CountGlockula
Member
It should be second nature anytime and anywhere.
How 4-rules conditioned are you?
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4 rules
The corrolary to Rule one is: You can render the firearm safe, you can NEVER render the fire arm unloaded.
That is: it may be safe to dry fire, because you checked it 3 or 4 times, or safe to examine because you ejected the round the gun shop clerk didn't know was in there, or you rendered it safe for cleaning because you unshipped the barrel from the action and examined the chamber..but it will never ever be unloaded, because Rule One says.....The Gun is ALWAYS Loaded.
The corrolary to Rule one is: You can render the firearm safe, you can NEVER render the fire arm unloaded.
That is: it may be safe to dry fire, because you checked it 3 or 4 times, or safe to examine because you ejected the round the gun shop clerk didn't know was in there, or you rendered it safe for cleaning because you unshipped the barrel from the action and examined the chamber..but it will never ever be unloaded, because Rule One says.....The Gun is ALWAYS Loaded.
Bazooka Joe71
Member
Not being able to look down a metal tube is a bad one
. But I'm the same way with all the others...If I'm in my house, and need to dry fire, I check that SOB 5 times, and still get a tiny chill right before the hammer strikes. I also find myself indexing just about everything with a grip/handle.
. But I'm the same way with all the others...If I'm in my house, and need to dry fire, I check that SOB 5 times, and still get a tiny chill right before the hammer strikes. I also find myself indexing just about everything with a grip/handle.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
I find myself following Rule 3 when:
Handling gas pump nozzles
Using power tools
Handling spray bottles
etc...
Anything with a grip and a trigger...
I also mandate that my kids follow the Four Rules when playing with toy guns...
Handling gas pump nozzles
Using power tools
Handling spray bottles
etc...
Anything with a grip and a trigger...
I also mandate that my kids follow the Four Rules when playing with toy guns...
When it comes to long guns, I'm pretty damn paranoid. I had the rules drilled into me as a kid, sometimes to the point of making me cry.
Handguns, not so much. It took me a while to get used to having a short barrel and the mental awareness of keeping the barrel pointed away from people while holstered and putting it on or taking it off, but overall I'm pretty precautious.
I get very, very nervous around others who don't have proper firearms discipline. I usually check chamber and magazine/etc. two or three times before indexing the pistol on something.
Handguns, not so much. It took me a while to get used to having a short barrel and the mental awareness of keeping the barrel pointed away from people while holstered and putting it on or taking it off, but overall I'm pretty precautious.
I get very, very nervous around others who don't have proper firearms discipline. I usually check chamber and magazine/etc. two or three times before indexing the pistol on something.
Smokin Gator
Member
4 rules
I was out with a couple of buddies plinking and shooting some blackpowder ammo. Cowboy shooter of course. I was experimenting with different lubes and powder. After checking the gun (lever action rifle with action open) and taking a piece of paper and putting it into the ejection port ( to get more light into the bore) I looked down the bore from the muzzle end to see how much fouling there was. One fella commented that he'd never seem anyone look down the barrel of a rifle like that. It would be different if you had a round that didn't go off and tried looking down the bore to see what was happening, but I can understand someone questioning the practice. But, when I watch a movie and see a situation where someone has to point a gun at their head or someone else's I wonder if I would be able to pull the trigger even though I know it's for a movie, the guns are checked and they have their safety procedures to follow. I feel that no matter how many times I checked the gun I would have a difficult time pulling the trigger.
I was out with a couple of buddies plinking and shooting some blackpowder ammo. Cowboy shooter of course. I was experimenting with different lubes and powder. After checking the gun (lever action rifle with action open) and taking a piece of paper and putting it into the ejection port ( to get more light into the bore) I looked down the bore from the muzzle end to see how much fouling there was. One fella commented that he'd never seem anyone look down the barrel of a rifle like that. It would be different if you had a round that didn't go off and tried looking down the bore to see what was happening, but I can understand someone questioning the practice. But, when I watch a movie and see a situation where someone has to point a gun at their head or someone else's I wonder if I would be able to pull the trigger even though I know it's for a movie, the guns are checked and they have their safety procedures to follow. I feel that no matter how many times I checked the gun I would have a difficult time pulling the trigger.
Guy B. Meredith
Member
Well, I do get in front of the muzzles for cleaning and inspection...
On the other hand I am probably the Monk of the 4 rules. When I was competing I would visualize sighting my revolver. When I had trouble going to sleep I would visualize as the Zen of the exercise helped me relax. HOWever, when doing this I could not face in my wife's direction--had to face some other way so I wouldn't be "sweeping/pointing" in her direction.
I very rarely handle my guns in the house with guests around and even then not unless everyone is settled as there is no safe direction to point the muzzle. Could set up a "firing line" behind which the guests would be required to stay, I suppose.
On the other hand I am probably the Monk of the 4 rules. When I was competing I would visualize sighting my revolver. When I had trouble going to sleep I would visualize as the Zen of the exercise helped me relax. HOWever, when doing this I could not face in my wife's direction--had to face some other way so I wouldn't be "sweeping/pointing" in her direction.
