Examine the bore for obstructions.
>-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”<
Is the writer prejudiced against revolvers?
If your revolver fails to fire and you are not out of ammunition, fire again!
I’ve personally quite happy and proud to confess that I remembered all of this from my training in childhood from the NRA (and some family members who were former shooters in VTN).
But, the truest part is still: If you are in a gunfight, you need to have a gun.
Bump for later
Are there any revolvers where the cylinder swings out on the right side? It would make it easier for a lefty to unload/reload.
Thanks for posting. There was someone here just the other day saying that it was OK to point a loaded weapon toward yourself. He also didn’t think that anyone could be an expert at handling firearms. Yeesh!
I tried to catch my 13 year old son on the 'always check it yourself' rule. I handed him his rifle and told him 'it's empty'.
He just looked at me and said "Yea, right Dad." and checked it himself.
That bought him 2 extra boxes of ammo....
L
[Bad, bad sound in background. Silence. Sirens...]
Thanks fot posting this, Manly Warrior. It is great timing, as I just purchased my first firearm last weekend—a Remington 770 center fire rifle. I have also signed up for a women’s firearms course at a shooting range in my area. I am really looking forward to learning how to shoot and to take care of the rifle, as well as handle it safely.
Thank you. This is great! I have a new shooter/visitor from Scotland who I am teaching all about our responsibilities under the 2nd Amendment (they have nothing of the sort over there). His eyes have opened.
I had a customer in the shop apologize because he actually checcked the weapon I was showing him right after I checked it before handing it to him
He was very sincre in his apology for being insulting.
My response? "I would have been MORE insulted if you DIDN'T check the weapon yourself."
He wound up buying it.
bump fer tommory
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
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.
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.
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