Asked a couple of guys who were over in Nam and my nephew a CMSGT who just got out of the army in December after 24 years and 4 tours to the middle east .. he had a hummer blown out from under him and 2 other guys .. asked him if he carried empty chamber while there and his answer was .. "what have you been smoking" !!

His next sentence was .. We were locked and loaded 24/7/365 .. asked my brother a marine who was in Nam in early 67 and his comments were the same .. he said there were a coupe of times he even slept with his because they had been under attack and expected another one ..

maybe here in the states but in a war zone .. no way empty chamber was carried !!