Unloading a shotgun

This photo blog entry will illustrate how to unload a typical shotgun. Although the shotgun used for the photos is a Benelli 12 gauge, the information generally applies to all shotgun models.

The first step in unloading a shotgun is to remember the four rules!

#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

While all four rules are equally important, let me emphasize that while unloading a firearm, be certain to keep the firearm pointed away from any target AND your finger off the trigger at all times.

Now, having said that, begin by making certain the safety select switch is in the SAFE position as mentioned previously.

After confirming the safety select switch is on SAFE, you can begin unloading the shotgun by pressing up on the cartridge drop lever. When you press up on the cartridge drop lever, the bolt on some models may automatically slide back to a small degree.


After you press up on the cartridge drop lever, move the pump of the shotgun all the way back toward the stock of the firearm. When you do this, a shotshell (a round of ammunition) will fall out of the ejection port if the shotgun was loaded. The ejected shotshell may travel a foot or two out of the side ejection port, so be ready for it when it comes out.


If you look inside the ejection port, you will see another shotshell (round of ammunition) moving up for loading. This is normal, and will be ejected in a few moments.


Now, move the pump forward toward the end of the barrel as far as it will go. If you look in the ejection port, you will see the bolt pick up a shotshell and load it in the chamber.


Now it is just a matter of repeating the pattern until no shotshells (rounds of ammunition) emerge from the ejection port. Press up on the cartridge drop lever, move the pump all the way to the back that it can go, then after the shotshell ejects from the ejection port, move the pump all the way forward that it can go. Keep repeating this pattern until no further shotshells emerge.


After moving the pump back and fourth a few times to be certain no further shotshells (rounds of ammunition) emerge, you can look into the ejection port to confirm the shotgun has been unloaded. There should be nothing in the barrel and the lower loading port should have the end loader plug visible.



Most shotguns only hold 4 to 8 shotshells, but it is a good idea to repeat the pattern once or twice after the last shotshell appears to have ejected just to confirm the firearm has been fully unloaded.

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