How to Perform a Chamber Check

A chamber check, or press check as some call it, is a quick inspection of the chamber of a firearm. The technique is actually very simple. You pull back on the slide, charging handle, or pump -- you don’t need to pull hard -- just enough to peek inside the chamber. If you see a round, you know that the gun is loaded. 

When Should You Perform a Chamber Check?

For those who shoot a lot, chamber checks are one of those borderline-neurotic habits that develop. You usually do it immediately after you load or in between drills on the range. It not only tells you if your gun is loaded, but it also allows you to see if you have a malfunction. This is crucial for remaining safe on the range, as you always know if the firearm has a round in the chamber.

It’s also common for shooters to conduct a chamber check after a tactical reload. That term refers to changing the magazine while a round is in battery. This usually occurs after you fired a few rounds or most of a magazine. The purpose is to give yourself more ammo before your gun runs completely dry. The chamber check is just for good measure to make sure a round is still ready to be fired.

What Are the Different Ways to Perform a Chamber Check?

If you’re performing a chamber check, you’re handling a potentially-loaded weapon, so you need to be aware of where you point the muzzle at all times. If you’re on the range, that means keeping it pointed downrange. If you’re out in the field, point it in a safe direction. Many shooters will bring the chamber directly in front of their face while pointing the muzzle up toward the sky. 

The easiest and most obvious way to conduct a chamber check is to grab the slide, charging handle, or pump as you would to make ready. With a pistol, that means placing your hand over the top of the slide (without waving it in front of the muzzle) and pulling back slightly. Keep in mind, you should never fully charge the weapon when performing a chamber check, as this will eject the current round and load another. You only need to pull the slide back slightly so that you can see inside.

Another way to do a press check, and this is for pistols only, is to hold the grip with your dominant hand, place your passive thumb on the back of the slide (against the rear sight), and press back. With this technique, there’s less of a chance to overcharge the slide and eject the round (because it’s harder to apply pressure with just your thumb). 

Yet another way to conduct a chamber check is to do it one handed, the John Wick press check. Just wrap two or three fingers (passive or strong hand) around the rear of the slide (again, by the rear sight), wrap your thumb around the beavertail, and simultaneously pull with your fingers and push with your thumb. If this sounds difficult, that’s because it is. 

Do I Need to Chamber Check With a Loaded Chamber Indicator?

A loaded chamber indicator is a feature that, as the name implies, indicates whether or not your pistol is loaded. Some manufacturers offer it as a feature or because the gun is sold in a state that requires it. The indicator is usually a slim strip of metal that fits flush with the slide, or a small nipple a little bigger than the tip of a ball-point pen. Either way, it pops up when the chamber is loaded. The indicator gives you both visual and physical verification of a charged gun.

Obviously, the choice is yours whether or not you press check your pistol, even if it is equipped with a loaded chamber indicator. It might be redundant to check, but most shooting instructors would advise you to learn how to physically control your firearm and understand basic mechanics like loading, remedial action, and chamber checks. This makes you an overall safer and better shooter, as well as instills good habits for when you're shooting a firearm that doesn't have a loaded chamber indicator.

Parting Shots

Applying new shooting techniques can be a nerve racking experience because of the inherent danger that comes with handling firearms, but you can always load up some snap caps and practice dry-fire drills at home before going live on the range. And as always, exercise firearm safety. For more shooting tips, product information, and gear reviews, check out the How-To guide on OpticsPlanet. And don't forget, we have tons of ammo in countless calibers, so you can stock up for all your favorite firearms.