Gun Manners

[GRIZZLYBEAR]

I have noticed than we have a lot of people on the forum that are new to shooting and gun ownership.

Gun Manners

As with all things, politeness and good manners are the

sign of a superior individual, and this includes gun

handling. These are some behaviors that mark a mature and

responsible shootist. Be a gun gentleman/lady, and not a

gun slob.



1. Don't touch another person's firearm without permission.

2. Don't ask if a person is armed.

3. Don't ask if the owner has ever been in an armed confrontation.

4. Don't ask to "see" a firearm that is being carried by someone.

5. If allowed to examine another's firearm--especially a prized or valuable one-- try to keep your fingerprints off the metal and if you do accidentally leave fingerprints let the owner know so that they may be removed to prevent finish damage.

6. Clear a firearm and lock the action open before handing a firearm to another person, and ask the owner of a firearm to do so before they hand it to you, no matter what the owner claims.

7. If unfamiliar with the operation of a particular firearm, ask the owner to demonstrate and to "show clear" before you handle it.

8. Don't drop an autopistol's slide on an empty chamber, nor "flip" a revolver's cylinder closed.

9. Don't drop the hammer to "test" the trigger without the owner's permission.

10. If allowed to fire someone else's firearm offer to pay for the ammunition., or return the favor and or better yet, offer your firearm to be fired.

11. If you are allowed to borrow a firearm for an extended period of time, return it on time, and return it cleaned and lubricated--even if it was dirty when you received it.

12. Don't criticize another's firearm nor start telling them what it needs to be "better" unless they ask for your opinion.

13. After a shooting session, pick up your brass, targets, and clean up your area.

grizz

[ChamberedRound]

Great information, Grizz. Thanks for posting.

[kimbercdp]

Please explain #8, why should this not be done. Thanks.

[New Shooter]

Thank you for the words of wisdom. I wouldn't have even considered some of your points but they all make sense now that you point them out.

[er2006]

thanks for the info it makes sense and should have been obvious, from the start , I will be taking one of my nephews shooting soon and try to get him into the same club I belong to he will be interested in those good manners , he shows a lot of promise as a good citizen and this will hopefully reinforce those values my father and the military showed me through training and example.

good work , keep the faith
Ed from er2006

[LorDiego01]

Awesome post Grizz!

You forgot to add,

"even after being handed an unloaded, unlocked firearm, still dont point it at people or anything else you wouldnt want to shoot."

and another one,

"If someone tells you how much they paid for their firearm, and you can find a better deal, dont say "oh man, you got ripped off"

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by kimbercdp

Please explain #8, why should this not be done. Thanks.

6. Clear a firearm and lock the action open before handing a firearm to another person, and ask the owner of a firearm to do so before they hand it to you, no matter what the owner claims.
So very important, If I hand you a gun, or if i am showing you a gun, I should open it and show you it is empty, and give it away open so it is very visible. If you close the gun to aim or otherwise see some thing on it, you should again open it befroe handing it back. The person holding the gun should give it in a way the grip is easely accessible and action open.


All great info, but this one is actually one of my pet peaves.
8. Don't drop an autopistol's slide on an empty chamber, nor "flip" a revolver's cylinder closed.
So i will answer why I dont "appreciate" this being done. On some models of pistols, the brass is out to absorb the impact of the slide coming back, if there is no brass there, the steal goes and hits more steal. After a while you get peened steel that is hardened and tends to chip away.
On Revolvers, we all see how they close the revolvers in movies, either by flipping them or slapping them shut, the part that holds every thing in like a hinge is called a "crane" and costs a small fortune to reajust, moreover, there are very few competent gunsmiths that do it well. Slapping or Flipping the cylinder in place causes extra tention sideways that the gun is not made for. You will notice most revolver owners when they have the crane open actually hold the gun in such a way to support the crane.
One I would add to this, On rifles and semi auto pistols, If allowed to handle them, Don't slap the mag in place. Mags are meant to go up and lock in with out extra preasure, slapping them in place causes the lips of the mag to close and can stop the proper function of them.

Grizz Is obviously the proud owner of many engraved revolvers, and one of the additions i would say in this category is, If you are to clean an engraved gun, ask the owner how they suggest doing it.
You dont want to "polish" certain engraved guns the way you would ordinary guns, although you want them clean, you dont want them scrolling to be changed.
Remember just because this is about guns you dont own, the regular rules about pointing and finger on the trigger still apply. Those are the basics you should already know before you even consider holding gun.
The 3 basic rules even apply to "stage" guns, guns that are so altered to not fire.
ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.

On .22 models, never as if it is safe to "dry fire" unless there are snap caps inside no one likes their .22 dry fired.

One rule every one tends to "forget" It possible to rebuke some one gently on firearms. Meaning if I see you doing some thing wrong with a fire arm, even if it is your fire arm, and I tell you why it is wrong in a polite tone, you will learn from it. Example, If we are both at the range, and you flip your revolver closed and I say why it is not a good practice, you will learn from it and realize that a $250 to $200 alignment is not as cool the flipping is.
One more thing, dont laugh if you see white gloves next to a gun. 1: these are used for duels, If handed white gloves before touching a firearm, dont automatically take it as a duel, the proper way to show it is for dueling would be to slap you with them across the chest then dropping them on the ground. Picking them up is accepting the challange.
2: these are used to protect the bluing on the gun from your fingers. If offered to put on gloves before touching a gun, dont ask why, just hold it so it does not slip from your fingers and preferably over a table.

[Frenchy]

Rated this thread 5* and added to your rep Grizz. Thanks for giving a great post.

[Mike45]

Thanks GRIZZLYBEAR, we are never too old to learn as the saying goes. All good rules that we can know and use. I will be showing your post to my son...thanks again...Mike45

[Mike45]

And thank you, Frenchy, for the clarifications and add-ons...Mike45