carring with or without a bullet in the barrel?

For someone who was trained on a Beretta M9 or a 1911, I can understand the discomfort of having no external safety. For a person like this, it does seem questionable to carry a gun with a round in the chamber, and risk it discharging unintentionally. However, the trigger on a 1911 or a M9 in SA mode is a very, very different trigger than on the SDVE. I would never carry one of these two guns (1911, M9) with a round in the chamber and the hammer cocked...unless the pistol was also "locked" (as can you do with a 1911; the M9 will decock, unless I have completely forgotten the action...I haven't owned one in a while.)

There are people who advocate the "Israeli draw" method of carry to address just this concern. (That is, the pistol is carried without a round in the chamber, and the slide is racked as the pistol is drawn.) If you are going to use this method, I would suggest that you train extensively, until it becomes second nature, relying on muscle memory, and doesn't require you to "think" about your action. Even then, under stress, it may not go as smoothly as when you drill...but extensive drilling may help compensate for stress reactions, if you have done it to the point that it over-rides any other conditions.

However, as others have suggested, the SDVE pistols have a purpose-designed heavier trigger to alleviate two possible concerns: one being an accidental/negligent discharge; and the other being very similar, but involving firing unintentionally when you are holding on a person. (There are many that also say you should never point a gun at another person unless you intend to shoot them, so you should shoot them if you point the gun at them anyway...but that's a different discussion.) If you handle your SDVE series gun sufficiently, I think you'll find that the instances where the trigger actually gets unintentionally pulled hard enough to cock and release the striker and fire the weapon just don't happen in NORMAL use. I emphasize normal use, including taking normal safety precautions (keep your booger hook off the bang switch, use a good holster, etc.) The reason that you hear about "Glock leg" incidents is that the trigger on even a standard/stock Glock is much lighter than on a SDVE, and also most if not all of these incidents have a negligence factor. I've yet to read of any account where a human wasn't involved. ;)

I'd suggest you carry your SDVE pistol unloaded for a while...to see how it works for you, and if you encounter any concerns. If you can't get comfortable with it, and you don't feel comfortable with an Israeli draw, then a different pistol might be a better choice...one with a safety.
 
I'd suggest you carry your SDVE pistol unloaded for a while...to see how it works for you, and if you encounter any concerns. If you can't get comfortable with it, and you don't feel comfortable with an Israeli draw, then a different pistol might be a better choice...one with a safety.

If you do choose to carry your pistol unloaded for a while, carry another pistol as well. Loaded.
 
For me, it's mostly psychological and probably some ignorance about how striker fired pistols work internally. I feel much more comfortable with a revolver or double action auto with a round chambered. Again, I don't know exactly why, but I do. I should probably pay a gunsmith to take apart my Shield 9mm and show me how it works internally.
 
If you do choose to carry your pistol unloaded for a while, carry another pistol as well. Loaded.

LOL

I guess I should have clarified that...I meant around the house, as a test, to see if he had any incidents. An unloaded gun is not much better than a rock. Unless it's a Hi-Point...then it is much better than a rock. Those things are heavy!
 
Just a thought. You said you were not comfortable carrying the gun with a round in the chamber. If you are not comfortable, don't do it.

But I would encourage you to work on getting comfortable. The SD has a trigger that you really have to want to pull in order to fire it. Its the perfect gun to use to work on becoming comfortable (as opposed to something like a PPQ which will fire when a gnat lands on it -- almost).
 
Huuummmm:
U guys mean I should not deal with a gun at all and go first for a training to go familiar with a weapon?

OK - you guys mean 3 wars several small civilian unrest in Africa 7 injuries and day and night patrols in war zones are not enough?
Well true, a war zone is different and in a war zone I would not ask the question. Lucky me I live not in a war zone anymore but in the land of the free Texas. The biggest problem here in my neighborhood are some liberals looking for drug money.

But OK. I did not know that I'm dealing here with supra green barrettes of pistol fights.
Sorry to ask that question.

Barney Fife

Until this post, no one here knew what kind/type experience you had with handguns; or firearms in general. There are so many helpful, professional and knowledgeable people here that are willing to help/share, that being defensive/sarcastic is not really necessary.

