The Cornered Cat
XD Loaded Chamber Indicator pictures

Answering a question that came up on Facebook about how readily visible the loaded chamber indicator might be to others. A picture is worth a thousand and all that…

The first picture shows a gun that is probably not loaded and probably does not have a round in the chamber, while the other probably does.

This gun probably does not have a round in the chamber.

This gun probably does not have a round in the chamber.

This gun probably does have a round in the chamber.

This gun probably does have a round in the chamber.

If you can’t see it at a glance, the difference we’re looking for is circled here.

sm-unloaded chamber circled

The loaded chamber indicator is flat against the slide, indicating there’s probably nothing in the chamber and the gun is probably not loaded.

And here, on a gun that is most likely loaded.

The loaded chamber indicator has popped up, indicating there's probably something in the chamber and the gun is most likely loaded.

The loaded chamber indicator has popped up, indicating there’s probably something in the chamber and the gun is most likely loaded.

Close ups.

Loaded chamber indicator is flat, meaning there's probably nothing in the chamber.

Loaded chamber indicator is flat, meaning there’s probably nothing in the chamber.

Loaded chamber indicator popped up, showing that a round may be in the chamber.

Loaded chamber indicator popped up, showing that a round may be in the chamber.

For those who wonder, there’s a specific reason I keep using the words “probably” and “most likely” to indicate whether the gun has a round in the chamber. That’s because like all mechanical devices, loaded chamber indicators can fail and when they fail, they lie.

Always follow all four of the Universal Safety Rules whenever you handle a gun, no matter what the bump on the slide tells you about the gun’s status.

Stay safe!

One Response to XD Loaded Chamber Indicator pictures

  1. DaddyBear says:

    Interesting. Is there at least some contrasting color on the side that faces the shooter, or is it matte black on matte black?

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