Billett Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 When I first started shooting I was always advised when closing a shotgun to pull the stock up not the barrels... Being told this from a tutor who had been shooting over 20 years, I just took it, but now thinking, I wondered if everyone does this? and whats the main reason for doing so? Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8landy Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 keeps the barrels pointing down, i.e not bring up to danger areas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billett Posted November 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 Nice one, thought it might be the case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhunter Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 Fairly obvious really-Safety. If it goes off its pointing(hopefully) in a safe direction....the ground! Always did it myself but now only point auto down when pressing button. I do know a few that do it barrels up and they are mostly clay shooters! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clayman Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 (edited) The untrained tend to snap barrels up, so the gun is pointing straight out or upwards as the barrels close. This has several problems 1. the gun may go off just from the shock of the action being slammed shut. Metal barrels have a lot of inertia if snapped up, and even with the "safety" ( ie the trigger lock) set, the firing pins / springs / hammers are back and held there by a few thou of metal. Wear or shock can still release them without the trigger being pulled, so an accidental discharge is possible. Barrels swung up are usually not in control, and a discharge from them may not be into a safe area. 2. Should a gun swung up like this go off, chances are it is loose held in one hand only, the fore end grip having been all but released. This gun can then go flying out of the shooters hands, break a trigger finger, go off a second time. 3. The gun with barrels snapped shut is suffering from user negligence and unnecessary wear. The cures are two: Traditionally, point the barrels low and lift the stock by the toe to close the gun. A nice English gun makes a very satisfying "clump" as the barrels close the face. Little shock, no wear, and if the gun goes off, into the ground. Some over do this and lift the stock with barrels pointing str down. Shot proof shoes and ricochet spring to mind. The modern way , usually in clays, is to roll the gun 1/2 sideways , grip the stock with the elbow into the hip, and holding the pistol grip firmly use the fore-end hand to push the barrels away. You "place" the barrels shut. Again, done correctly, the barrels close pointing low. No jarring, no wear, and in this scenario a superior grip on the gun should it go off. This latter method is very good for stiff new guns, and works in reverse for opening so that the grip hand can come free and cups the cartridges for the bin or pocket. If you show respect for your gun, and open and close it well, shooters will show respect for you. Safe shooting. Edited November 21, 2008 by clayman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr lee Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 barrels down, Butt up is how I was always told. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dusk2dawn Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 "STOCK TO LOCK" everytime. Safe shooting, its snowing very lightly here. Rgds D2D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Sam Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 I just keep the barrels pointing downwards. It all seems to move at once, both bits. Just keep down, and keep it safe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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