Good idea/bad idea: Press-checking a Glock?

[nemesis]

I understand the checking procedure, I just don't know why you want to check for a round in the chamber. Shouldn't you know if there is a round chambered?

How would the chambered round be removed or lost?

The only time I unload a firearm is to clean it or put it back into my gun safe. If it's out and in use, it's loaded. What's to check?

 

[TechBrute]

Um... how do you know there's a round in the chamber? Mental telepathy?

 

[glockten]

I've got a G20 and G29. When a round is chambered, a glint of brass from the rim can be seen in the tiny gap between the extractor and the rear of the chamber. This method only works with sufficient light, though.

 

[caz223]

The seagal method is the old skool press check.
Hook thumb in trigger guard, hook index finger over recoil spring housing right under the barrel, and squeeze your fingers together.
Not the best way I can think of, under stress.

 

[TechBrute]

Yeah, but Seagal doesn't get stressed.

 

[cidirkona]

No.

-Colin

 

[BerettaNut92]

I wonder what hair gel he uses. he gets capped in the arm by a sharpshooter, hides under a train and when he pops, he's good to go and his hair is still perfect.

 

[Tecolote]

I always thought he was wearing a wig.

Separated at birth?

 

[Drjones]

I understand the checking procedure, I just don't know why you want to check for a round in the chamber. Shouldn't you know if there is a round chambered?

How would the chambered round be removed or lost?

The only time I unload a firearm is to clean it or put it back into my gun safe. If it's out and in use, it's loaded. What's to check?

Look, as I said above; sometimes I just want to double-check.

I don't know about anyone else here, but before I strip my Glocks (which obviously requires a pull of the trigger) I cycle the slide and inspect the chamber SEVERAL times.

Call it obsessive compulsive or whatever you want, but I've never had an ND *Knock On Wood* and do not ever plan on it.

Likewise, I do not ever want to pull the trigger on my gun and hear it go "click."

You can NEVER be too careful with firearms, and frankly, I'm surprised and a bit bothered that so many people think its such a big deal that I like to double-check the condition of my firearms.

What's next? Whittling away one of the rules???

I started this thread because I was unsure if press-checking a Glock was ok or not due to their unconventional firing system. (Meaning they don't have a hammer.)

/rant.

 

[TechBrute]

I understand the checking procedure, I just don't know why you want to check for a round in the chamber. Shouldn't you know if there is a round chambered?

How would the chambered round be removed or lost?

The only time I unload a firearm is to clean it or put it back into my gun safe. If it's out and in use, it's loaded. What's to check?

Are you under the false impression that inserting a magazine and dropping the slide guarantees that you'll have a round in the chamber?

 

[happyguy]

Jeepman has it right.

If my magazine is topped off when I insert it in the weapon in the morning and it is down one round after I rack the slide, it is logical that the missing round is in the chamber. If I then holster the weapon and keep it holstered until I retire for the evening, I don't have to wonder whether it's loaded or do any presschecking.

Regards,
Happyguy

 

[TechBrute]

Presschecking or checking the mag comes to the same conclusion. If you have laws, a job, and lifestyle that permit you to load the gun and leave it loaded all day, I envy you.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

the actual press check (which is the only chamber check format that requires a press) cannot be done on a glock because of the FLGR.

a press check involves placing your off side trigger finger on the recoil spring plug , hooking your off side thumb through the trigger guard, and pressing the two together.

it is quite safe, and in my opinion, a viable technique.

 

[nemesis]

Um... how do you know there's a round in the chamber? Mental telepathy?

Are you under the false impression that inserting a magazine and dropping the slide guarantees that you'll have a round in the chamber?

Look, I'll be the first to admit that I ain't exackly whatcha call the brightest guy around and I don't know everything there is to know about guns but this is what I do and it seems to work.

Since I carry a Springfield Ultra Compact (Officers Model) and know that the extractor won't leap over a case rim; I insert a fully loaded mag into the well, draw the slide fully to the rear and let it fly, making absolutely certain that my finger is NOT inside the triggerguard. Then I immediately apply the slide safety. With the gun safed, I eject the mag; add an additional round to compensate for the chambered round and reinsert the mag.

Now I don't have a calculator with me and will admit that I have been believing that there is probably a live round in the chamber but I realize I could be wrong.

You're right!!! I'm gonna start press checking my gun constantly just to be sure that chambered round is still there.

Hey, here's a hot tip! Have you opened your refrigerator to see if the light is on?

