Firearm safety and maintenance

shoulder carry

A useful carry when using a break action firearm. One hand is placed on the barrel as shown, while the action is open and rested on your shoulder. This carry allows for good muzzle control while walking longer distances. A different type of shoulder carry is used with rifles - where one hand is holding the firearm's grip, barrel resting on your shoulder and the muzzle is pointed behind you. Only use this type of carry if you are absolutely certain that no one is behind you.

Safeties

DONT ALWAYS WORK prevent firing pin from striking the primer

Transport firearm safely

It is every hunter's responsibility to safely transport firearms in any vehicle. In California, it is illegal to possess any loaded shotgun or long gun in a vehicle on any way open to the public. This includes, but is not limited to, any road, parking lot, trails or open fields.

Legal hunting hours

Legal shooting hours for big game in California are from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset.

Lever or pivot safety

Located either on the bolt or just behind the bolt handle on the frame of the receiver, it blocks the firing pin when engaged. On some firearms, the lever safety located on the bolt will have three positions. The back position (i.e., toward the shooter), does not allow the bolt to be opened, and the firearm will not fire. In the middle position, the bolt can be cycled, but the firearm cannot be fired. In the forward position, the safety is OFF, and the firearm can be fired. Other safeties feature only two positions - ON and OFF. These types of safeties are marked either with green and red dots or with an "F" for fire or an "S" for safe.

Push-Button Safety

Located on the trigger guard, it blocks the trigger or the hammer when engaged. It may have a visible red band when the safety is in the OFF position.

sling carry

This takes advantage of the sling attachments on your firearm. Attach a sling, making sure it fits, and place the rifle over your shoulder while grasping the sling with your hand. This is a great carry when traveling over long distances. If you bend over to pick up an object, remember that the muzzle is now pointed in front of you.

Zone of fire

While hunting, there might be times when you will find yourself with other hunters to the right and left of you. Let's look at how to practice safe hunting in that kind of situation. Hold your arms out in front of you at a 45-degree angle. As you look in front of you, the area in front of you starts out small and gets progressively larger into the distance. Your safe zone of fire is the space between your outstretched arms. It is important that you never swing the muzzle out of this zone of fire. If you do, there's a chance you will be pointing the muzzle of your firearm at another hunter. SAFETY FIRST! Remember that when hunting in groups of three, the hunter in the middle has people on both sides of him or her, and must be extremely careful not to swing out of the zone of fire.

The 10 rules of Firearm Safety

1. Keep muzzle pointed in a safe direction 2.Treat every firearm as if it were loaded 3. Be sure of your target, in front and beyond 4. Keep you finger off the trigger 5. Check the barrel for obstruction 6. Keep the action open 7. Only point the muzzle at something when you intend to take a shot 8. Unload before jumping, running or climbing 9. Always store forearms separately and securely away from both children and careless adults 10. Never consume alcohol before or while you handle a firearm

Safety zone

According to the California Fish Game Code, it is illegal to discharge while hunting, any firearm within 150 yards of any dwelling. This 150 yard area is known as a 'safety zone'.

materials for cleaning a firearm

Cleaning patches that fit the bore size of the firearm A firearm holder to hold the firearm firmly in a horizontal position Cleaning rods or a bore snake Gunsmithing screwdrivers Brass or nylon brushes that fit onto the cleaning rods A slotted tip or jag for cleaning patches A short copper cleaning brush or an old toothbrush Bore light/Light Pipe Latex Gloves Eye-protection gear Clean Rags Gun cleaning solvents, oil and grease

Alternative ways to clean your firearm

If the firearm has interchangeable barrels, remove the barrel and clean as previously indicated. If the firearm cannot be cleaned from the breech as with the lever-action firearm, you will have to clean it from the muzzle end. You can place a patch or a thin cloth in the action so that residue does not fall into the trigger and safety assemblies.

Storing a firearm

If you have firearms in your home, protect your family and friends by ensuring that both your firearms and ammunition are legally and safely stored at all times. A gun safe is like a mini version of a bank safe - some are even fireproof. It is the best storage option. Not only does it protect firearms from being stolen, it keeps them out of the hands of careless adults and children alike. It also keeps them safe in the event of a break in; if your firearms fall into the wrong hands, you may be held responsible! All firearms should be stored in one secure location. Ammunition should be stored separately, but also in a secure location.

Slide or Tang Safety

It features two positions of operation. In the ON position (i.e., a green colored dot or the letter "S" may be visible) it blocks the firing mechanism of a rifle or shotgun. In the OFF position (i.e., a red colored dot or the letter "F" may be visible) it enables firing of a cartridge or shot shell. A Tang safety, featured on some models of shotguns, is engaged when the letter "S" is visible on top and in the back of the receiver.

