Firearms Safety

[Clinotus]

How can we have a general forum with no discussion about the primary things that we can all do to keep ourselves and our sport and hobby safe?

Thats right its time for:

Firearms Safety Rules

Treat every firearm as though it were loaded.


Some sound advice is that when someone attempts to hand you a firearm you do not accept the firearm unless the action is open, it is a quirky rule, but a life safer and it keeps everyone on the same page in regard to safety.

Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction.

This means downrange if on a range, towards a sand bucket if unloading, and so on.

Keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.

“It just went off...” discounting for an actual defect or poorly maintained firearm this generally means someone did not follow this rule.

Know your target and what is beyond.

Outdoor ranges have berms, indoor ranges have backstops. Homes have drywall and Malls have pedestrians. Think about that shot before you take it no matter where you are.


Now that we have the Base Rules in place lets expand on them even further.


Keep the gun unloaded until read to use.

Initially this seems like it is advice strictly for target shooters and hunters. In fact some hunter education courses teach to keep the firearm unloaded until you enter the field. However those of you who ccw would be wise to consider if that carry piece is loaded or unloaded if you lock it up at night or keep it in a safe, the idea is to always know where your ammo is.

Never shoot impaired.

Firearms dont mix with: alcohol, some types of medication, and drugs (drugs stated twice is not an error).

Understand the firearm.

Read the manual from page to page. If you did not receive one contact that manufacturer and in most cases they will happily supply you with a new one.

[MuttonChops]

I'd really like to emphasize Clinotus' point to never shoot impaired. It's a disaster waiting to happen, and it only has to happen once.

[Wonder Bread]

Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction.

Keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.

These are important as well. The first time I went shooting, there was some retard waving his pistol around with his finger in the guard. Needless to say he was kicked out immediatly, but it's still fucking scary as shit and eventually you'll end up doing some damage to something or god forbid someone.

[Scarecrow411]

Know your target and what is beyond.

Outdoor ranges have berms, indoor ranges have backstops. Homes have drywall and Malls have pedestrians. Think about that shot before you take it no matter where you are.


To expand on this rule, know what to expect if you hit your target. Steel targets cause richochets, if they have holes or deep pock marks in them these ricochettes can be at unexpected angles. Water is never a suitable backstop - bullets can and do skip off the surface. Vans in the desert catch fire.

To throw out some additional tips:

Never try to catch a loaded gun.
If a loaded firearm is dropped, relying on the drop safety is preferred to further risking a negligent discharge by making a grab for it.

Wear Eye and Ear Protection
Guns are loud (http://www.hyperacusis.net/hyperacusis/decibel+guide/default.asp). Don't worry, you aren't a pussy for wearing hearing protection - your grandchildren will thank you. Same thing with eye protection. Chances are slim your gun is gonna 'splode, but unburnt powder, dirt and other byproducts of shooting can hurt. You know what's tougher then shooting with glasses on? Living blind.

You Are Personally Responsible for Your Firearm
You cannot unfire a gun. Once that bullet leaves the barrel you have no control over it and you are 100% responsible for it. Sucks doesn't it? There is no margin for error, no allowance for sloppy gun handling with firearms, you do it right everytime or you will cause someone injury or death. Don't follow these rules, observe these rituals.

[highmeh]

Another Note, unfortunately based on my experience of almost seeing ZenMastaT killed:

Know your target and your ammo, and what they do together
A great deal of military surplus ammunition is steel core. Shooting at soft targets with soft backstops (IE: Hill/Mountainside, Dirt mound, etc) is usually fine, but choosing to shoot a steel sewer covering with steel core ammo is just begging for ricochets.

[Ron Mexico]

Another Note, unfortunately based on my experience of almost seeing ZenMastaT killed:



Can I get some backstory on this? PM if necessary.

[highmeh]

Can I get some backstory on this? PM if necessary.

Sure, we were shooting on some BLM land about 6 months ago...We had gone through all of my guns and most of his; the only thing we hadn't touched in 6 or 7 hours was his Mosin-Nagant. So he grabs some ammo, loads the Mosin, and starts shooting at a big thick steel plate.

I'm looking through the scope on a Remington 700 and hear a "VVZZZZZZZZZWING!" ... i look up to see ZenMastaT looking at me like a deer in the headlights, missing the left side of his ear protection.

The 54r round was steel-core, so when it hit steel plate it come right back at him and came within an inch of his head, completely severing his earmuffs.

We took this as a sign that we were done, packed up the guns, and sat in a reflective and awestruck silence for the drive back to the road.

[Ron Mexico]

Holy shit. :(

Glad you're both okay. I've caught some little shavings of lead from plinking with .22s but they don't even sting. Can't imagine how terrifying that was. Very good reminder to keep potential ricochets in mind.

[GSV Exit Strategy]

Okay. Thread necromancy, but it's a question that needs answered.

I recently inherited an old No.1 Mk.III Enfield from a friend. Its barrel is... pitted. Not terribly. It's a wire-wrap, though, so I don't want to invest the time needed to properly exchange the barrel.

Will firing it kill me?