Muzzle UP or Muzzle DOWN?

[meanmike8665]

You are walking around with loading and capped or primed rifle?
Michael

 

[azmntman]

No, I am sitting in a blind with a Zane Grey book and a capped or primed rifle. When I USED to hunt alot with smokeless I had a round chambered to and from the blind/trail but safety on. When I carry BP to or from a blind or trail I cap or prime when I get there. On the few occasions I still hunt (thus expecting to see game) I may or may not cap or prime depending on the chew, long cut I cap/prime, leaf I wait till the shot. BTW I have convinced myself in my too many years of still hunting that one has 2-4 seconds to aim and fire before the game bolts, if expecting to see game I always chew long cut.

 

[Billnpatti]

My experience has been that most folks carry their gun with the muzzle pointed down. The exception is when the rules say specifically that the gun must be carried muzzle up. There is a reason why many matches and woodswalks specify that the guns be carried muzzle up. When the muzzle is pointed down, it is more likely that you could shoot a fellow shooter in the leg or foot if you accidently discharged your weapon. If it is carried muzzle up, that possibility is eliminated as well as the possibility of accidently getting mud or dirt in your muzzle if you stumble or fall. Muzzle down is the easier way to carry your rifle but muzzle up is the safer way to carry it.

BTW, the proper way to carry muzzle up is with the muzzle extended above the top of your head. Possibly a bit awkward but it is the safest way to carry a loaded weapon.

 

[jamieorr]

I have shot at ranges where they had rules requiring muzzles up while behind the firing line.

It was probaly a good thing considering how many holes were shoot through the roof / cover there.... :youcrazy: :shake:

It’s amazing to watch how little some people know about handling guns..... dangerous , but amazing . :shocked2:

What were they doing with loaded guns behind the firing line? Oh, yeah - "how little some people know..."

Better to have holes in the roof than ricochets off the concrete floor I guess.

Jamie

 

[54ball]

Did he have a jag on the end of of the rammer?

If there is lot of patch material the jag can grab it and pull up the ball.

 

[smo]

You would think if the jag grabbed the patch you would feel it..

Especially if it pulled it all the way to were the barrel blew out. :idunno:

 

[smo]

I have shot at ranges where they had rules requiring muzzles up while behind the firing line.

It was probaly a good thing considering how many holes were shoot through the roof / cover there.... :youcrazy: :shake:

It’s amazing to watch how little some people know about handling guns..... dangerous , but amazing . :shocked2:

What were they doing with loaded guns behind the firing line? Oh, yeah - "how little some people know..."

No powder was allowed on the shooting bench side of the firing line.



Better to have holes in the roof than ricochets off the concrete floor I guess.

Jamie

Where the holes were was above the shooting benches.

Apparently people would some how get their muzzle up and BANG !

I never saw it happen, but seen plenty of holes..........

I’ve also seen some very sexy looking Spanish Ladies with big black guns have accidental discharges :redface: ...... down range of course . :slap:

 

[hanshi]

I carry muzzle up and have no real explanation as to why. I do remember that in the army the butt was always used to break our fall when going into the prone position. As I think about it I guess I always carried muzzle up even as a kid.

In the car the gun always rides muzzle up. I have always hunted solo. Depending on my maneuvering through the bush and what all I might be carrying at the time, the muzzle might be horizontal for a moment or two. If I'm walking behind someone the gun is muzzle up to the rear. I think about falling and the muzzle getting jabbed into the dirt whenever I take to the bush. I've even taped sandwich baggies over the muzzle if it's raining.

So I think it's just a habit I've developed due to my concern about falling. With all my physical problems I now fall a lot. That's one reason I never walk any real distance to a stand. In a recent weekend hunt in WV everything was up or down. My friend stayed behind me and made sure I didn't fall on the trail paralleling the drop off. I know I stagger when I walk - I have to use a cane outside the house - and could feel him occasionally tug at my sleeve and pull me away from disaster. But there were still close calls and I kept the rifle in safety mode.

 

[nhmoose]

Note: A muzzle up , not primed or capped is not ready to go BANG,

Once capped or primed fine but once primed or capped muzzle up is big time bad. Firearm goes off it can kill a 1/2 mile away or more. What goes up must come down.

As a shooter of not just ML muzzle down especially kept down below the berm is safe.

In my Law enforcement training live is pointed to the ground, if it goes off way less chance of hitting someone away from the scene.