Cleaning a firearm

It is every hunter's responsibility to ensure their firearm is in working order before hunting. Not only does regular care and cleaning of a firearm ensure greater shot accuracy, it also helps ensure that the action and safety mechanisms function correctly. Always follow these safety rules when cleaning any firearm: Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Ensure the firearm is unloaded. Clear the workbench of any material you do not need for cleaning. Move all ammunition to a separate location. Make sure your work area has adequate light and ventilation Wear some type of eye and hand-protection gear.

elbow carry

Place the butt of the firearm in your armpit and let the forearm of the firearm rest on your arm. The muzzle is pointed down and in front of you. This is also a very comfortable position but does not give you very good control of the muzzle. Remember that when you turn right or left, the muzzle will follow you.

cradle carry

Placing the firearm across your chest, rest its action in the bend of your arm. Next, grasp the butt of the firearm with your other hand or cover the trigger guard. It's a very comfortable position. If there is another hunter walking beside you, make sure that each muzzle is pointed in a safe direction.

Common mistakes

Pointing the Muzzle of a firearm at someone Not identifying a target carefully and what lies beyond it. Not keeping finger out of trigger guard and off trigger until ready to shoot. Assuming that a firearm is unloaded and not handling it safely. Stumbling or falling while carrying a loaded firearm Falling while climbing into/out of position Assuming that a firearm is unloaded when crossing a fence Jumping over a ditch or creek with a loaded firearm Transporting a loaded firearm in a motorized vehicle Swinging out of a safe zone of fire into another hunter's zone.

two-hand carry

Provides the best control of the firearm. One hand holds the firearm's grip and the other is on the forearm of the firearm. This is sometimes referred to as the ready carry. It gives the hunter the best control of the muzzle, and the firearm can be shouldered quickly.

6 Easy steps to cleaning a firearm

Step 1 Attach a cleaning brush that is the same size as the caliber or gauge of your firearm onto a cleaning rod. Pour a small amount of cleaning solution into an open container, such as a film canister, and dip the brush into the cleaning solution. Dipping the brush directly into the bottle of cleaning solution will contaminate the entire supply. Step 2 Place the cleaning rod with a brush attached into the bore and work the brush down the entire length of the barrel. Step 3 Remove the cleaning brush from the cleaning rod and attach the slotted patch holder onto the cleaning rod. Attach a clean patch onto the slotted patch holder and run the patch down the entire length of the barrel. Next, use the bore light to inspect the action and bore. If you spot any more residue, use another patch until it's completely clean. Step 4 Attach a clean, well-oiled patch onto the slotted patch holder and run it down the entire length of the barrel. The oil will prevent rust in the barrel. Your barrel is now clean! Step 5 Use a copper cleaning brush and work it around the bolt, bolt face and action to remove any powder residue. Wipe the bolt and action clean and apply a thin coat of oil. Step 6 Wipe down the entire firearm with a lightly oiled rag to clean and protect the outside surface.

Hammer at Half-Cock Safety

Step 3. Full Cock This type of safety is not as common as those listed above. It is typically found among lever action and break action firearms or antique and replica firearms. In the half-cock position, the hammer does not rest on the firing pin and the trigger is locked. When the hammer is pulled all the way back into the cocked position, the firearm can be fired. Be sure to check the owner's manual as some manufacturer's firearms are only safe when the hammer is in the "fully forward" position. IMPORTANT! Trigger must be pulled to move the hammer from FULL to HALF-COCK position. Make sure that you have full control of the hammer and that it does not slip from your grasp.

Misfire

This occurs when the trigger is pulled and the firearm does not fire. It's caused either by a weak firing pin or a defective primer that fails to ignite the powder charge

hangfire

This occurs when the trigger is pulled and the firearm is delayed in firing. It's caused by a temporary failure of the primer to ignite the powder charge.

Squib load or "pop fire"

This occurs when the trigger is pulled and you hear only a slight pop and do not feel any recoil. It is usually caused by not having a powder charge in the cartridge or shotshell.

Trail Carry

Use this carry only when no one is in front of you. Grasp the stock with one hand, just in front of the action. Ensure the muzzle is pointed away and in front of you. This positions the muzzle toward the ground but does not offer good control of the firearm. Be careful that the muzzle does not hit the ground - if it does, you have to check the barrel for an obstruction.

What should you do if a misfire, hangfire, or squib load occur?

When any of these occur, keep the muzzle of the firearm pointed in a safe direction. Wait about 30 seconds, unload the firearm and take it to a gunsmith for inspection and repair.