Chamber Flags - Do you use them? How?

[Tensaw]

Note: the question applies to both pistols and long guns.

So, I've never had much use for chamber flags, but I see that Jerry Miculek seem and Paul Howe both seem to be fans so that got me thinking about using them; mainly for firearms in the safe and during any administrative handling on the bench.

Do you use chamber flags? Why or why not? If you do use them, in what capacity/scenarios are they used? Protocols for use? Lastly, are some chamber flags better than others? Recommendations?

[Le Français]

At work, we keep chamber flags in the M4s (Benelli and Colt) when they are cased and being stored or transported to the range. Ours are yellow. I think important attributes are that they be high visibility and sturdy enough not to get chewed to pieces and deposit chunks of plastic in the breach of the gun.

[gringop]

Way back when I took a Tactical Carbine Instructor class from Paul Howe, we used 8" lengths of bright yellow poly rope as chamber flags and they were very useful in that classroom setting.

In an "around the house", daily carry or practicing at the range by myself, there is not much use for a chamber flag. I'm treating all the guns as loaded and and handling them in a safe and professional manner.


To summarize,
In a classroom setting or with unknown other shooters, chamber flags good.
Day to day carry, at home admin handling, or shooting with known competent shooters, chamber flags are unneeded.

Gringop

[Flamingo]

I keep a few in my range bag. I use them for when the range goes cold and people are down range. It makes it easier for the RO to see the the guns are safe.

[whomever]

When I ran bullseye matches they were required (range rules, and by me). The RO can look down the line and see them all at a glance. It's a failsafe to make sure the chamber is empty. A bent piece of string trimmer line works (heat the bend with a candle or lighter).

I don't use them when shooting by myself. My wife does; she's probably right. It's another layer of safety, and doesn't really cost anything.

If I keep a gun loaded in the safe or whatever, I use these:

https://www.safrgun.com/

They are a reminder to cycle the action, and eject like a normal round.

[okie john]

I use them when a range requires them.

I also have a https://magnetospeed.com/products-riflekuhl that functions as a chamber flag.


Okie John

[RJ]

I have one of those barrel-blok things, I used it when I was Dry Practicing a lot with my Glock 34. It also acts as a snap cap.
113103
Otherwise, I've only used one for packing a pistol for an airline flight.

[Lon]

Note: the question applies to both pistols and long guns.

So, I've never had much use for chamber flags, but I see that Jerry Miculek seem and Paul Howe both seem to be fans so that got me thinking about using them; mainly for firearms in the safe and during any administrative handling on the bench.

Do you use chamber flags? Why or why not? If you do use them, in what capacity/scenarios are they used? Protocols for use? Lastly, are some chamber flags better than others? Recommendations?

Keep in mind, Jerry does a lot of 3 gun and multi gun competitions. Chamber flags are mandatory for those events.

[flyrodr]

Ditto what Flamingo said. Nearby county-owned range doesn't require chamber flags, but prefers them to speed up RSOs walking the line to verify empty chambers when ranges goes cold for shooters to change targets.

[DDTSGM]

Big fan of chamber flags - for safety and for making things easier..

I am guilty of not always using them when I'm shooting alone, but when shooting with someone else, it's kind of an easy way to make sure you aren't going downrange in front of a loaded firearm.

I also kind of dictate to which side we place the muzzles of our firearms so we don't walk in front of them. Important to note that our bays with benches are small enough you can easily walk around the side of the bench away from the muzzles. I've had plenty of firearms - loaded and unloaded - pointed at me over the years but try to avoid looking down muzzles if it can be avoided.

I really like the self-ejecting chamber flags such as the rapid racks or saft rounds. Like another poster I keep them in all firearms that aren't in my possession that have magazines inserted or magazine tube loaded.

I feel they are also a good visual indicator for LEO's who carry rifles in racks - lets be real honest, most officers don't religiously check the chamber of the shotgun or rifle in their unit everyday, so that self-ejecting chamber flag is a good visual indicator. Likewise, if an officer gets amped up and forgets to chamber a round - there is a good possibility that if the self-ejecting flag has a:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71ZdgMyhU0L._AC_SX425_.jpg

attached, that either the officer or another officer on scene will recognize the firearm isn't loaded.

