Safe Handling with Different Types of Firearms

Every firearm has its own parts, for example barrel, cylinder, hammer, grip, slide lock, magazine release, etc. Those different parts require the gun to be handled differently. However, the basic concept of being safe with any firearm is universal.

1. Firearm should always be unloaded and properly locked with a firearm safety device.
2. Make sure that you are always aware of where the muzzle is and that the firearm is pointed in a safe direction. The safest direction for any firearm is pointed down at the ground.
3. Make sure that your finger is on the outside of the trigger guard, this is called trigger discipline.

The list above gives you the general safety rules of handling any firearm. The list below will cover several different types of firearms and their more specific safety rules.

Safe handling of a double-action revolver

1. After opening the cylinder inspect each chamber, both physically and visually, to be certain that the revolver is not loaded.
2. Next, remove the firearm safety device.
3. Once the firearm safety devices been removed you are going to load one dummy round into the chamber of the cylinder. Be sure you are maintaining trigger discipline and muzzle awareness at all times. Finally make sure that the dummy round gets rotated to the next fire position.
4. The next step is to close the cylinder, then open the cylinder backup and remove the round.
5. Finally, inspect each chamber to be sure that the revolver is unloaded and once again apply the firearm safety device.

Semiautomatic Pistol Safe Handling

1. Remove the magazine, lock the slide back and both physically and visually check the chamber to be certain that it is empty.
2. The next step is to take off the safety device.
3. Insert one dummy round into the magazine clip and then insert the magazine clip into the pistol.
4. Next, either pull back the slide release or manipulate the slide release and then remove the magazine clip.
5. Look to see if the round can be chambered without the magazine in place.
6. Then lock the slide back to eject the dummy round.
7. Finally, apply the safety, and the firearm safety device.

Long Gun Safe Handling

1. After opening the ejection port visually and physically inspect both the chamber and the magazine to be sure that they are both empty.
2. After removing the firearm safety device, and while maintaining both trigger discipline and muzzle awareness load a dummy round into the magazine loading port.
3. The next step is to pull the forend backwards towards the receiver which will cause the round to enter the breech.
4. Next, push the forend forward to chamber the dummy round. This step should have caused the dummy round to move from the tubular magazine into the chamber.
5. Once you have confirmed that the dummy round is in the chamber, push the action release button and then pull the forend toward the receiver so the action will open. This step should remove the dummy round from the chamber and then it should be ejected through the ejection port.
6. Engage the safety, and apply the firearm safety.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: The steps listed above are general. All of the steps listed may not apply to all firearms. If you are unsure, be sure to speak with a DOJ Certified Instructor or read through the owner’s manual.