M&P 9C

[Capt.Jim]

My newly purchased M&P 9C still in jail here in CA.

CA version of this gun comes with no thumb safety of any kind.
My question is that to those of you with a concealed carry permit for these type of gun: "do you carry one in the chamber as an extra safety measure or not ????"

Thanks,

[MichiganScott]

Doesn't do you much good if it's not loaded.

The pistol is designed to be safe with a bullet in the chamber. Just use a holster that covers the trigger.

[Rastoff]

The thumb safety on M&P pistols only blocks the trigger from moving. If you have a quality holster, the trigger is fully covered and this is not an issue.

Yes, put a round in the chamber. The gun will not fire accidentally. Yes, you will be nervous about it at first. That's a healthy respect for the power the gun represents. Once you've carried it for a few days, this feeling will pass and you'll be more comfortable with it.

Like Scott said, it's no good if it ain't loaded.

[Capt.Jim]

I agree with "it's no good if it ain"t loaded" statement.

I also understand that some people may consider their gun is "not loaded" if there is not a round in the chamber but for some all it takes a 1/4 second of sliding action to turn it to a "loaded" gun and therefore prefer not to carry a round in the chamber.

I wasn't saying that's what I will do...

I was just trying to understand what is the common feeling towards these type of guns after I read a few posts here that some people prefer M&P pistols with thumb safety.
I guess it is just a personal preference.

I was also wondering how this CA model got thru our genius(!) legislature's approval procedure without a thumb safety since S&W have it on other M&Ps.

If it's up to CA legislature the only legal weapon a law-abiding citizen own in this state will be a slingshot!

....after a one month waiting period!

[BigBlueSix]

I do carry with a round chambered. I am embarrassed to say I allowed the gun to fall out of an ill fitting holster in that condition. It fell from hip level onto a vinyl floor.
Aside from saying "oh Jesus" and scolding myself, nothing happened.
I have since purchased an excellent kydex holster and feel completely secure carrying "in battery".
Further, every fraction of a second counts. I am assuming my opponent is also armed if it has gotten to the point where I am compelled to draw. That being the case, not being ready to fire obviates the purpose of carrying a weapon.
This is only my opinion, of course. Your results may vary.

[Maddmax]

Originally Posted by Capt.Jim

If it's up to CA legislature the only legal weapon a law-abiding citizen can own in this state will be a slingshot! ....after a one month waiting period!

And all the bad guys will still have all the guns & ammo they want like they still do now. ???

And yes. I carry HOT. Won't do you any good if you don't. Time can be your enemy. There are no "Time Outs" like on the play ground.

A ONE MONTH WAIT !?!?!? YIKES !!! With my CCW permit,I can walk into any LGS,WalleyWorld,etc. and be out the door with "legal" weapon I want in 10-15 minutes after some short paperwork.

[Jyezahn]

Originally Posted by Capt.Jim

I also understand that some people may consider their gun is "not loaded" if there is not a round in the chamber but for some all it takes a 1/4 second of sliding action to turn it to a "loaded" gun and therefore prefer not to carry a round in the chamber.

That 1/4 second could very well be the difference between you being on the ME's table, or the bad guy being there instead.

[N4KVE]

I can understand keeping a gun on the night stand w/o a round in the chamber, but what good is a carry gun when you have to rack the slide when being confronted by an armed scumbag? For over 22 years I have carried Glocks & now a M&P, & always had a round in the pipe. I too don't intend being on that table until I'm in my 90's. GARY

[treiz]

I asked the same question when I was getting my CHL, if I should carry with a round in the chamber. The instructor made the point that seconds count in any situation where I may need to draw the weapon, and that in those situations we are usually experiencing adrenaline, stress, and may be injured. The more we can do to simplify the process the better.

[Donn]

I was told the only reason M&P's are available with a thumb safety is because some police departments, (S&W's initial target audience), required one. Personally, I feel safer carrying my M&P in C1 with no external safeties than my 1911 that has three.

[hardluk1]

capt.jim M&P has a both a long DA type pull AND a short reset striker trigger so with different models they do offer the safety on certain model.

This is a subject that you should be able to think thru your self . If a person is close enought to grab you before you see the danger you are at that moment a one armed person with no real chance to clear and rack your pistol while holding off the bad guy as you back away. At that point your M&P is nothing more than a 480 dollar rock.

Maybe a can of spray and a knife would serve better. You should not excpect to find time to calmly draw rack and them aim a shot in your amassing 1/2 second time frame. Might be more like draw and fire from the hip while try'n to hold off the bg off you with the other hand Or covering and backing a family member off with that free arm.

.

[Capt.Jim]

I respect all of your thoughts and ideas and I am thankful to those of you trying to help me with your advice of what should I expect in a bad situation.

As an ex SAS from NATO forces and Desert Storm veteran I am very well aware of how 1/2 of a second could be the difference between life or death when you are face to face with an "armed bad guy" in certain situations.

I didn't present my question in order to find out the answer to the question of "what should I do?" or "how should I carry?"

If I mislead you guys with the way I presented my question I am sorry.

I was just curious and simply trying to find out how those of you who used to have handguns for years with all kinds of safety buttons/levers feel with these type of guns nowadays.

That's all...

[Maddmax]

Originally Posted by Capt.Jim

If I mislead you guys with the way I presented my question I am sorry.

I was just curious and simply trying to find out how those of you who used to have handguns for years with all kinds of safety buttons/levers feel with these type of guns nowadays.

That's all...

Actually more safe now than then (I carried a 1911) and was use to the palm and thumb safety. I like just having the trigger safety.

[Linejudgemick]

All my carry pistols (not just my 9C) have a round in the chamber with the pistol in a good holster that covers the trigger. Only one of them has a slide/frame mounted safety and is the least (never) carried pistol I have. It resides in an inconspicuous quick access lock box in our bedroom with a full-size magazine loaded for home defense.

Most of the reasons have already been discussed, but when time and emergency are at hand, I don't want another fine motor skill requirement to make the difference.

[Rastoff]

Originally Posted by Maddmax

A ONE MONTH WAIT !?!?!? YIKES !!! With my CCW permit,I can walk into any LGS,WalleyWorld,etc. and be out the door with "legal" weapon I want in 10-15 minutes after some short paperwork.

You misunderstand. CA doesn't have a one month wait period. He was just saying that the anti gun crowd here would like it to be that.

[Capt.Jim]

Exactly, Rastoff is right...

I was being sarcastic and pointing out that what California's anti gun crazed legislature would like to see...

Again that was me being sarcastic...

Otherwise CA waiting (cool-off) period is 10 days.

Regards,