FIREARMS HANDLING
States of Readiness
#MakeItHomeNZ
Load Magazine Full
Safety Catch On
Chamber Empty
The Load State is when you introduce ammunition into the empty firearm, generally into the magazine. The firearm’s chamber remains empty.
• The chamber is empty • The bolt or action is closed on the empty chamber • The cartridges are in the magazine only • The safety catch is on safe
Action
Safety Catch On
Round in Chamber
The Action State is when you introduce a cartridge into the chamber of the firearm, also known as ‘chambering a round.
• Safety catch is on safe • A cartridge is in the chamber
FIRING ZONE CHECK
• The bolt or action is closed on a cartridge • Remaining cartridges are in the magazine
Closed Action
Instant Safety Catch Off
The Instant State is the conscious and deliberate act of moving the safety catch from the safe position to the fire position.
• The safety catch is on fire • A cartridge is in the chamber
TARGET CONFIRMED
• The bolt or action is closed on a cartridge • Remaining cartridges are in the magazine • If the trigger is pressed, the firearm will fire
Unload The Unload State is designed to safely remove cartridges from the chamber and magazine areas of the firearm and to check and prove that your firearm is completely free from ammunition.
• The safety catch is on safe
Photos: Red Stag Timber Hunter’s Club, Dan Tong
• No cartridges are in the magazine - magazine open/removed if possible
Empty Chamber Empty Magazine
Safety Catch On
• The chamber is empty • The bolt or action is open at the rear
Action Open
STORE SAFELY
• A chamber flag is inserted in the chamber
ALWAYS TREAT YOUR FIREARM AS LOADED AND POINT IN A SAFE DIRECTION GET LICENSED New Zealand Police www.police.govt.nz
HOW-TO VIDEOS Hunter Safety Videos www.mountainsafety.org.nz
GET THE FORECAST MetService New Zealand www.metservice.com
PLAN YOUR HUNT NZ Mountain Safety Council www.mountainsafety.org.nz