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On my blue .380 S&W PPK, the LCI sticks out a little when not loaded, and sticks out more when loaded. Not sure I could tell the difference in the dark.
Is this normal?
Is this normal?
S&W PPK Loaded Chamber Indicator
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SD,
If a round is chambered, the indicator will stick out "further" as you mentioned. If a round is not chambered, the indicator will float, so depending on gravity and the orientation of the pistol, it may be either in flush or out as far as if a round were chambered. Try pushing on the indicator with the pistol in both conditions. You may have to cock the hammer to accomplish this, so please keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. It's designed so you can feel it in the dark with the hammer cocked. Be careful...
Hope this helps answer your question!
Craig
If a round is chambered, the indicator will stick out "further" as you mentioned. If a round is not chambered, the indicator will float, so depending on gravity and the orientation of the pistol, it may be either in flush or out as far as if a round were chambered. Try pushing on the indicator with the pistol in both conditions. You may have to cock the hammer to accomplish this, so please keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. It's designed so you can feel it in the dark with the hammer cocked. Be careful...
Hope this helps answer your question!
Craig
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402 Posts
I've never known the loaded chamber indicator to float. There is a spring that pushes the muzzle end of the indicator dow to allow it to contact the cartridge rim. This spring has an arm on it that requires proper orientation to work properly. If is's installed incorrectly, nbthe indicator pin will float. This happened to one of mine. You have to take out the firing pin to re-orient the spring.
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Why don't I do the experiment while I am sitting here?
Just ejected the loaded round and the LCI is less prominent and has no play in any direction.......................
Now I chamber a round and the LCI sticks out more. It has no play when pushed directly from behind, but moves a bit laterally when pushed from the side.
Now the critical part, repeat the above with eyes closed........
Sticking my weak-side index finger into the opening with the gun unloaded, I can feel a bit of a protruding pin.........
Now loaded, I can feel the pin more; but in an adrenalin situation I'm not sure I could tell the difference reliably enough. Hmmm.
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Just tried something different. I took my weak-hand thumb oriented sideways, and starting at the back of the rear sight, sliding down the contour of the back of the frame and pushing forward pretty hard, I can feel the pinch of the protruding LCI when it is loaded, and very little feel when it is unloaded and the LCI is not as prominent.
I think I will practice this more and see if it is reliable enough to be a procedure that I can adopt for low/no light sitauations.
Thanks Swede and Thiokol
Just ejected the loaded round and the LCI is less prominent and has no play in any direction.......................
Now I chamber a round and the LCI sticks out more. It has no play when pushed directly from behind, but moves a bit laterally when pushed from the side.
Now the critical part, repeat the above with eyes closed........
Sticking my weak-side index finger into the opening with the gun unloaded, I can feel a bit of a protruding pin.........
Now loaded, I can feel the pin more; but in an adrenalin situation I'm not sure I could tell the difference reliably enough. Hmmm.
.
.
Just tried something different. I took my weak-hand thumb oriented sideways, and starting at the back of the rear sight, sliding down the contour of the back of the frame and pushing forward pretty hard, I can feel the pinch of the protruding LCI when it is loaded, and very little feel when it is unloaded and the LCI is not as prominent.
I think I will practice this more and see if it is reliable enough to be a procedure that I can adopt for low/no light sitauations.
Thanks Swede and Thiokol
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