 

[TechBrute]

Ok, well hopefully you shoot better than you explained it the first time. Thanks for clarifying that you check the mag. I haven't been able to sleep.

 

[NMGlocker]

If you load only one bullet in the mag, rack the slide, and that bullet is no longer in the mag, then I think it is pretty obvious that your pistol is ready to go without having to draw the slide a bit.

I press check everytime the pistol has left my immediate control, as soon as I regain control of it.
My pistol stays loaded 24/7/365, But I verify if it has left my control.
I don't unload/reload on a regular basis, so the above quote would not apply in my case.

 

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Hey, here's a hot tip! Have you opened your refrigerator to see if the light is on?

LOL


I clearly see the logic in the refrigerator analogy, but this more accurately describes me:

I press check every time the pistol has left my immediate control, as soon as I regain control of it.

But I gotta admit . . . . . . even though the little Gold Dot Pixies and the Hydra-Shok Pixies haven't ever evacuated my chamber without my knowledge, I still have a (nervous?) habit of press checking each and every time prior to holstering.
I'm no LEO, but I can vouch for redundancy . . . . . . . Try doing weapons qualification on a range in the Army! Check after check after check. Safety after safety after safety!

It's drilled into me.

 

[tetchaje1]

Hey, here's a hot tip! Have you opened your refrigerator to see if the light is on?

LOL!

NMGlocker's response makes the most sense to me. If the gun leaves your control at any time, do a press check just to make sure that the chamber is hot. Otherwise, I think that putting a bullet in the mag, racking the slide, dropping the mag and verifying that there is no longer a bullet in the mag, and then loading as appropriate is safer and just as reliable...

...unless of course the Gold Dot fairies take the missing round to never-never-land instead of my chamber. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight...

 

[squibload]

I have one of the C models. Can the C's be press checked?

 

[TechBrute]

I have one of the C models. Can the C's be press checked?

No, the Cs must be fully disassembled to determine if they have a round in the chamber. Furthermore, they must be taked apart with your lips.

 

[bad_dad_brad]

No need to "press check" a Glock to see if the chamber is loaded with a round.

First off, the manual of arms for a Glock insist that if the trigger is forward, the chamber is loaded. It might not be, but consider it so.

Second, the extractor, which can easily be brushed with the right hand index (trigger) finger will note a distinct difference between and unloaded (smooth) and loaded (rough) texture.

This is all part of the smart ergonomics of Glock pistols.

Regardless - consider all firearms loaded at all times! Safety first.

 

[Grump]

Since I carry a Springfield Ultra Compact (Officers Model) and know that the extractor won't leap over a case rim

Then why did I spend all that time grinding on a .38 Super extractor to make it snap over a chambered round's rim in a .45 ACP slide for my buddy's parts-monster 1911?

If a firearm won't close on a pre-chambered round (yeah, it's not the ideal way...), I won't use it.

I press-check FLGR pistols by pressing below the hole for the guide rod. Fine motor is no problem, because it's not a mid-conflict activity.

 

[nemesis]

I press check every time the pistol has left my immediate control, as soon as I regain control of it.

I don't pass around loaded guns or leave loaded guns anywhere. If you, or anyone else, needs to examine my gun: the magazine is ejected and the slide is racked to eject the chambered round. Then the slide is locked back and the proven pistol is passed to you.

I can't follow the train of logic regarding loaded weapons being out of your "immediate control" and the idea of passing around loaded weapons makes me nervous.

 

[TechBrute]

I can't follow the train of logic regarding loaded weapons being out of your "immediate control" and the idea of passing around loaded weapons makes me nervous.

Who said anything about passing around loaded weapons, or that the weapon is loaded when it's out of your immediate control? If you have a CCW (which I'll assume is the case) then you know that there are places in Texas you can't carry. What do you do with your loaded firearm? Do you carry anyway, violating the law? Or does the weapon leave your immediate control? Or maybe you just avoid all those places completely, but some of us don't have that option. This is why I have to unload and reload my gun several times a day.

 

[SapperLeader]

I press check my ccw weapons when I remove them from my quick access safe to put them on for carry that day. I also swing out the cylinder on my revolver to insure its loaded, even though I have it on me except when Im sleeping. It doesnt hurt and it can certainly help, I like to doublecheck my weapons status. When I unload I also check about three or four times before I feel comfortable dismantling the gun or dryfiring it. Its all about peace of mind and ensuring murphy leaves you alone.