"Who bring a cleaning rod with them in the bush!?!" Laughs in SKS.

Was searching for info on checking to see if a bore of a weapon was worn and found this video instead. Was not what I was after but so glad I watched it, very good advice and well presented Thank you.

you are right sir. i have had slugs get stuck half way down, the only way to see it was to look down the barrel.

I was taught it's perfectly okay and proper... I do it... But still feels really weird doing it ^^;

My instructor told me way back when, "If you can't look down the barrel of your firearm, you haven't checked it well enough.". I tend to put my thumb into the action on the bolt or just in the middle while looking down the barrel. That way, by ANY stroke of bad luck or a magic cartridge or shell gets in there, it'll at least keep the action open and not blow my head off. There's the nail trick in low light conditions as well that I use to really get a good look inside the barrel of all my firearms.

my firearms instructor told me to look down the barrel that's what I do it makes perfect logical sense to me

Yes he did pass. He checked the bore for obstructions and found the problem before it became one. A lesson he'll never forget.

You are definitely right, it's perfectly ok to look down the barrel to inspect it for obstructions, provided of course you make the weapon safe first. I have also heard the safety obsessed people throwing fits at the very thought of doing it, as if the gun has a mind of its own and will go off, even with no ammo. I've looked down the barrels of my guns plenty of times to make sure there's nothing jammed up in there, I did it in the army too. You gotta check somehow..just do it safely.

With the feed path cleared and chamber open this is totally safe. Definetly feels creepy but nessesary to prove the firearm is safe. I usualy stick a flashlight in the action to make seeing the bore easier.

that was one of the best explanations of WHY, i have haerd great job.

Gotta say, I quite like your videos, and I wish I had taken my safety course with you. It's not that I had a poor instructor but rather that he was of the "don't look down the bore if you can help it" school, and I felt he perhaps didn't explain the reasons behind what he was teaching us as well as I see you doing. That being said, I'd like to point out one very good reason for looking down the bore: sticking a cleaning rod through won't show if the barrel is deformed or corroded, or if there's debris in the grooves of the rifling. Keep up the good work, and thanks!

Cleaning rod will also slide right past a partial obstruction which is still dangerous. A bit of ice could be blocking half the barrel of a hunter who laid his gun down to have a sandwich, next thing he spots his game and pulls the trigger, BLAM partial obstruction blows the action out.

All awesome comments!!! After those couple of weird conversations I was concerned but I appreciate you all sharing your experience!!!!

Very well put in the video and I agree completely. For those of you who disagree, how would you ever go about changing a shotgun choke?

"Or in case I was drinking..." Only in Canada. LOL!!

"Alright... calm down man.." lol

My range doesn't allow for muzzle direction change, but I look down the muzzle outside of the range in the cleaning area and following the same procedures of ammo out of gun (and area) and action open (it needs to be for a light to go in the back). It also helps I have surplus rifles that have cleaning rods built in to them!

There is no way to service a firearm correctly without examining the muzzle, rifling and bore visually with a bore light. So I often wonder if those that refuse to do so have even seen what's going on inside the barrel, damage or otherwise, or if they depend entirely on a gunsmith to check it for them.

Never look down the barrel, it creates a bad habit. Your example you get hammered & completely drop the ball on all other safety checks & go straight to looking down the barrel next thing your head is in the shape of a canoe.

Good stuff!

That is what I learned in hunters safety I have had snow get jammed in a 45 walking in the woods. Not a lot of videos on firearms get into checking the muzzle.

Enjoyed the video and learned about 20 gauge shells in a 12 gauge, great. I did not learn about "inspecting the bore" which the subtitle refers to making one think we are going to learn something about bores (pitting etc). Not going to dislike a nice video because of that but please change it, its misleading. Still I learned something important. Thank you!

If your buying a used rifle how are you supposed to check condition of rifling and or wear inside barrel clear your weapon of course you can look down barrel

I like the example of the 12 gauge 20 gauge situation. More help for Rod. Not all firearms need to be checked muzzle to breach. Several rifles and break action shotguns can be checked breach to muzzle. Even with a cleaning rod I would be cautious too. Pushing possibly jammed live ammunition towards a firing pin. I am sure its an extremely rare situation but if you can imagine an incident it can happen.

Thanks Johnny! We offer other live fire course, check our website for those. I posted this question on a large gun forum and in 2 weeks the thread got 1800 views and 80 replies. All of them (except 2) said hell yeah, look down there to make sure all is good. Keep the action open, super safe.

Hey Rod, my range does not allow us to point a gun towards the ceiling ever. So I can't really look down it and using the rod on a long gun is a little difficult (also my rod is very short). Do you think using a cheap laser pointer is good enough?

Johnny, you can find my contact info on the website. Feel free to give me a call.

There is also a way to check out the Barrel of most any firearm, plus including what you have taught in your video. There is a product called the Barrel-Lite TM A Firearm Safety Inspection Device, that does not require batteries. It is placed in the breech and using any type of light source. That same light is now projecting up the barrel and you can easily look down the barrel from the muzzle end and check the barrel out for any blockage, rust,dirt or any other obstruction that would make the firearm unsafe to use. It has a handy pocket clip, Pocket size, Always ready to use. It is strong, even oils and solvents will not harm it. Drop it, run over it with you car, and it is still intact and ready to use. It even comes with a life time warranty. It is field tested by the North American Hunting Club and carries their logo on the product. What more can you ask for? Check out this web site for more information. www.barrel-lite.com Motto: a Clean Firearm is A Safe Firearm. Safe hunting to all hunters and sporting shooters. .

I dont know if you are still answering questions but I have to ask, if a 20 gauge shell goes down the barrel, and you look down the bore and the shell falls back down and the primer hits the whole trigger part, wouldent it shoot the bullet? I like to imagine it is safe to look down the bore for the most part but that part worries me.

Goodnight, troll.

Your videos are excellent!!....i have two questions....first,do you offer any other courses aside from the cfsc course? And why dosnt the canadian government give the cfsc instructors complimentary bore lights to the graduates of the course?....i always do my safety checks but ill be honest....even though i KNOW the firearm is unloaded and safe my common sense screams at me EVERY time i point any unloaded firearm towards my face!!....

....or loading a tubular magazine on a .22?

Great video!!! :)

Long as you clear the magwell and make absolutely certain the bolt is back with no round in the chamber there should be no issues at all o_O

What about if miss fire has not gone off yet then goes off, when looking down barrel.

This is why all 20ga hulls are yellow now.

Accident don’t happen in canada 🇨🇦 only in America

Bolt actions you don't have to look down the barrel. It's easy to pop the bolt for inspection but... Shotguns, lever actions, semi auto's different story. You really have no choice. You check it to make sure no ammo is in the gun and leave the action open what's it really going to do? You respect the gun but you don't need to be paranoid of it as long as you are 100% positive it's unloaded and you leave the action open. But my gun instructor had mentioned that something like that happened to him he checked the shotgun to make sure it was empty but there was a 20 gauge shell in his 12 gauge he set it on the ground the 20 gauge shell slid down and hit the firing pin that was stuck probably from being dirty or whatever and it went off almost blow his head off. Another time many years ago his wife had knitting needles on the rack just above his rifles and one happened to fall in the barrel of his shotgun or 30-06 not sure which one and actually fell down into the barrel. Just thought I'd share that. You never know sometimes crazy shit does happen. Just be really careful and always go with your gut instincts. I always check my firearms 3 times before shooting at the range or hunting. I also bring a bore light with me too.

Did that fella that fucked up the loading end up passing?

i have had the same argument with people that it is safe to look down the barrel of a gun after you have made the gun safe. people say it might shoot you. my question to them is HOW if the action is open, you have made sure there is nothing in the chamber. and my thumb in the action. HOW in the name of all that is holy can the gun shoot me. ? its news to me that they have invented invisible ammo and who put it into the chamber in the split second i was not looking.

How about using a bore light?

Its a matter of bad practice

I realize this is your job Rod, however there is something I don't understand about your videos. Like my instructor who ran is class out of his house (kind of like how you are teaching us in presumably in your home), he had multiple firearms lying around like you do on your table in the video. Is this not technically illegal? Having an operational firearm just lying around? If the RCMP came knocking on your door and asked what's up, would they understand your explanation of making a video or what have you? Sorry if this is a stupid question, I've been watching a lot of your videos and learning lots since I am new to firearms, still waiting on my license to get mailed to me.

You spout off like my judge, saying things about ME and my character without knowing me. I responded to 3 comments, and so far, and you're the ONLY one that's gone off on a rant to attack my opinion. I never said anything criticizing YOUR choice or your character, until YOU started name calling. How I choose to practice firearm safety is up to ME...just as its up to YOU. But according to YOU if someone's opinion differs it entitles YOU to ATTACK their character without provocation or EVIDENCE.

yep. There are alot of safety nazis in canada

I AM questioning it by not to looking. Follow this if you can, the video states a previous student had loaded a 20 ga.. Everyone made their mistakes, prev. one by NOT PROVE'ing it after unloading/making safe (would have found the 20ga.), 2nd one by not PROVE'ing it (we're supposed to) prior to loading/charging the gun and the instructor for doubting the latter(turns out the 2nd was right). You aren't infallible nor am I, so I take ONE more safety step JUST in case I made a mistake, MY CHOICE

The only reason to take a hard line on Looking down the muzzle is safety. WHY don't you ever look down the muzzle??? Is it because it is potentially unsafe, or is it because of something less rational? if it is an irrational phobia of yours, there is no argument, and you need professional help. If you think that it could possibly be unsafe immediately after you have safety checked it, then you are doubting your ability to safety check a firearm, and I would advise immediate re-training.

yep, I look down my barrels all the time....because I know the gun is empty...because I'm not an idiot...