I carried revolvers for many, many years. Getting comfortable with ANY semi-auto handgun was very hard for me. I have carried many different formats, and yes it took me a while to get/be comfortable with each one. I am a new owner of an SD9VE and just fired my first 100 rounds through it this week. I carried it today for the first time for a few hours. I was a little nervous, which is funny; since I carry a 1911 45 auto "cocked & locked". This too took me a while to get comfortable with. Carrying my 1911 is as comfortable now as having my morning coffee. ;)

You are the one who has to be comfortable with your choice of a carry firearm. Practice and familiarization will be key to you becoming comfortable with it; whatever you choose in the end. Good luck and please, we are all here to help when you have questions; be respectful to those who choose to help/respond. :)
 
I carry several hand guns on a regular basis…….everything from a full size 1911, to a J frame Smith& Wesson……I realize that no S&W revolvers have a safety on them, but I will not stick a striker fired weapon without a safety in my pants…….the police actually have a term for the AD of one of these weapons…….Glock leg.

Semper Fi!
 
Guys, it's pretty obvious that English is not his first language, and I think that has confused the question.
Please cut him some slack.
Thanks.
 
I will not stick a striker fired weapon without a safety in my pants…….the police actually have a term for the AD of one of these weapons…….Glock leg.

There's a reason they call it Glock leg...

I wouldn't carry a gun with a 5lb or less trigger pull unless it had a safety. With an (approx) 8 lb pull on a SDVE, I don't think I'm going to have an issue. As for "sticking it in your pants" I assume you mean with a good holster...because if not, I'd agree with you 100%. I don't want ANY gun in my pants without a good holster...not even a revolver. They make pocket holsters, IWB holsters, OWB holsters, and shoulder holsters, to name a few...plus even some for the ladies (bra holsters.)

There are just too many choices to risk carrying any gun loose in your pants.
 
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Bundesheer; I alternate between two carry guns, one being an SD9VE. I carry it with a round in the chamber as it was designed to do so and because, due to surgery, I lost 25% of my left arm strength so I can't count on being able to"rack a round" quickly. We all want to help, so do what's right for you. Good luck bud!
 
I own two SD9VE's both of which are carried with a cartridge in the chamber.

Which I do believe is what the OP meant.

They have a number of passive safeties but the foremost one is between my ears which says finger off trigger until muzzle's on target.
 
Ok, I have to explain, English is not my native language but that some here became the impression it would be is positive for me. Therefore the argument about single words like a barrel or a chamber, bullet or cartridge or something different is not important to me, as long as U guys understand what I am talking about.
BamBam
Bundesheer….no offense meant…you gave us no backround and as someone pointed out your terminology left; me at least, wondering about your experience level.
You are right and I should have. But it seems to me a long opening already and I would keep it short. Sorry.
And – Having military experiences means not always that they really know what they do. Every one of us that was in the service knows that there are people in the service that for several reasons you don't like to have behind you with a loaded gun. Just saying.

Bullzaye
You can be as defensive and as "snarky" as you care to be, but the fact remains that your question could have been more properly worded.
You are right and I apologize for that.
Bullzaye
I don't care if we're talking about General Patton or Sergeant York (or even a member of the "Green Berets")...if they aren't aware of the difference between the "barrel" and the "chamber" of a firearm, or the difference between a "bullet" and a "cartridge", they may require further instruction before walking around anywhere with a loaded gun.
I disagree. It points to non native English speakers (did U see my Nic and can U translate it) that not familiar with all the words given to specify a certain point on an equipment. Try to rewrite your post in French, will se how you doing. I am pretty satisfied with my English and I haven seen or heard an American complaining about my English or how I use it when I kept my skin in the line. Just saying.

I understand that many of U if not the most have a strong feeling to keep a bullet in the chamber even there is no safety beside the long triggerway of the sdve. My trigger is modified by a gunsmith and I have only 5 lb to pull. That makes my sd to a very smooth shooter that don't have to fear a PPX or PPQ trigger on a target range. I did that because the sd is to big for me to carry on a daily base (office job) but I carry it in the car and boat with 15+1 for sure. WalMart etc I have it in a cheap IWB holster and unloaded 15+0. Especially the 15+0 carry made me feel a little like going without a gun at all.
I never thought I carry the sd as a sd gun but it turned out I like this gun very much, so I want to keep it closer. May be I should buy me 2 additional sdve without a modified trigger,. the question don't even arise than at all.

