Which safety measures should you follow before cleaning or disassembling a firearm?

• A. Point the muzzle at a person to test if it's unloaded.
• B. Ensure the firearm is unloaded, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, remove ammunition, and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• C. Leave the firearm loaded but disconnected from any power source.
• D. Remove any safety equipment and proceed quickly.

Answer: (C)

Before you clean or disassemble a firearm, treat it as if it could discharge. The most important steps are to ensure it is completely unloaded, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times, remove any ammunition from the workspace, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for disassembly.

Unload it fully by removing the magazine, cycling the action to eject any chambered round, and then visually and physically confirming the chamber and magazine well are empty. Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction throughout the process, never toward yourself or others. Clear the area of all ammunition and parts that could become a projectile during maintenance. Finally, consult and follow the firearm’s manual for the correct disassembly procedure and any model-specific safety notes, including whether the action should be locked open or certain tools are required.

This approach matters because it minimizes the risk of accidental discharge during maintenance and ensures you’re working with the firearm in a safe, inert state. Leaving a firearm loaded or attempting to test unloaded status in an unsafe way (such as pointing it at a person) or rushing through safety steps by bypassing manufacturer instructions undermines basic safety principles and can lead to serious harm. Removing safety equipment or neglecting proper unloading does not provide any safety benefit and increases risk.