At my club a live weapon pointed above the berms will get you spoken about it, the second time you will be asked to leave. Note the term live, that means primed or capped ready to fire.

Personally ML should be on a woods walk loaded and primed or capped on the station there is no reason to walk around loaded no matter haw bad that hurts anyone's masculinity or feelings.

Lets be safe guy's.

 

[meanmike8665]

Thanks, the answer.
Michael

 

[azmntman]

Note: A muzzle up , not primed or capped is not ready to go BANG,

Once capped or primed fine but once primed or capped muzzle up is big time bad. Firearm goes off it can kill a 1/2 mile away or more. What goes up must come down.

As a shooter of not just ML muzzle down especially kept down below the berm is safe.

In my Law enforcement training live is pointed to the ground, if it goes off way less chance of hitting someone away from the scene.

At my club a live weapon pointed above the berms will get you spoken about it, the second time you will be asked to leave. Note the term live, that means primed or capped ready to fire.

Personally ML should be on a woods walk loaded and primed or capped on the station there is no reason to walk around loaded no matter haw bad that hurts anyone's masculinity or feelings.

Lets be safe guy's.

Thats what I was taught! :thumbsup:

 

[smo]

[/quote=smo]The woods walks I have shot, the group walks to the next station after everyone has fired.

Upon arriving at the station you can load , but not prime.

When you step to the line with the muzzle down range you can prime and fire.

After firing , swabbing of the bore is allowed .

:nono:
But no reloading until everyone arrives at the next station.

Muzzle control is up to each individual , Always in a safe direction .

Most places have a range officer who may or may not stay with the group.

The Group assist the range officer in his absence in assuring everyone goes by the rules.[/quote]





Personally ML should be on a woods walk loaded and primed or capped on the station there is no reason to walk around loaded no matter haw bad that hurts anyone's masculinity or feelings.








I thought I had heard that somewhere before... :haha:

 

[Rifleman1776]

And, of course, a muzzle down rifle has to be brought up to horizontal to shoot and all the way to muzzle up to load. Somewhere in those arcs it could, and probably will, be pointing at people. There simply is no justification for carrying muzzle down if other people are anywhere around.

 

[54ball]

You would think if the jag grabbed the patch you would feel it..

Especially if it pulled it all the way to were the barrel blew out. :idunno:

It is real easy to do especially if the mind is occupied. I'm not saying this is what happened, the world may never know.

Many of us shoot sometimes with a range rod. More often than that range rod may have a jag. Best practice would be not to have a jag on a rammer or range rod. If it does it takes the utmost care. That ball will follow it right up the bore.

 

[azmntman]

And, of course, a muzzle down rifle has to be brought up to horizontal to shoot and all the way to muzzle up to load. Somewhere in those arcs it could, and probably will, be pointing at people. There simply is no justification for carrying muzzle down if other people are anywhere around.

However when bringing muzzle up to shoot it is a "controlled act". When stepping over a petrified cow pie and stumbling with a muzzle up the arc is uncontrolled and simple human reactions to "save ones face" means one could easily be more concerned about not losing a few teeth and not as concerned about where that muzzle is pointing on its uncontrolled way down :idunno:

 

[Mean Gene]

When I started following this my opinion was firmly against carrying a gun muzzle down. But I have been swayed by the argument in the other direction.
The case for muzzle down does make sense to me, however I would use it only when it would be safe to do so.

 

[Walks with fire]

I'm with CO clyde on this one. Up or down; control the muzzle at all times. Empty the pan and place a dry patch in the pan or take the cap off when grouping up to talk or something. I also tape the muzzle when hunting to keep snow, rain, mud or brush from getting in the muzzle. I fold the end of it over so it can be removed quickly if I want but shooting through it is not an issue but I prefer not to. I use electrical tape and keep several strips on the stock at all times. I also don't do quick loads either; I take my time reloading. Count on the first shot. I still check for a fully seated projectile very often during hunts. My rule is the check that twice, once when I load the muzzle and again before I prime it. Can't be too careful with any firearm and black powder ones in particular.

 

[azmntman]

When I started following this my opinion was firmly against carrying a gun muzzle down. But I have been swayed by the argument in the other direction.
The case for muzzle down does make sense to me, however I would use it only when it would be safe to do so.

Not really an argument. I dont care how another guy carries his rifle/shotgun. I would expect my methods to be acceptable to another as well. I do believe the scenario I suggested in my above post decently clarifies my preference. :surrender: