Does and Don'ts when handling a pistol at a gun shop??

[rufunky]

I realize this may sound a bit dumb to most of you but I've learned over the years if you don't know than your dumb for not asking.

I'll be going to check out some pistols soon and wanted to know the proper way of handling a shops firearm. I realize they will most likely hand it to me with the action open but I'm not sure what to do with it after that.

So what are the Does and Don'ts when handling a pistol at a gun shop??

 

[Gonzo]

Ask before you dry fire.

 

[Fooped]

If you're going to release the slide on a semi-auto, don't let it slam foward.

And more importantly, check the gun AGAIN to make sure it's not loaded. Don't take the shop owners word for it. Obviously do this discreetly with no inference to the dealer that he would hand you a loaded firearm, but check nonetheless.

Some shops also get bent out of shape if you open ammo boxes, be aware of this.

Always be extra careful to find a safe direction to point a firearm in before looking down the sights.

Just my two cents.

 

[Mikey]

Handle it just like you should always handle a firearm. Make sure the gun is unloaded, treat it as if it is loaded, maintain muzzle and trigger discipline and ask before dry firing and/or disassembling.

 

[News Shooter]

While I was doing his paperwork I had a guy last week walk over to the front door and practice aiming. It was totally innocent, but can you imagine a customer walking in at that moment?

It was my fault for not stopping him when I saw him walk away. Live and learn.
Usually dry firing is OK, but do ask.


Watch your muzzle direction. Even though we're sure it is unloaded you can't be sure and besides it makes people uncomfortable.

OTher than that..have fun

Edit to add: This is very important. PLEASE have your permit out to show before asking to see something. And don't be offended if we ask. That is our store policy and it is a good one.
A few months ago we had what appeared to be a lady of evening waltz in, right up to the case where I was and ask to see a gun. I asked for her permit and she kind of threw a fit and stomped out. Some guy was waiting for her with the engine running outside. I have no doubt she would have been out of there in a flash with that pistol.

 

[The Goose]

I realize they will most likely hand it to me with the action open but I'm not sure what to do with it after that.

First of all I would not make that assumption. They may or may not. So make sure that it is not loaded. Moving on from there I will tell you what comes to mind for me. As always the single most important thing is to keep it pointed in a safe direction. Never point a gun at anything you do not intend to destroy. I hate when I am at a gun shop and some idiot points a gun at me. Keep your finger off the trigger unless you are dry firing in a safe direction. Personally, I would never dry fire a gun without asking permission first. On a semi auto I would not just press the slide release and let the slide slam forward. Follow the sfaety rules. Those are what comes tomind for me.

 

[Raoul Duke]

Good for you for having the nuts and the brains to ask this question (rare confluence of the two. +2

So yeah, don't slam the action shut, double check empty...

1. Don't point it at anyone when checking out the sights. I know this seems obvious but sometimes people just walk into your line of "fire"

2. Ask before you break it down...a collary to that is leave if they won't let you, but it's always nice to be polite and ask.

3. If the store is busy, try to limit your use of the proprietors time to questions about things you plan to purchase in the very near future. I don't mean that you cant ask about something related but far in the future as your being checked out, just use your head when using their time.

4. If you have the respectful attitude you've projected so far, you'll be taken seriously and treated well at most good dealers. Heck you might even make some friends.

 

[blindndead]

Good question and good reply's.

 

[Cuz]

4. If you have the respectful attitude you've projected so far, you'll be taken seriously and treated well at most good dealers. Heck you might even make some friends.

Not in all stores. There's one in my town that just doesn't seem to have any interest in making friends/customers for life. They expect you to walk in and buy a gun without ever handling it. In fact, if you ask to see a gun in their display case, they'll ask you if you want to buy it before they take it out and show it to you. Then, they get mad if you don't buy it. Luckily, there are not too many like it around...

-Cuz.

 

[pdm]

While I was doing his paperwork I had a guy last week walk over to the front door and practice aiming. It was totally innocent, but can you imagine a customer walking in at that moment?

It was my fault for not stopping him when I saw him walk away. Live and learn.
Usually dry firing is OK, but do ask.


Watch your muzzle direction. Even though we're sure it is unloaded you can't be sure and besides it makes people uncomfortable.

OTher than that..have fun

Edit to add: This is very important. PLEASE have your permit out to show before asking to see something. And don't be offended if we ask. That is our store policy and it is a good one.
A few months ago we had what appeared to be a lady of evening waltz in, right up to the case where I was and ask to see a gun. I asked for her permit and she kind of threw a fit and stomped out. Some guy was waiting for her with the engine running outside. I have no doubt she would have been out of there in a flash with that pistol.

