Shotgun safety select switch

This photo weblog entry will illustrate the location and use of the safety select switch on a shotgun. The example shotgun is a 12 gauge Benelli, but the information generally applies to most other shotgun models.

On most shotguns, there is a safety select switch near the trigger on the firearm. Usually this switch is positioned in the front of the trigger shroud.



In the photo above, the shotgun safety select switch is in the SAFE mode. While the shotgun has the Safety Select Switch set to SAFE, the shotgun WILL NOT discharge when the trigger is pressed.

Although most shotguns have this safety select switch, this does NOT mean you can ignore the four rules. Always keep the four rules in mind regardless of whether the firearm you are using has a safety select lever or not.

#1 ALL FIREARMS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
# 2 NEVER POINT THE MUZZLE AT ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO DESTROY
# 3 KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET
# 4 - BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET

To switch the safety off, just press directly in on the switch as the photo below illustrates. It should move down with a minimum of pressure and "click" into place.


Once you press the safety select switch in, it will rise above the frame on the opposite side of the shotgun. You can easily see that this side of the safety select switch has a red band around the base.



This red color is a warning indicator that the safety select switch HAS BEEN DISENGAGED and the shotgun WILL DISCHARGE when the trigger is pressed.

A very simple way to remember what position the safety select switch is currently set to is through an old saying:

"Red is Dead"

If you see a red color on the safety select switch, it means the safety is NOT active, and the firearm WILL discharge when the trigger is pressed.

To switch the safety back on, just press in on the safety select switch. The red band will move into the frame, and the switch will "click" into place when it has been pressed fully into the frame.


Looking at the other side of the shotgun, you can see that the safety select switch has been pressed up on this side and is completely black. This means the safety select switch is active, and the shotgun will NOT discharge when the trigger is pressed.



Even though many shotguns have a safety select switch, it does NOT mean you can ignore the four rules. Always keep the four rules in mind regardless of whether the firearm you are using has a safety select lever or not.

#1 ALL FIREARMS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
# 2 NEVER POINT THE MUZZLE AT ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO DESTROY
# 3 KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET
# 4 - BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET

I know I keep bringing out the same dead horse over and over and over, but always following the four rules are how to avoid catastrophic accidents and keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

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