Questions about the 'PROVE it safe'

Secular

Secular

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I finished my PAL course recently but have been out shooting only a few times prior. During these times I was never instructed/didnt know of the 'PROVE it safe' and never noticed anyone actually doing it. While for the PROV (of PROVE) could be done with out much notice, its the E (examine the bore) that I dont remember anyone actually doing. From the course, you're suppose to examine the bore with either a rod(of the same diameter as the bore), or to look down the barrel and using your finger nail or light to visually inspect the bore. You're suppose to do this every time you pick up a firearm/put it down/give it to some one else.

Do most not follow the 'PROVE it safe' rules? Are barrel obstructions really that uncommon that most dont check?
What do you do to examine the bore? Rod or look down the barrel?
How common is it for others around you to not go through the 'PROVE it safe' steps?
 
Your experience matches my own.

ACTS PROVE was invented by a PR firm which had gotten a contract from Kim Campbell's government. It is a key part of the CFSC and the CRFSC.

It is not found anywhere else.
 
Wouldnt everyone with a PAL have been tested on what the PROVE it safe is? What do you mean by its not found anywhere else; is it really not enforced anywhere?
 
Welcome to the wonderful world of shooting, where NOBODY (that I know) examines the bore after unloading.

Which part of Vancouver Island are you from?
 
Minus the 'Verify the feeding path' (unless hunting, where it would have been useful before hand) everything else in the PROVE seems like common sense to me.
 
I do one simple thing:

Always receive or give a firearm so both the giver and receiving party can see the firearm contains no ammunition, muzzle always in a safe direction.

- Semi-automatics with magazine well empty, action locked back
- pumps magazine empty, action all the way open
- break actions open
- revolvers cylinder open
- bolt actions magazine empty and action completely open
... and so forth.

Firearm safety is simple, even simplier than common sense. By doing the above, a lot of the other parts of PROVE become easier and automatic: that is why often you never SEE someone do parts of it.
 
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Aniest said:
I do one simple thing:

Always receive or give a firearm so both the giver and receiving party can see the firearm contains no ammunition, muzzle always in a safe direction.

- Semi-automatics with magazine well empty, action locked back
- pumps magazine empty, action all the way open
- break actions open
- revolvers cylinder open
- bolt actions magazine empty and action completely open
... and so forth.

Firearm safety is simple, even simplier than common sense. By doing the above, a lot of the other parts of PROVE become easier and automatic: that is why often you never SEE someone do parts of it.
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You essentially described the PROVE it safe there, excluding the examine bore part. I would think that you would glance at the chamber too, even though you left it out.

Ahh you ninja edited that...
Has anyone actually had just a primer pop? (which would cause the bullet to get left into the barrel)
 
Secular said:
Currently I'm in Courtenay, but I go to Victoria frequently.
Click to expand...


Me too, we should car-pool :p

If you're interested in hunting or long range shoot I can take you up around Mt Washington and show you a few sweet spots, but not much.


Has anyone actually had just a primer pop? (which would cause the bullet to get left into the barrel)
Click to expand...
Nope but with handloading, anything is possible.
 
I might have to take you up on that offer one day.

So, I guess I shouldn't been surprised when I go out to a range and see no one checking the barrel for obstructions. Funny thing is, the only point I lost on the practical test was for not checking the barrel.
 
Most guys on my course lost points for not taking one step backwards away from the table after examining the bore, but we still got like 95%.

I'm pushing my girlfriend to take the course but she's afraid it'll be too hard.

I laughed.
 
When I did the course, they suggested for the examine bore part on rifles to act out the checking of the bore using a cleaning rod. I say act out, because they didnt have cleaning rods there, but we would simulate the action as we were practicing the whole acts prove set. For revolvers we could see right thru the chamber and out the front usually.
 
As long as you follow common sense you should be alright,

ie. always assume every firearm is live (loaded) even when you know it is not,

never sweep with the muzzle, always keep muzzle pointed downrange and away from anything you don't wish to destroy

always check a gun when it is handed to you or you pick one up, this is especially important in preventing stupid mistakes like double feeding or accidental discharge
 
The E being ignored was the first thing I noticed frequently at ranges too, but asked people there why, and their reasoning seemed sound. Only time this would be a concern is if the barrel becomes obstructed (ie. dropping barrel in mud, squib loads, etc.). If barrel is obstructed then include the E otherwise, continue with PROV as it is sufficient. Squib loads (primer pops) definitely sound different. Here's an extreme example of one:
[youtube]<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/o7TPLVdKwNI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/youtube]
 
Only on one of my bolt actions is it easy to examine the bore, you can look down the breech at it. On my other guns I just cannot bring myself to look down the barrel from the other end nor do I carry a cleaning rod with me to physically check for problems.

I suppose you could shine a flashlight down the bore to see if it shines out the breech too.

I have never seen anyone do the E part at the range. Only during the test. Even when we did the test the examiner didn't provide a cleaning rod, he just said it would be enough if we either looked down the breech (if convenient) or made a motion as if we had a cleaning rod with us.
 
Secular said:
Has anyone actually had just a primer pop? (which would cause the bullet to get left into the barrel)
Click to expand...

Not to me, but I was at the outdoor range a few months back and I had a lane and a group of three gentlemen had the next lane (no one else.).

One gentlemen was shooting his revolver and one of the others basically shouted at him, "Do NOT SHOOT."

He had seen a primer-pop+++. The bullet had made it almost all the way out. It was stuck, protruding from the crown. The shooter had thought that it had been shot. It was lucky that it was seen by the other gentleman.
 
3strokes said:
The bullet had made it almost all the way out. It was stuck, protruding from the crown
Click to expand...
Yup, had that happen to me. Must have been just a dusting of powder in the .38 case (enough to fool me when I examined it on the block) and the bullet just poked out the other end. As for squibs, a local gunsmith told me tales of six in a row lined up down the barrel...no kaboom luckily, but I gather the barrel was toast :) I have learned to be very attuned to any differences in sound when shooting. And I check the bore all the time.
 
I've had my RPAL for about 2 years now but one of the first trips I made to the range after getting it I had a squib load 9mm. This was reloaded ammo shooting in a Sig P226 and I could tell right after firing that something wasn't right. I field stripped this gun right away and sure enough there was the bullet in the barrel about 1" in. I was able to take a rod tap it out quite easily(lucky), so I'm sure there was only a primer and no powder put in this cartridge.
After this incident I am a bit more cautious about examining my bore's. I have gotten into the habit at the range of checking my bolt actions every time after they leave my hands, that's easy. I do keep a old pistol cleaning rod with me for my handgun in case, although I'm not as religions with it, I still won't hesitate to stop and field strip if anything just doesn't feel right.
 
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