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A Community Firearms Safety
and Produced as a public education project of the Second Amendment Foundation, a tax-exempt not-for-profit foundation |
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| HANDGUNS Generally speaking, there are four types of handguns: semi-automatic and single-shot pistols, revolvers and derringers. Most of the single-shot and derringer models are of the hinge-action type. |
Semi-Autos  The semi-automatic
pistol operates much the same as a semi-automatic rifle and shotgun.
The action is opened by grasping the slide and pulling it to
the rear. When the slide is locked back, the magazine is removed.
Visual inspection of the chamber will show if it is unloaded. |
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Revolvers
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Muzzle Loading Firearms  The term muzzleloader is an obvious
one because of how the gun is loaded-through the muzzle. Powder
is poured into the barrel and a lead ball or bullet is put into
the barrel on top of it. A small hole (flash hole) located at
the closed end, usually at the side, just above the trigger,
allows a flame or spark to enter the barrel, ignite the powder
and fire the gun. Depending on the type of muzzleloader the flash
hole is located on the barrel in different places and in different
ways, but the end result is the same. It is possible for a muzzle-loader to have been loaded
many years ago, stored in different ways throughout the years
and still be loaded and dangerous. One simple procedure will
prove whether or not a muzzleloader is loaded. Insert a wooden
dowel which is longer than the barrel, into the muzzle until
it will go no further. Mark the dowel at the muzzle. Remove the
dowel and position it on the outside of the barrel with the mark
at the muzzle. The dowel should reach the flash hole. If it does
not, the gun may be loaded and dangerous-take it to a gunsmith
right away. (This technique applies to muzzleloading handguns
as well.) |
| CAUTION: War Souvenirs There are many different types of foreign-made guns, some of which operate very differently from American-made guns. If you are not sure how to open the action and make the gun safe, wait until a qualified person shows you how. |
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Exceptions
to the Rule
Some small pocket pistols do not have safety levers or lock-open
levers, and the magzine release latch may be underneath |
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GUNSAFE
The
revolver is easily identified because of the cylindrically-shaped
magazine. The magazine which is called a cylinder, acts as the
chamber when properly aligned with the barrel. Opening the action
of a revolver is done in different ways depending on the make
and model. Many revolvers have a latch type handle or release
on the side which allows the cylinder to swing out. Some have
a release at the top which lifts up, hinging beneath the barrel
just in front of the cylinder. In both of these cases, the complete
cylinder is exposed and it is easy to see if it is loaded.
Some
revolvers have cylinders which cannot be swung out or lifted
up and must be loaded and unloaded through a loading gate on
the side. In order to determine if a revolver of this type is
loaded the hammer should be pulled back slowly, being careful
that the gun is pointed in a safe direction, to "half-cock"
position. This can be determined by the first click which is
heard as the hammer is drawn back. The loading gate on the side,
just behind the cylinder is swung out and the cylinder rotated
slowly. If cartridges are in the cylinder they may be removed
one at a time by forcing them out with the ejector rod which
is located alongside the barrel.
Double-action-only (DAO ) pistols such
as those made by Glock and Smith & Wesson do not have a separate
safety lever. To open the action, remove the magazine first,
then pull the slide to the rear all the way, which should eject
any cartridge still in the chamber. Cherck visually and manually
to see if a cartridge has been left inside the chamber. When
you remove the magazine, the slide will not lock open automatically.
You will have to pull the slide back and manually lift the lock-open
lever, or insert a block or other object in the ejection port
to hold the action open.
Some of the Smith & Wesson Sigma
series pistols have an unusual magazine release system. There
is no magazine release button or catch. Instead, the bottom of
the magazine must be inched together from both sides to remove
the magazine. These pistols also have no automatic lock-open
feature and should be wedged open to prevent firing.
the grip. Keeping the finger away from the trigger
and trigger guard, remove the magazine, then pull the slide back
and prop back the slide by inserting a block or pencil stub in
the ejection port.
