DO YOU REALLY KNOW YOUR HANDGUNS?

[MAC USMC]

I often hit the ranges around San Diego and periodically I see shooters who DO NOT know much about their own firearms. Are you positive how your weapon functions? How about a little quiz?

1. So you own a Smith & Wesson revolver and also a Colt. One of these handguns has a significant difference. With the CYLINDER OPEN, the cylinder release can be pushed and the hammer can be COCKED back. The weapon can be LOADED, the cylinder can then be CLOSED resulting in a LOADED WEAPON WITH THE GUN COCKED and ready to fire. The other handgun will not permit this action. Which one allows this potentially unsafe procedure to be carried out?

2. So you own several semi-automatic pistols in various calibers. Some WILL FIRE with the MAGAZINE REMOVED. Do you know which ones?

3. On many Ar-15 type weapons and most M-16's there is a small spring loaded pin at the front of the trigger guard. This device has a specific purpose. What is it?

4. You CAN FIRE .223 ammo in a 556mm AR - - BUT NEVER FIRE anything but .223 ammo in your CZ or other rifle of that caliber. Why is this the case?

I have personally observed #1 and #2 issues occur, thankfully without an accidental discharge or injury. It is a gun owner's responsibility to know the function of each weapon he/she owns for safety reasons

[Cokebottle]

1.

Wife's Ruger is DAO... but if I had the S&W & Colt, I'm sure I'd know

2. So you own several semi-automatic pistols in various calibers. Some WILL FIRE with the MAGAZINE REMOVED. Do you know which ones?

Both of them (XD9, 1911). That is actually part of the XD's field strip procedure. You MUST dry-fire it or you can't remove the slide.

3. On many Ar-15 type weapons and most M-16's there is a small spring loaded pin at the front of the trigger guard. This device has a specific purpose. What is it?

You mean the one that holds the front of the trigger guard in place?

4. You CAN FIRE .223 ammo in a 556mm AR - - BUT NEVER FIRE anything but .223 ammo in your CZ or other rifle of that caliber. Why is this the case?

5.56 is spec'd to higher pressure than .223.

[Peter W Bush]

1. Colt
2. Anything without a mag disconnect. My Beretta doesnt have one, neither does my Colt
3. Are you talking about the takedown pin detent?
4. 5.56 is usually loaded to a pressure higher than SAAMI ratings.

[Noobert]

3. You can pivot the trigger guard if you want with the spring loaded pin? I believe in the M16 manual it tells you to do that in winter w/ gloves

[seanbo]

Which part is the trigger, and which end does the bullet come out?

[nagorb]

I just put da bullets in da gat and bang bang sucka. Why you be trippin

I often hit the ranges around San Diego and periodically I see shooters who DO NOT know much about their own firearms. Are you positive how your weapon functions? How about a little quiz?

1. So you own a Smith & Wesson revolver and also a Colt. One of these handguns has a significant difference. With the CYLINDER OPEN, the cylinder release can be pushed and the hammer can be COCKED back. The weapon can be LOADED, the cylinder can then be CLOSED resulting in a LOADED WEAPON WITH THE GUN COCKED and ready to fire. The other handgun will not permit this action. Which one allows this potentially unsafe procedure to be carried out?

2. So you own several semi-automatic pistols in various calibers. Some WILL FIRE with the MAGAZINE REMOVED. Do you know which ones?

3. On many Ar-15 type weapons and most M-16's there is a small spring loaded pin at the front of the trigger guard. This device has a specific purpose. What is it?

4. You CAN FIRE .223 ammo in a 556mm AR - - BUT NEVER FIRE anything but .223 ammo in your CZ or other rifle of that caliber. Why is this the case?

I have personally observed #1 and #2 issues occur, thankfully without an accidental discharge or injury. It is a gun owner's responsibility to know the function of each weapon he/she owns for safety reasons

[nagorb]

Seriously though, as long as you know how to safely operate a firearm you really don't need to know every little aspect.

#3 and #4 really pertain to rifles.

[JagerTroop]

1. The only wheelgun I own, is a Ruger SBH, and I have the function/operation down pat.
2. I DO own several autos, and they ALL fire with mag out except my CZ27
3. Not on any of mine. Magpul winter (or integrated) trigger guards on all ARs.
4. 5.56mm is higher pressure (as it has been said)

I understand where you are going with this. I too, hate when people at the range (or elsewhere) don't know how to operate (or safely clear after malfunction) their weapon.

[586L-Frame]

1. So you own a Smith & Wesson revolver and also a Colt. One of these handguns has a significant difference. With the CYLINDER OPEN, the cylinder release can be pushed and the hammer can be COCKED back. The weapon can be LOADED, the cylinder can then be CLOSED resulting in a LOADED WEAPON WITH THE GUN COCKED and ready to fire. The other handgun will not permit this action. Which one allows this potentially unsafe procedure to be carried out?

To OP,
Did you also know that a S&W Revolver cylinder rotates when cocked,
counter-clockwise, and that Colts Revolver cylinders rotate clockwise.
So be careful if you're in a russian roulette game with a live round.
586L-Frame

[roadwarrior1971]

I just point in the right direction and pull the trigger. Just kidding, good points.

[Greg-Dawg]

5. Glocks, M&Ps and XDs don't have an external hammer, so stop trying to reach back to cock the gun or waiting to hear the click-click.

It's real gun guys vs. gun guys that don't care.

[ldivinag]

5. Glocks, M&Ps and XDs don't have an external hammer, so stop trying to reach back to cock the gun or waiting to hear the click-click.
.

but but but... all the movies i see, all striker fired handguns make that cocking noise...

[JDay]

2. So you own several semi-automatic pistols in various calibers. Some WILL FIRE with the MAGAZINE REMOVED. Do you know which ones?

All of them because I will disable any magazine disconnect safety my firearms have.

[pennys dad]

Without reaching for my pistols or rifles lets see how i do.

1. I own a S&W 686 and not a Colt. I cant cock the hammer with an open cylinder

2. What i own: Browning Buckmark - No fire, Glock - will fire, SIGMA - No Fire, Lady Smith - No Fire, XD - Not Sure yet, just getting aquinted, M&P - No Fire

3. Your speaking to the bolt catch?

4. Higher pressure ammo

[UBFRAGD]

Seriously, I have many other consumer appliances and electronics that have way more complex interfaces than ANY of my guns.

But few with such deadly consequences for idiocy.