Every responsible gun owner acknowledges the importance of using a gun lock regardless of whether or not you have children around.
Here is a detailed guide on how to safely use cable and trigger gun locks on your firearms.
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1. How to Use a Cable Gun Lock on an Automatic Gun
Things You’ll Need:
- A cable lock
- An automatic gun
Instruction:
- Firstly, unload your automatic handgun and lock the slide in a rearward position.
- To do this, eject the magazine before pulling the slide back to eject any round that may be in the chamber. Do this several times until you are sure that there is no round in the chamber.
- Once you are sure, lock the slide in a rear position and visually inspect the chamber for the last time.
- Next, unlock your cable and run it through the open action to come out through the ejection port. Next, bring it over the gun, insert it into the lock before twisting and removing the key.
- Alternatively, you can thread the smaller end of the cable into the barrel and out the muzzle, or you can run it into the muzzle and out the action.
Note: some handguns like the Walther K380 require you to reinsert an empty magazine so that the slide can lock in the rear position, after which you can eject the magazine again.
Tips
- Avoid threading the cable through the bore as it risks damaging the rifling
- Be keen as cable locks without an outer coating can damage the feed ramp
2. How to Use a Cable Gun Lock on a Revolver
Thing You’ll Need:
- A cable lock
- A revolver
Instructions:
- Similarly, unload your revolver by pressing the cylinder release button. You will find this on the left side of your revolver between the grip and the trigger.
- Next, tilt the gun backward while pressing the eject rod at the same time to unload or ensure that the chambers are not loaded. You can also shake your revolver to eject all the rounds.
- Once done, ensure that the hammer is down if your revolver has an exposed one. Do not push the wheel back at this point.
- Next, analyze which side the cylinder on your revolver rotates. Depending on the model, it can be clockwise or counterclockwise.
- Now, if the cylinder rotates clockwise, position the cable lock on the left-hand side by threading it through one exposed chamber and running it back through the next chamber and into the lock.
- However, if the cylinder rotates counterclockwise, position the cable clock on the right-hand side. Do this by running it through one chamber and back through the next, as in step five above.
- Alternatively, thread the cable lock through the barrel and out the muzzle like with the automatic handgun. This method dramatically reduces the margins of error.
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3. How to Use a Trigger Gun Lock
Things You’ll Need:
- Trigger lock
- A handgun (357 Magnum)
Instructions:
- Use the key to open the trigger lock. Do this by inserting the key and twist until the screw comes off and the trigger lock comes loose in two pieces.
- Next, place the upper piece of the trigger lock with the pin against the trigger guard.
- Place the other trigger lock piece underneath the upper one, align it with the pin, and hold the two in position.
- Lastly, insert the screw in its hole and twist the key until the screw tightens in position. You will know that the screw is safely tightened when the key comes off on its own.
Tip: You can choose to go with a combination trigger lock instead.
Bonus: How to Use Gun Safes and Lockboxes as Gun Locks
Thing’s You’ll Need:
- A gun
- A lockbox or gun safe
Instructions:
- Open your lockbox or gun safe. This can be using a built-in key, combination, push-button, or a digital keypad. Also, the decision of a lockbox or gun safe is dictated by the size of your guns.
- Next, place your handgun or rifle in the lockbox or safe. Depending on the size of your box, you easily lock way two or more handguns. Gun safes are generally bigger and can hold several rifles at a go.
- Lastly, lock your box or safe and keep them out of children’s reach. For combination lockboxes and safes, consider having a backup copy elsewhere in case you forget.
Tips
- You can opt for mountable lockboxes.
- It is always safer to unload your guns before locking. However, you can keep the ammo in the lockboxes or gun safes for easier access.
Watch this video as Survival Gear reviews the Top 10 best gun safe for the money 2020:
There you go, fellow gun enthusiasts. Having a gun lock is vital, especially when you have children that can get curious and hurt themselves. The best part is that you do not have to spend extra for the gun lock if you buy your firearm from a licensed dealer.
How do you prefer storing your guns? Let us know in the comment section below!
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