Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

The wearing and use of firearms by civilians in public places is prohibited by the legislation of the Russian Federation. However, there are special establishments equipped with all the security equipment, but despite all the precautions in such shooting centers, you must always be very careful and prudent. Below are the rules for safe shooting and weapon handling. The following tips are ranked in order of priority (from high to low), but each of them should be followed with extreme care, as even 99% vigilance can lead to dire consequences when using a firearm.

Steps

1. 1 Always keep the muzzle in a safe direction.
   • This rule is the most basic. The bottom line is very simple, because if the muzzle of the pistol looks in a safe direction, then even unintentional triggering will not be crowned with anything bad. The safety of the direction is determined by the absence, first of all, of people, then of animals and inanimate objects.
   • This rule also includes carrying a firearm, during which it is necessary to check that the muzzle and the angle of destruction are in a safe direction for others. Make sure that even if you trip over an object or fall, the firearm will not fire.
2. 2 The firearm is always loaded.
   • If you are sure that the weapon is unloaded, since you have already checked this three times, then you still need to treat the firearm as if it were loaded. For example, never point the muzzle of a fully unloaded pistol at people.
3. 3 Keep your fingers away from the trigger.
   • This method will prevent any accidental trigger pulling. The pistol has a special spot above the trigger where you can place your finger. When using a long-barreled weapon, you will have plenty of safe space for your hands.
   • Never rely on the mechanical safety of a firearm. Although the human factor is the main cause of all problems, you should also pay attention to the minimum possibility of a defect in the mechanical device of the pistol.
   • Some types of firearms do not have manual safety equipment at all. In this case, the safety mechanisms are located in the trigger or bolt striker. These types of weapons are especially dangerous in the hands of inexperienced users, but practice and unquestioning implementation of all security measures can help to avoid any trouble.
   • Once you are in the shooting position at the shooting range, do not put your finger on the trigger until you have pointed the muzzle at the target. While you will naturally want to keep your finger on the trigger, do not do this until the pistol is pointed at a specially designed target.
4. 4 Make sure the target and everything in the shooting area is safe.
   • It is very important. Once you have taken the starting position for shooting, you need to be soberly aware of the position of your target and everything that is behind it or in its immediate vicinity, as a bullet can penetrate the target, ricochet and hit someone or something.
   • If there are other shooters around you, then be sure that you will be shooting in a position parallel to the other participants. Thus, the likelihood of an accidental murder is reduced. In addition, this approach reduces the risk of hitting a nearby person with a poisonous gas cloud emanating from the barrel of a pistol when firing. Larger caliber weapons can cause headaches and discomfort from gas emissions alone.
5. 5 You should always unload a firearm when transferring it to another person or at the end of its use.
   • If you are transferring a weapon to someone else, you must first discharge it completely. Check the magazine and drum clod for the absence of loaded cartridges. If someone else gives you a weapon, then you need to check it for ammo content before you intend to shoot.
   • An excellent way of informing yourself and everyone else around that the pistol is discharged is to fix the ramrod, that is, twitch the bolt carrier or cylinder in the open state. Thus, the pistol will not fire even when the trigger is pulled.
   • Study the instructions for using this type of weapon, which will acquaint you with the safest approaches to its use.
   • If you are transporting weapons from home to a shooting center, be sure to unload the weapon, as it is illegal to transport a loaded weapon even to a shooting range or workshop.
6. 6 Use suitable cartridges.
   • The use of cartridges of a different caliber can not only damage or destroy the weapon itself, but also cause serious injury or death. Each weapon supports a certain type of cartridges and their number. If you load too many bullets, then you create a dangerous situation for yourself and others, not to mention the breakdown of the pistol.
   • To avoid misfires, it is advisable to visually check the ammunition for external defects before inserting cartridges into the chamber. Make sure that the bottom of the case is not damaged or deformed, and that the cartridges do not have any other dents or defects. New factory-made ammunition must also undergo a similar test. Never use cartridges for shooting that do not correspond to the data indicated on the barrels, and also always use cartridges whose length is less than or equal to that indicated on the weapon.
