Presscheck: Is this a 1911 thing?

[JohnKSa]

While external extractors do sometimes prove useful, would you pull the trigger of your gun if the extractor is smooth instead of sticking out without checking the chamber?

I thought press checks were to make sure the gun WAS loaded, not to check to see if it is UNloaded.

If you're trying to verify that the gun is unloaded then you need to visibly inspect the chamber. I'd suggest that a press check isn't sufficient in that case but I'm not going to argue the point.

If you're checking to ensure that a round IS chambered then checking the extractor will suffice. The only way I could imagine this would give a false indication is if the chamber is loaded with an empty case--which, BTW, a press check would also fail to detect was empty.

If the gun doesn't have an external extractor or a chamber loaded indicator then I guess you're left with no other option but to press check.

 

[richyoung]

Got to ask, when you drop your slide to load, if you don't check, just how do you "Know" it's loaded. Verify, no alibi.

...because I load the chamber from a fully loaded (8 round) Chip McCormick Powermag. I then safe the arm, drop the mag, and top it off with another round, giving me 8 in the clip and one up the spout. If the DW Pointman DIDN'T chamber a round, then there is no room in the magazine for the additional round - (hasn't happened yet) - not to mention you can SEE the round being chambered. I do check to verify sometimes, but only by retracting the slide from the rear - if I go too far and extract a round - no big deal - just safe, drop mag, top off. Surely, most everyone does as I do - why would you give up a round of capacity in a carry piece?

 

[KurtC]

The term "press check" refers to the old practice of pressing in the recoil spring plug on the front of a 1911, to see if the chamber is loaded. It is an unsafe practice that became obsolete as more and more 1911 pattern guns began using full length guide rods (which make this technique impossible).

Nowadays most folks use the overhand technique, with which you can gain some leverage by putting your thumb on the tang, or the underhand technique, which requires long and strong fingers, as well as forward serations on the slide.

 

[Old Dog]

The term "press check" refers to the old practice of pressing in the recoil spring plug on the front of a 1911, to see if the chamber is loaded.

I disagree. As taught to me by the USMC, mpthole's first post was the only one that describes the correct method.

First, while holding the gun in my right hand with my index finger alongside the frame. Then, with my left hand, palm up and underneath the gun behind the muzzle, I place my thumb on the left-hand side of the slide and my index finger on the right-hand side of the frame. Then pinch the slide and press it to the rear

We were also required to feel for the chambered round with the pinky finger of the left hand in low-light/night conditions ... Would check the round in the chamber after hearing the Gunny say, "Pinky on brass?" Ah, for the days of hearing that command, "Press check, safeties on and holster."

 

[Silent Bob]

deleted

 

[MLH]

Heavens

I didn't mean to start a war! I just knew that it was very hard to press check my guns and figured that it was mostly used on 1911's and it seems I was right on that. I do find that some chamber indicators are not very good and that's why I like to double check by looking and seeing that the bullet is chambered. And I still don't see how you could put my guns out of battery by sticking them into someones ribs. The springs are just too stiff for the slide to move that easily.

 

[TaxPhd]

It's not Seagal movies, nor the USMC. It's Cooper. The press check as I described it came about in the development of the modern technique.




Scott

 

[Double Maduro]

Bravo11,

I always thought press checking was placing your hand on top of your cover garment to check if your carry gun was in place.

Actually this is called "Petting the Peace", it is not recommended that you do this around armed officers or security personel. Actually, I don't recommend it at all.

I have spotted a handful of people carrying concealed and it was always because of this furtive movement. It takes a concerted effort to stop doing this, but it is well worth the work.

DM

 

[Snowdog]

Heck, all you've got to do is feel for the loaded chamber indicator at the rear of the slide and if it's protruding...

Oh that's right, my bump-in-the-night pistol is a Steyr M40.

 

[Richard.Howe]

I guess if you put your finger in front of the muzzle and pulled the trigger, that might happen. But it certainly won't happen in a properly executed press check.

