Clearing a handgun

[bobbert890]

mosty parents wouldent buy there kid a 12 guage untill they where 18 but my parents bought me a remington 870 for my 15th birthday and most gun control advocates would say that becuase of my age i'm irresponseible but infact i'm more responable than most adults 1. i always check the gun to make sure it's not loaded

2. i never point the gun at any human or domesticated animals

uless the domestic animal or human is threatening my life

3. i always but a triggerlock on all of my firearms

[XGCScrappy]

Thanks for a back to the basics, Mr Coach. I'm gonna tell you people drill drill drill. I got handed a firearm from another operator. We were talking the trigger group he had in it. Sweet crisp seer, still it was loaded when it was handed to me. Drill safety into your head.

Doesn't mean that you cannot know your weapon and be ready to employ. Just be safe about it.

[ldgrey1963]

I was trained in the Military (USAF) to leave the breech/chamber open, either by locking the slide rearward, or by not returning the cylinder to the closed position or by locking back the bolt/bolt carrier group (Bolt action/M-16/AR-15 style) the weapon can't fire. I will NEVER hand someone a weapon with the action closed and I will maintain the weapons ammo if its mine. I do not profess to be a weapons expert by NO means, just my way of thinking based on the USAF training I received in 1982.

[shootingcoach]

@ldgrey1963 There are a couple of reasons why it's better to close the action. As mentioned earlier, if I point the muzzle in a safe direction and pull the trigger, there can be virtually no doubt that the gun is empty. I have seen too many visual inspections of the chamber fail. If I dry fire a 1911 and the hammer is down, I can be reasonably certain the gun is empty. With a Glock if the trigger isn't reset, the same thing.

[shootingcoach]

@shootingcoach Also, if I hand someone a firearm with the action open, it's very fast and easy for them to drop a round into the chamber, close the action and fire. By clearing it totally, I increase the number of steps needed before the firearm can be employed. That means I have bought myself more time if the person has bad intentions.

[ldgrey1963]

@shootingcoach... I guess anything is possible. I hope I gave an alternate view and not a dispute to your safety practices. I do not intend to hand a weapon to someone I do not trust, I have had people hand me a loaded weapon of which I promptly unloaded and made safe. I will try to instill in the person on the reasons for weapon safety. There are many methods to rendering the weapon safe and after all that is what it is all about.

[tpmoney85]

good advice and I'm just a novice at this stuff but isn't it bad for the weapon to let the hammer continuously strike the firing pin?

[shootingcoach]

@tpmoney85 Most modern pistols can be dry-fired without doing any harm. Any world class shooter will tell you how important dry-firing is as a form of practice. So, no it isn't bad for the gun.

[tpmoney85]

@shootingcoach that's very interesting...I learn stuff everyday

[viper8red]

@shootingcoach Not exactly true. Depends on the gun. My Beretta cougar states about 5 times in the manual "DO NOT DRY FIRE THIS WEAPON" (The firing pin is very fragile and can be damaged with dry fire). They reccomend snap caps (plastic spring loaded dummy rounds) if you must dry fire a weapon. Don't dry fire a weapon unless your certain the manual states its okay, otherwise you'll be replacing your firing pin soon.

[shootingcoach]

@viper8red Of course the manual is going to say that, even some 1911 manufacturers put that in the manual. But if you are worried about it, use snap caps.

[viper8red]

@shootingcoach Not all manuals say that though. Any manual that's extremely specific about it I wouldn't shine it on. Do you red-line your car when the manual says not to? I tend to use things how they are intended. I don't like to replace damaged parts and soak up the expense.

[naruto777ism]

why do they call it a magazine isn't it called the clip

[JoeDurobot]

@naruto777ism Not in a pistol its called a magazine, it has a spring in it.

A clip is used in old type of rifles like the M1 Garand, it's a simple piece of metal who holds the rounds together without any spring.

Most people get it wrong and call magazines clips.

