General Hints

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• While at a shooting range, always carry the gun unloaded and open until preparing to shoot.
Keep it pointing towards the backstop when loading, shooting and unloading.
• If you must carry a loaded gun, always carry it with the muzzle pointing in a safe direction and
with the safety in the “safe” position. But remember that no mechanical safety is failsafe.
• Never carry firearms with an exposed hammer with the hammer cocked. In auto loading or
hand repeating guns, do not chamber a round.
• Do not use your firearm for purposes other than those for which it was designed.
• Do not allow a firearm to be used by untrained individuals.
• When transporting your firearm in any vehicle, be sure it is unloaded and that the action is
open.
• Never leave a gun, especially a loaded gun, unattended as someone, especially a child, could
accidentally shoot it causing injury, death or property damage.
FIRING
• Whenever firing any type of firearm, wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from sparks, lead
fragments, black powder residues, pieces of caps or flints, pellet rebound etc., and ear
protection for the loud report.
• In selecting a place to shoot, be sure the area has a safe backstop, is free from obstructions
and water surfaces which cause ricochets, and is protected so that persons or animals cannot
accidentally walk into the shooting field. Making sure there is a proper backstop, which will
stop and contain bullets. A bullet can travel through or past your target for several kilometers. If
you have any doubt,
DO NOT SHOOT.
• When firing on a target range, follow the range officer’s commands to load, fire, and cease-fire
and unload.
• Before anyone is allowed to move forward the firing position on a range, be sure all actions of
firearms are open and unloaded, without cartridges or ammunition of any kind, as well as
igniting caps, and that they are safely positioned.
• Never use alcoholic beverages or other drugs before or during shooting.
• If your firearms fail to function properly, do not try to fire it and do not force an action that is
jammed.
• Beware of obstructions in the barrel. If, when firing, a weak or peculiar report is heard, cease
firing, open the action, if possible, and unload the gun and inspect the barrel for an obstruction
or for damage. Do not fire a gun with an obstructed or damaged barrel.
• If you are carrying a loaded gun in the field, never follow a companion.
• Never cross obstacles such as fences or streams with a loaded gun.
• Never run with a loaded gun.
• Do not smoke while handling, loading or shooting any ammunition, especially black powder.
Keep black powder in a closed container at all times, closing again the container after each
and every use.
• Never shoot the gun near an animal, as the animal could be startled and cause an accident.
• Never engage in “horseplay” while holding your gun.
• Make sure slide lock safety is applied while gun is cocked and ready to fire. Otherwise, the gun
could accidentally discharge, causing injury, death, or property damage.
• Place the hammer rearward only when you are ready to shoot.
• Never place or permit the hammer to remain in the half-cock notch, as this is not a safe
carrying position. You might end up accidentally perching the hammer on the lip of the half
cock notch, which is extremely dangerous given the hammer in this condition could fall forward
and discharge the gun, causing injury, death, or property damage.