I've owned a 4506-1 for several years. I've mostly shot paper but now considering it for CCW. Here's my question. Is it safe to carry with a round in the chamber, safety off, and hammer down? I've not carried it much but when I did I always kept the safety on after decocking.

Yes it was designed to be safe with safety off round in chamber.

Ditto.

As far as I'm concerned, that's the only way to carry it or any other traditional DA/SA pistol.

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

No different than carrying a DA revolver.

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You'll shoot your eye out kid

always a lil scary when you flip the safety and that hammer drops though lol

I have carried a 4596 (which uses the same receiver, but a shorter slide) as a duty weapon and off-duty sidearm since 1990 in just the condition you describe. It has remained safe and instantly available through numerous struggles with suspects, chases, falls, bumps entering and exiting cars, not to mention wilderness hikes. In my opinion, hammer down on a loaded chamber and safety off is the way to do it with this weapon. It is no less safe than a double action revolver or a (partly) cocked and locked Glock.