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

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Drjones

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I know you can press-check 1911s, Berettas, and many other autoloading pistols, but how about a Glock?

Sometimes I just want to verify that there is a bullet in the chamber, so I retract the slide a bit, just enough to see the case in the chamber and release the slide.

Anything wrong with this?
 
Can't see anything wrong with doing it :confused:

As long as you're not doing the Steven Seagal (sp?) method but can't see how you'd do it on a Glock anyhow....
 
What is the "Steven Segal" method and how many backflips/ninja spins does it require?

:D
 
Doc, on guns like the P7, CZ, and 1911s without full length guiderods, you use your support hand index finger to press on the lower part of the slide to press it back while in the full Sabrina ready.

Very high CDI but gets your index finger too close to scary places of the gun for me to do it.
 
A good way to do it is to put the trigger finger on the slide without changing your grip. This helps prevent retracting it too far. For some reason Glocks (for me anyway) tend to open too far and partially eject the cartridge. It also insures that your finger is off the trigger.
 
Thanks, Skunk. That's what I thought. And no backflips required! :)

I personally am comfortable with that method, but that's just me.
 
I have press checked a Glock at least twice a day every day for the last several years. No problems yet. Oh yeah, and I don't use the Segal method.
 
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Or.....

you can just run your finger over the extractor, located conveniently on the starboard side of the slide, at the aft end of the ejection port.

My favorite method is just to load the silly thing and leave it loaded!
 
I carry a Glock 19. Here's how I perform a "battle readiness check" to verify a cartridge is indeed chambered.

With a firing grip and finger off the trigger, I grasp the slide serrations using the overhand method with my support hand, placing my pinky finger on the exposed barrel assembly through the ejection port.

I carefully retract the slide just enough to allow my pinky finger to enter the gap between the breechface of the slide and the breech of the barrel assembly to feel for the presence of a chambered round.

If I detect a chambered cartridge I remove my pinky finger from the ejection port, release the slide, and ensure the slide is fully in battery.

If I detect the absence of a chambered cartridge, I remove my pinky from the ejection port, rack the slide and perform another battle readiness check.

This "by feel" technique allows me to verify battle readiness in low/no light situations. I don't need to look at the pistol to determine its readiness condition. The movements are similar to what I already use to manipulate the pistol and they reinforce "muscle memory". This decreases the number of manipulation techniques I use, which decreases the amount of decisions I have to make (mental effort) as well as increases economy of motion.
 
Don't you love how far a simple yes/no question can go on THR?

Now the question is, Glock 17 or Glock 21? :scrutiny:
 
Shawn:

Your method sounds good, esp. for low/no light conditions, however, I'd be afraid that under stress you'd be very likely to shut the slide on your finger.

For anyone here who hasn't done that, IT HURTS!

Not only that, but under stress, fine motor skills are the first to go. I'd definitely place your procedure in the "fine motor skills required" category. Thanks for sharing though!


Or.....
you can just run your finger over the extractor, located conveniently on the starboard side of the slide, at the aft end of the ejection port.

My favorite method is just to load the silly thing and leave it loaded!
Click to expand...

1) I don't trust "chamber loaded indicators."

2) I too leave my guns all loaded, but for some reason lately I just like to double-check. You know, kinda like how we all (darn well better at least) cycle the slide several times to verify empty chamber before dry firing or stripping. I just like to be sure. Maybe its cause I'm getting older.... :)
 
Don't you love how far a simple yes/no question can go on THR?

Now the question is, Glock 17 or Glock 21?
Click to expand...

Well, I wouldn't have posted if I didn't want several opinions. :)

And its a 27 and 30, thankyouverymuch. :)
 
Safest way to press-check:

1) Insert 1 bullet into magazine.

2) Load magazine into gun, retract slide, allow slide to snap back into battery.

3) Place gun on safety, if a 1911, decock for all other pistols.

4) Drop magazine and check to see if the bullet loaded into the chamber.

5) Load magazine and reinsert into gun.

No chance of blowing your fingers off with that method... :uhoh:
 
I scoot the slide back to check the chamber on all of my pistols...frequently.

Nothing wrong with it, just stay away from the trigger when you do it.
 
Safest way to press-check:

1) Insert 1 bullet into magazine.

2) Load magazine into gun, retract slide, allow slide to snap back into battery.

3) Place gun on safety, if a 1911, decock for all other pistols.

4) Drop magazine and check to see if the bullet loaded into the chamber.

5) Load magazine and reinsert into gun.

No chance of blowing your fingers off with that method...
Click to expand...
There's no chance of you blowing your fingers off with any method that doesn't have your fingers in front of the barrel. This is method is remedial at best. I don't see how it's any better than loading your gun then press-checking it.
 
...I'd be afraid that under stress you'd be very likely to shut the slide on your finger.

For anyone here who hasn't done that, IT HURTS!
Click to expand...
Believe me, it's a self-correcting error. You'll do it only once or twice. ;)
Not only that, but under stress...
Click to expand...
I don't plan on performing a battle readiness check in the middle of a friggin' gun fight (and neither should you)! It's meant primarily to ensure the pistol is ready for battle prior to engaging in battle.

I perform similar battle readiness checks on my shotgun and carbine.

And, yes, I've performed battle readiness checks in the dark of night in preparation to go into battle. Never had a problem.

Cheers!
 
I don’t want to come across as cynical or sarcastic, but…. This whole issue seems simple to me.
I insert the mag into my G 23, chamber one round, remove the mag, load another round into the mag and reinsert the mag and holster the gun. It’s a simple routine and while I’m carrying I have no question as to weather or not I have a round ready to go or not.
So what’s the big deal with the press check, either you know the status of your gun or you don’t. With safety as your first and foremost concern I would expect you would know your weapons status at all times from the second you pick it up. Its too important not to know from a tactical standpoint as well as safety.

Please don’t take this a flame, just another point of view that someone may have a counter point to.
:)
 
I do not have a glock. With 92 F I use the loaded chamber indicator. With others. I hold in a firing grip, with finger along slide, left hand goes above right hand, thumb and forefinger grip slide, brace hands against each other,and a downward rocking motion of firing hand retracts slide without excessive movement. Visually inspect, and return to battery.

I do not like my hand forward of the muzzle.
 
Quote from Archie:
Or.....you can just run your finger over the extractor, located conveniently on the starboard side of the slide, at the aft end of the ejection port.


This works IF you have one of the new models with a loaded chamber indicator. On the older models a press check is simple and easy to do - just ease the slide back and look into the ejection port.:)
 
There's no chance of you blowing your fingers off with any method that doesn't have your fingers in front of the barrel. This is method is remedial at best. I don't see how it's any better than loading your gun then press-checking it.
Click to expand...

It's better because there is no possibility of fumbling the slide or gun and getting soft bits in front of the muzzle. 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.

With such a light trigger on Glocks and 1911s, I just think it reduces the opportunity for meatheadedness to take over, and precious body parts to get blown off. I'm not saying that you or anyone else would ever get that careless, but it does happen. I just want to make sure it can never happen to me... :uhoh:
 
you use your support hand index finger to press on the lower part of the slide to press it back while in the full Sabrina ready.
Click to expand...

What does Sabrina have anything to do with this?:uhoh: :evil:
 
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