Using a firearm doesnโt make you tough, and itโs not glamorous. Frankly, weโre appalled by movies and TV shows (except for 24 with Kiefer Sutherland, who appears to have been trained very well by an expert) that have not only criminals but also police using firearms like idiots โ holding it next to their heads for effect (like going deaf?) or one-handed and sideways (canโt hit the side of a barn). All humor aside, you hope to never be in situation where you have to use a firearm. But if it happens, you should be prepared to do it properly to save your life or that of someone you love, or both.
Before we dive in, a few caveats: (1) Mechanics and technique are second to situational awareness and judgement. Just because you know how to hold and fire a handgun doesnโt mean you know when to use it and when not to; (2) never use a firearm to threaten anyone. Itโs not meant to intimidate or injure. Itโs an instrument of death and should only be drawn and aimed when the situation requires its use; (3) just because you read this article doesnโt mean you are trained. Take a safety course to get educated and practice regularly; (4) stay out of harmโs way if at all possible and contact law enforcement first. If you canโt, then employ the following techniques.
For the purposes of simplicity, our firearm of choice is a compact semi-automatic handgun, similar to a Glock 30 (.45 ACP), as opposed to a revolver. The Glock is an ambidextrous handgun since the safety is on the trigger.
Note: the author is a former federal law enforcement officer, so the information comes from a reliable source.
1 Always assume a gun is loaded, and always have it pointed in a safe direction. If youโre at the range, which we highly recommend for practice and skills improvement, then that direction is always down range. Even if there is no magazine in the gun and the slide is pulled back, still treat it like itโs loaded; even when you set it down and itโs empty, point it down range, and always away from people (including yourself). The following steps should be performed in โdry fireโ mode, meaning the gun is not loaded.
2 Make sure the gun is clear by removing the magazine (not the โclipโ) and setting it down. Pointing the gun down range, rack (move forward and backward) the slide a few times to make sure thereโs no round in the chamber. Lock the slide back so the ejection port is open and you can see light through the magazine well to show that itโs empty. Remove all rounds from the magazine and then re-insert the magazine in the gun. Send the slide forward. Your handgun is now ready to dry fire.