I have never had a bad experience at your shop. Well, as long as you don't count leaving without buying something.

And that's just a crazy story. Wouldn't have thought someone would be so dumb to try that.

 

[Rockrivr1]

I hate when I am at a gun shop and some idiot points a gun at me.

This happens all the time up at the Kittery Trading Post. There are so many rifles and shotguns outside the employee's control, that I've had a firearm pointed me several times. It also bugs me as I have no idea if that person is just careless or uncaring. Either way, it makes for an unsafe shooter.

Good advise here so far. Not that you would do this, but don't be one of those people that just pull out thier loaded CCW to compare it to a gun they are handling. I've seen this happen a few times and even seen Carl throw someone out of his store for doing it. It's dangerous and makes everyone there very uncomfortable. If you do want to compare, bring it along unloaded in a case and ask if you can compare it side by side.

 

[Raoul Duke]

Originally Posted by Raoul Duke
If you have the respectful attitude you've projected so far, you'll be taken seriously and treated well at most good dealers.

Not in all stores.

Right, that's why I used the word "most" as a qualifier to the word "Dealer" which grammatically speaking, is the subject of the sentence. Further, I followed up with adjective "good" which modifies the subject of the sentence, once more, "dealers."

Why not just start your thread with "some dealers are crap because.... or something like that.



Now, we'll return to the tale you're obviously dying to relate.

There's one in my town that just doesn't seem to have any interest in making friends/customers for life. They expect you to walk in and buy a gun without ever handling it. In fact, if you ask to see a gun in their display case, they'll ask you if you want to buy it before they take it out and show it to you. Then, they get mad if you don't buy it. Luckily, there are not too many like it around...

-Cuz.

Yes, there are a few of those in MA, Ware Gun Shop comes to mind, If that's the case, don't go back. The point is, most dealers will respond to someone who is respectful of their time and prepared. That's all.

 

[rufunky]

Great tips guys/gals! This should make for a better experience for both me and the shop owners..I'm sure they'll appreciate as much as I do.

 

[rep308]

I always hand a revolver back to the clerk with the cylinder open and my finger through the back strap. I always check to see if it is loaded when I receive a firearm and check it again before I hand it back.

 

[News Shooter]

Actually, this would make a good sticky

 

[Scrivener]

A few months ago we had what appeared to be a lady of evening waltz in, right up to the case where I was and ask to see a gun. I asked for her permit and she kind of threw a fit and stomped out. Some guy was waiting for her with the engine running outside. I have no doubt she would have been out of there in a flash with that pistol.

Good call! Probably ruined her boyfriend's plans for the evening, however......





ALWAYS check the gun.

I had a gun store owner hand me a gun. Per habit, I racked the action and a cartridge ejected.

It had been turned in by a cop.

And NEVER slam the slide on an empty chamber with a semi, or "Bogart" the cylinder (flicking the wrist to slam it home) on a revolver.

Well, not if you want to be allowed back.

 

[Cuz]

Why not just start your thread with "some dealers are crap because.... or something like that.

Now, we'll return to the tale you're obviously dying to relate.

I stand corrected, my post was an off-topic rant. Please retract.

-Cuz.

 

[FPrice]

And more importantly, check the gun AGAIN to make sure it's not loaded. Don't take the shop owners word for it. Obviously do this discreetly with no inference to the dealer that he would hand you a loaded firearm, but check nonetheless.

I strongly disagree with the "discreetly" part. Unless the dealer hands it to me with the action open I will open it right in front of him and check myself. I do this to insure that no matter what the circumstances, that I personally check to see if any gun I pick up is unloaded. Do it all the time and you are more likely to do it when it counts.

 

[rufunky]

Edit to add: This is very important. PLEASE have your permit out to show before asking to see something. And don't be offended if we ask. That is our store policy and it is a good one.

Thanks News shooter, I was curious about this. I am waiting on my permit now and have located a discontinued pistol I may be interested in putting a down payment on so someone does not grab it with in the next couple weeks. Not sure how I should handle this.

 

[theGringo]

I strongly disagree with the "discreetly" part. Unless the dealer hands it to me with the action open I will open it right in front of him and check myself. I do this to insure that no matter what the circumstances, that I personally check to see if any gun I pick up is unloaded. Do it all the time and you are more likely to do it when it counts.

I spent a lot of time looking at rifles these past few weeks. I always feel more comfortable when the counter guy hands me the rifle with the action open. No one asked me for my license when looking or handling, but it was rifles only. I didn't peruse the handguns.

I've also been sold mags with and without being required to show my license.

Every shop has its own personality, that's for sure.

