Fabs

When my Grandfather was teaching me how to handle firearms and hunting etiquette he told me "Son if I EVER look over at you and look down the bore of your gun something bads going to happen". I think he was refering to something about how I better remove the front sight.

Don't gotta tell me twice. Yes sir, Yes sir.

And like you, I "never" rely on a safety, they are a mechical device and can fail at the most critical times. I also don't like people who wave guns around and especially the ones that always have their damned finger in the trigger guard. I tell them once, if they do it again I make it a point not to hunt with them again. Period. I'm too old to die while I'm supposed to be enjoying myself and sharing friendship.

Just in case I don't get back on a puter Merry Christmas to you, the wife and the youngin'. Have a good one. I always got a charge out of my youngins at Christmas time. Especially when they were little. Seems like they had more fun with the paper and boxes than they did the presents. I told the wife one year we should just go to the market get some boxes, wrap them up all fancy like and save a bunch of money. She kicked me in the shin. Sometimes she didn't have a sense of humor.:rolleyes:

In the imortal words of Rooster Cogburn: "Well, a gun that's cocked and not loaded aint good for much." :-)

Riposte

for deer: pan is primed, hammer at full cock with hammer stall in place.
for groundhogs: when young kids are along, full magazine with bolt open slung muzzle down while walking. They sometimes forget to stay away from the side where the gun is. Also helps to cool the barrel between shots. By myself, locked and loaded.

on the way in in the morning unloaded till on stand, then loaded with one in chamber safety on. on the way out loaded til reach truck then unloaaded and cased for ride to camp.

becouse in most cases i am heading to my blind bofore legal lite
the gun is emty but if is legal the gun is loaded and on safty.