Has anyone ever read their gun's owners manual?

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Yep. I read them, cover to cover. You just never know what tidbits of information (some actually useful) you run across. I'm the first to admit I don't know everything.

I've even been known to look up manuals for guns I *might* want to own in the future.
 
I know those warnings sound ridiculous, but the reason they are in the manual is because someone did something stupid. (I have to say using a grill in the bathtub really seems a little over the top.)

We call the warnings "lawyer's footprints" because you can tell a lawyer has been there.
 
When get a new gun, I usually examine the controls a bit (after clearing it of course) and try to figure out what everything does. Then with this new found familiarity, I read the manual cover to cover to try and find something I missed or missunderstood.

My favorite manuals are CZs. Half of the manual is in different languages, but they have nice clear color pictures and clear, easy to understand diagrams.

With the exception of my CMP Garand manual, the American manuals seem to be just plain terrible. Tiny print, hard to follow instructions and diagrams that are hard to understand. My worst one is the Colt manual for my 1911.
 
Funniest "Warning"

The funniest one I have seen is on a claymore mine. On the front of the mine it clearly states " THIS SIDE TOWARD ENEMY". Come to think of it that is also the saddest warning I have seen. No risk of a lawsuit in the military, that must mean someone was stupid enough to actually place the thing backwards. I also read the manuals cover to cover. The only weapons I didn't do this with were the ones issued, no manuals available apperantly.
 
The only time I read the instruction manuals is when I can't figure things out. It's only a last desperate move on my part. :neener:
 
Some guns didn't come with a manual, a few didn't have a box either....no biggie I just happen to have some old manuals...1911 style, K frame, 870s, 1100s...etc.,some stuff never changes, patience, cash...not gonna shoot the manual or box...I like the older guns better.

I view manuals that come with newer guns, some are junk , some are better than others. Have ordered manuals for older guns that well you know...didn't have one. :) Haven't bought a new gun in many a year personally.
 
The owner's manual for my '52 M&P is the greatest.

The whole thing fits on the bottom of the box lid.

It consists mostly of stuff along the lines of "The bullet comes out of the hole in the end. Do not stand in front of the hole while pulling the trigger unless you want to get shot."

Those were the days. :)
 
If you start from the back page, the diagrams..

If you decide to follow it.. read the entire thing FIRST..

I don't remember which one, but one of my gun manuals showed a picture on the page.. and then on the next page it says "Don't ever do this to your gun as pictured on the previous page" :rolleyes:

My Ruger 22/45, I need it to reassemble the gun every time.. :scrutiny: The Rugers are great guns, but they are like reassembly instructions from hell, but if you don't follow them, you can't ever re-assemble the gun..:banghead:
 
My Colt Magnum Carry has a pretty thick manual.

This revolver may be carried in one of three modes to accomodate your needs:

Mode1

Cylinder empty, hammer down. revolver cannot be discharged. Use mode 1 for storage, cleaning, transportation, demonstration, dry practice or repair.
Open the cylinder when laying the revolver down, carrying it onto a range, or when handing it to someone else.

Mode 2:

Cylinder loaded with 5 rounds, empty chamber under hammer, hammer forward. Revolver cannot be discharged unless trigger is squeezed. Use mode 2 when carrying the revolver ready for use.

Mode 3

Cylinder loaded with 6 rounds, hammer forward. Revolver can be fired when trigger is squeezed. Use mode 3 only when you must have MAXIMUM FIREPOWEE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE.

(their emphasis)

At least Colt says you can PUT 6 in the damn thing.

Also:

"When YOU squeeze the trigger, YOU must expect the gun to fire. YOU must take full responsibilty for firing it. YOUR care can avoid accidental discharge and YOU will thereby avoid accidental injury and death."

That's a pretty good way to sum up WHY we have 4 rules.
 
yup

i read the whole thing.its amazing how many of them has changed over the years with litigation and such.theres now alot more info that i would consider to be common sense stuff but i guess they gotta cover their behinds legally now.theres not much on accessories now as there used to be.i have been known to send away for free manuals from ruger to just use as reading material for the bathroom.reading the dissassembly and assembly instructions,parts lists and cost.yup,i read it but i dont necessarily follow it to the letter.
 
Those were the days.
Click to expand...
Agreed!
Old M&P manual pretty simple and to the point. The G.I. style cleaning rod, brush, mop, and booklet showing the holters available from S&W took up more room than the owner's manual. The complimentary box of Smith ammo was a nice touch...
"This one, I'll take" ...pay for it, walk out...no phone calls...nada...those were the days..."wanna shoot our demo out back?/ wanna shoot your new purchase out back and get it dirty and check out what ammo it likes?" ....those were the days...
 
Most useless manual I've ever read was the HK-91 manual. Try getting the bolt into the gun if the rollers are extended. Use to whack it with a piece of wood until someone showed me how to pull on the bolt head to get them retracted. OK, I was college age and had very little by means of grey hair in those days.
 
Dr Rob's post pretty much illustrates why I don't read manuals.

Tell you this though, I just got a Garmin Legend GPSr and I'm buried up to my eyeballs in that manual. I thought this stuff was supposed to be intuitive?
 
I just looked at the gun on my belt and went to the safe to look at a couple. They don't say "read all instructions..yada yada yada" Must not be important heh:D
 
I didn't read the manual for my Marlin Mountie when I got it and then I lost it. I've been meaning to get one and keep putting it on my list of things to do.

I figure I lost the manual in 1963 or early '64.

John
 
Gaston_45:
IIRC, the claymore says 'Front towards enemy', it assumes you know which side the front is. :eek:
They really should have put a comma or semicolon between 'front' and 'towards.'

Kharn
 
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