Press check pistol - safe or stupid?
- Thread starter geologist
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skeetgunner
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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- Burlington
Depends on the context. On the range? Probably not. In the field, with badguys(tm) all around....its the least of your worries.
Absolutely.geologist said:
As long as muzzle and trigger finger control are 'as they should be', it' a pretty low risk propositon.
As an IPSC shooter, it should become part of your routine after the "load and make ready" command...
In the field, it prevent those embarrassing and likely life-threatening 'moments' when you press the trigger and the silence is 'deafening'!
I like fingers. They are good for touching things. Putting them anywhere near where hunks of lead potentially come whizzing out seems like a bad idea. It really should not be a problem, but there is always a lingering hazard of screwing something up and negligently popping a round off.
When the gun is in my holster, I'm not holding it with my shooting hand and moving the action around.
The ergonomics of the "Segal" type press check also usually involve the muzzle being pointed upwards rather than directly downrrange when checking when pulling the slide back.
The ergonomics of the "Segal" type press check also usually involve the muzzle being pointed upwards rather than directly downrrange when checking when pulling the slide back.
Well, IMHO, if your non-shooting hand cannot trust your shooting hand then your holster-side leg should be scared $hitless. The gun is loaded and your hand is on it when you holster AND the action is fully in battery.
Both hands and the gun are right in front of your face. The *segal*
type press check involves moving your non-shooting hand a grand total of about 2-1/2" from it's normal position of where it would be if it was supporting your gun hand, usually just the fingers of the non-shooting hand reaching up from under the slide AND well behind the muzzle.
If we are talking about the possibility of the gun discharging while performing a press check, would you rather your non-shooting hand be under the slide, or behind it? I don't know if you noticed but that sucker moves pretty fast! Plus the fact that some guns have no serrations, can cause problems with grip on the slide, especially since you usually can only get the thumb and 1 finger on the slide, particularly when optics are involved.
So merely stating one type of press-check is "dumb", when it is obviously a matter of preferance due to both the shooter and equipment seems rather harsh, don't you think?
Both hands and the gun are right in front of your face. The *segal*
type press check involves moving your non-shooting hand a grand total of about 2-1/2" from it's normal position of where it would be if it was supporting your gun hand, usually just the fingers of the non-shooting hand reaching up from under the slide AND well behind the muzzle. If we are talking about the possibility of the gun discharging while performing a press check, would you rather your non-shooting hand be under the slide, or behind it? I don't know if you noticed but that sucker moves pretty fast!
Plus the fact that some guns have no serrations, can cause problems with grip on the slide, especially since you usually can only get the thumb and 1 finger on the slide, particularly when optics are involved.So merely stating one type of press-check is "dumb", when it is obviously a matter of preferance due to both the shooter and equipment seems rather harsh, don't you think?
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OH! That press check! I misunderstood what you were refering to. That particular version is not one of my favorites either. One finger does not give me a level of control I am comfortable with. But hey, Steven like's it....
Just two guys talking about something that obviously doesn't interest you.
Speaking of moving on, why don't you, boy?
manboy said:
Just two guys talking about something that obviously doesn't interest you.
Speaking of moving on, why don't you, boy?
joe-nwt said:OH! That press check! I misunderstood what you were refering to. That particular version is not one of my favorites either. One finger does not give me a level of control I am comfortable with. But hey, Steven like's it....
Just two guys talking about something that obviously doesn't interest you.
Speaking of moving on, why don't you, boy?
it's not that it's uninteresting. the original poster asked for an opinion. that is mine. if you really don't know, and are about to require a loaded weapon, then rack the slide. this will save you the trouble of wondering how to do a press check properly, and whether or not it's safe with the gun you happen to have in your hand. a press check requires a certain amount of time and care, where as racking the slide is immediate.
i guess it depends if your a game shooter, or a combat shooter. either way i'm sure your the most qualified person on this board.
Done properly, as Mike K advises, press checks are safe. The Hollywood Segal method is foolish. Just racking the slide is kinda senseless if there is one in the pipe because you have just ejected a live round and that could be the one that saves your life.
To me, its all about safe gun handling. Some people I have seen at my club should not even be holding a gun, let alone considering doing a press check they saw in the movies.
To me, its all about safe gun handling. Some people I have seen at my club should not even be holding a gun, let alone considering doing a press check they saw in the movies.
Laniru said:Done properly, as Mike K advises, press checks are safe. The Hollywood Segal method is foolish. Just racking the slide is kinda senseless if there is one in the pipe because you have just ejected a live round and that could be the one that saves your life.
To me, its all about safe gun handling. Some people I have seen at my club should not even be holding a gun, let alone considering doing a press check they saw in the movies.
sure.
as far the one round that could save your life though...........bull$hit. and a bad reason for doing a press check. if your worried about that one extra round just in case, then more training is required. 9 or 10, if you can't hit your target, it really doesn't matter how many rounds you have. if you need more ammo, carry a reload.
Cocked&Locked
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S. Ontario
Personally, while I like the idea of a press check, my fingers are to short to get a good purchase. If I need to look I pull from the rear of the slide or check the loaded round indicater. Don't have one? Maybe find another pistol... (most 1911's have a window on the hood any more, I think my Hi power does as well. I like the one on the XD when it doesn't gum up with carbon)
(most 1911's have a window on the hood any more, I think my Hi power does as well. I like the one on the XD when it doesn't gum up with carbon)Laniru said:Well, you just feel free to eject live rounds then.
again, it's up to you. i simply am giving my opinion, just like you. i simply can't see where a press check has any advantage over racking the sliding to save one round. if your at the range, pick up your live round later. if your in deep trouble, then racking the slide will give you more time to make the first shot count. if you need to use your gun in a hurry, you need to do what is simpler and faster. go ahead, next time your at the range, compare the two tactics and see which is faster.
draw, press check, aim, fire.
or
draw, rack, aim, fire.
yes, i do know what i'm talking about. are you one of those people who thinks a higher post count makes you an expert on tactics and training?