   • It is best to use factory cartridges. Since these cartridges have been repeatedly tested for all sorts of malfunctions and defects. In general, the more expensive the cartridges are, the better they will be of quality, although this is not always justified in practice.
   • Also, attention should be paid to the quality and quantity of the powder used. You should not fill the cartridges with gunpowder yourself without first consulting an expert, since the amount of gunpowder in the cartridge directly affects the safety and quality of shooting.
   • Mastering the skills of pistol shooting entails a lot of costs associated with the purchase of cartridges and all kinds of devices. At a minimum, in order to learn to shoot confidently and accurately enough, you will need to fire several hundred rounds, which will cost you about the same price for which you purchased your firearm.
7. 7 Always wear ear and eye protection.
   • No need for ear protection when using small bore rifles, although recommended. While the rumble of a shot from these rifles will not cause severe pain in your ears, it can dull your hearing over time. When using anything larger than a 22mm long rifle cartridge, be sure to wear ear protectors. Tinnitus means that your hearing organ is under extreme strain and you may have already seriously injured your ears.
   • Eye protection should not be neglected. Even if you are absolutely sure that there are no problems with the weapon, minor problems can arise from overheating of the weapon when firing or due to a factory defect. Another nuisance has the likelihood of arising when firing small caliber pistols or in the presence of a very short barrel (less than 8 cm). Unburned gunpowder can come out or be reflected in your direction directly from the bullet just fired.
8. 8 If you pulled the trigger and did not observe after this shot, then be very careful.
   • When pulling the trigger is not accompanied by a subsequent shot, then first think about the presence of a cartridge in the chamber. If you are absolutely certain that you forgot to load the pistol with a cartridge, then correct the problem, observing the precautions. But if you know that the pistol has definitely been loaded, then continue to hold the muzzle in the direction of the target. Try pulling the trigger once or twice (if your pistol is equipped with a double action mechanism). If nothing happens again, carefully pull out the magazine (if possible) and remove the cartridge from the chamber. Place the defective cartridge in a safe place away from people, valuables, and other ammunition. If you are not sure, then call someone for help.
   • The problem usually lies in a malfunctioning capsule sleeve and is most common in weapons that are manually loaded, rather than using factory magazines.
9. 9 Before using and loading the rifle, make sure that neither the barrel nor the chamber is obstructed.
   • Any obstacle stuck in the muzzle can cause significant damage to your weapon. A blockage in the chamber can prevent the cartridge from charging properly or even prevent it from entering the chamber at all. Also, there may be problems with the extraction and ejection of casings when firing. An obstacle in the mechanism may prevent the striker from striking the cartridge or prevent him from coming to the starting position for the next strike.
10. 10 Maintain your firearm in a usable condition.
    • Maintenance is one of the main concerns when storing your own weapons. The older the gun, the more difficult it is to care for it. It is generally necessary to clean the weapon after each use. Some gunsmiths recommend wearing eye protection even if the pistol is not completely disassembled, as there is a risk of eye injury from spring action or gas flash.
    • It is necessary, at a minimum, to bring the gun to a state of incomplete disassembly after use. Next, you should thoroughly clean the barrel with a special brush, since the remains of coal and gunpowder could decently contaminate this part of the pistol. Use a special solvent for a more thorough cleaning of the weapon. Then wipe cleaned parts with a dry rag to remove solvent residues from gun surface. Every moving part should be lubricated with gun oil (except for the striker of a semi-automatic pistol, as this part can get stuck in soot and coal). Run the oil well over the outside of the muzzle and over the breechblock. Do not use too much oil, as too much oil can build up dust, charcoal and gunpowder, so wipe the gun down with a dry cloth to remove excess oil.
