Kiwi, in low light situations, the finger in the hole and wiggle method is the only effective way. Its safe because the action has to be open to do it and if the weapon is of the fixed firing pin/bolt forward to fire, then all you will potentially suffer is a mashed finger anyway - hint :get the owner who is holding the weapon to shove their thumb in the breech, anyone army already knows the "inspect arms!" command.
To put it another way, one day you'll glance into a breach, looking for it to be clear, and you will miss the round stuck up the spout. Finger up the spout is the only way to be absolutely sure.
FTDK; Many many years ago I too remember pay parades and the Browning 9mm spoiled the cut of my uniform and my escort indeed carried either Owens or F1's. This was after the Sydney Airport pay parade robbery.
But guess what? The weapons were there for our personal protection only, - we were told that if robbed, we were to hand over the money, magazines were loaded, just not fitted.
P.S. My memory seems to tell me you need CASA Approval to carry weapons in an aircraft.