[yoonvsaechao]

this is especially true in the marines

[mkfoskey]

Please elaborate on why you need to actually "count" the rounds in a revolver. Would not a simple visual inspection that the cylinders are empty suffice? Also, what if it were not fully loaded? I am not disagreeing, just curious as to the reasoning. Blessings. K-

[mkfoskey]

Please elaborate on why you need to actually "count" the rounds in a revolver. Would not a simple visual inspection that the cylinders are empty suffice? Also, what if it were not fully loaded? I am not disagreeing, just curious as to the reasoning. Blessings. K-

[shootingcoach]

Simple: Some revolvers hold 5, 6 or 8. I once cleared a S&W 686, closed the cylinder, pointed the muzzle in a safe direction and pulled the trigger 5 times. I opened the cylinder and to my horror discovered that one round had not fallen out into my hand. I'm far more safe and cautious than 99% of the gun owners out there, if it can happen to me, it can happen to you. By counting, you drastically reduce the chance of that happening.

[shootingcoach]

It's not so much the numbers as it is having to conciously look at each chamber as part of the counting process. Too often, shooters will open the cylinder, eject the cartridges maybe briefly look at the cylinder and close it. By incorporating a process which requires conscious acknowledgement that each chamber is empty, you increase the chance that a round won't be overlooked regardless of whether the gun was fully loaded or not.

[TheHandgunhero]

Clearing a weapon should not involve pulling the trigger. Why does he point it at the ground and fire? I know it's safe and all, but still, he shouldn't do it. Not really a problem though. Also agreed - check the extractor so you don't rechamber the gun.

[shootingcoach]

@TheHandgunhero

Pointing the muzzle in a safe direction and pulling the trigger is the final confirmation that the firearm is empty. If you missed something and the gun discharges, it wil be in a safe direction. This is how it has been done in practical shooting for decades and is in my opinion the best way to clear a handgun.

[MikeReiner]

It is definitely confirmation, but I don't feel that a dry fire is absolutely necessary for that. A semi auto without a magazine with the slide locked back and visually inspected is good enough for me.

That said, we always treat our guns with great respect, irregardless of whether they are loaded.

Nutnfancy's story about the guy who thought his 1911 was empty and shot at a table when he lost a game of scrabble was just sickening to the stomach. Poor girl nearly lost her leg.

[shootingcoach]

The guy in that story confirms the need to drop the hammer on an empty chamber. Had he done that, he would have known that the pistol wasn't clear. The resulting recoil and boom would clue him in. If you hand someone a gun with the slide back, you can almost guarantee they will drop the slide. The bottom line is follow the Four Basic Safety Rules at all time and no one will get hurt.

[MikeReiner]

Absolutely true. The fact it would have fired had he dry fired it would have merely showed his failure to check his firearm rather than that AND nearly kill somebody. It's never a pretty site when safety rules are not followed.

I guess I only said that I prefer not to dry fire because I've heard a lot of bad things about dry firing hammer fired semi autos, but I hear a lot of other things as well.

[shootingcoach]

With the vast majority of modern centerfire pistols, dry-firing is not harmful. In fact, it is an excellent way to practice (if you do it safely). I personally have dry fired my 1911's millions of times. The New South Wales Police have a large dry-fire component in their firearms training regimen and they use Glocks.

[nokia26300]

my father's gun is 1911A1. What is the difference of 1911A1 and a 1911??please answer me

[shootingcoach]

@nokia26300

There are minor differences, essentially they are the same. Unless you are a 1911 officianado, they aren't worth worrying about.

[hbtelling]

Thanks for posting this, I found it very useful.

[marcisgreatAA]

i was teached to also check the bullet case extractor thing. if you pull the slide back and look into the chamber the extractor might have a round. when you think the gun is empty you close the slide and you have a loaded gun....

[massltca]

In low light situations just open the slide and lock it open. Then check for a round with your finger.

[leeharless]

Why can't i just pull the slide back four or five times, working the action, to clear it? Then give a thorough visual and "finger feel" inspection. Would you consider dry firing safer than this technique?

[shootingcoach]

You could, but if you have a broken extractor, racking the slide 100 times would make no difference. Visual inspection by itself isn't reliable. Especially in low light. Physical inspection of the chamber is fine. But dry firing is the final confirmation of all of the other checks. If you missed something, the gun will discharge. If not then you can be as certain as possible that it is clear.

[leeharless]

hmmm... i don't know. i don't trust this method. i'm moving on.

