Press check pistol - safe or stupid?

[JohnC]

After loading & before holstering i always pull back a bit on the slide to make sure i have round chambered . this way I also know I seated the mag all the way. -but I slap it in to make sure too.

In CCW if you have to present I suppose you might be tempted to check before the assailant got too close. but then you're taking your eyes off of him/her, plus you're under a lot of stress and its an extra step and another chance for a screw up which could lead to fatal consequences for you. So its probably best to make checking part of your conscious or even subconscious routine before holstering

 

[Zortag]

I think we can all agree that the safest method to press check is the Seraph method from the Matrix

1.while holding 2 guns (1 in each hand), quickly change your grip to pinch the back of the frame and slide
2.squeeze to retract slide and check chamber
3.flip the grip back to your standard "holding 2 guns at once because I'm a badass stance

see below for a picture of the transition

Mental note. Although this does look cool, when you try to do it with your NP-22's springs from hell, #### it first or you're liable to break your hand trying to pinch it open

Also I am not responsible for anyone that tries this with a loaded pistol The Wachowski brothers are

 

[cariboo_kid]

Zortag - it's about time someone brought some sanity to this thread and brought in the techniques used by the true masters.

 

[texdores]

Rule #1 : Be safe.
Rule #2 : Make sure it's loaded.
Rule #3 : Smile.

 

[John Sukey]

If you are standing on the firing line, load it and rack it, then prepare to fire - yes. But if you are preparing for competition or battle, in the latter case with a firearm that may have been loaded many hours before, with a little extra time before the action begins, wouldn't you tend to recheck things to be absolutely sure?

NO, I LOOK at the ejection port when I load the pistol and can SEE the round going into the chamber. Add to that, my pistol has a chamber loaded indicator as do most of the newer pistols so you can tell by looking or running your finger over the indicator.

Just because a lot of people do a "press check" doesn't mean its necessary or needed, just fashionable. "I saw these guys do it, so it must be OK"

 

[furet]

I always rack the slide 10 times, just to make sure my mag was full, he he!!