All of us try to be careful as hunters and shooters. We have been well trained in Hunter Safety Education classes and during our years in the field with friends and family but sometimes our collective level of experience causes us to forget the simple safety messages which are sometimes the most important.

A barrel obstruction is as dangerous as nearly any problem with a firearm. The result can range from a bulged or ringed barrel, to what is termed a catastrophic failure or burst barrel. While all firearms manufactured by H&R 1871, Inc. are proof fired to an industry standard which surpasses the pressures of commercial ammunition, a barrel obstruction can elevate pressures to many times that of the same normal load when fired in a clear barrel.

While this is potentially one of the most dangerous situations, it is also one of the easiest of all problems to eliminate. A quick visual inspection can tell if there is any foreign material obstructing the barrel. We have all learned that if we fall in the field we should always inspect for an obstruction. This need is well understood but it is surprising how often we fail to check for an obstruction prior to each day afield. The simple act of sliding a firearm into its case may cause material to dislodge from the interior of the gun case, creating a barrel obstruction. The best defense is always to check the bore before each use, and even between shots afield when possible. Simple safety practices such as this can limit your exposure to this very preventable type of problem with your firearm.