General Shooting Tips

[Supermick]

Tip Numbers 1 to 10
Tip Detail
1 Join the Airgun BBS
http://www.airgunbbs.com
2 Always treat rifle as if its loaded
3 Always keep your hand on the barrel or underlever of a springer when cocking.
4 Join the BASC and/or BASA and join an airgun club
5 Squeeze, don't pull or jerk the trigger
6 check charging equipment before use for tightness.
7 Never point a weapon in jest.
8 Always try a gun before you buy
9 Never leave a loaded gun unattended....even for a second
10 if its got a safety catch....use it


Bullbarrell and many others

[daveylaa]

Supermick is right.

Tip no. 3. Allways keep your hand on the barrel when loading.

One week after receiveing my lovely used, spotless BSA Lightning .22 I 'brushed' the trigger whilst the gun was cocked. Apart from almost taking my eye out as is shot back up with an incredible force it cracked the stock in half (hair line) and damaged the barrel. This is no joke as a replacement barrel alone is £60 + from BSA. Never mind replacing an almost new stock with a brand new stock. It doesnt take Stephan Hawkins to work out that around £100+ is what a used (unscoped) Lightning goes for on here.

I was only lucky that BSA informed me the barrel only needed realigning i.e. re-positioning in the mechanism, and not straightening, that i saved my self the £60 for a new barrel.

Listen to Supermick.

[luddite]

The most imprtant tips are:-

Never ever point a gun at anyone or anything that you don't intend to shoot.

Always treat a gun as if it was loaded even when you know that it is not.

[onlyrugby]

The most imprtant tips are:-

Never ever point a gun at anyone or anything that you don't intend to shoot.

Always treat a gun as if it was loaded even when you know that it is not.

there might be a safety catch there but always treat your gun as if there was none...

[Hotshot666]

My tip is always be ready for pellet ricochet,BB guns are even worse.When i am shooting i am always as ready as i can be for a ricochet,normally where i am so ready for them i can see them coming at me too & can quickly get out of the way.BUT SOME YOU WILL STILL NOT SEE.

I would never shoot at something very hard like metal close range because of this reson.Atleast if you are back far enought you will have more time to move and get out of the way.I think shooting BB guns is far worse though as i say and you should ware shooting glasses at all times without fail

[ArcticWolf]

Very Helpful info, thanks.

[Utopian]

I dont have a safety on my new S&W 586 so I keep the barrel plug in it even when its not loaded and right up to the point that I have chosen my target and am safe to fire.

[Orangeherald]

Habits can be bad for you, but this is one that can save your life, or someone elses. You know that on a range you prove your gun is empty before you leave the firing point. Do it to your shooting companions every time you move position, or get in a vehicle, or put your gun down. Even if you are alone, do it for yourself. It becomes second nature and you won't even notice it after a while, but it can save a lot of pain, trust me! The other thing that pays is always, but always being aware of the direction your muzzle is pointing when walking round with the gun. Treat all safety devices as defective however well they work, and you will not go too far wrong. There are no excuses and no reasons to justify the claim it was an accident, so make sure it can never happen. Its down to you!!

[danny_p]

when you are shooting at something look in the background, you may miss and its best to know where the shot will go if you do

confidence is good but dont underestimate it

[fozian]

If you have to put your fingers in the breech of any gun such as a 97,77, Pro sport,TX or similar for any other reason than to load..(maintenance etc) insert a piece of wood or similar material to stop the breech removing your fingers in the event of mechanical failure. When cocking any spring gun always keep a firm hold of cocking lever or barrel whilst loading.
Be Safe Shoot safe

[l98cadet]

Tip: Remember even without a pellet in the rifle, a cocked/charged air rifle is potentially dangerous. Discharging a air rifle in any state should only be done in a safe direction. This includes cleaning felts.

[subsonic]

Hi Guys I'm new to airgunbbs but reading this thread and posts an old poem came to mind that ny old dad recounted when I first took up shooting. Although it was written for shotgun shooting I think it applies to all aspects of shooting. Anyway here it goes: A Fathers Advice

If a sportsman true you'd be
Listen carefully to me. . .

Never, never let your gun
Pointed be at anyone.
That it may unloaded be
Matters not the least to me.

When a hedge or fence you cross
Though of time it cause a loss
From your gun the cartridge take
For the greater safety's sake.

If twixt you and neighbouring gun
Bird shall fly or beast may run
Let this maxim ere be thine
"Follow not across the line."

Stops and beaters oft unseen
Lurk behind some leafy screen.
Calm and steady always be
"Never shoot where you can't see."


You may kill or you may miss
But at all times think this:
"All the pheasants ever bred
Won't repay for one man dead."

Mark Beaufoy - 1902

[ademann]

A very interesting thread, mostly common sense but food for thought none the less!

[Andrew6666]

Good thread.

[happyhunter121]

never let your mate have it, have a rapid 7 mk11 in 22 got it back in slip with a pellet in it but i didnt know put it on its butt it went off hit my finger smashed the knuckle would put pics on but dont know how 2 but if anyone want 2 see i can send you the pics so Never leave a loaded rifle