Can My Handgun’s Safety Fail to Work Properly?

The safety on a handgun is designed to prevent the pistol from accidentally firing. When used properly, the gun shouldn’t go off. However, mechanical failures can lead to a negligent discharge. The firearms safety education professionals from LTC Austin, your premier choice for Austin LTC online training, offer a look at some reasons the safety on a pistol can fail and what you can do to prevent this from happening.

Mechanical Failures

Mechanical malfunctions can happen and cause various failures, such as rim lock, slam fire, failure to feed, out-of-battery ignition, or failure to eject or extract. Keep in mind the safety is a mechanical device that can work correctly one day, and the recoil spring driving a bolt could fail the next time it's in use. As a firearm owner, you’ll need to check the mechanics before using your pistol.

Wear & Tear

As years go by or after consistent use, a pistol's trigger, safety bar, and hammer could become worn or damaged, causing the safety to weaken as well. The good news is that a reputable service company can repair most issues. While at the service repair shop, you’ll learn if the gun is too old, damaged, or weakened to fix the safety or make the firearm safe to fire again. Don’t try to use the pistol if you learn wear and tear have caused the safety and other features to stop working correctly. Instead, it would be best to purchase another firearm.

Is the Safety On?

It may seem simple, but many people don’t check to see if the firearm's safety is on, which is why this is one of the most significant safety precautions to take when becoming a pistol owner. The safety location can vary from gun to gun, which is why a gun owner should verify the location of the safety before operating or storing a handgun, shotgun, or rifle. Almost all safeties are located near the receiver of the pistol, making it easy to spot. If you’re unsure about the safety’s location, ask the gun seller before making a purchase or look in the owner’s manual for the information.

Firearms Classes

The mechanical safety is only a backup precaution, and proper gun-handling practices are the best way to prevent accidents with firearms. Therefore, it would be best to learn as much about your pistol as possible, including safety statistics, its features, and what you can do to protect your family. You can take a firearms class to learn more about safety practices as well as Texas laws about owning and carrying handguns. During these classes, you’ll receive crucial information and training that helps you learn more about pistols and what you can do to prevent safety failure and other problems in the future. Even if the safety fails, there should be no accidental discharges if you’re handling the gun properly.

One of the most important parts of being a responsible gun owner is knowing everything about your gun, including its safety features. Fortunately, high-quality firearms training is readily available. Whether you want to take a concealed carry class to get your carry permit or you simply want to learn how to shoot, LTC Austin has what you need. LTC Austin provides online and private classes with one-on-one attention, professional instruction, flexible scheduling, and affordable pricing. For information on our wide array of classes, give us a call today at 512-766-3039.