I hope I have no one offended and if so than I honestly apologize for that.
 
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My trigger is modified by a gunsmith and I have only 5 p to pull.

Well, then, I don't blame you...I wouldn't carry a round in the chamber on a gun that has a 5 lb trigger pull without a safety either. I know it's been debated a lot here, but I personally believe that the trigger shouldn't be modified on a SDVE...it was designed to have a heavier trigger as a safety device. If someone wants a gun with a lighter trigger, then he should buy a gun designed with a lighter trigger and a safety.

When I moved to this country, I had to learn a new language. Fortunately I came from England.

I forget who said it, but "England and America...two people separated by a common language." :p
 
GKC
If someone wants a gun with a lighter trigger, then he should buy a gun designed with a lighter trigger and a safety.
But is at least for me very interesting that with a little trigger job the sdve can play a very good role on a target range beside all this high prized and well advertised $ guns. Just saying. I'm saying that my $ 319.00 sd9ve with a $ 62.00 guns smith trigger modification can easy play with the M&P's, Walther and Glockmeisters in the shelve above.

Rustyt1953
When I moved to this country, I had to learn a new language. Fortunately I came from England. True dat!
Hummmm. Hahaha - Well that happen when you go to the colonies to live with the colonists. Right ;)., It's not so bad at all :D
 
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But is at least for me very interesting that with a little trigger job the sdve can play a very good role on a target range beside all this high prized and well advertised $ guns. Just saying. I'm saying that my $ 319.00 sd9ve with a $ 62.00 guns smith trigger modification can easy play with the M&P's, Walther and Glockmeisters in the shelve above.

True...and each man can decide what he wants to do with his gun. IMO, it makes more sense to make modifications to a range-use only gun, than it does for one you wish to use for CCW or HD. Often times, the modifications to the fire control group end up inducing malfunctions.


Hummmm. Hahaha - Well that happen when you go to the colonies to live with the colonists. Right ;)., It's not so bad at all :D

Colonies my butt! If it wasn't for America, England and France would be speaking German right now. :p
 
America, England and France would be speaking German right now
Das ist wirklich wichtig!
You right and really the most of the people don't even know how right you are. But what a war can't do, you can do from inside out on your self. The Egypt, Romans, Greek and many more went the same way. It all about opinions, promises of free loads, false entitlement etc. No one ask where the stuff will come from and how this all would look like in the daily live of the people and how much control is necessary to keep it up. One reason why I ended up in the US military.
You can not make everyone equal without making go away Billions of people that have a disagreement with the equalizer.
You cannot buy everyone shoes to make them equal because Billions on earth don't wanna shoes and trow it away as soon you deliver them. But you can take everyone shoes away to make them equal. Keep that in mind.

Belief me no one want to live in the free land of the equalizers. Today still many coming to the shore from all arround the world even from the high priced equalizer land of Europe to this wonderful in-perfect jewel of nation of the US, because they cant stand to be equal anymore.
Hope the american never forget why they were founded, how hard it was to defend it and how hard it was to keep it all this time alive.

My 5 cent.
 
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If your EDC Semi-Auto is one that you are not comfortable carrying with a round in the chamber, then get a different gun, and sell the one you have, as it is effectively useless as EDC.

There are a number of ways to go, but having an EDC carried in Condition 3 is not where you want to be.
 
You may well find that a 5 lb trigger is a bit touchy for EDC without an external safety. Others would be very comfortable. Its all in what you get used to and what your level of comfort is.

But I have often wondered about the wisdom of carrying any gun with a trigger that has been extensively modified. You may want to become familiar with how some courts have viewed modified guns before you make your decision on carrying it at all.

I, too, have put all of the Apex stuff in my SD, including the polymer trigger. Those modifications have given me a gun that is a true delight to use at the range and I would make the changes again in a heartbeat. The trigger take-up is almost gone, the reset is instantaneous, and the pull is just over 5.5 lbs. If I had to put it back to OEM specs, I probably wouldn't like it anymore. But the SD is not my carry weapon, nor is it my primary SD weapon.

But if you ever really need a weapon, its pretty unlikely that the bad guys will cut you some slack while you rack the slide. It seems to me that your best bet is to work on achieving a level of comfort with it, or find a gun that you will be comfortable with. As you have found out already, the SD is a pretty great little gun. I'd work on getting comfortable.
 
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