Carrying on the shoulder

Al391

Looking for opinions on carrying guns over the shoulder on a sling.
Especially a semi auto shotgun. Which is best/ safest? Barrell up or barrel down?

Cass

Not sure about best, but i always carried mine barrel up. It's a shotgun which has a very limited range, not like a rifle, and frankly i'd like to see the shot go up in the air then risk taking a leg or foot off by having the barrel facing down.

Al391

I have always carried both rifles and shotguns barrel up, don't know why.
What you say makes a lot of sense for shotgun.

Cass

I do the same with a rifle, but just to be "extra safe" i make sure the mag is out, and the bolt is closed on an empty chamber, and safety on. When i get to where i want to shoot i insert the mag, chamber a round then on with the safety until i'm ready to make the shot.

Might be overkill, but never an accident in 25+ years.

Al391

That's good advice Ez thanks.
I'm going to be using my Teknys on Thursday , I usually shoot alone but on the 1st ill be with others and I'm worried about using the semi auto.
I would carry the gun empty without a problem.
I could then load the gun But leave the chamber empty until ready for a shot but I'd say that will be way too slow.

meathstevie

If your safe handling is up to scratch it should not make one iota of difference how many people you're out with although subjectively you may feel an increased risk.

The main thing is to not swing or point accross others, if you want to shoot a bird behind you point the barrels to the ground about 3 feet in front of you and bring the gun up after the turn.

And as for position of the muzzle, shotgun straight in the air, rifle straight at the ground....

garv123

If you have the gun loaded I presume you will be walking a ditch or field so should the gun not be in your hand and not on your shoulder to be fast at taking a quick shot ?

J.R.

I carry the semi auto with a sling......just a word of warning.....check the safety every so often as the gun banging / rubbing off cartridge belt, knife etc. could push the safety off.......depends on what shoulder you carry it on......right handed semi could have safety pushed to off position if carried on left shoulder, but a bang against a branch could also do it ......reason I always carry it barrel facing the sky.

It wasn't me!

Don't use a sling on the shotgun, but for rifle, it's pointing down with the underside of the rifle facing forwards and my thumb tucked up by the sling swivel. It means I can swing it off and up to the opposite shoulder for a shot in a split second.

cookimonster

Rule of tumb with semi's, pumps or bolt action shot guns is to carry them muzzel up. To be safe keep the butt at approximately hip hieght to ensure the muzzel is well above your head in case of accidental discharge.
This is the standard practice with these guns as per the NRA Shotgun Competency Courses we run in our club.

dicky82

Ezridax wrote: »

Not sure about best, but i always carried mine barrel up. It's a shotgun which has a very limited range, not like a rifle, and frankly i'd like to see the shot go up in the air then risk taking a leg or foot off by having the barrel facing down.

or dog. . .

Browning2010

Imo you shouldn't be carrying a loaded gun on you're shoulder.

deeksofdoom

Slings are for handbags!:rolleyes: put it in a slip of you need to carry it on your shoulder.

Cass

Browning2010 wrote: »

Imo you shouldn't be carrying a loaded gun on you're shoulder.

If you are competent, and safe the gun can be loaded, but not "ready to fire".

No need to go too overboard to the extent of being paranoid.

Al391

Thanks for all the helpful advice.

4200fps

Barrel pointing up in the air. You won't shoot your foot. If it goes of with barrel pointed up you be better off as all you might clip is a bird or a branch above you