If you have been reading my blog regularly, you know that eye and ear protection are not optional for shooting practice. Let’s take a look at the specifics about why you need protection, when you need protection, and how to get the right protection. Why You Need Ear Protection When You Shoot As a speech-language…
Treat all firearms as if they are always loaded
Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction
Keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until the firearm is pointed at the target and you are ready to fire
Always be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
You are not likely to discharge most modern guns by dropping them, but there are consequences. You can scratch the paint, dent the frame, gouge out some metal, or push a piece out of alignment. If you drop your gun, inspect it for damage. Rack the slide on a semi-automatic, check the alignment of the hammer, and check for dirt in the action. If anything is amiss, take it to a gunsmith. Firing it damaged can do further damage to the gun or to you.
If you are wearing a jacket, use your hand to sweep it out of the way and grip the butt of your gun as you would for shooting. If an untucked shirt covers the gun, clear it by grabbing the hem with your nonshooting hand and lifting it above the gun while the shooting hand grabs the weapon. A tucked shirt with an in the waistband will require an extra tug with the non shooting hand to free the hem of the shirt and lift it out of the way.
Use your thumb to open any flaps or snaps that hold the gun in the holster. Lift upward to clear the holster. Rotate the muzzle forward and upward until you reach shooting level, pointing at the target.
Here is how you rack the slide without causing it to bite you: grasp the gun by the stock with your shooting hand as if getting ready to shoot. The trigger finger, of course, should be alongside the frame, not on the trigger. This is best accomplished standing, with the gun close to your body for proper support, but not right up against you. It might find something else to bite. The muzzle of the gun should be pointed in a safe direction, because we always treat every gun as if it is loaded. Place your thumb on one side of the slide and the other four fingers on the opposite, maintaining a respectful distance between your palm and the slide. Pull backward to chamber the bullet, then let go so that it will snap back into place.
The National Rifle Association was founded in 1871 to “promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis.” As the nation’s best known source of information about shooting, the NRA has expounded a set of rules for gun safety. These rules expand on the four cardinal rules of shooting. Follow these rules to make shooting your gun fun and safe.
Typically you can just “tap and rack” to clear a jam: tap the base of the magazine to seat it properly, then rack the slide to clear the malfunction.
Like the oven, the blender, and the lawn mower, the gun is a tool to be regarded with respect rather than fear, and handled only with sufficient maturity and education.
You primary home defense gun is best close at hand in a locked box or drawer by your bedside. Some locked boxes can be attached to the bed or nightstand with magnets or screws.