[octagon]

I don't use a chamber flag for normal range use but I always use them when flying with guns. It makes it clearer to a casual observer as well as TSA even in an X ray that the gun is out of battery and unloaded. I use bright orange heavy plastic ones that came with some gun from the factory.

[CS Tactical]

At some ranges and events it is a requirement, it's also a good way to demo firearms and mounted optics in a safe manner.

113125

[Notorious E.O.C.]

In addition to the reasons already articulated upthread, I always insert a high-viz chamber flag when I ship a gun. I don't mind providing that additional assurance for whoever unpacks it.

[Tensaw]

Good responses guys. I appreciate that. Doesn't sound like I was missing much in terms of how folks use chamber flags. I'm gonna grab a few and see how they fit into what I have going on. And, because I'm kind of a smart-ass (and because it makes me chuckle), I'll grab some of these Remove Before Flight (https://www.amazon.com/Imports-Remove-Before-Flight-White/dp/B00VIOLFXI/ref=sr_1_5?crid=VIBKHI0L881P&keywords=remove+before+flight+tag&qid=1703793439&sprefix=remove+be%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-5) tags to attach to the flags.

ETA: I think CS Tactical is on to something. Tags notating the purveyor of the firearm attached to a chamber flag seems like a neat way to get some free advertising for years after the sale...

[mmc45414]

Keep in mind, Jerry does a lot of 3 gun and multi gun competitions. Chamber flags are mandatory for those events.
This was my situation. I have always been very diligent about chamber checking pretty much every time I pick up a gun, and considered chamber flags a crutch used by people with poor discipline, and only got some because they were required when I started doing some multi-gun matches. After doing the matches for a few years I have realized what a PITA it is to clear a gun every time you touch it, and it really is handy to be able to simply visualize it is safe and clear without even picking it up when it has a chamber flag, and now I have many of them! :cool:


I'm gonna grab a few and see how they fit into what I have going on.
These are the simple ones I use. (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TCN95DJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) Cheap enough you can scatter them around, in case you or a friend forget someday.


And, because I'm kind of a smart-ass (and because it makes me chuckle), I'll grab some of these Remove Before Flight (https://www.amazon.com/Imports-Remove-Before-Flight-White/dp/B00VIOLFXI/ref=sr_1_5?crid=VIBKHI0L881P&keywords=remove+before+flight+tag&qid=1703793439&sprefix=remove+be%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-5) tags to attach to the flags.
I have been planning to braid some yellow paracord to mine, make them easier to fish out of your pocket and in matches they often get tossed on the ground by the RO that helped you load and make ready.

[ECK]

I use them when required to.

3-gun matches I used to shoot, we were allowed to pre-load the shotgun (not chambered, in the tube only) and it was common practice to insert the last round 90 deg into the ejection port with the bolt resting on it to show that it was unloaded. So in a sense, the live shotgun shell was our “empty chamber indicator”. When in Rome…

I shot .22 pistol Bullseye one winter at an indoor range. This was like back in 2015 or so. They required a chamber flag, so I used a large zip tie. Eventually I got fancy and added a 6” strip of hot pink flagging.

PCC becomes a USPSA provisional division in 2017, the rulebook requires a chamber flag. OK, so I get one. When in Rome.

NRL22 requires a chamber flag, so when in Rome. The rulebook specifically calls for the kind that you insert into the chamber. My local club doesn’t care too much about what kind, so most of us are using “mag blocks” that you insert in the magwell and extends high enough up that the bolt wouldn’t be able to close. Achieves the same effect IMO, bolt can’t close, ergo a bolt gun can be fired. But I do carry the kind that can be insertedd into the chamber if I ever end up at a match where they do require the other kind of chamber flag. Personally I’d rather not shove anything into my .22’s match chamber, plastic or not. I’m more worried about the edge of the chamber shaving off a curl of plastic and getting that jammed up in the chamber.

[TGS]

I only use them when required at cold ranges. It makes sense for the RSOs who have to check the line before allowing people downrange.

I don't see a point to them otherwise.

[Tensaw]

Since Paul Howe was referenced in the OP,... he just posted this up: Chambersafe (https://youtu.be/C9qM0bvI7zs?si=HkyrzqhSG6DVvsif).

[BobM]

We used these in the patrol rifles

https://www.brownells.com/gear/safety-gear/safety-accessories/ar-15m16-safe-port/

They’re spring loaded and, when properly installed, fly away when you chamber a round.