Add to that:

you will never have an ND when the gun is properly unloaded
you will never have an ND when your finger is properly off the trigger
your gun will never rust if you keep it properly cleaned and lubed

I think the danger is that a "correct" press check is harmless, but most are not done correctly. It is quite easy to sweep your finger in the process. There are easier, and better, techniques which require only one hand to perform.

Rich

 

[RobMoore]

Just as effective, and nothing goes in the trigger guard or in front of the muzzle. As pictured, only my stong hand is gripping the gun instead of holding the camera. I like to help it a bit by pulling my trigger finger along the slide for precise control (so it doesn't open too much).

 

[Geno]

1) Top-off the magazine.
2) Insert the magazine.
3) Rack the slide.
4) Eject the magazine.
5) Top-off the magazine.**

**If the magazine accepts a round, you have one in the chamber.

Doc2005

 

[skinewmexico]

I just use the loaded chamber indicator. So I think it's a 1911 thing. Gotta be cool, Steven Seagal does it in all his movies.

 

[AMBASSADOR]

press check

My pistol has a LCI Walther PPK/S. It's always loaded.

 

[RobMoore]

Doc, topping off a mag is the easy way when loading an unloaded gun, but its alot quicker to press check a "should be loaded" gun than it is to unload and reload it. I press check my duty gun after I've been firing on the range to make sure I'm leaving with a loaded gun.

 

[Double Maduro]

Rob,

You mean you leave the range with ammo left? LOL

I know what you mean, I always try to have a full gun, 7+1 and a spare loaded mag.

Actually, this whole press-check thing can be avoided if you always keep your weapon in the same condition.

DM

 

[ShakyJ]

I, too, follow the procedure outlined by mpthole when performing a press check. The only exception being that I use all of my fingers (not just the index) to apply pressure on the right side of the slide. Also, I use my right index finger to apply pressure to the rear portion of the slide's ejection port. This provides an easy/safe technique for a press check. This is the way I was taught at Thunder Ranch and I have found it to work extremely well.

 

[kcshooter]

It is an unsafe practice

No, it isn't.
The only thing I'd add is to take your right thumb and control the hammer while doing the press check. That way, your grip safety is deactivated and your hammer is under your thumb. It's not an unsafe procedure at all.

 

[VHinch]

I prefer the underhand method as well, and I see and feel the round. Nothing goes into my triggerguard unless the sights are on target. I perform at least 2, and usually more press checks a day. When the gun goes in the holster in the morning, I run a systems check. When it comes out in the evening, I run a systems check. Anytime the gun comes out the holster (there are times when it goes in my desk during the day) I run a systems check. Overkill? Perhaps, but the product of ingrained training.

 

[CWL]

What if you are in the dark and need to check if a round is chambered?

I presscheck by wedging my fingers on top of the slide against the rear sight and hooking my thumb around the backstrap of the grip. By squeezing my hand together, i am able to move the slide enough to either see into the chamber or physically feel for the cartridge with one of my fingers. If you do this right, it will allow you to control exactly how much slide movement you want.

 

[RobMoore]

Double Maduro, oh I can't imagine how long it would take for me to expend the stack of ammo cases that I take from when I'm practicing at work. Most of the time, its over 40k rounds. When it gets down to 10k, it gets another 50k brought in by forklift.

 

[Double Maduro]

Rob,

Where do you work?

Do you need an assistant?

DM

 

[hankdatank1362]

Takes a bit of practice on stiff-sprung autos, such as a .40 or 10mm, but it can be done.

 

[ElrodCod]

It's an OCD thing.

 

[1911Tuner]

It's a good way to shoot off your finger."

Proper technique:

Grip the gun in the hand. Lift thumb and place over hammer face, capturing hammer and allowing grip safety to engage the trigger stirrup.

The hammer is captive and the trigger is blocked. The gun can't fire if the hammer can't fall.

Insert thumb in trigger guard and index finger against recoil spring plug.
Use a pinching action to move the slide slightly rearward.

Remove thumb and finger from trigger guard and spring plug, releasing the slide. Engage thumb safety and reholster the pistol.

Pistols equipped with a full-length guide rod need not apply.