Of coarse it is ok to look down the muzzle immediately after you have examined the bore, opened the action and ensured that there is no loaded ammo. Without loaded ammo, the gun is just as safe as a length of pipe. That other instructor should not be teaching.

its actually neccessary, but doesn't have to be done while assembled. those inspections can be done after field stripping at which point (save for some firearms) you're not looking down a firearm, but ONLY the barrel. And when I say the barrel, I mean JUST the barrel. Removed from the firearm, no action attached, no bolt/hammer behind the chamber...I KNOW, I KNOW...at some point you have to look down the muzzle, but doesn't have to be while its a working firearm

once again, you continue to judge by attacking my character, who's the 'child' here? I DID explain why I don't look down the muzzle of a functioning firearm, you've just chosen to stick to your hardline and ignore what has already been answered. But, just for you, I'll say it again. In my opinion its a bad idea to teach people that its 'ok' to suspend the first two rules of firearm safety to look down a functioning firearms muzzle. If its not ok to point at some else, its not ok to point at ME.

and you're need to exaggerate continues. Every 3rd word? You might wish to go back and count again. Why should I defend a postion I never took, you accused me of being afraid, that's your position not mine. You're the one putting words in my mouth, I have no need to defend your sense of persecution. I didn't attacked you, I never said your choices were wrong, but you still continue with name calling, attacks on my character and a closed mind towards other's opinions instead of intelligent debate

And NO where did I say your choice was wrong, but you're adamant that MY choice IS! According to the video, the shot gun the student had was unPROVEn, he loaded/charged it without having PROVE'd it (first thing he should have done) and only HE actually PROVEd it, meaning, there were MISTAKES all around. Previous student was wrong (having said it was PROVE'd) this student was wrong, not PROVE'ing it when he got the gun. Good thing he wasn't shooting. People make mistakes. You, me, him, everyone!

You sir, initiated this commentary by making the ludicrous assertion that checking the barrel through the muzzle was unsafe unless the barrel was removed from the action. No one was talking about PROVE'ing a gun, we were talking about weather an ALREADY proven gun was indeed safe to observe the inner barrel via the muzzle. If it is unloaded, and the action open IT IS 100% safe PERIOD. This is like arguing with someone who won't walk in front of his car unless it has it's engine removed.

Without an engine, it can still RUN YOU OVER. But besides that, I NEVER said 'unsafe', I said 'I have never agreed that its ok to suspend TWO of the cardinal rules of gun safety...to look down a muzzle.' YOU'RE the one accusing me of saying its NOT safe (putting words into my 'mouth') which I NEVER said. HOW I examine a bore is UP to me, how you choose is up to YOU; I never said, don't look down it...but I won't, if its a functioning firearm. Your practices are YOUR choice, as are MINE.

I agree that its impossible...but by that thinking, its ok to unload a firearm, open the action (if that's the safe thing to do, some actions are safe ONLY when closed, IE. open bolt firing) and POINT IT AT SOMEONE. If I'm NEVER allowed to point a firearm at someone even when I and THEY know its unloaded, why am I supposed to POINT it at MY face, I'm a 'someone'. Yes, its impossible to get shot but I disagree with the idea of suspending the 'rules' because its easier to look down the bore.

The bore MUST be checked, but I disagree with looking down the muzzle. I KNOW..its unloaded, open action; but, YOU know the first letters of A.C.T.S.; Assume every firearm is loaded Control the muzzle direction at all times. I've always had issues with the course teaching 'examine' instead of 'ensure' the bore is clear (PROVE). Its a LOUSY habit to teach ppl for real world, where LIVE ammo could be around (hunting, sport shooting...), unlike a controlled situation like in a course. Just MHO.

then its ok to point it at ppl, cuz YOU know its unloaded? I know its safe, unloaded, action open...but I have never agreed that its ok to suspend TWO of the cardinal rules of gun safety...to look down a muzzle. YES, it has to be inspected. But NOT with my face in front of a functioning firearm. Personally, after field stripping and removing the barrel, and ONLY the barrel in hand, I'll look down the CHAMBER (muzzle if it can't be removed, ie. revolver, fixed action/barrel) or a bore light.

I'm quite capable, being 50 and owning firearms since I was 10 (NOT one accidental discharge) & insulting ME as a form of debate, says more about YOU then about ME. Follow this LOGIC; unloaded and safe...its not OK to point at someone, but it is ok to point at ME? As THE gun owner I cease to be a person? As for 'critical thinking', if the muzzle isn't pointed at me, I'm SAFE (muzzle wise). There are safer methods to check the bore, they should be emphasized over LOOKING down the muzzle.

