Winchester Repeating Arms 1200 (Historic Manual) - Manual (Page 14)

7. BEWARE OF BARREL OBSTRUCTION.
Do this for the safety of both your gun and yourself. Mud, snow, and an infinite variety of
other objects may inadvertently lodge in a barrel bore. It takes only one small obstruction to
cause dangerously increased pressures that can ruin (swell or rupture) the finest shotgun barrel.
BEFORE CHECKING FOR A BARREL OBSTRUCTION, BE CERTAIN YOUR FIREARM IS FULLY
UNLOADED.
Make sure no live rounds are in the chamber. Place the safety in the "on safe" position, open
the breech or action and look through the barrel to be sure it is clear of any obstruction. If an
obstruction is seen, no matter how small it may be, clean the bore with a cleaning rod and
patch as instructed for your particular firearm. Before the first firing, clean the bore with a
cleaning rod and patch, and wipe away any anti-rust compounds in the action/chamber areas.
8. ALWAYS UNLOAD ALL FIREARMS WHEN NOT IN USE.
As a safety precaution, it is preferable to disassemble your gun for storage. Your
responsibilities do not end when your firearm is unattended. Store your gun and ammunition
separately -- well beyond the reach of children. Take all safeguards to ensure your firearm does
not become available to untrained, inexperienced or unwelcome hands.
9. USE THE PROPER AMMUNITION.
The barrel and action of all Browning firearms have been made with substantial safety margins
over the pressures developed by established American commercial loads. Nevertheless,
Browning assumes no liability for incidents which occur through the use of cartridges of
nonstandard dimensions which develop pressures in excess of commercially available
ammunition with standards established by the Sporting Arms and Ammunitions Manufacturers'
Institute (SAAMI).
BE ALERT TO THE SIGNS OF AMMUNITION MALFUNCTION.
If you detect an off sound or light recoil when ammunition is fired, DO NOT LOAD MORE
AMMUNITION INTO THE CHAMBER. Open the action and remove all ammunition from the
chamber. With the action open, glance down the barrel to make sure that a wad or other
obstruction does not remain in the barrel. If there is an obstruction, completely clear the barrel
before loading and firing again. Failure to follow these instructions can cause extensive
damage to your gun and possible serious injury to yourself and others.
10. MAKE SURE OF ADEQUATE VENTILATION IN THE AREA THAT YOU
DISCHARGE A FIREARM. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER EXPOSURE TO AMMUNITION
OR CLEANING A FIREARM.
Lead exposure can be obtained from discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas,
cleaning firearms or handling ammunition. Lead is
a substance that has been known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm and other serious
injury.
11.
NEVER INSERT A SHELL OF THE INCORRECT GAUGE IN ANY SHOTGUN . The gauge of
your shotgun is marked on the side of the barrel. Store all shells of different gauges in
completely separate and well-marked containers. Never store shells of mixed gauges in a
common container or in your pockets.
EXAMINE EVERY SHELL YOU PUT IN YOUR GUN. NEVER PUT A 20 GAUGE SHELL IN A
12 GAUGE GUN. The most common way to bulge or rupture a shotgun barrel is to drop a 20
gauge shell into a 12 gauge chamber. The 20 gauge shell, unfortunately, will not fall
completely through the barrel; its rim is caught by the front of a 12 gauge chamber. Your gun
will misfire (with the chamber appearing to be empty). It is then possible to load a 12 gauge
shell behind the 20 gauge shell. If the 12 gauge shell is then fired, the result will be a so-called
“12-20 burst” which can cause extensive damage to your gun and possible serious injury to
you and others.