WHy You Should Always Check and Re-Check

[KBCraig]

Hmm... Have I been doing something unsafe? I don't typically drop the mag when checking a gun. I lock it back and inspect the chamber. running my pinky through seems like a good idea, but I've never though of removing the mag as part of the process. It would be pretty obvious if there was a cartridge ready to load in the mag.

Perhaps I need a rethink. Not all cartridges are brassy and shiny anymore.

You definitely do need to get into the proper habit. I have seen people "clear" a pistol by racking the slide, only to chamber the next cartridge in the magazine.

Here are the steps:
-Keeping your finger off the trigger, and with the pistol pointed in a safe direction, remove the source of ammunition (the magazine!).
-Lock the slide to the rear.
-Visually and physically inspect the chamber.

Every gun. Every time.

Kevin

[txinvestigator]

If you remove the magazine you remove the possibility that a new round could be chambered when lowering the slide

I suppose but in any gun with a magazine that I have used a round in the mag would be pretty hard to miss. If the slide/bolt is locked back and I am peeking into the chamber I get a pretty good view.

.

Thats how accidents happen. Pull the magazine out, please. I could go into the psychological reasons, but I think you know that safety means being cautious, even to a fault.

[GlockenHammer]

4) feel the chamber

I now use this method when I am clearing my gun.....it stops me from taking a quick "peek" and seeing an empty chamber that might not actually be empty.

Be careful! If you are concerned that your visual check might not be effective because your brain is not engaged, the same problem can happen with your finger. ANY safety activity MUST involve your BRAIN. Changing to the tactile check will involve your brain...unitl you've done it a million times and then you forget to listen to what the tip of your finger is touching.

I like the tactile check when you are in a dark environment and still want to be positive. It is a constant challenge for me to take each and every safety activity seriously and engage my brain in doing something I could do in my sleep.

Alwasy vigilant...

[GlockenHammer]

I just want to smack people that reflexively squeeze the trigger when you hand them a gun!!!

A terrible habit.

I agree. I also hate it in IDPA when you are asked to pull the trigger as a final demonstration that your pistol is empty. What a horrible habbit to teach people. It might be okay on a shooting range with the pistol pointed in a safe direction, but I think other people take it back to their homes and other places.

I think pulling the trigger should only be done when (a) you want to shoot something, (b) to disassemble your gun (after making really sure it is in a safe condition to do so), or (c) dry fire (after making really sure it is in a safe condition to do so).

carlson1, you did well to check.

[Paladin]

I think pulling the trigger should only be done when (a) you want to shoot something, (b) to disassemble your gun (after making really sure it is in a safe condition to do so), or (c) dry fire (after making really sure it is in a safe condition to do so).

+1 Absolutely!

I preffer to clear my semi autos by dropping the mag, and racking the action 3 times. Visual and physical inspections also important.

[txinvestigator]

I just want to smack people that reflexively squeeze the trigger when you hand them a gun!!!

A terrible habit.

I agree. I also hate it in IDPA when you are asked to pull the trigger as a final demonstration that your pistol is empty. What a horrible habbit to teach people. It might be okay on a shooting range with the pistol pointed in a safe direction, but I think other people take it back to their homes and other places.

I think pulling the trigger should only be done when (a) you want to shoot something, (b) to disassemble your gun (after making really sure it is in a safe condition to do so), or (c) dry fire (after making really sure it is in a safe condition to do so).

Agreed. In a class or group setting I have done it and have seen it done one of two ways; either the instructor checks every chamber and insures the mag is out, or you show the weapon to the person on both sides of you, and you look at the person's weapon who is on either side of you.

Pressing the trigger to prove empty is a sure fire way to put a bullet hole in something/one

[kw5kw]

I think pulling the trigger should only be done when (a) you want to shoot something, (b) to disassemble your gun (after making really sure it is in a safe condition to do so), or (c) dry fire (after making really sure it is in a safe condition to do so).

100%

[stevie_d_64]

A few minutes ago I picked up my AR 15. Dropped the empty magazine and was going to break it down. My wife was standing across the room in front of me, so I pointed the muzzle to the grown and decieded to clear my already unloaded rife guess what my friends, one 75 grain TAP, boat tail hollow point jumped out. My heart that already skips beat skipped two more. Always check

Glad its all a lessoned learned again...Seems to happen a lot I hear...

And it takes a real man to admit something like this happened...

Its happened to me, and it'll probably happen again, but its always something to keep in mind whenever you even think about touching one...

Don't sweat it too much muh man! There are many here, including myself that will still go out and shoot with ya...

All I need to remember is that my wife shoots back!

[stevie_d_64]

But seriously...

I kinda got into that unconcious habit of dropping the magazine and cycling the action 3-4 times just to be annoying I guess...

Doesn't matter what make or model either...

My grandfather told me "one time"...

"Knock the guy to the ground, and then ask him if its loaded..."

That still rings in my head after 30+ years...

[HankB]

Not having any little kids or untrustworthy adults in my household, several of my guns are constantly loaded. Becasue of this, I treat ALL my guns as if they were loaded ALL the time - NO EXCEPTIONS.

When I pull one out of my safe, the very FIRST thing I do with it is VERIFY that it's unloaded. Checking something I "know" is empty is the sensible thing to do, and it reinforces an already-ingrained good habit.

[Thane]

You definitely do need to get into the proper habit. I have seen people "clear" a pistol by racking the slide, only to chamber the next cartridge in the magazine.

Isn't that how that one DEA agent shot himself through the thigh with a "Glock Fort-Ay" during a classroom demonstration?

[KBCraig]

You definitely do need to get into the proper habit. I have seen people "clear" a pistol by racking the slide, only to chamber the next cartridge in the magazine.

Isn't that how that one DEA agent shot himself through the thigh with a "Glock Fort-Ay" during a classroom demonstration?

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0411061foot1.html

[stevie_d_64]

You definitely do need to get into the proper habit. I have seen people "clear" a pistol by racking the slide, only to chamber the next cartridge in the magazine.

Isn't that how that one DEA agent shot himself through the thigh with a "Glock Fort-Ay" during a classroom demonstration?

I don't recall if he racked or cleared anything during his "demonstration"...

I think (and I'll take a gander at teh video again to make sure) but I think he just started talking smack, and shot himself...

Whats ironic is that he kept going on with his "lesson" bleeding out on the floor, more than likely, and proceeds to demonstrate an AR-15...

The kids start bailing out of the classroom at that point...

Smart kids...

[UNBLVR]

I guess there are some who forget that is why Accidental Discharges happen.

You mean negligent discharges?






Joe

[Skipper5]

TX Invest... you're right to teach people to drop the mag, THEN rack the slide. If you rack the slide ONLY, you've likely put a round in the chamber.
GC Montgomery, at the forum day at PSC, taught us the valuable skill of dropping the mag, then locking the slide back and checking the chamber with our pinkie as well as checking to see light coming through the chamber. I thought it was a good skill.

Amen...gun safety so important to all of us....we handle firearms every day. We all know the consequences of not paying attention. My every check is mag drop and slide with thumb sliding up lock; visual...have never used 'pinkie' test on my handgun...but, it is a good skill..and finish with visual. Also, do eyes closed field strip all time. Anything to make safety the top issue for all of us.
Thanks for sharing Carlson1!!