Carry Long Gun Muzzle Up or Muzzle Down?

[450BM]

I’m talking about rifles and shotguns. Do you carry them muzzle up or muzzle down? I was taught my whole life to carry it muzzle down and that’s what I’ve taught my son.

 

[450BM]

Down for me and more interested in the discussion than just numbers.

 

[TSFineGuns]

Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

I don’t see how up is a safe direction?

 

[Texas Solo]

Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

I don’t see how up is a safe direction?

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.

 

[DRK]

Up, either slung, over the shoulder, cradle, or two handed.

 

[TIMO]

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

 

[Dgd6mm]

Loaded or Unloaded?

 

[CH87]

Loaded or Unloaded?

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

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I’ve never bird hunted over dogs, but isn’t it a big no-no to hold one down then.

 

[DRK]

I’ve never bird hunted over dogs, but isn’t it a big no-no to hold one down then.

I personally don't like shooting anything below eye level. Most guides will tell you not to shoot anything on the ground until they get a secure hand on the dog & indicate you may shoot.

Every guy I have hunted with has been muzzle up.

 

[TSFineGuns]

Loaded or Unloaded?

Treat every firearm as if it’s loaded

 

[338 Mollett]

Even the ones in my closet are pointed toward her room !!

 

[Bc'z]

I personally don't like shooting anything below eye level. Most guides will tell you not to shoot anything on the ground until they get a secure hand on the dog & indicate you may shoot.

Every guy I have hunted with has been muzzle up.

This is the way my dad taught me

 

[CH87]

I’ve never bird hunted over dogs, but isn’t it a big no-no to hold one down then.

The dogs were always up front working from what I’ve experienced when younger. We walked headlands of cane fields spread out following dogs working tree lines. I always got to be the end of the line and just so happen to be waking down a raised row of cut cane…because I was the kid of the group. But never would we have approached pointers with a muzzle in their direction.

 

[Rube Shooter]

Deer hunter here.
I carry my rifle muzzle up either slung over my shoulder or carried in my arms, safety on and magazine loaded but no round chambered until seated in my blind with safety on or a deer presents itself on the way to my spot.

 

[Emmett Dibble]

Seeing how 99.9% of the time I am at a match or a range... up is the only answer. Down is a big no-no.

 

[CH87]

Let me clarify my down, walking two hands on firearm (I’m right handed) right hand around the grip with hand/stock resting between belly button and nipple. Left hand on forerend down in front of belt. Ready to draw up and shoulder when the birds fly. Firearm pointed to ground slightly front and left of me.

Carrying deer rifle in hand, will either cup stock below reciver with barrel pointing down slightly in front of me or as I carried my shotgun in the low ready position.

Carrying and slinging two different things to me.

 

[Enosiophobia]

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.

Ricochet

 

[SSL]

Muzzle up. A person's natural instinct when falling is to elevate the muzzle when breaking the fall. If muzzle down, this brings the muzzle into a position of covering anything in your path if it discharges. If carried with the muzzle up, most people would hold the firearm up to keep from falling on it. A stray shot into the air, in this instance, is far safer than a shot into, or parallel to, the ground. Muzzle up is also far easier and far more efficient to quickly, and safely, bring the firearm to bear on a moving game animal without endangering half the world. When I bird-hunted with others over my dogs, if someone walked along with the muzzle of their shotgun anywhere but pointed up, it was a very short hunt...as well as the last one with that individual. My dogs were worth more than a friendship with a careless hunter.
Regardless...finger off the blamed trigger at all times!

 

[mike mccormick]

Muzzle up. Always.