Let's see your tough guns....

The business end of my S&W 22

For my part, I think that's silly. I see nothing wrong with it even if it was cocked and loaded. It's not like the picture is going to shoot me. It's up to him to determine if that was a safe picture to take. For us, it's just a picture.

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And we might just hear from you one day that you had an ND. Gun safety is a full time affair. I don't care if you are playing cowboy, practicing covering the front door or taking pictures. As long as I am not in the room or behind the camera, I don't care what you do... but what you do is a good predictor of how you actually behave.

And for a better reason - THR is FILLED with people new to firearms. It is the responsibility of everyone here to maintain gun safety in all things, including in photography, lest someone think "Well it's ok to break the rules if...______". No it ain't. Ever. When I do practice drills in my house, I unload the gun, leave the ammo in another room and check it again twice to make sure before I ever touch the trigger or start pointing. Because it only takes once... one time it slips your mind. What if after taking a bunch of photos he forgot it was loaded. Ooops... sorry! Shot myself in the leg!

I don't suck gasoline out of tanks with a hose, I don't smoke, drink or do drugs, I were a condom when appropriate and I NEVER place my finger on the trigger unless I am willing to destroy what is in front of the barrel. It is a frame of mind and if you don't have it, you need to take some serious training.

That 1st pic is cool, I want one. It could double for a meat grinder.

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...or a hammer

I NEVER place my finger on the trigger unless I am willing to destroy what is in front of the barrel.

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Maybe he didn't like the camera.

I like that first one a lot! Usually I'm all for shining steel, but it just looks positively edgy. It would be perfect for a place in a story I'm writing.

Gizamo, could you tell me more about it?

What, no one's got a pic of a Lemat?

I had a 1917 at one time and thought about doing a cut down job like that, but it was sort of a crappy revolver, sorta rode hard and put up wet. I'd want one in a little better shape for a serious revolver project like that.

Markbo said:

It is the responsibility of everyone here to maintain gun safety in all things, including in photography, lest someone think "Well it's ok to break the rules if...______".

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What exactly about the photo was unsafe or broke the rules?


-T.

What exactly about the photo was unsafe or broke the rules?

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Rule #2 - Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.

Rule #3 - Keep your finger off of the trigger until your sights are on the target.

How is having your finger on the trigger of a loaded weapon, pointed at a target you are not intent on killing not violating the 4 cardinal rules?

I realize it was a photo, and the poster has stated that it was taken under controlled circumstances, but the fact remains that it displays unsafe gun handling. If you don't have a problem with that, then fine. I choose to practice safe weapon handling. You are free to choose otherwise.

QUOTE:

Quote:
For my part, I think that's silly. I see nothing wrong with it even if it was cocked and loaded. It's not like the picture is going to shoot me. It's up to him to determine if that was a safe picture to take. For us, it's just a picture.

And we might just hear from you one day that you had an ND. Gun safety is a full time affair. I don't care if you are playing cowboy, practicing covering the front door or taking pictures. As long as I am not in the room or behind the camera, I don't care what you do... but what you do is a good predictor of how you actually behave.

And for a better reason - THR is FILLED with people new to firearms. It is the responsibility of everyone here to maintain gun safety in all things, including in photography, lest someone think "Well it's ok to break the rules if...______". No it ain't. Ever. When I do practice drills in my house, I unload the gun, leave the ammo in another room and check it again twice to make sure before I ever touch the trigger or start pointing. Because it only takes once... one time it slips your mind. What if after taking a bunch of photos he forgot it was loaded. Ooops... sorry! Shot myself in the leg!

