okay, i'll bite
'quick links to chapers below'
I clicked on one and it just brought me down farther on the page, where I had to follow another link to actually get any info. Links to different spots on the same page, especially if these spots are less than a full screen apart (and 2 is probably only time it becomes necessary) are a waste of time and frustrating.
Instead, the 'quick links' should open up the first 'article' of the named 'chapter', which pust you right where you should be, plus, if it did steer you wrong, each 'article' has a full list of other article from that same chapter to the right, so those who want to jump to an article other than the first are no worse off than as you currently have it, and those that want to get to first article, the logical starting place, are better off.
at the end of each article, rather than break it down to next steps and previous steps, have a simple 'next' and 'back' button, followed by a listing of the sections of each chapter, in link form of course, except for the one currently being read
"Maybe some pics showing various cartridges next to playing cards or something universal. Pic of a couple different snap caps thrown in too."
I second this idea. although rather than a playing card I would suggest a quarter, or a bic pen cap, something closer to the scale of most cartridges.
Also, going along with another poster....have you ever seen the movie crash? do you remember the scene where the old guy and his adult daughter are buying a gun? They request 'bullets' the gun guy goes 'what kind? we got a, b, c, d,' and all the buyers respond with are 'bullets that fit'
I think you need to 'arm' your new shooters with more specifics on what kinds of bullets are available and how to ask for them at the gun counter, so they can ask for 'I want some 9mm ammo, the least expensive target rounds you have - vs - I want some 9mm ammo, hollowpoints, something good quality name brand.' also cover +p, don't have to cover it throughougly. I normally jsut say 'some of these cartridges are more than 100 years old, gunpowers have improved in that time, some modern guns can handle these same catridges with the newest best powders, some can't. the +p is for newer stronger guns, it gives a little bit better performance, only use it if you know your gun can handle it. Check your owners manual.'
4 rules of gun safty. Pick out 'Rule One' etc a bit more, not as much as the big bold name of the rule, but something so it stands out a bit more. Possibly just increase the size of the R and the O, and make them a more 'swirly' font or something. Rule one should also include the concept of 'because you consider a gun always loaded, as soon as you pick one up or have one passed to you, check AGAIN, even if the other person just checked, so you KNOW if it is loaded or unloaded...and even if unloaded, you still treat it with the utmost of respect.
Also include that there are many many different kinds of guns, it's not reasonable to expect people to know how to check them all, asking how to check if it is loaded/unloaded is NOT considered a 'new person's question' (especially because newer people are more likely to not ask, not wanting to show ignorance) but shows experience and care.
Then have a link to your 'how to tell if a gun is empty' part.
In your gun is empty, first things first, hit them agian right at the top with 'remember the rules, ESPECIALLY 2 and 3' watch where the muzzle is pointing and keep your finger off the trigger!
i don't like that in in semi-autos, you start with 'remove the magazine' as in my opinoin, magazine release buttons are found in too many different places, and locking a slide back can be kind of tricky. Instead, go with 'rack the slide--do this by grabbing it firmly with thumb and forefinger and pull back all the way...but remember to watch where the muzzle is pointed---then look in, If you can lock it back the slide check with your fingers also. Let it close and CHECK A SECOND TIME. (this takes care of feeding off of a magazine)
Include 3 pics, one of someone about to pull the slide back, one, a little ways back, of an empty chamber, one of the same gun, loaded chamber (id recommend sliding in an empty catridge for the pick) with it circled or an arrow pointing to it.
On revolvers, give them a quick explination on how to open a standard double action revolver, say 'grasp the gun by it's grip in your right hand, keeping your finger off the trigger and watch where you ponit it. There is a latch close to your right thumb, pull back or push it down, and with your other hand, push the cylinder from the other side. Show a picture of a colt latch with an arrow pointing back right next to it to show you pull it back, show a smith with an arrow pointing down right below it. Show a pic of someone just starting to push the cylinder open.
WHAT TO DO IF IT IS NOT EMPTY BUT IT SHOULD BE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Be extra careful of EXACLTY where the gun is pointed. Keep your finger away from the trigger. Ask for assistance, if it is available.
If it is a semiauto, close the slide, and then pull it open fast and hard. each time you do this it should throw a catridge out. You can safly empty and entire gun in this manner. Keep on pulling back the slide and ejecting the rounds until no more pop out, then do it three more times, then check again.
for a revolver, as long as you don't close the cylinder again, those cartridges are in a spot where they can do no harm. Keep your finger off the trigger and watch where the muzzle is pointed anyways, and tilt the gun upward, so the cartridges can fall out. Push the ejector rod with the fingers of your left hand (show pic of ejector rod, show pic of ejector rod being pushed and the star coming out) to help them along. Push it hard and fast, when the gun is tilted so gravity makes them fall out, not back in.
I don't like the fact you have to click on the picture to get the rest of the info....just have the click on the picture pop up a 2nd picture in a new window displaying the now exposed loaded chamber.
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