Muzzle UP or muzzle DOWN?

[Trapper]

Why not just put it in a gun case or range bag?

[E Michael]

The hand gun safety test said "safest position possible for the situation" or something very similar. Sometimes the safest position possible is at someone breaking into your house.... sooooo ya...

[roushstage2]

The number 1 rule at Sac Valley is "Always point the muzzle in a safe direction." Once you get there though, there are signs that say "Muzzles Up."

[Rand B. Wilson]

Why not just put it in a gun case or range bag?

Cases not allowed!!

[ronlglock]

I was taught to point in whatever direction is safest, which calls for judgement on your part.

Up is not usually safe. Indoors there could be people up stairs. Outdoors, if there's an accidental discharge, what goes up must come down, maybe on a person.

Down is not always safe, because concrete or stone or other hard floors will ricochet.

On a range, down range is usually a good choice. To move around, open chamber, with flag, pointing to the dirt would be my choice.

On the range, generally the RSO is king. If you want to shoot there, do what he asks unless it is obviously stupid, or he will make your life miserable.

+1

This is what the NRA Range Safety Officer class teaches. The safest direction depends on the Standard Operating Procedures of the range, and whomever wrote them should have taken all of the above into account. It never hurts to ask if you are unsure, and up or down could be the right answer at the right time, depending on all of the other factors. If I am over dirt, I feel more comfortable pointing down, but that's just my opinion, as it always depends on the overall situation.

[Horton Fenty]

It never hurts to ask if you are unsure, and up or down could be the right answer at the right time, depending on all of the other factors.

This. Find out how they want you to act from the get go.

Safe direction for me, which more often than not means muzzle down.

[Mail Clerk]

Rand,

I wouldn't get mad over it. Either case you practiced good judgement so up or down in reality doesn't make a difference but you admit the range has there rules and the insurance must be rather high for them. Too the RO's I'm much sure they've had to deal with allot of gun people that are totally idiots.....your definitely not one of those!

Mail Clerk

[supra]

Action open and muzzle up has been the regulations at the ranges I have been to.

[tonyxcom]

lol cause mythbusters is always right.

look up how many people have been killed from falling bullets. I remember it happening in my neighborhood when i was younger 4th of july or new years.

You ever hear of the term "terminal velocity"?

A bullet shot into the air will stop, then fall back to earth. The speed of this fall will be determined ONLY by its weight and wind resistance. Typically under 300fps or your off the shelf sling shot. This is however different then bullets shot at an angle that will still maintain some velocity.

[Sakiri]

What about handguns? Up or down while unloaded? Dad always taught me muzzle down on those things because all too often "up" meant "in your face like a moron". He also taught me not to point up over my shoulder with rifles/shotguns while loaded in the woods in case he or someone else in our hunting party was behind me(I'm fairly short - 5'4").

Can understand RO having final authority but I'm wondering if theres a standard for pistols. I don't care if it's unloaded, I don't want someone pointing it at me. I can't tell at a glance if it is or not and I'm always afraid someone with a handgun up is going to be a moron and have it go off.

I'd rather take a ricochet to the leg than see someone take a full bullet to the face.

[AAShooter]

Many break-action shotgunners break there action and then either put the barrel or the butt stock over their shoulder. We had one situation where a shooter turned and clocked a guy behind him. It cut his nose/eye area. He ended up going to the e-room and got 4 or 5 stitches. He was less than happy.

[tonyxcom]

What about handguns? Up or down while unloaded? Dad always taught me muzzle down on those things because all too often "up" meant "in your face like a moron".

I never hold hand guns by the grip when I am not shooting them. So at the range I lock the slide back and hold it by the slide, pointing the muzzle in whatever direction is safe, typically down.

[Sakiri]

I never hold hand guns by the grip when I am not shooting them. So at the range I lock the slide back and hold it by the slide, pointing the muzzle in whatever direction is safe, typically down.

Makes sense, but I'd still rather not point it in a way that's at people. I'm a little overly paranoid about muzzle direction.

This may or may not be a good thing.

To the guy mentioning someone getting clocked in the head with a shotgun barrel... I've been hit that way. By my own shotgun. By my father carrying it. I also was not amused. I've also somehow gotten the sight bead on the end of it jammed into various places by people carrying it and not paying attention. Might be why I'm overly paranoid. Was a break action single shot 20 ga with a brass bead front sight. Sucker hurts.

[Mesa Tactical]

Many break-action shotgunners break there action and then either put the barrel or the butt stock over their shoulder. We had one situation where a shooter turned and clocked a guy behind him. It cut his nose/eye area. He ended up going to the e-room and got 4 or 5 stitches. He was less than happy.

Another accidental firearms injury!

[LMTluvr]

Dont think its a matter of muzzle up/down..Its just that seemingly rare gift of "common sense" and "situational awareness".