Your comments are clear evidence of your character, as is the fact that your need to capitalize every third word is clear evidence that you are incapable of intelligent discourse. I'm not judging, I'm just pointing out the obvious. Your inability to defend your position, as well as your inability to stay on topic is clear evidence of your character. As far as provocation, I would remind you that it was you sir, who initiated this discourse. Keep on trolling!

Is it acceptable to point your gun at somebody else if you've completed all of the safety steps and verified it is unloaded? No? Then you shouldn't be looking down the barrel. Its a matter of consistency and principle. If you need to look down the barrel, disassemble your gun.

Case in point that age does not determine wisdom. I happen to be 41, a former IPSC (3-gun) and IDPA competitor, and a certified firearm safety instructor. Obviously your 9 extra years of life invalidate my experience. The LOGIC behind not pointing it at someone else is that THEY have not safety checked it, and do not have control of the firearm. Once again, if you are incapable of making a firearm completely safe without disassembly, you have no business owning firearms.

OK to look down a barrel....you lost me there ..

...and again, I'll be happy to teach you more about the safe operation of a firearm for my regular fee of $80. I will take paypal. Perhaps afterwards you'll get over your irrational fear of inanimate objects, and start trusting your own judgement. Either way, it will still cost you $80.

Get to the point

Yes, I am biased towards the common sense of "if I just checked that it is safe, then it is indeed safe enough for me to look down the muzzle". Your bias is towards "I refuse to question what I was taught, despite it contradicts common sense". You have been exposed for your inability to think for yourself, and there is really nothing more to say... Thanks for the entertaining me (and everyone else who reads this) with your idiocy, but it has gotten old, and now I'm done with you.

I'm not your judge. I am however, a good judge of stupid, safety-nazis, and keyboard commandos. The fact that you have trolled everyone who agreed with Rod is clear evidence that you are indeed all of the above. Every keystroke you make simply further invalidates your position. I would have advised you to quit while you were ahead, but we both know that you never were. Keep on trolling!

you continue to demonstrate your proclivity to insert a bias to meet an agenda. To engage in critical thinking one must be able to identify a bias and seperate it from the thought, you have demonstrated you are incapable of doing that. Why does the law require we signal an intended turn, even when we KNOW no one is around? Why is it not ok to point a gun at someone (and I am someone), even a safe/unloaded one, because humans make mistakes. I'm human, I can make mistakes and admit it I can.

This is possibly one of the most ridiculous and illogical arguments I have seen on youtube (and I have seen some doozies!). I did never suggest pointing it at another person, that was your bright idea. If you are incapable of determining if a firearm is safe without completely disassembling it, you should probably stick to water guns and leave the real ones to those of us capable of critical thought.

So for all to see you have just admitted that it is indeed a safety issue. Therefore you don't trust your ability to safety check a firearm. And once again, pointing it at another person is a completely different argument, because THEY did not safety check your firearm, or have control of the muzzle, as well as pointing a firearm being a felony. It is apparent that you would rather trust in something you read in a book than your own judgement. Proof you are incapable of critical thought.

You're obviously capable of reading, but are you capable of reading what is typed, do you have to READ into EVERYTHING? If I felt it was unsafe, I'd NEVER do it. But I WILL do all that I can to mitigate the risks. And you're back to resorting to name calling, how grown up. I'm not the only person who doesn't believe its a good habit to teach people. I never said DON'T look down the muzzle, I said I DON'T. MY CHOICE. Apparently your 'nazism' dictates other's can't disagree. So much for debate.

I rescind my offer of teaching you firearms safety. It was rude of me to offer my services on Rod's channel... That and you being frightened of handling firearms and all. You should really talk to someone about that...you may find psychological council beneficial for your problem, and one day with the help of medication, you might just happen to grow a set, and realize a day that you can handle a firearm without irrational fear. Then again, you just can't cure stupid!

YOU'RE ignoring the FACT that humans make mistakes; sometimes what they THINK they've checked or 'KNOW' to be so is sometimes WRONG!. My CHIOCE to not look down a muzzle has nothing to do with thinking its unsafe, but MORE to do with NOT engaging in a habit that could lead to BAD firearm practice. YOU have NO clue about MY life, I've seen TOO many ppl who THOUGHT they'd checked something only to SUFFER the consequences of being WRONG! You however have deemed yourself INfallible, AND my judge.

Once again, with the name calling. And you teach people? Apparently in your world, other's aren't allowed a differing opinion. That must be difficult, day to day, in a free thinking society, poor you. PPL are fallable, it happens. Looking down a muzzle of a functioning firearm (safe/unloaded) should be a choice, not something taught by a FEDERAL safety course. As he said in the video, 'you don't have to'...and I don't. But you do, in your world that makes you RIGHTEOUS. I pity your closed mind