You hear it ALL the time, but I mean do people REALLY look down the barrel of a GUN??

Question

You hear it ALL the time, but I mean do people REALLY look down the barrel of a GUN??

Answer 1

no, people who know anything about guns are generally VERY consious about where the barrel is pointed, and avoid pointing it anything they are unwilling to kill or destroy, including themselves.

We even have a term for it, muzzle disipline

In the "4 rules of gun safety" it is rule #2

Answer 2

You have to inspect the bore. I do so when buying used or after cleaning when using dirty ammo. I make sure it's unloaded of course.

Answer 3

Yes, and I blame it on the fact that they weren't properly raised and introduced to firearms.

I have seen so many new Lieutenants do this it's sickening. And privates aren't much better. And I don't mean while safely cleaning, or when the rifle is disassembled and the barrel is separate. I'm talking fully assembled, magazine locked, round chambered. This is due to them being very new to the military, and no prior firearms experience.Most were oblivious to the fact that their barrel was pointed directly at their FACE. Inches away, but completely clueless.

But then there was my favorite:

"I wanted to know if you could see the bullet in there." --2LT I knew in Ft. Benning. I don't think he graduated training, but I'm not really sure.

Thank sweet fortune they were blanks (which would still easily blind a person) and that none fired.

And for the record, when I wondered the same thing once upon a time, I used a mirror.

I get so angry at these people I want to choke them...so I do. :)

Answer 4

only if Im sure the gun is unloaded and in the case of bolt action rifles, the bolt removed. On my semi auto pistols, when the barrel is removed from the slide completely. On all others if it is impossible to remove those things, I look from the breach or not at all.

Answer 5

Al Gore did.

http://www.cronus.com/images/gore-milita...

Answer 6

if they are REALLY stupid and have a death wish yes

Answer 7

If you need to see if there is fouling or pitting in the barrel then yes, people do look down them. But you have to be certain the gun is unloaded and if at all possible look down the barrel from the breech.  

Answer 8

I do it all the time, but I run a cleaning rod through it first to make sure there is no live round in it. Then I put my finger in the breach. Then I know the bolt is open or removed.

Answer 9

How else are you going to know if there is a problem in the barrel? Is there pitting? Is it really clean, etc etc etc?

First thing, make sure the gun is unloaded

Second thing, make sure the gun is unloaded

Third thing, make sure the gun is unloaded

Then you can get down to cleaning.

Answer 10

If you're cleaning it, you might.  But of course you always remove the clip and the one in the chamber, but things happen and people forget to test it just in case before they look.

Answer 11

for cleaning - with proper safety -yes

for shooting - I'd say looking down the length of the top of the barrel could qualify (called aiming)

but I suspect you are referring to "LOOKING down the barrel of a GUN" as in being on wrong end.

Yes they do

I have - it is not fun - not only was barrel a Big hole but the bullets in visible chambers looked huge

Know folks who will testify that 12 gauge really does look like you could drive a bus down the barrel when it is up close and pointed at you.

Answer 12

Yeah, I do it as part of my circle check to all my guns. I check they are not loaded in anyway, including the magazine and I then leave the action open and look down the barrel to make sure there are no obstructions.

Answer 13

I would assume you mean if they really look down the barrel of a loaded gun, because obviously people would look down the barrel when cleaning it and such or to inspect it.

As for being loaded, yes. there are just some people who do not know a lot and will look down the barrel when on the firing line at a range. simply because they pulled the trigger and the gun did not fire they think it is safe. they may not necessarily know of dud or faulty rounds, bad primes or delayed ignition and such. sadly it has happened. ive head of range workers different stories of such incidents, luckily none resulted in the gun firing, but they did look down the barrel of a loaded and cocked gun.

Answer 14

Yes, and time really does stand still, in the sense that having a gun pointed at you tends to get your attention, and your perceptions change.

When I was a kid, I recall somebody saying when he had a revolver pointed at him that he looked in there and saw tombstones! Well, it's a bit poetic, but gets the point across. Otherwise, you may want to invest in a bore light if you're looking for wear/pitting, etc.

Answer 15

Always, I use a bore light to inspect my barrels.* I also look down in from either the bore or the muzzle, and also when aiming or pointing while shooting it.*

Answer 16

Sure.  When they clean them!

H