ORIGINAL: MJL927
I don't think that unloading your firearm in a reasonable manner can anymore dangerous than any other time a firearm is loaded
You're absolutely correct and I won't argue the points you made to support this. It probably would have been more appropriate had I said that it is a proceedure whereby one should excercise above average caution because....shazzit happens.
While loading/unloaded all of us can probably admit to twisting and turning the muzzle around when we attempt to gain access to the chamber, catch the ejecting shell, whatever. I think it is this action that prompted the idea that it is a dangerous thing to do....not necessarily a "mechanically" dangerous thing.
I was taught this obstacle-crossing method by an old-timer who has been teaching hunter safety for a long time. He relayed stories to us of people who made mistakes while unloading/loading for the very purpose of crossing obstacles in the woods. His method just makes a heck of a lot more sense to me all the while leaving you relatively prepared should an opportunity present itself.
I agree with you there. You must always be mindful of where your muzzle is pointed. Manipulating the firearm to unload it is something that is very commonly done... and often more attention is paid to unloading, than to muzzle discipline. All comes back to (in my opinion) Golden Firearms Rule #1..... always point your muzzle in a safe direction. Follow that rule, and anything can happen.... let the gun go off, let the sear slip, whatever.... it might scare you to death.... but that bullet won't kill anyone if you have followed Rule #1!