[shootingcoach]

Yeah, I guess the fact that it has been used by USPSA/IPSC and other organizations safely for more than 3 decades millions of times without incident means it's neither safe nor smart huh?

[leeharless]

did i say neither safe, nor smart? no i didn't. as you were.

we thought airplanes could safely traverse the skies over america, with arabs onboard, posessing box cutters, at one time.

it only takes one time. i'm not trying to bust up on your reputation. i'm no expert. i'm just saying i don't dig your method. it's just business. nothing personal.

...just like weapons need redesign, from time to time. sometimes we need to modify our handling behavior. uspsa/ipsc or not. god bless.

[Etch56]

what does 9/11 have to do with proper gun handling?

[packrcch]

he said 1911 which refers to the military issue .45

[Etch56]

No, see the post above mine. By Leeharless. It makes no sense.

[nonamre]

xD 1911 as in the .45

[bollyballboy]

Typical loud mouth armchair expert - or in this case- 'no-expert' - who somehow feels the irrepressible need to comment. People like you make the internet a sty, Leeharless.

[loofacop]

I see nothing wrong with this method. Yes you can argue that "what if the extractor is broken and doesnt eject the round and you dry fire a round" Well honestly, if you're gun is in bad working condition, you are running into a lot more potential issues than that. If you can provide one reason why you dont trust the method, Im sure we'd be all ears.

[Factnotfictionpeople]

How refreshing to hear an 'Automatic' correctly termed a 'Semi-Automatic!'. I remember many years ago, a guy I knew was handed a semi-auto .22 target pistol (by the shop assistant!) and just squeezed the trigger - the resulting 'bang!' brought the owner into the shop at the double and the languauge to the shop assistant is not going to be repeated here! Luckily, no one was hurt - but it could have been so much different!

Good video, thanks for posting.

[ff1046]

thanks for the info.I just learn about a kid in my town that discharged his dad weapon while the 14 year old was showing off the handgun to his friends thinking it was unloaded,he pointed the gun to his head as a joke he fired the weapon and it caused him his life! Please people follow this mans basic advise at all times!

[BARREDA1976]

follow the rules men, and add this one never clear a gun when youre tired. I had an accident with a gun but i point it to a safe position, and to an objetct that could stop or slow down the bullet in my case it was the mattres of my bed, some othersp say to point at big flower pots can do the job. thanks god the mattres helped stop the shot. Also I pointed the gun 45 degrees down. But friends always treat a gun as it is loaded, no game remember we are humans and can make mistakes

[originalrhombus]

Shouldn't it be possible to verify the gun is clear without having to dry fire it?

[Factnotfictionpeople]

Some Semi-Auto's hold rounds in the magazine and one 'in the pipe' so that last check - the dry fire- makes sure the gun really IS empty! :-)

[originalrhombus]

Yeah, but you can check that by looking into the chamber, and dry firing can damage some weapons; also, if the purpose is to "verify the weapon is safe", then a "dry" fire is really rather dangerous.

Certainly more dangerous than opening the weapon and eyeballing the chamber.

[Factnotfictionpeople]

I see your point, but knowing your weapon(s) comes into play here. But then again, yeah, for all round safety with a maximum built in 'reflex habit' then I suppose actual visual chamber checking is the way to go..........

[shootingcoach]

More than 90% of modern handguns can be dry fired safely. Visually and/or physically inspecting the chamber is fine. Pointing the gun in a SAFE direction and pulling the trigger is the final confirmation that there is not a round in the chamber. Until I have done that, I cannot be reasonably certain the gun is not loaded. Visually verifying an empty chamber can be problematic in low light or if you are distracted. Dry firing it in a safe direction is the final verification.

[shootingcoach]

Actually, it's less dangerous. If you eyeball the chamber and miss a round in it (poor lighting, etc.), the round will discharge with the next trigger pull. That could result in a bullet hitting something you don't want it to. By pointing it in a SAFE direction and dryfiring, you assure that you didn't miss a round in the chamber.

[originalrhombus]

You argument makes sense, but it is not a typical position. Would you agree that most firearms instructors counsel against dry-firing?

