Cruelshoes

I am a stickler for safety. I also like to spend a lot of time checking out a new gun before I ever take it to the range.

When I get my new lever gun, I want to see how well different ammo cycles through it.

It is a given that I will keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, but even when pointed in a safe direction in my house, it would cause problems if it went off. They won't be life or death problems, but holes in my home and the cops being called by a neighbor would not be fun.

What are the odds of an discharge with a lever action rifle if I am simply cycling ammo? I am assuming it is rare, but it somehow seems more risky than cycling ammo through a bolt action, or jacking the chamber on a semi-auto.

b.roberts

I have never had one go off while cycling rounds through the action. Remember that those of us that have hunted with them cycle the hell out of the action daily. Typical day spent hunting includes emptying the gun several times. Our family's camp nonwritten rules forbid loaded rifles leaning against trees, campers etc. So every time we get back to camp, rifles are pointed at a big ass stump or tree and the weapon is unloaded. Anytime we decide to hop into a vehicle to change hunting spots, the rifle is unloaded. Some days, depending on the hunting schedule, a rifle may be loaded and unloaded half a dozen times. When I carry my 30-30, I started carrying it with only three rounds. I don't care that it holds 7-8. It is a pain in the butt to jack that many rounds into the dirt, and then make sure you picked them all up. Even worse when there is snow on the ground. Not a single time in the past 20 years have we had one of the marlin or winchesters go off. That said, anything is possible. So make sure it is pointed in a safe direction.

Cruelshoes

Thanks. I suspected as much, but nice to have it confirmed. And yes, I am adamant about the safe direction thing.

chance

For around the house I load up a dozen dummies. They run thru the gun exactly like the live ones but with no powder or primers there is NOTHING to worry about.

For the .357 I have a dozen dummies in both SWC and RNFP.

Cruelshoes

Tempting. I will have to think about that one, it seems like a good idea to me.

Bountyhunter

For in the house, Chance's idea is perfect imo.

sheepdog

...I've been jacking rounds through lever actions since 1962...never a misfire...but my first one would be tomorrow if I got distracted...your being so careful is the golden key to a safe relationship with guns...watch your trigger finger with all diligence, for out of it proceeds the oops....

Drummer

Just remember this, although a misfire is unlikely, the worse thing that can happen is that a cartridge could detonate inside the magazine. Bad Medicine, Large Time!

I myself use dummies, thanks to Wizard and company, but if you feel something wrong, Stop jerkin that lever! It's only gonna get worse!

I use the dummies when practicing a lot too. Just shootin at one target ain't real hard, but we have to shoot usually 4 or 5 targets in one stage and they are never just one here and one on the next one. Luckily, we don't have to hit a Bullseye though! LOL

Snuffy

Buy a house with hole already in it.

+1 on the dummy rounds they are G.I. proof

JOHNNY WACKO

I just never do live rounds indoors.If i must test a gun i go outside to a stump or tree.Dummy rounds are the answer,i don't have any but can make them if needed.
I only have 1 gun that has live ammo in it at all times.I am known for safety and hope to keep it that way.For years i would not even keep ammo in the same room as my guns,but do now do to lack of room.It is so easy to have a accident.1 only 1 mistake can be disaster.