AR terminology question

[tahunua001]

actually charging handle is a very basic term in the Tahunua001 household. it describes the device used to actuate the bolt on a semi auto rifle. I use it when refering to this device on marlin 60s, ruger 10/22s, AR15s, AK47s etc. bolt guns and lever guns get different terminology just because they interact with their respective platform differently.

as per charged, I never refer to my ARs as charged. why? because I let lots of people shoot my ARs, I'm just that nice, and if I'm dealing with someone that does not know that much about guns I dont want to throw a lot of unnecessary terminology at them. I always refer to them as loaded because it's pretty hard to get any more basic and generic than that. even when I'm just with people that are knowledgable I say loaded.

 

[Major Dave (retired)]

I say...

"It has a round in the chamber" - pistol, revolver, bolt, AR, shotgun (pump, semi-auto), single shot, double barrel, light, medium, or heavy artillery, recoilless rifles, tanks, etc.

No confusion, PLEASE!

The KISS principle. keep it simple, stupid.

If it can go wrong (be misunderstood), it WILL go wrong - Murphy's Law.

 

[CTS]

I say "It has a round in the chamber"

That is pretty much the same with me. I may say the mag is full but the chamber is empty, or it has one in the chamber, just take it off safe when you are ready to fire.

 

[Live Free]

I never refer to my ARs as charged. why? because I let lots of people shoot my ARs, I'm just that nice, and if I'm dealing with someone that does not know that much about guns I dont want to throw a lot of unnecessary terminology at them. I always refer to them as loaded because it's pretty hard to get any more basic and generic than that. even when I'm just with people that are knowledgable I say loaded.

This reminds me of a rather interesting moment many years ago.

I was in my first year of USAF, we had an SP squadron guarding our secure area but we were always required to have one of our own men armed as well. I had just completed my M16 Qualification the day before and was placed on this guard duty. When we arrived on scene the NCO in charge told me to load my weapon, so I did. I inserted a magazine and yanked back on the charging handle and chambered a round. My NCOs eyes got real big as he asked for my weapon, "give me the gun, please give it to me" The SP's on scene didn't know what to do. As it turns out, I was only supposed to insert the magazine and I was not supposed to chamber the round. One man's load is not always equal to another's.