Manual

PREPARATION FOR FIRING
. Wear safety glasses and ear protec-
tion whether indoors or out.
Select a place to shoot which has a
safe backstop, is free form obstruc-
tions and water surfaces which cause
ricochets.
.Always be aware of other people so
that persons cannot accidentally walk
into the line of fire.
. Position the shooter and all others so
that they are not within an area
where they may be struck by particle-
splitting from a revolver or by ejected
cases from other types of firearms.
.Keep fingers and other parts of your
body away form the muzzle and
slide.
. When firing on a target range, be
alert and follow the range officer's
commands.
. Before anyone is allowed forward of
the firing position, be sure that all
cylinders and actions of firearms are
open, that chambers are clear of
cartridges, magazines are removed,
and that firearms are pointing in a
safe direction.
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. Never use alcoholic beverages or
other drugs before or during shoot-
ing.
. Be alert at all times. Never shoot if
you are tired, cold or impaired in any
way.
.Never cross obstacles such as
fences or streams with a loaded
firearm.
. If you are carrying a loaded firearm
in the field, keep the muzzle pointed
in a safe direction.
.Think before shooting.
WARNING: Never use ammunition
where the pressure levels exceed
industry standards. Smith & Wesson
pistols are manufactured from high
quality materials (aluminum or steel
alloys). These frames will provide
extended service life. However,
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P +
cartridges-whose pressures often
exceed even factory proof-test lev-
els-should never by used in these
models. All warranties, express or
implied, are voided and Smith &
Wesson will not be liable for proper-
ty damage or personal injury and
consequential damages, if this
ammunition is used in these model
centerfire pistols.
AMMUNITION
.A firearm and ammunition are a
system. Their performance is closely
related.
.Your firearm has been designed for
ammunition of a specific type and
caliber; do not alter the barrel or
chamber of your gun.
.You are responsible for selecting
ammunition that meets industry
standards and is appropriate for this
firearm. Use only commercially
manufactured ammunition with
internal ballistic pressures which are
in strict accordance with the specifi-
cations of the Sporting Arms and
Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute.
Never use non-standard, reloaded, or
"hand loaded" ammunition which has
not been subjected to internal
ballistic pressure testing.
Ammunition, especially reloaded or
hand loaded ammunition, may have
many manufacturing and quality
variables (such as the type and
amount of gun powder). Any
ammunition that is improperly
manufactured, even in the slightest
degree, may fail to fire or may gener-
ate excessive internal pressures
which can damage or even rupture
the firearm, causing personal injury
to the shooter or those in the
immediate vicinity.
. Use only ammunition specifically
recommended by Smith & Wesson
for your firearm. Never mix
ammunition.
. Never use a cartridge not specifically
designed for use in your firearm.
Excessive pressure can damage or
even blow up any firearm.
. Periodically check the barrel breech,
slide, and frame ares for erosion,
cracks, or other signs of excessive
wear.
. Locate the caliber designation
printed on the barrel chamber of your
pistol. This information indicates the
ammunition caliber that should be
used in this firearm.
. If your firearm fails to fire when the
hammer fails (misfires), keep the
firearm pointed in a safe direction,
remove your finger from the trigger,
do not place your hand around the
ejection port, wait 10 seconds,
remove the cartridge from the
chamber and dispose of it properly.
. If you have heard an unusual sound
or felt an unusual recoil on firing,
stop firing, wait 10 seconds, unload
the firearm, and examine the barrel
bore for obstructions.
. Make sure your barrel is clear and
free of obstructions. If you see an
obstruction, return your firearm to
Smith & Wesson or take it to a
qualified gunsmith. Never fire a
firearm with an obstructed barrel.
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