[shootingcoach]

Yes & no. Many firearms instructors don't use this method to clear a weapon. However, I would be leery of any instructor who discouraged dry-firing as a form of practice.

[dblgonzo]

Dry firing a 1911 is perfectly fine. I own several and dry fire them every time I clear it to clean or let someone else hold it. Rimfire guns you should never dry fire. Old style revolvers that have the firing pin on the hammer shoule also never be dry fired. New style auto loaders do not have any problems with dry firing. Do a little research and you will see why dry firing a modern handgun is not harmful.

[leeharless]

why would i ever need to dry fire a pistol?

[shootingcoach]

Why wouldn't you? Dry firing is one of the most effective ways to practice.

[rock5250]

wouldnt dry firing affect/mess up the firing pin? i know you can dry fire a shotgun all day but i hear hell when people talk about dry firing a pistol

[kantucky]

Isn't the reason that the DEA Agent shot himself in the foot is because he cleared the gun before he removed the magazine?

[aminakoyum]

Can you dry fire Springfield's XDM9mm? I'm sure you can but would like to double check. thanks coach

[JoeDurobot]

Yes you can, just make sure you made a good safety check by both looking and using your finger to see that there is no round in the chamber.Then aim in a safe direction and dry fire the gun.

[conspiracy777]

For the most part I agree with all of the procedures outlined. I'm only differing on one issue. How many people have accidental shootings while clearing a gun? If you're handed a gun that IS loaded, be sure you understand the gun before you start pushing buttons and pulling slides.  Sometimes I'm a believer that a safe weapon is a loaded weapon. Always assume it is loaded anyway as you said. Good stuff and well done, just a little difference in philosophy in some situations.

[aznlonewuff]

yup, especially true on Single Action 1911 which is carried with safety on and hammer cocked.

[conspiracy777]

That's a perfect example.

[votekyle3000]

I think the main point is always know yourself that the gun is cleared, even if you saw it cleared 5 feet away from you

[MadFresh2Death]

Awesome vid! I myself just turned 21 and I will be purchasing my first hand gun soon. I have found your videos very helpful. Keep up the good work.

[shootingcoach]

Fessrat, you are welcome to post here as long as you do not insult people or continue the condescending remarks. If you want to remove them and repost your comment, feel free. But if the only way you think you can prove your point or impress people is by being antognistic and insulting, you can post elsewhere.

[shootingcoach]

re:Chamber checking. You can play semantics all you want. The fact is that opening the slide to check the chamber is not as safe. Doing a chamber check (like the schools that taught the "press check") does nothing for clearing the weapon. It only tells you if there is a round in the chamber. Since the first rule of safety is "Treat every gun as if it were loaded", one presumes that there is a round in the chamber until proven otherwise.

[shootingcoach]

I've never had much use for a press check or chamber check. In the more than 25 years that I've been shooting, teaching and carrying a gun. I have never not know whether there was a round in the chamber. Whenever someone hands me a gun, I clear it. I don't care if I cleared it, they cleared it and handed it back to me. I clear it every time.

[fessrat]

My answer Part II. Since removing the magazine first is the way you prefer...tell why it is any safer than doing a chamber check first. Either way...there may still be a round in the chamber.! You are subject to distraction just as much as I am and atleast I know there is a round in the chamber..!! Surely, you don't ..! Either you or the "Coach" can answer that one.

[shootingcoach]

Simple: If you remove the magazine first, when you open the slide, if there is a round in the chamber, it will be extracted and ejected unless you have a broken extractor. That is why you visually inspect the chamber. When you close the slide without a magazine in, there is no possible way to put a round in the chamber. If you visually inspect the chamber before removing the magazine then close the slide before you remove the mag, you have just put a round in the chamber.

[shootingcoach]

If you look at real professionals, this is how it is and has been done for decades. There is a reason for it, it is the safest way.

[fessrat]

The whole idea of chamber checking a weapon first is that you never perform a procedure on your firearm UNTIL you know the status of that weapon. Simply picking up the gun and pulling the magazine out flys in the face of that principle..!! I am assuming that you know how to perform a chamber check...it does NOT alter the state of the weapon when performed correctly. Lastly, tell me the mere act of removing the magazine from the weapon first is safer than performing a chamber check first.

