I found an interesting (new?) way to press check.

[jlbraun]

When press checking (checking the chamber) on a DA/SA with a hammer, I had a problem. I couldn't press the slide in just enough using both hands to see whether a cartridge was loaded without slipping over the hammer and ejecting the cartridge. One solution to this was cocking the hammer first, but I didn't like having to cock and decock all just in order to see whether I was loaded.

So...

Enter the one-handed press check. I put the web of my hand behind the beavertail or where one would be, and wrap two fingers over the slide. By pulling back on the rear sight and slide, it's easy to press check even a DA/SA pistol with a strong recoil spring without cocking the hammer. It looks weird, but the hold is very secure, and one's fingers are well away from the trigger and muzzle. You can also hold in front of the trigger guard with your other hand. Last reason I like it is that it's physically impossible to accidentally eject a round while doing it this way.

Here it is on a CZ P-01. Works on my Sig 226 as well. I'd imagine there aren't many semi-auto pistols it wouldn't work on, but pocket pistols might be harder.

Thoughts?

 

[MikeJackmin]

I like it. It looks a little weird, but it also looks like it works. That's what's important.

The traditional press-check never sat well with me... in a 1911, it often means putting your thumb inside the trigger guard of a cocked, unlocked, loaded pistol. No thanks!

I'm going to try this myself.

 

[Desertscout]

Definitely not new but effective, nevertheless.

 

[TX1911fan]

Looks like a good method, but I prefer to just drop the magazine and rack the slide. If I don't KNOW my firearm is loaded, I'd prefer to make sure it is unloaded. Then I can start from scratch again, loading one in the chamber, ejecting the magazine and adding one additional round.

 

[jlbraun]

@TX1911fan "I prefer to just drop the magazine and rack the slide."

Yes, that's another way. I just wanted something quick so I could check before putting it in my holster to go out.

@DesertScout

I'm curious, where had you seen it before? I just found it by fiddling with the pistol.

 

[atblis]

You can

actually see the cartridge through gaps in the slide/barrel area. That is an easier way if you have decent lighting.

 

[jlbraun]

@atblis

That method isn't positive enough for me, and I for sure can't see through my SIG or CZ that way. Whatever works, though.

 

[Desertscout]

@DesertScout

I'm curious, where had you seen it before? I just found it by fiddling with the pistol.

We teach that here in our classes and use it frequently especially when just resetting the Glock trigger during demos. It works well for some folks that do not have the hand strength to do it the way we normally teach or those that may be handicapped in some way. It is also used for by many to facilitate pulling down the slide lock for the disassembly of the Glock pistol. However, it doesn't work very well at all for a low-light chamber check.

but I prefer to just drop the magazine and rack the slide. If I don't KNOW my firearm is loaded, I'd prefer to make sure it is unloaded. Then I can start from scratch again, loading one in the chamber, ejecting the magazine and adding one additional round.

TX1911fan, the chamber check is not always an administrative procedure. Sometimes, maybe after a tac reload or picking up a strange gun or any number other occassions on the street, it may be necessary to ensure that the gun is properly chambered but there may not be time to drop the mag do all that. Done properly, the chamber check is a very fast, safe and effective means to make absolutely certain that your gun is loaded

 

[jlbraun]

@DesertScout

"However, it doesn't work very well at all for a low-light chamber check."

Why not? One hand pulls the slide back, poke index finger of other hand in chamber.

 

[isp2605]

I'm curious, where had you seen it before? I just found it by fiddling with the pistol.

We were doing that in the 70s with our 39s not only for chamber check but also when field stripping them.

 

[Desertscout]

Why not? One hand pulls the slide back, poke index finger of other hand in chamber.

You can't pull the slide back far enough to get a finger in the ejection port like that on most guns, depending on the position of the rear sight. On many of the smaller guns you can't hardly get your fingers out of the way enough to even SEE into the port.
I prefer to use the method that works on any semi-auto pistol that I pick up.

 

[jlbraun]

@isp2605

OK, so it isn't new - thought as much. Though fieldstripping the CZ is how I found it, because you have to pull the slide back a bit to pop the slide stop out and field strip it.

 

[jlbraun]

@Desertscout

Sorry, I didn't mean to impugn the methods you use. What method do you use to check chamber in low light, I'm interested. Thanks!