 

[FPrice]

I spent a lot of time looking at rifles these past few weeks. I always feel more comfortable when the counter guy hands me the rifle with the action open.

Every shop has its own personality, that's for sure.

No arguement with either of these points from me.

 

[News Shooter]

Just a clarification. The permit issue is a store policy and I'm sure some stores
don't have that policy. But even those I am sure, would appreciate you volunteering it.

It just gives the sales guy a nice calm feeling to see it.

The other reason besides safety, is that it is easy to spend thirty minutes showing somebody a gun who it turns out doesn't even have a permit and is a minimum of six months away from getting one. It's a waste of everybody's time and in a small store it means other customers might be left standing.

We do try to be polite about it

 

[dwarven1]

I strongly disagree with the "discreetly" part. Unless the dealer hands it to me with the action open I will open it right in front of him and check myself. I do this to insure that no matter what the circumstances, that I personally check to see if any gun I pick up is unloaded. Do it all the time and you are more likely to do it when it counts.

+1 - I do not care who hands me a gun; I open the action and check to see if it's loaded or unloaded (well, unless I'm on a range and have just watched someone load a gun and hand it directly to me to shoot).

When in a shop, I open the action when I get handed the gun, and the gun gets handed back with the action open.

 

[appraiser]

Permit out
Check every gun to make sure it is indeed safe
finger out of the trigger guard, never pointing it at anyone
I hand the gun back with the slide held open, or the cylinder open
If you have to put it down on the counter use the pads that are usually there. If no soft spots hand it back to the salesperson.

 

[News Shooter]

+1 - I do not care who hands me a gun; I open the action and check to see if it's loaded or unloaded (well, unless I'm on a range and have just watched someone load a gun and hand it directly to me to shoot).

When in a shop, I open the action when I get handed the gun, and the gun gets handed back with the action open.

We always rack the slide open on a semi and drop the magazine before handing it to anyone. 99% of the time it is not returned that way, but sometimes you run into a customer who gets it.

 

[theGringo]

Just a clarification. The permit issue is a store policy and I'm sure some stores
don't have that policy. But even those I am sure, would appreciate you volunteering it.

It just gives the sales guy a nice calm feeling to see it.

The other reason besides safety, is that it is easy to spend thirty minutes showing somebody a gun who it turns out doesn't even have a permit and is a minimum of six months away from getting one. It's a waste of everybody's time and in a small store it means other customers might be left standing.

We do try to be polite about it

I agree that it's a good policy. No one should be reluctant to produce evidence that he is eligible to buy what he's looking at. I like shops that promote civility, and which have knowledgeable staff willing to take a few minutes to talk to you about a particular piece. Nothing encourages that better than becoming a customer by buying something. I try to spend some money everywhere I go, even if its just some ammo or a spare mag.

Etiquette seems to vary from place to place, especially if you're coming in for the first time. Overall, I had a pretty good time browsing gun shops recently.

I need to do it more often. I stopped at Avid Sports in Pittsfield yesterday. Incidentally someone had just been in and bought their last case of Wolf 7.63x39 and all remaining loose boxes. All sold out of AK mags, too. [sad2]

Maybe I'll stop at Dave's after school tomorrow and eyeball some rifles.

 

[Raoul Duke]

I stand corrected, my post was an off-topic rant. Please retract.

-Cuz.

Your post wasn't off topic. It just didn't need to be linked to mine. Plus I've been cranky for the last 7 days.

 

[Big_Red]

Not that you would do this, but don't be one of those people that just pull out thier loaded CCW to compare it to a gun they are handling. I've seen this happen a few times and even seen Carl throw someone out of his store for doing it. It's dangerous and makes everyone there very uncomfortable. If you do want to compare, bring it along unloaded in a case and ask if you can compare it side by side.

I've had a couple of situations where I was carrying and wanted to either try on a holster or test-fit a part. In one case I asked the store owner if it would be OK for me to pull out and unload my gun. He said yes but I had to do it out of the way of everyone else and pointing the muzzle down toward a plastic bucket filled with sand. It seems to me that he gets asked that question often. In the other instance I left the store, went back to my truck and unloaded.

BTW, If I unload in the store, I won't reload until I get back to my vehicle.

 

[Brian48]

If inspecting a revolver for purchase, be sure to swing the cyclinder shut like in the movies. I hear the dealers just love that.

 

[appraiser]

If I know I am going to go shopping for a holster, or other accessory I bring the gun to the store in tupperware unloaded, and if it is one of my semi's I have the magazines out of the gun, empty, and the slide held open.

I needed a holster for my model 36 recently and when I brought it into Riley's it was in tupperware. I do it as a courtesy to the guys behind the counter. Not everyone appreciates a gun being unholstered in front of them.