What should you do if you experience a hot weapon during a range exercise?

• A. Continue firing until it cools.
• B. Immediately ensure muzzle safety, place weapon on safe, step back, and inform range staff if necessary; allow cooling before inspection.
• C. Disassemble the weapon on the range.
• D. Place the weapon in a pouch and continue.

Answer: (B)

When a weapon is hot on the range, safety comes first. The correct action is to secure the firearm immediately: keep the muzzle under control and pointed in a safe direction, place the weapon on safe, step back from the firing area, and tell range staff if needed. Then let it cool before any inspection or disassembly. This approach protects you and others from burns, reduces the risk of an accidental discharge from heat or a hot chamber, and ensures a proper, safe inspection by qualified personnel once the weapon has returned to a safe temperature. Continuing to fire while hot, disassembling on the range, or stowing a hot weapon and pressing on all create avoidable hazards or hidden damage.