Outdoor Life Prepare for Anything Survival Manual (48 page)
Read Outdoor Life Prepare for Anything Survival Manual Online
Authors: Survival/Camping
Fold a length of DT down the middle, so that it is half the original width and no longer exposing a sticky side. Use the strap to make a sling for a busted arm.
Learn Safe Gun Handling
It’s not hard to find examples of people misusing firearms. Regardless of the circumstances, and especially in survival situations when an injury could spell disaster, knowing basic rules of gun safety is a must. Here are nine rules for gun safety that you should absolutely know.
SAFETY RULES
• Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
• Unload any firearm when not actually in use.
• Treat every gun as though it were loaded.
• Be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.
• Use correct ammunition.
• Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.
• Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting.
• Don’t alter or modify your gun, and have guns serviced regularly. In a long-term survival situation, find someone trained in gun- smithing rather than trying to do it yourself.
• Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the firearm you are using.
Stand and Shoot
When it comes to choosing a stance for shooting, you really only have two sound choices.
THE ISOSCELES
To take the isosceles stance, start by standing with your feet shoulder width apart, facing the target. Bend your knees slightly, and extend the handgun fully toward the target, keeping your arms straight and locked. With your shoulders squared, your arms will form a perfect isosceles triangle. The isosceles stance is usually the first two-handed stance taught in most firearms training classes. It provides a strong, simple stance that is easy to remember under stress.
THE WEAVER
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart with your strong-side leg slightly back—this is called a boxer’s stance. Next, angle your supporting arm’s shoulder toward the target. Bend your knees while keeping your body weight slightly forward, and grasp the gun using opposite pressure with both hands. Keep both elbows bent with the support elbow pointing downward. This push-pull grip stance provides speed, stability, and accuracy.
Avoid Four Common Trigger Mistakes
If you’re missing, chances are you’re missing in the same spots. It’s not enough to simply “aim lower.” You want to hit where you’re aiming. So aim for the center of the target each time, then pay attention to where your rounds are missing. If you’re sighted in correctly, the issue lies in proper trigger control.
JERKING
If all your shots are missing low, you’re jerking the trigger. Rather than squeezing the trigger with balanced pressure, you’re likely jerking it with abrupt force, causing the barrel to dip as the round is fired.
HEELING
The opposite of jerking. If you’re anticipating the pull, you may be overcompensating by pushing forward with the heel of your hand. This pressure causes the barrel of the gun to elevate.
PUSHING
If you have just the tip of your finger on the trigger, you may push the gun to the left (for a righty) when you apply pressure to the trigger. Center the pad of your finger on the trigger, and try a straighter squeeze.
SNATCHING
The opposite of pushing, you likely have too much of your index finger on the trigger. Snatching the trigger will cause the muzzle to drift toward your dominant side at at the point of fire.
