Additional Step to Ensure Loaded/Unloaded Status

[KFP]

I have hesitated posting this for some time, but I've decided that the safety issue is not any different than anytime that we holster or unholster our carry pieces.

There are often a lot of discussions on here about finding out that your gun did not have a round chambered, empty mag well, etc. I have never been a big proponent of the press check and instead prefer to use a mirror and flashlight to actually see the chambered round. This is easily accomplished in your bathroom mirror by pointing the weapon at the mirror (be very aware of what is beyond your mirror and that you finger is not on the trigger) and shining your flashlight into the mirror so that you can see the chambered round.

This allows another option to verify the unloaded or loaded status of the weapon.

[longtooth]

See us Old Dogs can learn a new trick.
Thanks.

[MoJo]

Aren't you pointing the gun at yourself? Not to mention the man in the mirror is pointing a gun at you!

Safety, first last and always.

[7075-T7]

I usually just look down the barrel....

[KFP]

Aren't you pointing the gun at yourself? Not to mention the man in the mirror is pointing a gun at you!

Safety, first last and always.

I've never been good at doing two things at once, but the guy pointing his gun at me in the mirror looks awful friendly! (The 200 grain +P Gold Dot is a different story.)

[KFP]

I usually just look down the barrel....

I hope not to verify that it is loaded! That "how to" tip wouldn't help out very much.

[nguyen925]

I'm glad the SR9c has a chamber indicator, but I always I guess "press back" to make sure there's a round in the chamber.

[Thomas]

I've heard of the mirror idea before, but unless you're really diligent ("Did I really not see a round in there, or am I just too tired?"), it's not a good one IMO. Nothing beats pulling back the slide IMO (it's a lot easier to see a bullet that way).



Of course, I just keep a bucket of sand by my desk which I point the gun in and pull the trigger a couple of times...

Just Kidding!

[bayouhazard]

it seems overly complicated to me but if it works for you that's great.

[Jumping Frog]

I have never been a big proponent of the press check ...

OK, this sounds like a discussion possibility. Why?

[Dave2]

I have never been a big proponent of the press check ...

OK, this sounds like a discussion possibility. Why?

I think some people tend to muzzle themselves when they do it. OTOH, I don't see why us responsible folks should avoid a useful technique just because somebody else can't pull it off...

[C-dub]

I don't get it either. If I'm being lazy I pull the slide back a little and look. When I'm not lazy I release the mag and eject the round in the chamber if there is one. Then I reinsert the mag and chamber a round, eject the mag to put the previously ejected round back in, and rereinsert the mag back into the gun and holster.

Much of this is a moot point for me because I always carry with a round in the chamber.

[LSL]

Even this newbie knows, understands and follows the example of C-Dub.

Always in the correct order: Remove magazine; rack to eject round; visually inspect chamber/barrel; replace magazine; rack to load one round; eject magazine and manually "top off"; replace magazine; As personal choice -- apply safety or not.

Finger always off the trigger.

[Dave2]

When I'm not lazy I release the mag and eject the round in the chamber if there is one. Then I reinsert the mag and chamber a round, eject the mag to put the previously ejected round back in, and rereinsert the mag back into the gun and holster.

Always in the correct order: Remove magazine; rack to eject round; visually inspect chamber/barrel; replace magazine; rack to load one round; eject magazine and manually "top off"; replace magazine

If you're chambering the same two bullets over & over again, be very careful about bullet setback. I've heard some people say it only ever happens on reloaded rounds, but I've had it happen to me with some of my factory JHP bullets. (Thankfully it's something that I'm somewhat paranoid about, so I haven't been bit by it yet.)

Finger always off the trigger.

[C-dub]

When I'm not lazy I release the mag and eject the round in the chamber if there is one. Then I reinsert the mag and chamber a round, eject the mag to put the previously ejected round back in, and rereinsert the mag back into the gun and holster.

If you're chambering the same two bullets over & over again, be very careful about bullet setback. I've heard some people say it only ever happens on reloaded rounds, but I've had it happen to me with some of my factory JHP bullets. (Thankfully it's something that I'm somewhat paranoid about, so I haven't been bit by it yet.)

I haven't seen any yet.