Black Power Weapon Safety Guidelines

Back to Black Powder Civil War Weapons

IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING!

The Black Powder Guns offered by Old Trading Post, Inc are accurate 19th centrury replicas. Consequently, the safety devices on them are limited to the technological knowledge of the period. The risks in using a gun like this can be higher compared to modern gun designs.

The complete and full knowledge of your firearm may help you to avoid serious injuries due to lack of safety devices. Read the entire manual and learn the proper use of the gun without live ammunition. It is important that you understand the proper use of these products.

Old Trading Post Inc. and it suppliers, manufacturers, distributors or agents are not responsible for damage to objects or injuries to persons or animals that occur as a result of the use of these guns and decline any responsibility for misuse of the firearms. In case of alteration of the firearms, Old Trading Post Inc. and the manufacturer decline any civil and penal responsibility and will not refund any damage.

ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
This is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. Think first. Shoot second. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.

ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.

ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible. If the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.

Know how to use the gun safely.
Before handling a gun, learn how it operates. Know its basic parts, how to safely open and close the action and remove any ammunition from the gun or magazine. Remember, a gun's mechanical safety device is never foolproof. Nothing can ever replace safe gun handling. Be sure to read all owner?s manual guidelines and instructions before use.

Be sure the gun is safe to operate.
Just like other tools, guns need regular maintenance to remain operable. Regular cleaning and proper storage are a part of the gun's general upkeep. If there is any question concerning a gun's ability to function, a knowledgeable gunsmith should look at it.

Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.
Only cartridges or shells designed for a particular gun can be fired safely in that gun. Most guns have the ammunition type stamped on the barrel. Ammunition can be identified by information printed on the box and sometimes stamped on the cartridge. Do not shoot the gun unless you know you have the proper ammunition.

Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate.
Guns are loud and the noise can cause hearing damage. They can also emit debris and hot gas that could cause eye injury. For these reasons, shooting glasses and hearing protectors should be worn by shooters and spectators.

Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while shooting.
Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns.

Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons. Always keep guns out of the reach of children. Always make sure the gun is unloaded and the barrel unobstructed before storing.
Many factors must be considered when deciding where and how to store guns. A person's particular situation will be a major part of the consideration. Dozens of gun storage devices, as well as locking devices that attach directly to the gun, are available. However, mechanical locking devices, like the mechanical safeties built into guns, can fail and should not be used as a substitute for safe gun handling and the observance of all gun safety rules.

Store Guns separately from Ammunition

Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions.
Because it is an original replica, there is no modern safety on this gun. Pay great attention during transporting and firing. Mechanical safety devices can fail. Developing intelligent and good safety habits is the best way to prevent accidents. The only safety is the hammer half cock. Read chapter on firearms use prior to shooting. REMEMBER: No single mechanical safety device is infallible.

Keep guns clean.
Regular cleaning is important in order for your gun to operate correctly and safely. Taking proper care of it will also maintain its value and extend its life. Your gun should be cleaned every time it is used. A gun brought out of prolonged storage should also be cleaned before shooting. Accumulated moisture and dirt, or solidified grease and oil, can prevent the gun from operating properly. Before cleaning your gun, make absolutely sure that it is unloaded. The gun's action should be open during the cleaning process. Also, be sure that no ammunition is present in the cleaning area.

Always keep your gun, ammunition, and powder away from fire or heating sources.

Only use quality powder and recommended loads to avoid damage, and/or injury. Poor quality powder and improper loads can cause excessive pressure in the barrel that can lead to damage and/or serious injury to the shooter or bystanders.

Always keep your gun pointed in a safe direction, especially when walking in a shooting are such as a range when others are at close proximity.

After use, make sure the gun is unloaded, and clean and lubricate the inside of the barrel with appropriate oil. Avoid grease or oil build up that can cause excessive pressure and result in serious personal injuries.

Before using the gun again, inspect the barrel and chamber to make certain that there are no patches or other obstructions in the bore. Remove any oil residue with rod and dry patch before shooting.

Accumulation of rust in the barrel can cause excessive pressures resulting in serious injury and may cause the explosion of the barrel. A rusted, pitted or eroded barrel should be replaced.

NEVER modify any parts of your gun. Any alteration may cause serious personal injury and cancels the warranty.

Only a qualified gunsmith may service the gun for repair or serious maintenance.

Pay special attention to the percussion caps. During ignition, the cap may explode into small parts and may cause serious personal injury.

Wash hands thoroughly after shooting and handling firearms to remove any unwanted residues.

In case of misfire, keep the firearm in pointed in the direction of your shot for some minutes; it could be a retarded burst.

Pay attention during loading operation do not load two times, a double charge may cause the barrel explosion.

When shooting, if you hear a weak detonation or atypical sound, stop immediately, unload the gun and inspect immediately for damages or obstructions. NEVER shoot with a damaged firearm or obstructed barrel.

NEVER run with a loaded gun. Do not cross obstacles (fences or water courses, exc.) without having your firearm unloaded and in safety position.

ONLY USE BLACK POWDER OR APPROPRIATE BLACK POWDER SUBSTITUTE

Our firearms are marked BLACK POWDER ONLY. Do not use powder other than BLACK POWDER OR APPROPRIATE BLACK POWDER SUBSTITUTE.

Pay attention to keep the powder away from fire or heating sources and do not use storage boxes or devices that can produce an electrostatic charge.

Do not smoke while using black powder.

Black powder leaves corrosive residues. Be sure to wash, clean and then oil all parts that come in contact with black powder.

Review appropriate charts that indicate correct powder loads for your black powder gun. It is very important to use only quality powder and recommended loads to avoid excessive pressure that may cause the explosion of the barrel.

In case of misfire, keep the firearm in the direction of your shot for several minutes; it could be a delayed shot.

NEVER dry fire the gun, you may damage to the shooting mechanism.

Before shooting, correctly shoulder the gun by laying the butt plate firmly against your shoulder.

Use extreme caution and care during loading to prevent a double charge of powder or Bullet. This can cause the barrel to explode and cause serious injury or death to you or bystanders.

ALWAYS be sure to read and follow all loading, unloading, safety, and maintenance materials prior to any use of a black powder firearm.

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