HUNTINGsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Module 02 - FIREARM SAFETY

FIREARM CLEANING AND STORAGE

Cleaning your firearm is more than dusting it off and putting it away when you return home. It’s vitally important to keep your firearm clean so that you can ensure all of the pieces, including the action, are working properly and that the firearm is safe to use.

So, what’s the first thing you to do before cleaning your firearm or putting it in storage? CHECK IT YOURSELF to prove that it’s safe to handle:

Illustration of a man's hands holding a pump action rifle.

STEP 1: Always assume the firearm is loaded.

Illustration of a man's hands holding a forward facing pump action rifle.

STEP 2: Point the firearm in a safe direction.

Illustration of a man's hands opening the action of a pump action rifle.

STEP 3: Open the action.

Illustration of a man's hands holding a pump action rifle on its side with the action open.

STEP 4: Visually check the chamber, receiver and magazine for ammunition.

Illustration of a man's hands holding a forward facing pump action rifle.

STEP 5: Grasp the firearm with both hands and continue pointing the muzzle in a safe direction.

Cleaning Kits

Illustration of a cleaning kit with a cleaning rod and cleaning rod tips highlighted in orange.

The owner’s manual will provide you with the information you need to properly clean your firearm. Generally though, most firearm types will require these basic cleaning supplies: