Ten rules of what? What does it mean to “treat” a gun “as if” it is loaded? That you should not point it at your foot unless you have checked the chamber? How long before you need to check again? Should you check if you set it down and then pick it back up?
There are four rules to safely handling firearms. Multiplying their number diminishes their value and dilutes their strength in the mind. You should be able to rattle off these rules off the top of your head before you ever pick up a firearm, and you should handle all weapons in the same manner regardless of whether you believe them to be loaded or not.
They four rules are thus:
Rule #1: All guns are always loaded.
Some guns don’t go bang when the trigger is pulled, but if the weapon is in battery–that is, the slide or bolt is closed, or the cylinder is locked in the frame–the gun is in a loaded condition. Do not soften this rule by suggesting that you “treat” a gun as loaded, or “assume that it is loaded until you check it.” All guns (that are in battery) are always loaded, no exceptions.
Rule #2: Never let the muzzle cover anything you are unwilling to destroy.
The only way something important gets damaged is if it is in the path of the bullet, which (for all intents and purposes) is a straight line out of the muzzle. A loaded gun out of the holster should be pointed downrange at all times. If there is any question about whether the gun is loaded, refer back to Rule #1.
Rule #3: Keep your finger off the trigger until the sights are on the target.
Do not imitate your favorite action hero or TV detective who chases a suspect up stairs, over fences, and across the rooftops with his finger glued into the trigger guard. Without pulling the trigger there is virtually no way a modern, good quality firearm can be unintentionally discharged. The way to assure this is not to put your finger on the trigger where your monkey-evolved instincts will clutch when you are surprised or off-balance. If there is any question about the muzzle being on target, check Rule #2.
Rule #4: Know what your target is, and what is behind it.
Do not point your weapon at vague shadows, or handle a weapon casually in a bystander-rich environment. If you don’t have a good reason to have a loaded gun in hand (see Rule #1) or are uncertain about where it is pointing (Rule #2), you should not have the firearm in battery or your finger on the trigger (Rule #3).
As for selection of the weapon, I would recommend a .22 LR automatic, and in particular the Ruger Mk III or the Browning Buckmark. The .22 LR has low recoil, relatively low muzzle blast (although you should always wear earplugs or hearing protectors), and is by far the cheapest caliber to shoot, even for match grade ammunition. The Buckmark is a little tricky to field strip, whereas the Ruger is nearly impossible to get apart and back together. The solution for both is just to use Teflon lube to clean the action and chamber, scrub the barrel well, blow it all clear with canned gas, and then lightly lube it. However, if you insist on properly field stripping, get a padded vice, a selection of pin punches, a set of jeweler’s tweezers or forceps, and a lot of patience. There are a selection of videos on YouTube.com showing how to field strip both pistols.
Stranger