Who Reads Owner's Manuals?

[LoneGoose]

I always read the owner's manual when I buy a gun. Even if I have a similar type by the same manufacturer, I sometimes find differences in the disassembly or operation of the gun. If I get a gun that doesn't have a manual with it, I go online and read the manual at the maker's website.

So do you read the owner's manual before shooting your new gun?

 

[Panzerschwein]

They can be useful for the purposes of the disassemblings and sighting correctionals.

 

[GBExpat]

... So do you read the owner's manual before shooting your new gun?

Of course.

I go the extra step and disassemble & inspect all new-to-me firearms prior to first firing them. I got into that excellent habit with my milsurp acquisitions.

 

[chicharrones]

So do you read the owner's manual before shooting your new gun?

Most of the time, yes. In this day of almost all info being on the internet, I have no excuse not to.

But back in the day? There were a few times I bought used guns that had no manual and you had to figure the gun out yourself if you didn't want to wait for a manufacturer to send you a copy. That is if that manufacturer was still in business.

 

[Red Wind]

I always read the owners manual. I voted yes.

 

[RX-79G]

Reading about the P99 AS on the Walther forum leads me to believe that very few people read their manuals. So many people fully believe Walther intended the P99 to be carried cocked, despite the manual's multiple warnings.

 

[Ranger Roberts]

I don't. I pretty much don't read the manual for anything and surprisingly I am still alive and all of my equipment still functions perfectly.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Reading about the P99 AS on the Walther forum leads me to believe that very few people read their manuals. So many people fully believe Walther intended the P99 to be carried cocked, despite the manual's multiple warnings.

Anyone stupid enough to carry a decocker-equipped gun, fully cocked, deserves to shoot themsleves in the leg.
What else could they possibly have imagined it was there for?? :banghead:
But to answer the question, no, I got tired of dredging through manuals years ago. If there's any need, I prefer to just hunt down field stripping videos, directly from the manufacturers, or reputable reviewers.

 

[badkarmamib]

There is a lot of good info in the manuals concerning takedown and maintenance that can save you from headaches down the road, I voted yes.

 

[Ranger Roberts]

But to answer the question, no, I got tired of dredging through manuals years ago. If there's any need, I prefer to just hunt down field stripping videos, directly from the manufacturers, or reputable reviewers.

I agree. Even youtube has been a valuable resource.

 

[ny32182]

I can't say that I do, but then again I haven't bought a gun that I was completely unfamiliar with in many years.

I guess if I ever acquired something that I had absolutely no idea about, and wanted to do something like field strip it, I would youtube it first.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Only if it is a firearm I am unfamiliar with.
If I buy a Ruger Blackhawk, I likely will not read the manual. I have 2 already. I know how they work.

If I buy a gun that I do not have experience with, sure, I'll read through the manual.

 

[taliv]

i read the manual when i bought the electrically fired rem 700 Etronx
I read the manual when i bought my first pistol and first rifle.

since then, i can't recall reading any.

wait, does reading the side of a ruger count? i don't own one, but have seen the sides in gun stores

 

[AZAndy]

I don't read one before shooting, but sometimes will before disassembling if I'm not already familiar with the type.

 

[RX-79G]

Anyone stupid enough to carry a decocker-equipped gun, fully cocked, deserves to shoot themsleves in the leg.
What else could they possibly have imagined it was there for?? :banghead:
But to answer the question, no, I got tired of dredging through manuals years ago. If there's any need, I prefer to just hunt down field stripping videos, directly from the manufacturers, or reputable reviewers.

Because of people saying the AS mode was like a Glock.


And basically, the reason people should read the manual is because so much of the information out there about guns is wrong. I don't know how often I read about people carrying at half-cock on designs that could kill them doing so, but it keeps coming up because people keep repeating the same stupid stuff.

Direct chamber loading, steel cases in stepped 9mm chambers, correct sight picture, lubricating the striker channel, etc are all things people screw up all the time.

Read your manual.

 

[Warp]

I generally do not read the manual before shooting a gun, but then I don't generally buy anything I don't already know what to do with.

I keep the manuals on hand though.

 

[Telekinesis]

Most of the guns I buy are used and don't come with manuals. That said, before I buy a gun I have usually done enough research on that design (including field stripping and even quirks of the particular type of gun) that I don't really need the actual user manual anyway.

 

[Darkstar888]

Always read the manual. Especially for the recommended lubrication points. And on the off chance there is something else to be learned that I didn't already know. Like for instance that it's normal for the guide rod assembly to arch itself a little when installed.


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[herrwalther]

Reading about the P99 AS on the Walther forum leads me to believe that very few people read their manuals. So many people fully believe Walther intended the P99 to be carried cocked, despite the manual's multiple warnings.

That is nothing. I have seen people on Facebook advertise that they carry their P99AS not only cocked, but the trigger in the halfway position. In Walther speak, with the Anti-stress feature off. Something I could never fathom doing on mine.

I don't read manuals. I just don't. 75% of modern firearm manuals are the 4 rules in a variety of ways. If someone is dense enough to forget those, putting it in the manual (that they probably won't read anyway) 100 times probably won't help either.

The only time I open firearm manuals is if I am looking for something specific. Like how to change out sights or does a firearm have a magazine disconnect safety. 9 times out of 10 that information usually isn't in there. So Google is the next stop.

 

[Kendal Black]

I voted "Yes," but there are exceptions. If I buy a S&W Chiefs or Model Ten, it would be like reading instructions upon buying a new toothbrush. Per Kipling, "You need not stop work to inform us/We knew it ten seasons before."

 

[Kendal Black]

If the trouble is you don't have the manual, try this. http://shootery.blogspot.com/2016/03/gun-manuals-free-and-searchable.html

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

I do. Got into the habit w milsurps, like the poster above.

I read em before shooting, and have one handy during first disassembly (at least).

 

[kcofohio]

I will read what is important to that certain gun. I skip the warnings that are addressed to those who lack common sense.

As said in prior post, info on lube points, dry firing, whether +P rated, etc.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Who Reads Owner's Manuals?

For most guns, nope. I've owned lots of 'em and I don't need they manual.

But for a few of the newest ones made, yep I do.

Deaf

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I'll look them up if I want to know how to disassemble a gun or need to adjust the point of aim (what aiming method you are supposed to use, what bullet weight the gun was sighted in for, etc).

Otherwise, it's really just a bunch of lawyer BS.