Handguns, an essential tool for self-defense, also known as the great equalizer. While having the right to bear arms gives any citizen the means to protect themselves and their families, it does comes with inherent risks. The gun can be just as dangerous as it is effective. Because of this It is essential to practice basic handgun safety to prevent accidents and injuries. In this build we will cover the fundamental safety rules for handling and storing handguns, let's go...

Types of Handguns

Before you can start practicing handgun safety, it is important to understand the different types of handguns. There are three primary categories of handguns: revolvers, semi-automatic pistols, and derringers. Each type of handgun has its unique safety features and handling procedures. In the spirit of giving the most up to date information as possible we'll just focus on semi-autos and revolvers as the derringer is not something I would recommend as a carry weapon for self-defense.

Revolvers

I like to call the revolver "Ol, Reliable" you just can't go wrong with the revolver when it comes to dependability. Despite it's short comings in terms of ammo capacity and speed of reload, when you pull that trigger you can be confident it's going to go bang.

Revolvers are handguns that have a cylinder that rotates to load and fire cartridges (bullets or rounds). They come in both single-action and double-action varieties. In a single-action revolver, the shooter must manually cock the hammer before each shot, while in a double-action revolver, the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer.

You don’t find many single action revolvers on the self-defense market when it comes to handguns. Single action revolvers today tend to be more of a novelty item for collectors looking to relive the “Wild Wild West” days.

With a double action revolver the hammer can be exposed, or hidden. 

If the hammer is exposed you have the option to operate the gun in single action mode or double action mode. Single action will give you a much lighter trigger press.

If the hammer in your revolver is hidden you don’t have an option to go single action. The benefit of a hidden hammer is ease of draw from concealment if you choose to carry this type of gun. These hidden hammer revolvers in the snub nose variety are great for pocket carry which is great for deep concealment. The hidden hammer removes the chance of it getting caught on clothing during your draw.

Revolvers tend to not have manual safeties as semi-automatic pistols do. 

You will find some older revolvers out there that actually do have manual safeties that you can switch on and off that block the hammer from contacting the firing pin, but this is rare. As a rule it is best to assume that revolvers do not have safeties.

Some people see this as a negative to revolvers but don't worry, revolvers have safety measures built in.

One safety measure you will find in modern revolvers is a transfer bar. 

The transfer bar prevents the hammer from contacting the firing pin unless the trigger is fully depressed. Because of this you don’t typically have to worry about dropping the revolver and the gun accidentally going off, but…

Always exercise caution at all times and take special care to make sure there is noting that is getting in the trigger guard of your revolver and doing you best not to drop it prevent an accidental discharge.

 Another safety measure you will find on a revolver is the loading gate or cylinder release that allows the shooter to load and unload the revolver safely.

And finally another safety measure the revolver has is the heavy trigger press. When a revolver is in double action mode its takes about 12-15 pounds of pressure to pull that trigger. That means you have a deliberate press of that trigger to cause a discharge. Because of how much pressure it takes to pull that trigger back the chances of having a negligent discharge are very small.

Semi-Automatic Pistols

Semi-automatic pistols, also known as auto-loaders, are handguns that use a magazine to feed cartridges into the chamber. When the shooter pulls the trigger, the firing pin strikes the primer of the cartridge, which ignites the powder and propels the bullet out of the barrel.

These are the most common handguns on the market today and it's a good chance you'll end up carrying or using them, for defense of your home.

Semi-automatic pistols come in a variety of action types, including single-action, double-action, and striker-fired (I go over these in depth in my “Self-Defense Firearms Basics Class” which you can register for here). Single-action pistols require the shooter to manually cock the hammer before each shot (just like a single action revolver), while double-action pistols allow the shooter to either cock the hammer manually or rely on the trigger to cock the hammer and fire the weapon (just like a double action revolver). Striker-fired pistols have no external hammer and rely on a striker mechanism to fire the weapon. Most semi-autos on the market today are striker fired.

Semi-automatic pistol safety features can include a manual safety that blocks the trigger from moving. I like semi-autos with safeties as long as the safety is easy to disengage on the draw. At the time of this writing I have two semi-auto pistols I carry and both have safeties. My favorite is my SAR-9 by Sarzlimaz. It’s very easy to sweep my thumb on the draw to disengage the safety and be ready to get busy. Keep in mind the SAR-9 is a full size pistol, and full size pistols are known to be easier to handle and manipulate than the micro-compact guns that most people use for concealed carry nowadays. 

I also have a manual safety on my Smith & Wesson Shield Plus but it’s not my favorite. The Shield Plus is known as a micro-compact gun and the safety on it is small and more flush to the gun so I can easily be missed under a stressful situation like a gun fight. Because of this I don’t engage that safety when I am carrying this pistol. When I have the weapon stored in the lock box I do engage the safety as an extra precaution for others in my home.

 Another safety measure built into semi-autos is the magazine release. The magazine release allows the shooter to remove the magazine safely, and a slide lock that holds the slide in place when the pistol is unloaded.

Basic Rules of Gun Safety

There are 4 basic rules that you must always observe when handling a firearm. Those rules are:

1. Treat EVERY gun as if it’s loaded
2. Never point the gun at anything that you are not willing to destroy
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are set and you have made the decision to shoot. Always exercise trigger discipline.
4. Be sure you know what your target is and what lies behind it.

These are non-negotiable. In this section, we will discuss each safety rule in detail and provide examples of why they are essential.

