This is a good video tutorial of the subject for any shooter, woman or man. There are a few items I would like to comment on though the instructions, as is, are excellent.
1) In the video, note how the gentleman clears the automatic. I do it a bit differently and I believe it is a smidgen safer as I don't like my hand that close to the muzzle. As in the video and after removing the magazine, with the pistol pointed in an absolutely safe direction, grasp the slide via either the over the top method or the slingshot method and pull it fully to the rear. Then lock the slide back and visually and physically check the internals for a round. Proceed as per the video.
2) If you are handing a firearm, of any type, to someone, clear the weapon yourself, lock the action open, then surrender the piece with the muzzle facing downward and/or in a safe or neutral direction. My kids were taught this when they were extremely young and it has stuck with them to this day. They are consistently the safest gun handlers I have ever been around I am proud to say.
Aside from these comments follow the video...
In general, to clear an automatic pistol I do the following:
- With the safety on, grasp the pistol with your FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER (keep it off!) and point it in an absolutely safe direction (THINK: if the gun went off, where would the bullet go?).
- Remove the magazine (this act alone DOES NOT render the pistol safe, magazine disconnector notwithstanding).
- Pull and, if possible, lock the slide to the rear (depending upon make and model, you may have to place the safety in the off position).
- With vigilance, visually and physically inspect the chamber (depending upon make and model, you may have to hold the slide open).
- Close the slide (close it easily, don’t let it slam home on an empty chamber).
- With the pistol pointed in an absolutely safe direction (THINK: if the gun went off, where would the bullet go?), dry fire it to lower the hammer*. Now the pistol is guaranteed safe.
- NEVER, EVER, take anyone’s word, regardless of who it is, that a firearm is cleared and safe. CHECK IT YOURSELF every time you touch it.
* I dry fire the hammer down because it guarantees the pistol is all set for dry fire practice. If your pistol has a magazine disconnector, you’ll have to put a magazine in to drop the hammer. Make sure the magazine is unloaded as well.
WARNING: do not remove the magazine and simply work the slide back and forth several times rapidly and assume the pistol is now unloaded and safe. Extractors have been know to break leaving a round in the chamber. That I have witnessed.
The best advice I can give is, if you're uncertain of anything pertaining to firearms, seek PROFESSIONAL help and build yourself a set of safe operating procedures and stick to them religiously.
For those who may not know them...The Four Basic Rules of Firearms Safety by Col. Jeff Cooper
- All guns are always loaded. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are.
- Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. (For those who insist that this particular gun is unloaded, see Rule 1.)
- Keep your finger off the trigger till your sights are on the target. This is the Golden Rule.
- Identify your target, and what is behind it. Never shoot at anything that you have not positively identified.
Joe Doakes aka Kilogulf59
Integrated Close Combat Forum
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