Do you read the owner's manual?

4

45Gunner

New member
An Owner's/Operator's Manual comes with each new gun purchased. I meticulously read and study each manual. I make mental notes of the subtle differences between different models, even the differences by the same manufacturer and keep the manual next to me for reference when I break the gun down for the first time and when re-assembling it. I will usually reference it several times during the former procedures until I am very comfortable that I am doing it correctly.

I recently noticed that some were complaining when their new gun wouldn't feed e.g. JHP when the Owner's Manual specifically said the gun was designed for ball ammo. Or, FLGR damage because the recoil spring was inserted the wrong way.
You get the point. They never read the Manual.

Do you read it and if you do, when do you read it?
 
I read mine before I fire the gun. I have known people who read theirs after they have a problem with the gun.

I had a buddy ask me last night if the judge could fire the +P ammo. I asked him what the owners manual says, he replied, "Hmmm, I never thought to check it out." :eek:
 
Always. Immediately after purchase and before using.

There are almost always at least a couple gems of wisdom regarding the weapon in question in the manual. That , or important caveats for breaking down, reassembly, safety, warranty, etc.

It's the first thing to do to really learn about the weapon at hand.........
 
I always read through the whole manual before doing anything with the gun.

Because you should know as much as you possibly can about the operation of your firearm before you use it. That is also why I always do practice drills with snap caps before taking my handgun to the range, to be aware of the exact operation.
 
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I also read the manuals... and if it is a gun I don't have a manual for, a copy can usually be downloaded or ordered from the manufacturer.
 
Depends on the gun. Lately I've bought a lot of revolvers. Not too much different about them.

Same with pump shotguns and lever rifles. I've owned a few of them, so the manual is just something to pull out when/if I've got a question.

Most semi-auto's I'll at least glance through. Manuals for Ruger Mark II and III pistols get dog eared from reading.
 
I heard the gun is worth more if the manual is in it's original shrink wrap:)


For the break down procedure. I already know what kind of ammo it can eat when i buy it and most of the other stuff is lawyer stuff.
 
I am terrible when it comes to reading any type of instruction manual. But I do read the manuals that come with a gun.:)
 
Yep; if I buy 2 of the same make back to back - this has been known to happen... :o - I'll forgo the second reading.
 
Put me down for a "yes".

I read the manual for everything I buy that is capable of taking mine or anyone else's life/cause severe harm, be it on purpose or on accident. My uncle was a shop teacher for years and over that time period he had to carry four fingers to the hospital with him, one could not be re-attached. I think it's important to know what shouldn't be done with something.
 
I scan the manuals. That means skipping through all the extraneous safety stuff (there are FOUR rules) to get to the unique manual of arms for this particular firearm. This I read carefully, along with the instructions for dis- and reassembly. I look for stuff like, "It's okay to dry fire this gun," or "safe to use +P ammo" and the like. I don't bother with the "where to return for service section." So yes, I read the manual, but selectively.
 
Legionnaire: I scan the manuals. That means skipping through all the extraneous safety stuff (there are FOUR rules) to get to the unique manual of arms for this particular firearm. This I read carefully, along with the instructions for dis- and reassembly. I look for stuff like, "It's okay to dry fire this gun," or "safe to use +P ammo" and the like. I don't bother with the "where to return for service section." So yes, I read the manual, but selectively.
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Same here....
 
Any more, it seems like the manual is 95% "Lawyerese" and 5% useful information.

You might get instructions on how to take down, and if, you're really lucky, an exploded diagram with a parts list.
 
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