"Unlocking" a handgun

[Rugerman]

I read that when buying a handgun you need to take a Safe Handling Demonstration which includes checking if the gun is empty, unlocking it, loading it with a dummy round, unloading it, and relocking it. When "unlocking" a handgun, is that when the slide is locked and you push down that little lever above the grip on the LHS? Also, when unloading the dummy round can you just pull the slide back, lock it, and take the mag out? The dummy round should fly out of the ejection port when the slide is pulled back right? Thanks for all the help.

[bassplayrr]

Wow, I never had to do THAT much. I just had to show basic handling, how to operate safety, open slide, release mag etc. Unlocking/Locking I would assume would refer to the thumb safety on guns so equiped, or any other external safety (not sure what you'd do on a gun like a glock). Regarding unloading the dummy round, just pulling the slide back, allowing the cartridge to eject, and locking the slide open would have to suffice.

As a side note, now that I think about it I never had to demonsrate any proficiency with the handling of the firearm. Since I always handle a firearm I plan on purchasing my doing such things as I listed above I think it just became obvious to the salesperson that I know how to safely handle a pistol. I'm sure the same would prove true in your case.

[deez]

When "unlocking" a handgun, is that when the slide is locked and you push down that little lever above the grip on the LHS?

the past few times, i was given an actual cable lock to lock/unlock the handgun with.

Also, when unloading the dummy round can you just pull the slide back, lock it, and take the mag out?

no, always remove the mag first before pulling the slide back. besides that, they'll want you to demonstrate that a round can still be chambered with the mag removed (duh).

The dummy round should fly out of the ejection port when the slide is pulled back right?

yes

the HSC booklet discusses the steps of the safe handling test for both pistol and revolver, which differ slightly. you can get the PDF from the CA DoJ web site.

http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/forms/pdf/hscman.pdf

some dealers don't even bother giving the test, since it's a waste of time...

[Rugerman]

Thanks bassplayrr, what handgun did you buy?

[Rugerman]

Here's the S&W 1911PD I'm saving up for It comes with a Desert Tan Crimson Trace Lasergrips. The retail price was making me think in my head "Noooo!!!!!" But the slick looks of the gun got to me

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=14728&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15709&isFirearm=Y

[bassplayrr]

Yeah, I skipped that step. As deez said, always eject the mag before ejecting the chambered cartridge when unloading a gun.

I ended up getting the SS Springfield 1911A1 Mil-Spec. No where near as nice as the S&W you're looking at; one of those was just out of my budget. I could have afforded the 'Loaded' model, but I like to tinker, and since this is my first 1911 I'd like to get to know her better by building her up.

[Rugerman]

I looked up some pics of your SS Springfield 1911A1 Mil-spec and I have to say, looks very official like Thanks for the HSC Training Booklet deez

[bassplayrr]

'Official' That's a nice way of putting it. I was thinking entry level, but official sounds even better. If you can flip the bill on that S&W you should, I'm sure you'll love every minute of it.

[Rugerman]

Looks kinda like a WWII Antique

[deez]

'Official' That's a nice way of putting it. I was thinking entry level, but official sounds even better. If you can flip the bill on that S&W you should, I'm sure you'll love every minute of it.

as long as it "officially" goes bang everytime, that's all that matters!

[bassplayrr]

Amen to that Deez!

That 1911 looks like a WWII Antique in the pics i saw.

Depending on the link you looked at it may have. SA offers a GI Mil-Spec that is a quasi WWII repro in parkerized steel. The standard mil-spec on the other hand has a more modern sight set up, a lowered and flared ejection port, angled slide serrations, and some other minor cosmetic differences. Add in to the mix the stainless finish on my particular model and it is less WWII vintage looking. To me, mine looks more like a stripped down 'Loaded' (read: minus the beavertail, long trigger, front slide serrations, skeleton hammer, and novak sights) but maybe I just want it to.

vv GI mil-spec on left, my SS mil-spec (non GI) in the center, and a 'Loaded' on the right vv

[Rugerman]

Nice looking SA's bassplayrr

[Turbinator]

some dealers don't even bother giving the test, since it's a waste of time...

Umm, isn't this a violation of the law to NOT administer the safe handling test?

Hmm!

Turby

[Old Fud]

The paperwork filed with the sale of any handgun in California includes a form stating you have passed a safe handling test. It is signed by the dealer and by you the buyer.

The safe handling test starts and ends with the cable lock. It includes loading, safety-on-safety-off, unloading and CHECKING unloading (With finger test). It includes knowledge of the 4 rules during. With revolvers, it includes knowing how to load with the snapcap being the next round up to be fired. With semi-autos, it includes KNOWING the difference between dropping the mag and emptying the chamber -- and it includes locking the slide back by hand w/out a mag in.

My observation is that no dealer will let a buyer out of his store without knowing this stuff, but he may not be too stuffy about it after you've bought your 3rd or fourth piece from him. For both halves of that statement, I give them full credit.

Fud.