What are Safe Direction® Professional Gun Handling Safety Products?
Portable, personal comparable NIJ threat level IIIA, multi-layer (patent pending) ballistic containment systems incorporated into medium and large pistol cases and waist packs. We also offer the slim Academy Pad. They are intended for personal, property and liability protection during everyday handgun loading, unloading, dry-firing, and maintenance. Safe Direction® products are rated to completely contain a single unintentional discharge of standard duty/defense factory loaded handgun ammunition up to .45 cal including .357 Magnum, .357 SIG. and .44 Magnum. The bullet’s generated kinetic energy is dispersed by our Ballistic-Seal® panel to minimize property damage to surrounding surfaces.
What is an unintentional discharge?
A firearm discharge is considered unintentional whenever a projectile is released without the operator’s express intent, and/or at an unplanned time or in an unplanned direction. John Farnam writes in The Farnam Method of Defensive Handgunning, Second Edition: “When a firearm discharges unintentionally, we have an accidental discharge or ‘AD’. In some circles, it’s referred to as an unintentional discharge or ‘UD’. In almost all cases, ADs are a direct result of operator error…In the eyes of most courts, there is no excuse for an accidental discharge…Police, judges, and juries have scant patience with careless gun owners. People who have accidents with guns are seen as either thoughtless or foolhardy.”
How do I use the Safe Direction® System?
First, place the Safe Direction® product flat and completely supported upon a stable surface. Avoid glass or other delicate surfaces. *Full support of the pad and stability of the supporting surface decreases the possibility of the muzzle and/or pad from slipping. Second, directly and squarely make light muzzle contact with the inner-oval of the Safe Direction® emblem. Third, maintain light muzzle contact with the emblem throughout the entire administrative gun handling procedure. (Example: loading, unloading, chamber-check)
Important: Optimal ballistic protection is ensured when light muzzle contact is maintained directly and continuously with the inner oval of the Safe Direction® emblem during the entire administrative handgun operation. Any round fired outsideof the Safe Direction® emblem may not be completely absorbed and contained. When utilizing this ballistic containment system: do not allow the Safe Direction® product to cover any body part; do not allow others to hold the Safe Direction® product for you!
What is Ballistic-Seal® and what does it do?
Ballistic-Seal® is an energy absorbing and dispersing panel that lies directly beneath the comparable level IIIA ballistic material. Upon impact, Ballistic-Seal® confers stability to the ballistic containment system by absorbing, dispersing, and thereby, minimizing the bullet’s destructive kinetic energy. As a result, Ballistic-Seal® reduces the risk of a second unintentional discharge due to the “startle effect” and protects against serious property damage due to “blunt trauma”.
What is the importance of “light muzzle contact” with the inner oval of the
Safe Direction® emblem?
The inner oval indicates the site of optimal ballistic protection. Light, direct, and square muzzle contact with the inner oval throughout the entire gun handling operation ensures correct muzzle angle and placement. Careful muzzle placement with regard to focus and angle is vital to successful ballistic containment.
What is a “stable surface” and why do I need to fully support the pad or case prior to use of any Safe Direction® product?
A clean, dry, non-slip and level surface with a moderate amount of padding is an optimal platform for any of our portable ballistic containment systems. Avoid glass or other delicate surfaces and finishes. Examples include: the seat of a non-wheeled chair, mattress or carpeted floor. Full support of the product guards against the product slipping as the gun is handled and ensures that the product will remain in the proper position if the ballistic containment system is deployed. In the case of the Composite Armor Board, grommets are attached so that the product can be mounted securely on a safe, solid, out of the way wall or gun safe. Never prop any Safe Direction product. Never place a Safe Direction product on your person or ask anyone to hold it for you with the intent of using the ballistic containment system.
What happens to the Safe Direction® system in the event of an unintentional discharge?
First, the bullet strikes and passes through the Safe Direction emblem.
Second, the bullet enters and is completely captured within the multiple layers of the ballistic fabric.
Third, the Safe Direction® case will puff up as the multiple layers of ballistic material are separated by the bullet’s entry.
Fourth, the bullet’s kinetic energy travels to the Ballistic-Seal® panel; the Ballistic-Seal® disperses and spreads the impact energy over the surface area of the panel.
Fifth, there will be a visible entry hole in the emblem, the captured bullet may or may not be seen through the Cordura® case; some fibers from the embroidered emblem or initial layer of Kevlar® may be on the surface.
Sixth, there will be no exit hole; the Case interior, or back of Pad will be unharmed. There may be a visible lump created by the captured bullet; the Ballistic-Seal® panel will be intact.
Why is it unwise to use my duty ballistic vest as an indoor backstop?
Expensive ballistic vests are not designed, tested, or warranted for this purpose. Vests lack a designated aiming point and have no stabilizing backing panel. An unintentionally discharged round can cause the vest to move or "jump", increasing the possibility of the gun being pointed in an unprotected direction. The shooter may likely have a second unintentional discharge due to the “startle effect” caused by the rapid upward and forward movement of the un-stabilized vest. Additionally, an unintentionally fired round may actually bounce off the un-stabilized vest under some circumstances.
How is the Composite Armor Board different from the Pistol Transport Case, Waist Pack and Academy Pad™?
The Composite Armor Board is made from a solid 12” square composite material weighing 6 pounds. The Pistol Transport Case, Waist Pack and Academy Pad employ efficient, flexible ballistic materials that offer a comparable level of ballistic protection with reduced mass. Temporary placement is not recommended with the Composite Armor Board but the Pistol Transport Case, Waist Pack, and Academy Pad are all highly portable.
Can I discharge an entire magazine? Will it work with 500S&W?
Can I reuse my Case, Pad or Armor Board after an initial ballistic use?
Can I use a handgun rated product with my rifles?
Can I use any Safe Direction® product for personal ballistic protection?
Safe Direction® products are intended to be used in the specific manner as described in our literature. Handgun and Rifle rated products have clearly stated use parameters and are intended for use with standard duty/defense factory loaded ammunition. They are warranted to absorb and contain a single unintentional discharge. Even so, injury or property damage may occur. Any alteration of Safe Direction® products or their use shall void all warranties expressed or implied. The use of Armor Piercing (AP), steel core or hardened type bullets voids any and all claims stated or implied of Safe Direction® products. Replace your Safe Direction® product immediately after first ballistic absorption and containment use. All warranties are valid for single ballistic use only. Multiple ballistic use voids all warranties stated or implied. Serious injury or death may result from the improper use or misuse of our products.
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