How do you handle a gun when looking?

[chetrogers]

Lets say your at your favorite gun store and you are looking at rifle's or had guns.When the dealer hands you the weapon do you Point it up and feel the gun out or do you point int down,or to the side where do you point it safely.Im just curious because the other day when i was the the gun store i sall people just wildly aiming them.Im just curious to what is good for feeling the gun out...

 

[larry_minn]

I open action with gun aimed UP. IMO if it were loaded/discharged into floor (which is often cement under lite covering) the bullet is likely to bounce around shop. In any case I open action and make sure it is not loaded. If I want to try trigger pull I ask and if possible I block hammer (revolvers) I often will aim at mounts on wall. So always UP for me. (unless there is second level with lots of people in direction I would be holding gun) Normally to my left is where barrel is pointed.

 

[tc300mag1]

As previous poster stated up is the way i go. Or since my shop know me if its real busy i head to back room if i really want to get feel for it. Where i can point it more natural.

 

[rick458]

I will point the firearm in a safe direction IE one that doesnt have people in or behind it., check action, ask to dry fire, then dry fire in the same safe direction.
I never sweep anybody, and I move if someone starts sweeping me.

 

[stv]

First thing I do whenever looking at a gun in a store is to drop the mag and check the chamber so I know it isn't loaded. Then it's muzzle safety (Don't sweep anything I don't want to send bullets into), finger off trigger at all times, general courtesy ('May I?' before racking slide, opening cylinder, etc.) keeps both myself and the seller happy. Gently place the gun on the padded counter mat when finished, in the same condition you found it (mag in, slide released, safety on) thank them for their time, have a nice day etc.

 

[RTFM]

If I'm familiar how the gun works, I drop the magazine (or open the action or...) then verify that there is no round present. Keeping it pointed up.

As for the dumb A$$e$ that "... just wildly aiming them..." I have on more than one occasion become rabid. I have gotten so loud and obnoxious in one individuals face that he put the firearm down and left the store.

RTFM

 

[Brad Johnson]

1. Drop mag or open cylinder and check chamber condition.
2. Observe the Four Rules of Safe Gun Handling.
3. Drop mag or open cylinder and check chamber condition.
4. Return gun to salesperson, grip first, with the cylinder or slide open.

Brad

 

[Beren]

I was looking over a Glock 20 at an area gunshow over the weekend. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be the Glock 20 I had traded in on another firearm a few years earlier! At least, it sure looked alot like it - I had installed a funky set of bar-dot/bar-bar nightsights on mine when I had it, and this sample had the exact same sights. Couldn't remember the serial number, sadly.

Anyway: when I was finished fondling my old friend (okay, that sounds bad), I handed it back to the lady grip first, slide locked open.

The poor girl couldn't get the slide to release. I apologized, explained that I always return firearms in that condition after handling for safety reasons, released the slide for her, and returned it again.

I hope the Glock 20 found a good home. If it's still there next show, I may be forced to rescue it from languishing in a display case.

Rules I try to live by for handling someone's firearm:

1. I always keep the muzzle pointed in as safe a direction as possible.
2. I always check to ensure the firearm is not loaded, even if the owner just checked it right in front of me. Magazine is always out.
3. I always ask before opening the cylinder of a revolver, or before dry firing any gun. If possible, I try to block the hammer from striking home using my finger. (Ow, some of those hammers are flung by strong springs!) I don't even like to use a pen for fear it might be too harsh..
4. I always try to return the firearm grip first, cylinder open or slide locked back with magazine removed.