 

[dschwartz69]

I like the pop-out tab on my Beretta 92FS that has a bit of red paint that appears when their is around chambered. Allows for quick visual check of chamber without press check and also allows me to feel for popped out tab in the dark

 

[isp2605]

Though fieldstripping the CZ is how I found it, because you have to pull the slide back a bit to pop the slide stop out and field strip it.

Never had a CZ so I don't know how they field strip. That's the way the S&W autos strip. Line the notch in the slide with the end of the slide stop lever and push it out.

 

[SuperNaut]

First time I saw it was in the Matrix: Revolutions, when the dual-wielding badass Chinese guy does one hand press checks to his BDM's.

I've practiced this method and find it to be ungainly. I'm much more comfortable with the chest tuck and finger pinch deal.

 

[shield20]

As with a Glock, someone with a P99 will also find it as a great away to recock the striker.

Thanks! I have to expand its use to the press check with hammered weapons, as I too have been annoyed at the forces involved on a hammer-down piece.

 

[Desertscout]

Sorry, I didn't mean to impugn the methods you use. What method do you use to check chamber in low light, I'm interested. Thanks!

I didn't take offense at all. No reason to apologize.
We bring the gun up close to the body and, with our support hand up, come up under the gun and grasp the slide with thumb and 4 fingers and bring the slide back just enough to allow the index finger of the firing hand to touch the chambered round. This reduces if not eliminates the possibility of ever "muzzling" your support hand provided proper techniques are used.
We modify our Glocks to make this a little easier by installing chamber-check grooves in the slides. Many guns already have them from the factory but Glock doesn't

Here's a standard chamber-check the way we like to do it:

And here's a low-light check:

 

[raytracer]

If you have largish (and strong) hands, you can also charge a semi auto with this technique. It's easier with smaller pistols, but I've done it with a Ruger P85, Glocks, Beretta P9 and 1911s.

I would only do it with live ammo as an absolute last resort if my other wing got clipped, but it's fun to do with snap caps.

Joe

 

[Desertscout]

If you have largish (and strong) hands, you can also charge a semi auto with this technique.

I'd very much like to see that done. I have largish (and strong) hands (size 13.5 ring). I'm 6"4", 250 pounds. Worked heavy construction and oilfield most of my adult life and I can't, in my wildest fantasies, chamber a round using the method described by the original poster. Maybe with .380 or .25
There are also MUCH faster and more positive ways to chamber a round one-handed than this.

 

[1911Tuner]

Pressing Checks

Quote:

>The traditional press-check never sat well with me... in a 1911, it often means putting your thumb inside the trigger guard of a cocked, unlocked, loaded pistol. No thanks!<
*********************


...pssst...
Try gettin' control of the hammer before stickin' your thumb in the trigger guard.

 

[Black Majik]

Funny what kinda things you can find out on your spare time.

I've presschecked like this every once in a while, mainly on GI type 1911s. I use the rear GI sights to apply pressure on. My gunshop guy was the one who taught me this press-check. Only thing is that it takes some manipulation to get your hand positioned for that type of press-check.

Most of my press-checks are just like Desertscout's. I find it be the quickest with most control. Ah heck, I have 3 different methods of presschecking that I use interchangeably.



Psst... Benecio Del Toro uses that press-check in Way of the Gun at the last shootout in the hotel.

 

[Desertscout]

...pssst...
Try gettin' control of the hammer before stickin' your thumb in the trigger guard.

...pssst... If your gun requires that you put ANYTHING in the trigger guard to do a chamber check, you need a gun that you're strong enough to operate safely. There is NEVER a time when anything besides your trigger finger goes in the TG and only then when it's time to shoot.

 

[Brian Williams]

I never press check, I keep an empty mag and load it with one round, and I use that to load the gun, then I drop the empty and if it is empty I know that the gun is loaded and put in a fresh full mag. My ammo does not go into a chamber more than twice, then off to the range bag.

 

[jlbraun]

@desertscout

I can't do it that way with a DA/SA pistol, and especially not a CZ. Even though my P01 has the forward cocking serrations, I can't grab the slide and generate enough force to move both the slide and the hammer back to press check if the hammer is down. CZ's with their inverse slide-frame rails are hard to work the slide with any grip but over the top.

To each his own, I guess. I just thought it was cool.