Thread: Safety Rule Number 8

I was hunting with a mate once and we had stopped for a bit, so I decided to unchamber the round from my rifle (semi 22).
After our rest he wanted to take my gun for a blat, so went off by himself. When I caught up with him he was mighty pissed, as he tried to shoot something but the gun didn't fire.
I always would check to see the condition of a rifle I was just handed, and I guess he did from then on too.

I probably should have shown/told him it was empty, maybe I did. It was when I was much much younger, so can't remember all details.

Originally Posted by Beetroot

I was hunting with a mate once and we had stopped for a bit, so I decided to unchamber the round from my rifle (semi 22).
After our rest he wanted to take my gun for a blat, so went off by himself. When I caught up with him he was mighty pissed, as he tried to shoot something but the gun didn't fire.
I always would check to see the condition of a rifle I was just handed, and I guess he did from then on too.

I probably should have shown/told him it was empty, maybe I did. It was when I was much much younger, so can't remember all details.

I do that to myself more than enough. Always drop the mag, open the bolt, catch the round and pop it back in the top of the mag. Though after doing so will quite often close the bolt on a checked empty chamber to keep the dust out if the conditions are bad. This is just handing the rifle to myself when I work a gate. It has caused the odd bit of very good luck for a few rabbits.

If handing to someone else it is empty and checked by both people, or occasionally it will be stated 'Bolt locked closed on an empty chamber, treat as loaded.'