Post by gazooayam on Jan 16, 2009 9:05:28 GMT -5
Let's start with a rule i learned in Cub Scouts;
When someone hands you a knife (or any other weapon) say "Thank you" as you take it. This let's the other know that you have a firm grip on it, and that it is safe for him (or her) to release it. This is a habit now so firmly ingrained in me that it's become an automatic response.
Never cut towards yourself with a blade. This my father taught me when i was 3. Simple common sense, but you'd be surprised how many people do it. Always assume a blade is sharp enough to cut you.
Regarding firearms;
Always assume a gun is loaded, until you have verified for yourself that it is not. Never take someone else' word for it. If it is a revolver, assure that each cylinder is clear. If it is an automatic, drop the clip, and rack the slide fully back to eject the shell in the chamber. This too seems like common sense, but many forget the "one in the pipe."
There are a lot of older guns out there, and some, while they will accept modern ammunition were never designed to fire it. Old shotguns, in particular, if fitted with what is known as "Damascus" or "twist steel" barrels may explode if loaded with modern smokeless powder shells. Know your weapon, and if you are not sure, take it to a competent gunsmith for evaluation. Never experiment. Some handguns, too, particularly old "Bulldog" style revolvers, were designed to fire black powder shells. I have one marked "Frontier Bulldog" on the top strap, which will accept modern .44 ammo in the cylinder, but is in fact a .41 calibre gun.
Had i had less expertise, i could easily have assumed that "if the bullet goes in the cylinder, then the gun will fire it." Had i done so, my nickname would now be "Lefty." The bullet would not have fit through the barrel, and the pistol would have exploded in my hand.
Until and unless you can verify that an old flintlock or cap and ball rifle is safe to fire, assume that it is for decorative purposes only. Many old guns that you might find at an antique store etc. have a ball jammed in the barrel. Again, refer it to a gunsmith if you're not sure.
Taa, for now.
GaZoo
When someone hands you a knife (or any other weapon) say "Thank you" as you take it. This let's the other know that you have a firm grip on it, and that it is safe for him (or her) to release it. This is a habit now so firmly ingrained in me that it's become an automatic response.
Never cut towards yourself with a blade. This my father taught me when i was 3. Simple common sense, but you'd be surprised how many people do it. Always assume a blade is sharp enough to cut you.
Regarding firearms;
Always assume a gun is loaded, until you have verified for yourself that it is not. Never take someone else' word for it. If it is a revolver, assure that each cylinder is clear. If it is an automatic, drop the clip, and rack the slide fully back to eject the shell in the chamber. This too seems like common sense, but many forget the "one in the pipe."
There are a lot of older guns out there, and some, while they will accept modern ammunition were never designed to fire it. Old shotguns, in particular, if fitted with what is known as "Damascus" or "twist steel" barrels may explode if loaded with modern smokeless powder shells. Know your weapon, and if you are not sure, take it to a competent gunsmith for evaluation. Never experiment. Some handguns, too, particularly old "Bulldog" style revolvers, were designed to fire black powder shells. I have one marked "Frontier Bulldog" on the top strap, which will accept modern .44 ammo in the cylinder, but is in fact a .41 calibre gun.
Had i had less expertise, i could easily have assumed that "if the bullet goes in the cylinder, then the gun will fire it." Had i done so, my nickname would now be "Lefty." The bullet would not have fit through the barrel, and the pistol would have exploded in my hand.
Until and unless you can verify that an old flintlock or cap and ball rifle is safe to fire, assume that it is for decorative purposes only. Many old guns that you might find at an antique store etc. have a ball jammed in the barrel. Again, refer it to a gunsmith if you're not sure.
Taa, for now.
GaZoo