[SpizyChicken]

Is it ok to dry fire a Sig Sauer 228?

[corsair16]

I've heard you aren't supposed to dry-fire guns since the firing pin could be damaged or misaligned, as it needs something to stop it, in this case the primer of a round or the rear of a snap cap. I noticed one of the steps in your video involves a dry-fire. What do you have to say on this?

[shootingcoach]

It's safe to dry-fire most modern centerfire pistols. Dry-fire is also an excellent way to practice several techniques.

[fessrat]

WRONG...you chamber check the weapon...determine it's status and if loaded, IMMEDIATELY remove the magazine. One accomplishs this through DRY PRACTICE, but maybe this is a technique foreign to you.

[shootingcoach]

Maybe for those who are perfect and will do everything right, you won't ever be distracted or ever forget to take out the magazine that's fine. But for the rest of us humans this way is better. It is impossible for you to chamber a round with the magazine removed - can't happen. That's why you remove the magazine first, it is much safer. If you do it the other way, there is always the chance that you will miss something.

[ddasti]

I can't see how you think checking the chamber, then removing the magazine is safer...by removing the mag, you ELIMINATE the possibility of accidentally and, perhaps unknowingly, chambering another round...ALWAYS remove the mag first.

[fessrat]

Coach, How about chamber checking the weapon before you remove the magazine? Safer that way...

[shootingcoach]

Because if you visually inspect the chamber, get distracted or forget to remove the magazin and close the slide, you've just put a round in the chamber. If you remove the magazine, that can't happen. Safer that way!

[b3lloq]

I agree with you. There is a video on here that shows this.

[AndWhatISeeIsME]

Sometimes pulling the trigger after visually inspecting the chamber is impossible, as is the case with my Sig Mosquito, which will not fire without a magazine in place. Any special recommendation for clearing guns with such features, or just skip the last step?

[shootingcoach]

Two things, it's not a good idea to dry-fire rimfire pistols. If your pistol has a magazine disconnect, then you have to change it a bit. I would insert the magazine, drop the hammer, then immediately remove the magazine. I do not leave a magazine in a pistol that is unloaded. It's just another little extemely important habit to get into.

[myej20t]

a+ good videos for newcomers to handguns. you can never have enough safety!

[telboy1966manu]

Great videos, very clear and unambiguous, good for a newbie like me. Thank you.

[TazKA26]

I'm only 21 but i've been shooting since before i could ride a bike and in my opinion and from all of the pistols i've shot (hundreds) and owned there is no better pistol than a 1911, and with companies like Kimber and Para they well be timeless!!!!

[lovshooting]

I appreciate all these videos. I think they are excellent and very informative. Specially this video. Please, follow those 4 rules.

One criticism. I don't know why people insist in pulling the slide from the front. You have to be even more careful not to place part of your palm or fingers in front of the muzzle. Why do this when you can pull the slide from the back where it is most safe. I don't get it; a shot goes off the muzzle jumps and guess what's in front of it now?

???

[shootingcoach]

You will notice that at no time is my hand in front of the muzzle. If a shot were to go off, it would not hit my hand. Also notice that my hand is under the gun, not over it. The gun recoils up, so again it would not hit my hand. There is nothing unsafe about cycling the slide from the front provided you do it safely. It's also important to keep your finger off of the trigger.

[lovshooting]

However, you must admit pulling the slide from the back is safer. Having your precious fingers close to the muzzle specially when following rule #1 is a bit risky for me. Also if the gun does go off (it could be due to a faulty sear or some other mechanical failure) pulling the slide from the back gives me greater control of the gun. For one I am standing behind the gun not to its side. I admit it looks cooler when you do it from the front ;-]

[Killer7481]

Perhaps I am over-cautious, however, I absolutely never pull a gun's trigger, even after I clear it. I'm probably just afraid of accidental discharge.

I enjoy your videos, by the way. Very informative and useful!

[shootingcoach]

The reason we point the muzzle in a safe direction and pull the trigger is that is one final confirmation that the gun is empty. If you missed a bullet in the chamber, the gun would discharge. If it is pointing in a safe direction, then other than being scared, everything/one will be okay. If you missed a round in the chamber, pointed it at the wall to dry-fire, the outcome could be different.