I very rarely handle my guns in the house with guests around and even then not unless everyone is settled as there is no safe direction to point the muzzle. Could set up a "firing line" behind which the guests would be required to stay, I suppose.
Geronimo45
Member
I find myself indexing the steering wheel while driving... just noticed that today - shooting grip on the 'spoke' and finger indexed along the horn.
Won't look down the muzzle if the action is closed (generally speaking). Always open the action upon picking a gun up - whether it's got a loaded chamber indicator or no. As for pointing it at anything I don't want to destroy, I don't point it at people unless they're on the television set - and that's my first target for dry fire (after dropping mag, cycling slide two or three times, locking back slide and checking magwell and barrel for explosive surprises).
More forgiving of my fellow man/woman/idiot's gun handling, though. If they shoot me, I will sue. If I die, I will haunt them, and write the four rules in ectoplasm on their bathroom mirrors.
Won't look down the muzzle if the action is closed (generally speaking). Always open the action upon picking a gun up - whether it's got a loaded chamber indicator or no. As for pointing it at anything I don't want to destroy, I don't point it at people unless they're on the television set - and that's my first target for dry fire (after dropping mag, cycling slide two or three times, locking back slide and checking magwell and barrel for explosive surprises).
More forgiving of my fellow man/woman/idiot's gun handling, though. If they shoot me, I will sue. If I die, I will haunt them, and write the four rules in ectoplasm on their bathroom mirrors.
LkWinnipesaukee
Member
Whenever I pump gas I make sure to keep my finger off the trigger until I'm ready to shoot. I dont practice muzzle control; if I tip it toward the ground, gas spills out the nozzle.
ProguninTN
Member
Safety Rules
find myself following Rule 3 when:
Handling gas pump nozzles
Using power tools
Handling spray bottles
etc...
Anything with a grip and a trigger...
All of the above also applies to me. Hot glue guns are another example. Speaking from experience, hot glue + skin contact = OUCH!
find myself following Rule 3 when:
Handling gas pump nozzles
Using power tools
Handling spray bottles
etc...
Anything with a grip and a trigger...
All of the above also applies to me. Hot glue guns are another example. Speaking from experience, hot glue + skin contact = OUCH!
moxie
Member
We had a case in Fairfax, VA, about a year ago where
a SWAT team was sent in to bust a doctor accused of being a bookie. Although he had no criminal record whatsoever, and there was no indication of any violent behavior, someone decided the SWAT was needed. Well, during the course of the bust, one SWAT member's gun "went off" by mistake and killed the doctor. His finger never should have been on the trigger. It's now going to cost the city of Fairfax about $12 million to the family.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/26/AR2006012602136.html
a SWAT team was sent in to bust a doctor accused of being a bookie. Although he had no criminal record whatsoever, and there was no indication of any violent behavior, someone decided the SWAT was needed. Well, during the course of the bust, one SWAT member's gun "went off" by mistake and killed the doctor. His finger never should have been on the trigger. It's now going to cost the city of Fairfax about $12 million to the family.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/26/AR2006012602136.html
redneck2
Member
No, it cost the community and his family a doctor, and probably a husband, father, etc.
sacp81170a
Member
I am totally 4 rules when I'm on the range instructing CCW. Nothing drills muzzle discipline and making sure weapons are cleared and safed into your awareness than walking in front of a bunch of folks of indeterminate experience while trying to teach. We always have a safety observer a couple steps behind the firing line when an instructor is out in front. The SO's only responsibility is to watch for safety violations. Corrections will begin politely and become increasingly stern with repeat offenders.
I give others the courtesy I expect myself and never sweep anyone with the muzzle of a firearm that they don't know for sure is unloaded. Sometimes, in training, it's necessary to sweep someone with a muzzle, especially in weapons retention training. Realistic training requires you the bend the four rules at times. Since there's no way to get good training otherwise, you have to be extra careful in these circumstances.
I give others the courtesy I expect myself and never sweep anyone with the muzzle of a firearm that they don't know for sure is unloaded. Sometimes, in training, it's necessary to sweep someone with a muzzle, especially in weapons retention training. Realistic training requires you the bend the four rules at times. Since there's no way to get good training otherwise, you have to be extra careful in these circumstances.
Guy B. Meredith
Member
sacp81170a,
Your comments remind me of the handgun PD class my wife and I took at Chabot. After a day of drill as how to avoid confrontation and why one does NOT want to become involved in a shooting we went to the range.
The instructor had called in two assistants, put us about 5 yards from the BGs (B29 targets) and had us do several drills. At one or two points he stepped between us and the targets, which REALLY made me nervous. His statement was "First off do NOT shoot the instructor." Funny, but I sweated as much as he did about his being there.
Your comments remind me of the handgun PD class my wife and I took at Chabot. After a day of drill as how to avoid confrontation and why one does NOT want to become involved in a shooting we went to the range.
The instructor had called in two assistants, put us about 5 yards from the BGs (B29 targets) and had us do several drills. At one or two points he stepped between us and the targets, which REALLY made me nervous. His statement was "First off do NOT shoot the instructor." Funny, but I sweated as much as he did about his being there.
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