Winchester Repeating Arms 1200 (Historic Manual) - Manual (Page 15)

12. USE SHELLS OF CORRECT LENGTH.
The size of the chamber is inscribed, along with gauge and choke designations, on the side of
the barrel. Do not use 31/2" shotgun shells in a shotgun or barrel with a 2 3/4" chamber or 3"
chamber. Do not use 3" shells in a shotgun chambered for a 2 3/4" shells. Doing so can result
in a build-up of dangerously high pressures that may damage your gun and possibly cause
serious injury to yourself or others.
13.
DO NOT SNAP THE FIRING PIN ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER -- THE CHAMBER MAY NOT
BE EMPTY!
Treat every gun with the respect due a loaded gun, even though you are certain the gun is
unloaded.
14.
KEEP YOUR FINGERS AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER WHILE LOADING AND UNLOADING
UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.
15. BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP . Particularly during low light periods.
Know the range of your ammunition. Never shoot at water or hard objects.
16.
ALWAYS UNLOAD THE CHAMBER AND MAGAZINE OF ANY FIREARM BEFORE
CROSSING A FENCE, CLIMBING A TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIATING OTHER
OBSTACLES.
Never lean or place your loaded shotgun on or against a fence, tree, car or other similar object.
17.
WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING . Unprotected, repeated exposure
to gunfire can cause hearing damage. Wear ear protectors (shooting earplugs or muffs) to
guard against such damage. Wear shooting glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles.
Always keep a safe distance between the muzzle of your firearm and any persons nearby, as
muzzle blast, debris and ejecting shells could inflict serious injury. Also, wear eye protection
when disassembling and cleaning all firearms to prevent the possibility of springs, spring-
tensioned parts, solvents or other agents from contacting your eyes.
18. DROPPING A LOADED GUN CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE.
This can occur even with the "safety" in the "on safe" position. Be extremely careful while
hunting or during any shooting activity to avoid dropping any firearm.
19. IF ANY FIREARM FAILS TO FIRE, KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.
Hold this position for a minimum of 30 seconds. Carefully open the action and remove the
shell. If the primer is indented, the shell should be disposed of in a way that cannot cause harm.
If the primer is not indented, your firearm should be examined by a qualified gunsmith and the
cause of the malfunction should be corrected before further use.
20. BE DEFENSIVE AND ON GUARD AGAINST UNSAFE GUN HANDLING AROUND YOU
AND OTHERS . Don’t be timid when it comes to gun safety. If you observe other shooters
violating any of these safety precautions, politely suggest safer handling practices.
21. BE CERTAIN YOUR SHOTGUN IS UNLOADED BEFORE CLEANING.
Because so many accidents occur when a firearm is being cleaned, special and extreme care
should be taken to be sure your gun is unloaded before disassembly, cleaning and reassembly.
Keep ammunition away from the cleaning location. Never test the mechanical function of any
firearm with live ammunition.