[lovshooting]

I agree,

An accidental discharge is something that could happen to anyone. But if you follow the 4 rules it would only amount to a good scare and a good lesson learned. Miss one of those rules and you will be in a world of sh*t.

[Killer7481]

I've spent a lot of time around firearms since I posted that comment a week ago, and I've become comfortable enough to dry-fire.

Thanks to your video, I knew exactly how to do it properly :)

[madmanno01]

This instructions seem extremely overly simple to me, but obviously some people need to know these things haha.

[JeepWarthog]

My friends boyfriend was doing dryfire drills on a glock26, when he got done he loaded it and place it on the table, his younger brother (21yrs old) took it, thinking it had an empty magazine squeeze the trigger and the weapon discharged straight down to the first floor appartment. Great instructional video.

[shootingcoach]

A graphic example of why you should clear any firearm you touch, even if someone has just cleared it and handed it to you. You can never be too safe. Thanks for sharing.

[EahtaVIII]

What about semi-automatic models with those pesky magazine disconnect safeties? They don't prevent you from visually and physically checking the chamber, but decocking without a decock lever poses a problem.

Excellent video, by the way.

[shootingcoach]

If I'm just clearing the pistol because someone is going to handle it, I would simply lock the slide back before I handed it to them. The tricky part is when you want to dry-fire a pistol w/a magazine disconnect. You have to put the mag in the gun. The only thing you can do is be extra, extra, extra careful. One good solution would be to take an old magazine, remove the guts (follower & spring) so that you have just an empty shell. Paint it bright orange and use that exclusively for dry-firing.

[ddasti]

That's a great idea.

[Dav777]

On the semi-auto pistols, just curious but during clearing, what if you notice there is a round in the chamber upon visual inspection. How do you clear it? Thank you and great post.

[shootingcoach]

First, lock the slide back. Then, tilt the muzzle upward while shaking the gun and the cartridge will probably drop out. If not, close the slide and reopen it. If the cartridge does not extract, then you have a problem.

[surferdewd]

I notice your grip in pulling back the slide is at the front of the pistol (and thus close to the muzzle). Wouldn't it be more "fail-safe" to consistently grip and pull backwards using the grooves on the rear-end of the slide? I realize experienced shooters never let their fingers wander near the trigger, but in my opinion, any hand motion close to/around the muzzle is unfortunate (even though the Beretta for example have grooves cut out for the specific purpose of "front-slide" operation.

[shootingcoach]

Either way is just as safe providing you don't put your hand in front of the muzzle.

[Magnageek]

Truly, you are doing an outstanding service to the shooting community by providing this fine video! Thank you!

[juki009]

haha... the liberals will disagree with your disclaimer

[PK3DNow]

Excellent video, wish more people that handle guns would watch your PSC videos. With that said I have a question. When I goto the range and clear my 1911 I usually leave the slide locked open with the magazine released, is there anything wrong with doing this? I find it makes it easier to clear the gun when you pick it back up or someone else picks it up. Granted it cocks the hammer but your going to do that anyways when you clear it if the slide weren't open. Thanks again. 5 Stars

[shootingcoach]

There is nothing wrong with that. It is done this way in practical shooting because competitors usually have their guns in their holsters. So, it allows you to keep your gun in the holster while on the range (but not actually shooting). It's also what I did in the gun shop because invariably, the first thing customers would do was put their finger on the trigger (sometimes with the muzzle pointing at me). But if you are going to dry-fire, show your gun or handle it a lot, I prefer this method.

[shaman2007]

if the bullet is already in the chamber of semi-auto pistol like 1911, i pull the upper side and it should fly out right?

[shootingcoach]

Correct, but you still want to visually inspect the chamber to make sure there is not a cartridge in the chamber. For a variety of reasons, it is possible to open the slide and not have the loaded cartride extracted. That's why you visually confirm it. That is as important as the other steps. Also, if you forget to remove the magazine first, by visually inspecting the chamber, you have another chance to notice the magazine in the gun and avoid an accident.

[KXrhyder547]

thanks

[vreid10]

Well done.