gray_b Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 What is the correct way of carrying a slinged semi auto rifle and/or shotgun. The gun has a sling, but in carrying it does the barrel point up or down ? Assuming its loaded and safety on. Its something I have been thinking about. Or would you empty the cartridges, before carrying?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 Empty when using a sling. Safety catch counts for nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 (edited) If in company ( beating on rough shoot for example ) I carry mine muzzle down, mag’ loaded chamber empty. If on my own just any way I please, loaded. Edited December 17, 2019 by Scully Spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicW Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 The weapon should be unloaded unless it is at the point of being used. When unloaded it should be carried with the muzzles pointing up. Imagine you are carrying the weapon loaded with the muzzles down and the gun loaded and it goes off, it will possibly blow your feet off. Shotgun safeties are not very efficient as I have seen demonstrated. Vic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotgcoalman Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 I'm the same a Scully. Mag tube loaded and chamber empty pointing down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultrastu Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 Barrels down if i can . Id rather get accidentaly shot in the foot than the head . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 2 minutes ago, Ultrastu said: Barrels down if i can . Id rather get accidentaly shot in the foot than the head . You must have an extremely long neck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gray_b Posted December 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 Why pointing down loaded or unloaded, when the barrel can get plugged with mud. I am a short sort of guy, and have had that occur Upwards you could shoot your brains out, or downwards shoot your feet off. Its just some thing I have been dwelling on. seen lots of people and photos of people doing it both ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 5 minutes ago, gray_b said: Why pointing down loaded or unloaded, when the barrel can get plugged with mud. I am a short sort of guy, and have had that occur Upwards you could shoot your brains out, or downwards shoot your feet off. Its just some thing I have been dwelling on. seen lots of people and photos of people doing it both ways. Down because I find it easier and quicker to bring up to the shoulder when I need to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panoma1 Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 9 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: You must have an extremely long neck! .....barrel up! Unloaded! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultrastu Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 12 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: You must have an extremely long neck! You have never been walking behind someone with a slinged gun barrel upwards and its slipped so the barrel is now pointing backwards at an angle right at your face .? No ? Its very common . I shoot in company and we carry muzzle down .That heavy lump of steel (barrel ) pulling its self toward the ground in a safer direction than someones face . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotgcoalman Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 15 minutes ago, gray_b said: Why pointing down loaded or unloaded, when the barrel can get plugged with mud. I am a short sort of guy, and have had that occur Upwards you could shoot your brains out, or downwards shoot your feet off. Its just some thing I have been dwelling on. seen lots of people and photos of people doing it both ways. In my case it's because on several permissions you rarely get to fire a shot. Barrel down deters the sparrows from nesting in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remimax Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 got invited out one night foxing with a group was a walk about night as fields were too wet for 4x4. out came two 308s round chambered safety on then slung on the shouder. made my excuse and went home left em to it ,not my idea of safety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 2 minutes ago, gotgcoalman said: In my case it's because on several permissions you rarely get to fire a shot. Barrel down deters the sparrows from nesting in there. 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gray_b Posted December 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 1 minute ago, gotgcoalman said: In my case it's because on several permissions you rarely get to fire a shot. Barrel down deters the sparrows from nesting in there. I only ever shoot on my own, as I do not trust others being around me. But I know what you mean. I think barrel down on a shoulder, and not over your head on a shoulder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B725 Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 When I have a semi I prefer it upwards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 28 minutes ago, gray_b said: I think barrel down on a shoulder, and not over your head on a shoulder. If I need both hands free then it’s over head on a shoulder, barrel down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbel Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 barrel up or down as long in a safe manner, not chambered, never rely on a safety catch, be safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 Loaded rifle whilst stalking deer, barrel down and hold the barrel with your right hand (right handed shooter). This controls muzzle direction under all circumstances, and is the easiest way to bring the rifle up with least movement. I don’t have slings on shotguns, but if I did they would be carried empty to where I was going to shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 47 minutes ago, B725 said: When I have a semi I prefer it upwards dirty boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted December 17, 2019 Report Share Posted December 17, 2019 4 hours ago, gray_b said: What is the correct way of carrying a slinged semi auto rifle and/or shotgun. The gun has a sling, but in carrying it does the barrel point up or down ? Assuming its loaded and safety on. Its something I have been thinking about. Or would you empty the cartridges, before carrying?. It depends on the circumstance. On Clay ground, muzzle up or down, unloaded, empty mag, on sling. Out and about walking expecting shot, muzzle up, loaded in hands or over shoulder Out and about not expecting shot, loaded mag, empty chamber, muzzle up slung over shoulder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rim Fire Posted December 18, 2019 Report Share Posted December 18, 2019 Try stalking in a thickish wood with barrel upwards and you will hit every branch there is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted December 18, 2019 Report Share Posted December 18, 2019 Whichever acceptable way you do it, the correct way is to always do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benthejockey Posted December 18, 2019 Report Share Posted December 18, 2019 At the hip, pointing forwards, arcing left to right in a half crouched,stooped position 😂 I've taken to carrying the rifle muzzle down pointing slightly forward. If by some miracle it went off on its own - because as any good anti gun person will tell you guns want to shoot people of their own volition - the shot is going to land a foot in front of me. There's no one right way to carry a firearm, as long as the sharp end is pointed in a safe direction, you aren't swinging it through people when you unshoulder it and if you're carrying it loaded and ready to go an accidental/negligent discharge is going to go in a safe direction then that's pretty much all you can hope for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzbangwhallop Posted December 18, 2019 Report Share Posted December 18, 2019 Whether I’m out stalking or in company, I usually carry a rifle or slung semi-auto on the front of my shoulder, barrel up. With the rifle I’ve usually got Binos or the thermal to manoeuvre in front so a forearm is usually wrapped around the rifle controlling it at all times.....For me it’s easier to do this to control the gun if the weight of the moderator is pulling the barrel downwards... certainly easier than trying to hang on to or grab the sling as the rifle or shotgun swivels backwards..... not a pleasant place to be if you’re stalking behind someone who’s not barrel aware. Getting the gun into the shoulder is simpler with less movement as it’s already on the front of the body. Cheers fizz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.