Safety procedures

[TheSquire]

I have started working with local Army cadets and have been learning the normal safety procedures (NSPs) as taught to all soldiers and cadets in the use of the L98 GP Cadet Rifle (very much like the army issue SA80 but semi-automatic only).
I was wondering, what safety procedures do you go through when passing on a weapon to someone else? Is the US Army method used in ranges or clubs in the USA?

 

[ontarget]

What is the US Army method?
I always hand off a weapon with the action open after checking for a clear chamber. If that's not practical, for whatever reason I always remind the recipient to check it.

 

[FL-NC]

Clear weapon using the procedures for that particular weapon, hand it to the other person. Muzzle awareness throughout.

 

[DoubleMag]

I do not know the army method you mentioned. What I do...

Handgun, action open/verify empty and ideally, lay the gun down on a bench, action up. If physically handing to the new shooter, with weak hand I cover the trigger area. I use an over the top grip (generally autos) not much different then the slingshot style grip when functioning the slide on an auto, just move forward some so as to cover the trigger guard/ trigger area. It is so that even if accidentally, the new shooter cannot put their finger into the trigger guard while establishing the new grip. Extend the handgun out so the new shooter can get to it, grip it by the stock, I turn loose as they have received the handgun, and again reverify empty.
Revolvers, cylinder is open and varifiable empty, I grasp it by the top strap and again, ideally, bench the revolver. Otherwise holding the top strap portion of the frame and cylinder rotated out of the frame ''open,'' extend the revolver out pointed towards safe area until new shooter grasps the stock and accepts the gun. Re-verify empty, and close cylinder etc
Long gun, action open, verify empty etc. Ideally,lay gun down on bench w/ action open. If handing it off I use a two handed hand-over to new shooter. Once they establish a grip I turn loose. New shooter then again verifies empty. I mention finger off the trigger but do not cover as I have never yet in 50+ years had someone establish a primary grip with finger on the trigger.

Yes the process is more mechanical for a handgun, I have found many persons are not necessarily more careless, but with a shorter firearm it's extremely easy to point a muzzle in the wrong direction etc.

In both examples firearms are pointed down range towards a pre-determined safe area.

 

[TheSquire]

My apologies for being misleading, I had assumed that there was a proscribed Army method like there is in the UK, I don't know what it is if there is one..

 

[Havok7416]

I worked with some Brits and their weapons many years ago and found their weapon clearing procedures to be tremendously cumbersome and awkward. They were pretty appalled by our handling, although I didn't witness any of "my" guys doing anything unsafe.

 

[Wisco]

There’s “inspection arms” in the army. The soldier brings his weapon to chest height and opens the action and that’s where the inspecting NCO or officer can take it.

That’s for formal drill and ceremony. And the weapon goes immediately back to the soldier.

In practice, in the army, no one ever inspected my weapons or really needed to see them or even be handed them. When I carried an M11 or G19, some people would want to see them and if it was on base and condition 3, I’d drop the mag, open the slide and let them handle it.

This is a really intense version of the army method.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

I don't know about military procedures but SOP for me personally is clear chamber and hand off.

There are a couple of close shooting buddies that have taken from me as well as handed me, loaded guns. If there's a safety it's engaged and if not then no round in the tube. We are careful about it and it's not something I would advocate for, but I'm sure it happens with others.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

There’s “inspection arms” in the army. The soldier brings his weapon to chest height and opens the action and that’s where the inspecting NCO or officer can take it.

That’s for formal drill and ceremony. And the weapon goes immediately back to the soldier.

In practice, in the army, no one ever inspected my weapons or really needed to see them or even be handed them. When I carried an M11 or G19, some people would want to see them and if it was on base and condition 3, I’d drop the mag, open the slide and let them handle it.

This is a really intense version of the army method.

I appreciate the video and for anyone who's more educated on the matter than I, I would like some info on what all was going on there.

Seems like it was more for ceremonial show than anything, but as I said I'm just seeing what I'm seeing. It's interesting though and I'm curious. There's a lot going on.

 

[Hokkmike]

In the USAF we were taught a safety protocol for the AR. Other than that, we didn't shoot much. We were told that we were technicians, not killers. (I guess we fought with technology)

A basic for all gun handling is always clear the magazine and make sure that the action is empty being aware of muzzle direction at all times.

 

[CapnMac]

I would like some info on what all was going on there.

It's an exaggerated display of a weapons inspection for a 100% clean rifle.
So, the lenght of the ram is examined for stray oil, smudges or dirt.
The shoulder rest is raised to see if it has collected any dirt.
The bore is examined from muzzle and breech.
Lastly, the sling is examined.

The Marine Silent Drill Team does a similar inspection. There's rather an intimidating task when an officer is asked to be an honorary inspecting officer, as you are expected to perform at their level (and heaven forfend, not drop the rifle).

The video is of the Guard Mount inspection for the 3rd ID Guards for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers--this is a highly competitive bunch who are very serious about their work Once qualified as a Tomb guard, they get a distinctive badge for their uniform. They take this seriously. How seriously--there's a video of an inspecting officer flubbing a spin and the rifle bayonet goes through the shoe and foot of the posting guard. Who does not flinch. They have a term, "strack" to describe just how precise they ply their trade. Which includes taps on the inside of the heels, so that, when they make facing movements, their heels click.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

It's an exaggerated display of a weapons inspection for a 100% clean rifle.
So, the lenght of the ram is examined for stray oil, smudges or dirt.
The shoulder rest is raised to see if it has collected any dirt.
The bore is examined from muzzle and breech.
Lastly, the sling is examined.

The Marine Silent Drill Team does a similar inspection. There's rather an intimidating task when an officer is asked to be an honorary inspecting officer, as you are expected to perform at their level (and heaven forfend, not drop the rifle).

The video is of the Guard Mount inspection for the 3rd ID Guards for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers--this is a highly competitive bunch who are very serious about their work Once qualified as a Tomb guard, they get a distinctive badge for their uniform. They take this seriously. How seriously--there's a video of an inspecting officer flubbing a spin and the rifle bayonet goes through the shoe and foot of the posting guard. Who does not flinch. They have a term, "strack" to describe just how precise they ply their trade. Which includes taps on the inside of the heels, so that, when they make facing movements, their heels click.

Much appreciated. Not to get too off topic but what kind of rifle is that? Only thing I can think of is M1A???

I assume its mostly ceremonial since it's an unloaded gun.

Her 1911 does look kind of snazzy...

 

[FROGO207]

That would be an M14-A1 I believe. I drop the mag, lock the action open and hand off the firearm while keeping the muzzle in a safe direction if I can't put it on a table or bench so they can pick it up. Both parties check for unloaded condition.

 

[BigDinVT]

From a (fairly dated; 2006) Army Graphic Training Aid:

APPENDIX G - M16 RIFLE (5.56MM)
Unloading and Clearing Procedures
1.) Orient weapon in a safe direction
(Clearing container if available).
2.) Remove the magazine from the weapon.
3.) Attempt to place weapon selector lever on SAFE.
4.) Lock bolt to rear (ensure weapon is on SAFE).
5.) Inspect the receiver and chamber to ensure no
ammunition is present.
6.) With NO ammunition in chamber or receiver, allow the
bolt to go forward.
7.) Aim weapon into clearing container, rotate selector
lever to SEMI, squeeze the trigger.
8.) Charge weapon once.
9.) Place selector lever on SAFE.

I found the GTA at: http://chemicaldragon.com/yahoo_sit...ng_Smartcard_-_Post_22_Jun_20061.22100850.pdf

Clearing procedures are roughly the same for the M4 series rifle.

These procedures also work for non-military semiautomatic rifles built in the AR-15 format.

You can also check out the ArmyStudyGuide website:
https://www.armystudyguide.com/cont...4/clearing-procedures-for-the-m4-series.shtml

The Army Study Guide is not directly affiliated with the US Army but, from my experience, it is frequently used by both Army board members and soldiers to prepare for a board and may therefore be consdered a reliable resource.

 

[Wisco]

Much appreciated. Not to get too off topic but what kind of rifle is that? Only thing I can think of is M1A???

I assume its mostly ceremonial since it's an unloaded gun.

Her 1911 does look kind of snazzy...

M14 rifle.

Sarge has an M9 pistol - with wood grips instead of plastic and probably a better finish. Hard to tell exactly from the video. Might be something similar to the General Officers pistols that army generals have the option of buying. The 1911 Commanders for GO’s were very cool examples...

About the 1911
https://www.army.mil/article/6938/general_officer_pistol_program_has_rich_history

Berettas I’ve seen for generals are usually just a plain beretta with a GO serial number and maybe wood grips. I did see one that the guy had polished.