Ian, the question was about procedure on the skeet field. If you engage the safety on the skeet field I'd suggest you've never shot skeet or trap. As Jones said, nobody uses the safety when shooting target games, other than maybe on a quail walk, where the shooter might be moving. As to whether you engage the safety before or after loading, in the field, the important thing is that you engage it before you move. Before or during loading, it won't fire anyway. Keeping it pointed in a safe direction at all times is the important factor. And of course, re-engage the safety before you start to move away, or as soon as it is loaded again.
The REAL question, for the one man who can "answer all our questions" is: do you let the 1100 bolt "slam" forward, unretarded, or sneak it quietly and gently closed, while holding the bolt handle. Now, that's some important stuff!
JL
