Not sure if this has been brought up, but military personnel usually regard the handgun as a secondary to back up a primary assault firearm, carbine, etc. If we're talking about a handgun as a primary SD firearm, chambered carry in a holster is what I consider safe and immediately ready for action. For those of you who recommend carrying a revolver (and I frequently do) a DA/SA semi-auto has the same initial trigger pull before it becomes SA. That's why I carry a P239 with a J Frame as a secondary. To each his own, but I will not give up the tactical advantage of a chambered round in the event I find myself in a fight for my life.