Rule #1 Treat EVERY gun as if it's loaded

This rule is the foundation of handgun safety. Even if you are sure that the gun is unloaded, you should still treat it as if it were loaded. Never assume that a firearm is unloaded until you have verified it for yourself.

When I worked as a Firearms Specialist at a well known outdoor retailer we had to check to make sure the gun was clear EVERYTIME  we took a gun out the case before we handed it to a customer. Now you may be asking well...how do I verify the gun is unloaded? Follow these steps for a semi-automatic gun:

1. Drop the magazine from the firearm and set it to the side
2. Rack the slide on your firearm to release any bullet that is lodged in the chamber. If there is a bullet lodged it will pop out (it's safe) so be prepared to get a hold of it.
3. Lock the slide out and check the feed ramp to ensure there is no bullet loaded in the chamber of the gun. Some Instructors will recommend  that you use your pinky to check the feed ramp. I don’t think this is necessary and you also run the risk of the slide disengaging from the lock and closing on your finger. You decide what’s best for you. 

I would also recommend that you use a product like Barrel Blok which you can purchase from me (with a special guarantee) by clicking this link here. Using Barrel Blok EVERYTIME you are manipulating your handgun or doing dry fire training will ensure it’s safe.

People have died because of someone’s negligence believing the gun was unloaded when it actually was loaded. A gun should always be pointed in a safe direction, and your finger should stay out of the trigger guard until you have made a conscious decision to shoot.

Rule #2 Never Point the Gun at Anything You Are Not Willing To Destroy

This rule is simple but critical. Never point a gun at anything you do not intend to shoot, whether it is a person, animal, or object. It is essential to keep the gun pointed in a safe direction at all times, even if you are sure that it is unloaded. There is a psychological component to this as well. When you are training the body, you're training the mind as well.

Rule #3 Keep Your Finger off The Trigger Until You Are Ready to Shoot

We spoke on this already but it never hurts to re-enforce this. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. It is easy to accidentally pull the trigger if your finger is on it, so it is essential to keep it outside of the trigger guard until you are ready to fire

Rule #4 Always Be Sure of Your Target and What's Behind It

This rule is essential for anyone who wants to practice safe handgun use. Before firing your gun, be sure of your target and what is beyond it. Bullets can travel through objects and continue on, so it is important to know what is behind your target before you pull the trigger. Especially if you are using full metal jacket ammo a.k.a “range ammo” or “ball ammo”. This is the ammo you are supposed to use for practice at the range, it’s also cheaper because of that. A not so funny story about this…

When I worked at the gun counter at the big outdoor retailer I took a phone call one day from a young man asking about what ammo we had in stock. 

He asked me “hey, do ya’ll got any full-metal jacket ammo in 9mm?” 

I said “yes sir we do, going to range?” 

He says “naw, I’m using it for protection”

I said “well, if you're looking for ammo for self-defense you should be using hollow point bullets. I’m more effective at stopping the attacker and it has a higher likelihood of not passing thru your target and hitting someone you didn’t mean to shoot”

He said “yeah, I’m familiar but I had a situation a while ago where I had to use my firearm in self-defense and the bullet got caught in the car seat so now I only use full metal jacket because they can pass thru”

Yeah…I didn't have much to say after that. Aside from the fact that this guy shouldn’t have been telling me that on the phone, it was interesting to see that he was well aware of the differences between hollow point and full metal jacket ammo and in his opinion full metal jacket was better for self-defense for him. I don’t recommend it. You are legally liable for every bullet that comes out of your gun. Last thing you want is for that bullet to pass through and hit an unintended target.

Safe Handling Procedures

In this section, we will discuss the safe handling procedures for handguns. These procedures are essential to follow to prevent accidents and injuries. We will go over the steps to follow when handling a handgun, including loading and unloading, firing, and storing the handgun safely.

Loading & Unloading

When loading a handgun, make sure the gun is pointed in a safe direction, and your finger is off the trigger. Always remember our 4 basic rules for gun safety. Always use the manufacturer's recommended ammunition. Know the caliber of gun you are loading. If you have a 9mm gun make sure you are using 9mm ammo and not .45 caliber ammo. You will probably destroy your gun and injure yourself in the process.

When unloading a handgun, again, make sure it is pointed in a safe direction and your finger is off the trigger. Follow the manufacturer's recommended procedures to unload the handgun safely.

Firing

When firing a handgun, be sure to maintain proper control of the gun at all times. Keep both hands on the gun, with your dominant hand holding the gun grip and your non-dominant hand supporting it. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. Remember gun safety rules 2 & 4. Never point the gun at anything you are not willing to destory, and always be sure of your target and what's behind it.

When you are ready to shoot, aim at your target, and take a deep breath. As you exhale, squeeze the trigger slowly and steadily.

Storing the Handgun Safely

When not in use, always store your handgun in a safe and secure place where it is out of reach of children and unauthorized individuals. The gun should be unloaded and stored separately from ammunition, ideally but...

This is really a personal decision. I know we are talking about gun safety but as a Self-Defense Instructor I have to keep it real...If it's my gun I'm using to defend my home, I'm keeping it loaded. But that's just me, I'm not advocating that you do that, especially if there are young curious children in the home. This is why it's your personal decision to make. There are many gun safes that are available that can keep your handgun secure and out of reach. You have to know the dynamic of your household, know the people that are in it, and decide what is the best solution for your family. Only you can decide that.

Until next time, be safe, and when in doubt, train.

Instructor Yasir