Gunstore etiquette

Rifles and shotguns, uncased...

First, I don't recommend it.

Second, I'd ask the owner if it's ok with them; but I still don't recommend it.

Third, if you want to do it despite my recommendations (hey, I'm just some guy on an internet forum), then I'd at least make sure the action is obviously open, and that the gun is held in an obvious, non-threatening manner, with proper muzzle control maintained at all times.

But it's much simpler to keep the long gun cased. Less possible alarm amongst bystanders and store staff.
 
One of my local gun stores has a policy that all firearms brought in must be unloaded with bolts/ cylinders open, slides locked back, etc. I once had a rifle that had broken in such a way that the bolt wouldn't open so I went in and told the folks at the counter and one came out with me to get the rifle. I think if I didn't know a particular store's policy, I might go in and ask before I brought a firearm inside.
 
I never take a gun into a gun store in a holster. If I know I'm going to a gun store with a gun - then I take a case. As stated by a previous poster, I put the empty gun in the case with the action open (automatic pistol, pump shotgun, auto shotgun) and magazine or magazine well empty.

I ask the employee if they would like to open the case or have me open it. Whatever choice is made, once the gun case is opened, I ask the gun store employee to check the gun.

With a revolver, the pistol comes into the store empty and in a case. I explain to the gun store employee what is in the case (e.g. 41 magnum S&W) - and that it is empty. Again, at their choice, either I open the case or the employee opens the case and checks the gun.

At that point, generally the gun store employee is good with the condition of the gun being empty, and we proceed with business from that point.
 
Once again yesterday at the lgs I saw another person pull a firearm from their holster, granted it was kept in a safe direction but they pulled the gun for a size comparison with a different model.

I asked him if it was unloaded and he promptly cleared the firearm and locked the slide open.

I guess to some people the fear of an AD or accident is totally not a concern.
 
3kgt2nv said:
I guess to some people the fear of an AD or accident is totally not a concern.
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I guess to some people the fear of a negligent discharge is totally not a concern.

Fixed it for you.

Aside from the rare mechanical malfunction or design failure, there are no accidents when guns are concerned. It's negligence, pure and simple. Normally, an accident can be cured with an "Oops, sorry about that."

Discharging a firearm when you're not supposed to/don't mean to is pure negligence = totally preventable. And oftentimes is much more serious an outcome than "Oops, sory about that." can repair.
 
While browsing around the gun department in a Gander Mountain with my brother I see him with his LCR out, fitting it for a holster. I jumped him about it, as I was carrying also and he said he had it ok'ed with the salesman.
I was very surprised. I thought he might of been facing a long walk home because I was going to disown him if the store objected to him having his carry gun out. :)
 
Normally, if I go in to my LGS shopping for a holster they have my daily carry (USPc 40) behind the counter. I'll grab the holster of interest and take it up and just try it there at the counter. If I'm bringing the gun in for any other reason its empy before I come in.
There was one time I wanted to try a holster and they didn't have my carry in stock. The owner let me go into the range and empty at a lane. I came back out and offered him to check my weapon.
I personally have a huge problem with people I do not know handling loaded weapons. I have, on a few different occasions, had loaded weapons unintenionally pointed at me. I'd like to think that after the earful I gave out, it won't happen to someone else. But I'm a wishful thinker.
 
A lot of shops do not want you to use their inventory to check holsters, as it may leave marks on their new guns. I'm kind of surprised your LGS is ok with that... or do they have a used USP?
 
MLeake:
I can't say for everytime, but I know for a fact I've used new ones once or twice (he went in that back and pulled it out of the the box for me). It's not the only firearm I've checked for a holster either. Although, usually it's leather. I guess maybe they would have said something if it was kydex or something else that would mark up the gun easier?

Good point though. I guess I'm gonna be checking for holster marks on my next purchase. ;)
 
If I take a handgun in to check its fit in holsters it will be empty and cased.

I'll have another gun in my pocket or on my belt and it will stay holstered unless I think my life or someone else's is in danger.
 
If I go to the LGS to check holster fit it is always done with a handgun which has an empty magazine and no rounds chambered. I ask politely if I may take my gun out and check holster fit. Sometime the proprietor wishes to check that the gun is empty, sometime they request that I demonstrate that it is. The only loaded weapon I take in to a LGS is my carry weapon which remains holstered.
 
If I need to bring one in for any reason that isn't going to stay concealed, I first leave it locked in the car and go inside. I don't bring it in until I've got the "OK" from inside, and even then it's unloaded and locked. I do this at my regular store and would do it at any other. Regular store owner knows I carry concealed and knows I'm carrying when I enter. If I needed to check holster fit or something similar, would definitely ask before doing it.

On the topic of etiquette though, it really bugs me when people are shouldering guns or drawing them and completely disregard the fact that they are flashing muzzle in your direction. Unloaded or not, it's stupid. Have had it happen at gun shows and in store, watched store owner kick one guy out for repeatedly doing it. :D
 
On the flipside, and I guess it's kind of inevitable given several guys behind the counter, but yesterday I watched several LGS staffers walk in front of the muzzle as a woman was checking the sights on a revolver she was considering.

Granted, it was their revolver, and they could be reasonably sure it wasn't loaded, but it isn't just the customers who get complacent.

I've also had LGS staff hand me a gun, butt first (which is polite), but with the muzzle pointed square at their own chest. Again, they handle these things all day, and they normally check the guns before handing them over, and yes they have their counterparts some distance to either side... but it still makes me twitch a bit, and immediately try to find some safe angle to point the muzzle.
 
I've also had LGS staff hand me a gun, butt first (which is polite), but with the muzzle pointed square at their own chest. Again, they handle these things all day, and they normally check the guns before handing them over, and yes they have their counterparts some distance to either side... but it still makes me twitch a bit, and immediately try to find some safe angle to point the muzzle.
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i have had this happen also and usually they will have the barrel pointed down i keep well clear of the trigger when taking hold of it.

even though it has been demonstrated clear the first 2 rules of firearms is always treat loaded and safe direction to me.

I have also asked the lgs employee to put it on the counter vs handing it to me if the gun is small enough that securing it with a good grip is hard when being handed over.
 
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