When is the rifle considered cleared?

A rifle is considered cleared when the chamber is empty and the magazine is removed. This procedure is fundamental for ensuring safety in weapon handling. By ensuring that there is no ammunition in the chamber and that the magazine is out, the operator can be confident that the rifle cannot discharge accidentally. It is critical to follow this clearing procedure to prevent accidental discharges and maintain safety in both training and operational environments.

A rifle with a magazine inserted may still have the potential to fire if a round is chambered, making that option unsafe. If the safety is off, it signals that the weapon is in a ready-to-fire mode but does not address whether it is cleared. A closed bolt does not ensure that the chamber is empty; it may still contain a round, posing a risk. Thus, the only proper definition of a cleared rifle is one that has both an empty chamber and an empty magazine.