The 12-gauge pump-action shotgun is a weapon used primarily at shooting ranges. The gun also is used in military activities. The distinguishing characteristic of the pump-action shotgun is its action bar, which is used to load and unload rounds into the chamber and the magazine tube. Loading and unloading rounds into the weapon is an activity that should be practiced with utmost safety.
Loading
Push the safety button on the weapon into the "On" position.
Place the butt of the gun against your hip. Turn the weapon upside down with the magazine tube facing you.
Place the round flat against your fingers, holding the front and the back end between your index and pinkie finger with the round in a horizontal position. Slide the round into the magazine tube. Continue sliding rounds in until the magazine tube is full. The number of rounds held will vary depending on the model shotgun you own.
Turn the gun over. Hold in the action-release button, which is located either in front of or behind the trigger guard.
Pull the action bar back all the way. Push forward with moderate force to chamber the first round.
Unloading
Ensure that the safety for the weapon is in the "On" position.
Place the butt of the gun against your hip. Turn the weapon upside down with the magazine tube facing you.
Press aside the shell latch inside the shell receiver end of the magazine tube. The shell will eject. Pull the shell all the way out. Repeat this process until the magazine tube is empty.
Press the action-release button. Pull the action bar back to remove the shell from the chamber.
Tips
- You also can load a round into the chamber by holding the action-release button, placing a round in the chamber and pushing the action bar forward.
- If there is no shell latch on the firearm when you begin to unload, hold the action-release button and continue pumping the action bar until the chamber is empty.
References
Tips
- You also can load a round into the chamber by holding the action-release button, placing a round in the chamber and pushing the action bar forward.
- If there is no shell latch on the firearm when you begin to unload, hold the action-release button and continue pumping the action bar until the chamber is empty.
Writer Bio
Richard Schupp has been writing professionally for just over a year. After interning for Valley Forge Publishing in the fall of 2009, he completed his B.A. in English/professional writing from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. Schupp has been published in "Therapy Times" and "rt Image" magazines.
