A quiz that features the beautiful line of Syren USA shotguns, and how to carry them safely when afield or at the range.
This safety post is sponsored by Syren USA.
Idyllic. That is how I remember the setting on that late June day in northwestern Virginia. I met Anne Mauro, vice president at Syren USA, on a beautiful sporting clays range and we shot the entire lineup of Syren shotguns for women. Anne also gave me several pointers on how to shoot better, and believe me, she is a great instructor. Anne is the head coach for the University of Maryland trap and skeet team, and also a world-renowned competition clay shooter. We had the entire range to ourselves, as it was a weekday, on the Shenandale Gun Club in Swoope, Va.
During the course of shooting the various shotguns, designed especially for women’s sporting and field shotgun needs, we discussed shotgun etiquette, which equates to field and range safety. Anne and I thought it would be interesting to ask you to identify the problems with the following gun photos. Please check for the answers at the end of this post. Photos courtesy of Jason Baird.
1. Which shooter is carrying her gun correctly? Barb (L) or Anne (R)?
2. Someone’s gun is being held wrong. Anne (L) or Barb (R)?
3. In this photo, Anne is holding the XLR5 Waterfowler and Barb is holding the XLR5 Velocity. What’s wrong with this picture?
4. As the women go the next station, one is holding her gun incorrectly for walking anywhere — range or field. Anne (L) or Barb (R)?
5. Of course, the women are holding their guns down and away from their bodies and each other, but what’s wrong with this photo?
6. Is there anything wrong about this photo, as the women return to the gun rack? Yes or No?
Answers to quiz:
1. Anne is holding the gun correctly. After all, no one likes to have a barrel point at her.
2. Anne is now exhibiting how to incorrectly hold a shotgun. No one can tell whether the action is open or closed.
3. Anne’s gun is open and showing clear. Barb’s gun is not.
4. Barb — Look at the potential to swing the barrel and hurt someone.
5. Closed actions — always lock back the action on a semi-auto shotgun when racking it or transferring it.
6. Yes. Barb should have her over-and-under open, too, just like Anne’s gun! Always open your over-and-under shotgun to show that it’s unloaded.
This Retro WON first appeared August 4, 2015.
Publisher/Editor Barbara Baird is a freelance writer in hunting, shooting and outdoor markets. Her bylines are found at several top hunting and shooting publications. She also is a travel writer, and you can follow her at https://www.ozarkian.com. View all posts by Barbara Baird