    • It will be much more difficult to disassemble long-barreled weapons. If you do not have time for this, then simply clean the bolt mechanism and chamber with a brush and solution without much analysis into parts. Wipe as many surfaces as possible with a clean, dry cloth. Use muzzle solvent to thoroughly clean this part. Lubricate the trigger mechanism with gun oil (follow factory instructions), the bolt body and the bolt itself. Tug the skeleton several times to allow the oil to soak into the mechanism. Wipe off excess oil with a dry cloth.
    • If you are not going to use a firearm for a long period of time, then you should clean it very well, including absolutely all the details. There are products on the market that are designed to hold firearms for years or even decades, but it is best to avoid using them if you are only going to step back from shooting for a few years. It is best to simply clean the weapon with high quality and generously lubricate it with gun oil (you can overdo it). Every 6-8 months, you should take the weapon out of the pantry and grease it again. If cleaned well and applied with sufficient oil, your weapon will last for many years.
11. 11 Appropriate modification of firearms.
    • It is not recommended to modify your weapon (in order to preserve the warranty and performance of the weapon). But if you really want to change something, then contact the official manufacturer. Never try to perform any modifications yourself, as even a small mistake can provoke a major damage to the weapon.
12. 12 A little about the safety and fire characteristics of firearms.
    • It is extremely important to learn how to safely handle the weapon. Learn how to properly retrieve the magazine, unload and check the chamber, activate the safety catch, remove jamming, inspect the muzzle, disassemble and assemble the weapon.
    • It is important to know the fire characteristics of the weapon used. If you are unaware of some aspects of a firearm, such as the force of recoil or rumble when fired, then talk to an expert about this. Always follow all safety precautions or ask a professional to help you if you feel unsure.
13. 13 Never shoot at hard or flat surfaces (including water).
    • While some objects can be tempting targets, such as most metal objects, hard or flat surfaces, the temptation to shoot should be avoided, as the bullet can bounce in a direction you don't expect and injure or even kill someone.
    • Small bullets at low velocity are very well known for their ability to ricochet. Due to their low weight and low speed, these types of bullets can bounce off trees, stones and even dirt.
    • The good news about ricochets is that (usually) bullets (even lightweight ones) do not bounce in the direction of the shooter (unlike a ball) due to their incredible velocities. Thus, the shooter's place is the safest in relation to the possible ricochet. There are also exceptions to this rule. For example, bullets with a solid surface (not lead) have different flight dynamics; the rubber tip on the bullet can allow it to bounce straight back, and hard objects at an angle can send the bullet back to the shooter.
14. 14 Never leave a loaded weapon unattended.
    • If you have a loaded weapon, never take your eyes off it, whether at home or in a shooting center. If you suspect that someone might enter and take possession of your weapon, then take it apart and store them in different places under lock and key. Also, store ammunition in a separate, secure area.
    • Always follow all applicable firearms laws. Be mindful of children and use all precautions in this regard.
15. 15 Never approach a weapon while intoxicated.
    • Even a small drop of alcohol or drugs can cloud your consciousness and judgment regarding the simplest situations, which is absolutely incompatible with the use of firearms. Never, under any circumstances, use a firearm while intoxicated.

Tips

• Learn to turn on the safety on the weapon.
• Never carry a loaded weapon on you while climbing a fence, climbing a tree or a rock. Hunters who need to ambush a tree first unload their gun, tie a rope to it, climb a tree, and then pull the gun towards me. Unload your weapon first, if you even urgently need to get down from the tree to get to the killed prey.
• Do not leave a weapon unattended in your home or vehicle. For self-defense, carry a gas pistol or one that supports the use of rubber bullets. Carry a pistol in a special holster, never store a weapon in your pants or in your pocket.
• Remember that even if you are attacked on the street and you kill one of the bandits with a firearm, then you are not guaranteed a pardon based on self-defense.

Warnings

• Always read the instructions for using a particular weapon carefully.
• NEVER look into the muzzle of a firearm. The first time may be the last.
• Always wash your hands well after using a weapon. Oil, gas residues, gunpowder or cleaning solutions can be very harmful to health if swallowed in the stomach or eyes.
• Always obey the law!
• A firearm is a very dangerous item that can seriously injure or kill a person. Never try to master the art of shooting on your own, always resort to the help of an instructor or documented professional in this matter.