Thank you for that info! Based on what you said, here are two ways I might try checking the data stamp in a way where I dont tilt it up or away from the safe direction:
-rest the butt on the floor while leaning the barrel toward the safe direction, then walk around it while holding it with one hand, and pick it up again so I am near the data stamp?
OR
-rest it on the floor with action open, walk around it, prove it again when I pick it up and check the data stamp?
No. What you should do is simply ask the instructors the best way to approach this.You're not challenging the course so the instruction part is the time to find out for sure. Geraldo made a very good point in advising you of the body position consideration. It applies to restricted firearms (i.e. handguns, much easier to wave around inadvertently ) so getting the floor involved is not exactly practical. There is a pretty easy concept to it but not explained well in text. Ask the instructors.They will demonstrate clearly for you.