The world is a dangerous place and its only getting worse. With crime across the globe remaining consistent and countries like the United States fighting to amend citizens' rights to bear arms, it is even more important to understand firearm safety, how they function, and how to effectively employ a weapon for conventional use or self-defense.
SAFETY
Any firearm safety course available will follow a similar guideline for shooter safety:
- Treat EVERY weapon as if it were loaded.
- NEVER point a weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot.
- Keep your finger straight and off of the trigger until you are ready to fire.
- Keep your weapon on SAFE until you intend to fire.
- Know your target and what lies beyond and in between.
Safety is paramount while using any weapon system. Knowing these safety rules and keeping them in mind while using firearms will keep you and anyone around you safe. Another rule that may be taught in safety courses may be to maintain positive control of your weapon; however, if you follow these five rules you will have control of the firearm. More important aspects of safety include proper weapon maintenance, storage, and correct use of ammunition.
- Clean your firearm regularly.
- Especially after using it.
- Cleaning supplies can be purchased and most outdoors supply stores.
- Store your firearm in a dry location to prevent rust.
- Always be sure the ammunition being used is the correct caliber.
- Failure to do so can result in a catastrophic weapon malfunction or injury.
- Especially after using it.
- Cleaning supplies can be purchased and most outdoors supply stores.
- Failure to do so can result in a catastrophic weapon malfunction or injury.
Guns are expensive and will deteriorate. Why spend a fortune just to watch it rust away? Following these guidelines will maintain a proper functioning condition and result in safe use of the firearm.
HOW IT WORKS
All firearms have a Cycle of Operations. Each weapon system might have slight variations based on the type of firearm, but the only firearms available to the public follow the same Cycle of Operations.
- Feeding; The round is fed from the magazine by the bolt.
- Chambering; The round is pushed into the chamber by the bolt.
- Locking; The locking lugs on the bolt are aligned with the lugs on the barrel extension.
- Firing; The propellent (gunpowder) in the cartridge case is ignited and forces the round out of the barrel.
- Unlocking; The bolt rotates out of alignment with the barrel extension.
- Extracting; The cartridge case is ejected from the firearm through an ejection port.
- Cocking; The chamber is reset.
This is the Cycle of Operations that is applied to any semi-automatic and most fully-automatic weapon systems. With the lack of a bolt in handguns the wording of the Cycle is different but the Operation is the same. The exceptions to this Cycle of Operations include machine guns that fire from an open bolt, muskets, and revolvers.
Basically, when you pull the trigger, the hammer is released and the firing pin strikes the primer of the rounds cartridge which ignites the propellant. The propellant creates enough force with gases from a small explosion to direct the round down the barrel and out of the firearm toward your target. Simultaneously, the same gases are captured in the gas tube and directed back to the chamber and push the bolt of the firearm to the buffer chamber, while the extractor on the bolt pulls the cartridge case and spits it out the ejection port. When at the rear of the chamber, the bolt is stopped by a buffer tube and spring which pushes the bolt back forward. While the bolt moves forward another round is stripped from the magazine and the firing pin is reset, ready to restart the Cycle of Operations.
SHOOTING FUNDAMENTALS
Precision marksmanship will only come with time and practice, but following these instructions while shooting will steer you down a successful path to properly employ your firearm.
Sight alignment
Sight alignment is the relationship between the reticule or iron sights and the shooting eye. If your eye is not properly aligned with the sights you will not hit your target. While aiming down your sights you must find a point where your head and eye are adjusted to allow full view of the sights. Using a handgun may require you to hold the weapon further or closer to your body, while using a rifle requires proper head positioning on the buttstock; creating ample eye relief. Eye relief is the distance between the shooting eye and the reticule or rear sight. Things to avoid while aiming:
Shadow affect
- This is applied to the use of a scope or optic.
- You must ensure there are no shadows around the edge of the reticule.
- There must be a crisp line around the entire outer edge of the reticle and the edge should be symmetrical throughout.
- There must be a crisp line around the entire outer edge of the reticle and the edge should be symmetrical throughout.
Canting the firearm
- This is applied to the use of all firearms and will cause you to miss the target.
- While holding a firearm with iron sights the front sight must be even with the rear sight.
Using Glock sights for example, the rear sights will line up evenly with the front sight. I like to think of building a castle with the sights. The rear sight is made of two small squares and the front a single square that, when lined up between the two, creates a crisp line across the top and a beautiful castle.
Sight Picture
Sight picture is properly observing your target through sights on the firearm. This can be attained through good sight alignment. How do you know when you have the perfect sight picture?
- Never look at the target
- The target should be blurry while the sights remain crisp. If you stare at the target your round will impact on the outer edge of the target or not at all.
Breathing and Trigger control
Just about any film or video game you can think of with a sniper, you hear them hold their breath or holding your breath is an option. THIS IS WRONG. While holding your breath, your muscles are tense which will make you pull the weapon while shooting and your heart beat will cause a vertical motion of the sights. This vertical motion will cause your round to impact high, low, or not at all on the target. Between every breath you take there is a Natural Respiratory Pause; it is the pause between an inhale and exhale. This point is where you should start your trigger pull.
- Maintain a firm grip on the weapon handle and your trigger pull should be slow and steady.
- The index finger should be placed on the trigger however it feels natural and comfortable.
- The round being fired SHOULD SURPRISE YOU. Be careful to avoid anticipating the shot because this can cause you to flinch or push into the weapon resulting in a missed shot.
ARE YOU READY?!
With a solid understanding of the Cycle of Operations and ALWAYS keeping the five weapon safety rules in mind, I am confident you can master the fundamentals of marksmanship. You’ll be shooting the gnats off a goat's ass in no time.
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