I don't suck gasoline out of tanks with a hose, I don't smoke, drink or do drugs, I were a condom when appropriate and I NEVER place my finger on the trigger unless I am willing to destroy what is in front of the barrel. It is a frame of mind and if you don't have it, you need to take some serious training.

~~~~~

I agree with you. Thank you Markbo.

Catherine

The whole 'tough gun' idea is stupid. Guns are tools, period. If you want a 'tough' gun get one of these.

I agree with you, Markbo, but at the same time... the hammer's not going to cock itself. And a bullet isn't going to magically appear in the chamber in front of the hammer. And the muzzle wasn't pointed directly at the camera but off to the side a bit.

I'm not saying what he did was safe, but I don't think it was unsafe either. You can be careful enough without following all the four rules for short periods of time. For all we know he checked the gun five times to be sure, put his finger on the trigger only long enough to take the picture, and then removed it.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firea...amid=13&variation=Blued&bct=Yes&type=Revolver

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=455&return=Y

Ruger Blackhawk
Caliber: .45 Colt
Barrel Length: 7 1/2"
Grip: Rosewood
Rear Sight: Adjustable

My gun is in excellent condition. I consider it a tough, strong and well made firearm.

Catherine

In the version of that pic that I took, there was NO human behind the camera. It was set on five second delay, nobody else was in the room.

In theory, yeah, I was "risking" the camera's "life". But...it's my camera. There was no safety problem.

I choose to practice safe weapon handling. You are free to choose otherwise.

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I handle my weapons very safely. Whether or not I am photographing the muzzle does not factor. Under controlled conditions (film-making being an example), one or more of the rules can be safely broken.

The "four rules" are not gospel, and to break them in a controlled environment is not blasphemous. They are guidelines NOT intended to supplant ones own common sense. Breaking one or more of the rules does not necessarily make a situation dangerous, nor does obeying all the rules necessarily make a situation safe.




-T.

EDIT:

Jim March said:

In the version of that pic that I took, there was NO human behind the camera. It was set on five second delay, nobody else was in the room.

In theory, yeah, I was "risking" the camera's "life". But...it's my camera. There was no safety problem.

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It's utterly depressing to me that you even had to say that, Jim. *sigh*

The "four rules" are not gospel,

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We'll have to agree to disagree there. I have never been taught or believed that the 4 rules were mere "guidelines." Too much ingrained training I suppose. The only time I display that view of my weapon it will be shortly followed by a muzzle flash.

I do understand your point about controlled situations. I don't agree with it, but I do get it. Hypothetically speaking, I were to attempt a photograph like that, the weapon would be unloaded, and triple checked to insure such. Markbo made an excellent point about the examples we set for younger, less educated shooters, and I think we should keep that in mind. Find me one, just one, credible instructor that does not start every course they teach with a safety lecture. There's a reason for that.

How does one get a loaded firearm into a holster without pointing the gun at something? God forbid actually carrying a loaded firearm...it could go off all by itself. (very tongue-in-cheek here).
I do also believe in the 4 guidelines of safe gun handling but in no way would that gun shoot itself. It's been covered why.

Just flat out deadly...Hi Cat, hows you??

I am quite amused by the concern over someone else's camera. Even the pictures that we see of people pointing guns at their own heads, what business is it of ours. Unless seeing that activity forces you to do the same, it doesn't affect me at all. Those who are not smart enough to actually understand the implications and hazards of pointing a gun at themselves, we should protect, but for the rest of us with brains enough to think through the situation, we should encourage the use of the brains we have.

I think we protect people way too much which is why people can sue McDonalds for serving hot coffee.

For those of us who understand guns, we should understand that a single action revolver isn't going to fire by itself, accidentally killing the camera.

Hello Wheel Lock!

Did you get a NEW gun? Tell me all about it please.

I am fine! I hope that you and yours are well too.

Did you move yet? My pm feature works here and I will send you the new email address later on.

My husband made up some elk steaks with onions and morel mushrooms yesterday. He was @ J's ranch down by the river and there were huge ones down there.

I need to get help posting those land pictures to you about the real estate that I told you about.

Keep the faith even if we are screwed with the '3 stooges'. Walk the walk, talk and talk and shoot straight!

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/c/clairewolf197713.html

America is... oh well... you know the quote!

Cat to you...

Catherine aka Cate

workin' and stylin'

Wow!

Those are really pretty guns. Thanks for showing them here.

Catherine

"The "four rules" are not gospel, and to break them in a controlled environment is not blasphemous. They are guidelines NOT intended to supplant ones own common sense. Breaking one or more of the rules does not necessarily make a situation dangerous, nor does obeying all the rules necessarily make a situation safe."

Astonishing.....VHinch +1

"For my part, I think that's silly. I see nothing wrong with it even if it was cocked and loaded. It's not like the picture is going to shoot me. It's up to him to determine if that was a safe picture to take. For us, it's just a picture."

Yep, its a picture all right...VHinch +2

"Those who are not smart enough to actually understand the implications and hazards of pointing a gun at themselves, we should protect, but for the rest of us with brains enough to think through the situation, we should encourage the use of the brains we have. I think we protect people way too much which is why people can sue McDonalds for serving hot coffee. For those of us who understand guns, we should understand that a single action revolver isn't going to fire by itself, accidentally killing the camera."

without a finger on the trigger.....VHinch+3

"How does one get a loaded firearm into a holster without pointing the gun at something? God forbid actually carrying a loaded firearm...it could go off all by itself. (very tongue-in-cheek here). I do also believe in the 4 guidelines of safe gun handling but in no way would that gun shoot itself."

Without a finger on the trigger.... VHinch +4

But it is fun watching the kids play....Darwin would be shaking his head....when they do get into trouble, and they will, the prosecution will simple cut, paste and print these statements and pass it on to the judge and jury...Its the internet folks, its forever and its used in court every single hour of every single day.

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