Carry Long Gun Muzzle Up or Muzzle Down?

[CJ6]

Down would put the firearm holder at risk.
With multiple hunters, it would depend on how they are aligned. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

 

[Rwfish]

Muzzle up. Used to carry muzzle down but in most competition disciplines now rules require muzzle up.

 

[Dgd6mm]

My dad told me from a young age, they are always loaded.

No kidding. That wasn't the question.

 

[Fast14riot]

As a competition shooter primarily, some firing lines have a hard deck (concrete) and muzzle up is the safer choice. Also, I've had the unfortunate mishap of my shooting mat getting blown up into my feet on a very windy day as I was getting off the line, never worried about slamming the butt of my rifle into the dirt or concrete.

 

[jxb]

I think all rifle ranges I've been to over the years require muzzle up if allowed to/from in the open (no case).

 

[Will Henry]

If I am hunting by myself, the rifle is slung muzzle down on the off shoulder (that's the right shoulder for me, left shoulder for those who shoot right-handed). If I am hunting with someone, the rifle is empty and slung muzzle up. If I am in front, and we are in grizzly country, I may carry hot and as described. If I'm backpacking, the rifle is in my hand. Most of the time, I hunt alone; it is my preference. WH

 

[goodbadugly]

Port-arms..

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Anyone remember the muzzle rest they used to make to tie to your tennis shoes to rest your gun on when trap shooting? Worst safety violation ever created!

 

[nakneker]

Depends. When I’m hunting I carry my rifle in my pack in a scabbard pocket (Eberlestock), if I‘m where I think a shot opportunity may present itself the rifle is out of the pack and either on my shoulder or in my hands. It’s muzzle down in the pack, muzzle up when slinged on my shoulder. Shotguns get carried most of the time if I’m quail hunting. Pistols get carried in a variety of belt holsters and chest holsters. One answer doesn’t fit the variety of firearms and scenarios.

 

[LuvDog]

Now that I think about it. When I'm by myself, it's usually muzzle down.
When I'm at rifle competition, then it's muzzle up since those are the rules.
When I'm at a pistol comp, then it's usually muzzle down.

 

[Abram]

muzzle down. My father always said better to accidentally shoot someone in the foot than the head.

 

[foxguy]

I don't hunt any longer, at the rifle ranges it's action open and muzzle up for me.

 

[jdh47]

It's sort of a nebulous question; no offense. It depends on the situation. Oh those shotgun toe rests were for O/U shotguns broken open while waiting on station for your turn to shoot. ( Skeet/Trap) Never witnessed anyone rest a loaded gun on their foot.

 

[450BM]

I was taught UP. Down is not safe because if a round is fired, it can richerchay (sp) and hit someone.
You also have the risk of clogging the barrel in mudd/dirt.
Go to any sanctioned match and watch.

I’m asking this because of a Cowboy action match my son participated in 14 or 15 years ago. Their rules were muzzle up. I didn’t argue with them, their event, their rules. But, I felt that with my son carrying guns muzzle up the muzzle of his gun was pointing at chests and heads because he was short compared to the other competitors.

I never worried about sticking my barrel in the mud, I’ll clean it out. What is a ricochet? A bullet hitting the ground and glancing up to continue its travels, destination unknown. What is the bullet accidentally fired into the air? It it going to safely land where it does no harm? And, how much farther will the bullet fired in the travel. At least the bullet fired into the ground has a chance of stopping there.

I think the ground is usually a safer direction to point a gun than in the air but I do understand there are different situations where it is not.

 

[shoot4fun]

I used to always carry muzzle down. The more I got into shooting matches I became a muzzle up.
One range I am a member of requires firearms to brought to the firing line cased. They are not to be cased until the range is verified hot (no matter if anyone is down range or not). Another is guns can only be brought to the line when range is hot. They also must be uncased, CHAMBER FLAG INSERTED,and muzzle up.
Regardless of how you carry I firmly believe in the habit of employing a chamber flag during any carry or cold range time.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

What do Army and Marines favor?

 

[TIMO]

What do Army and Marines favor?

This old Army Soldier favors both....

Either up or down, IMO both are correct depending on the situation/location (home, field, range, even in a gun shop), where is the firearm is being handled/used.
Safety & situational awareness is key in handling any firearm.

Just my .02

Tim

 

[jelenko]

I was taught muzzle down unless the ground is hardened like asphalt or cement.

 

[Bc'z]

This old Army Soldier favors both....

Slung over shoulder muzzle up...
Until it rains, still slung but muzzle down.

 

[JMayo]

Any where but at my body, head to toe.
Thank you