CARRY EMPTY CHAMBER OR LOADED?

[robkarrob]

The current issue of Handguns Magazine (Dec 2012/January2013 issue) did an empty chamber test to add data to the carry question of chambered or not. Using several different pistols and several different testers, they found to draw, rack the slide back to chamber a round, and fire, took an average of less than 1/2 second longer, than with having the round already chambered. Their only negative was having to use two hands to rack the slide. They discussed racking using the rear sight, if one hand was out of action. They found they could make racking easier for one handed racking by keeping the hammer/striker cocked, with an empty chamber, and not using a fully loaded magazine, to reduce the upward pressure of the cartridges on the bottom of the slide pick-up rail. Of course all their timings were in a test environment, not a real SD situation.

I carry loaded with my manual safety on. There is no right or wrong way to carry. Whether you use a manual safety or not. Whether you carry with one in the chamber or not. It is all up to personal preference. We are all individuals and each has their right to their opinion. The main thought is finger off the trigger until the decision to fire is reached.

Bob

 

[boatboy]

Bob

I caught that story also and read it intently. I was really surprised that his conclusion was very little time difference
This issue has been covered here quite a bit

Me I feel so much more secure with a "thumb safety" I carry a 6906 or 1911 so this fits me. Its why I dont carry my Kahr
I also do most time carry without a round in the chamber this makes me feel safe but also glad that I can defend my family and myself if need be.

I believe that most here think I am silly even unprepaired
OK but I am a citizen with a CCW

I am not LE and trained to carry professionally. I know the reason that I love this site is there are many Law Enforcment officers who have been trained and didnt just read it on the net or learn it playing Mortal Combat. I learn from thier posts
I think many here are very comfortable with Striker fired weapons they are the experts I just do what I think will keep me and those around me safe and my gun is like a spare tire, I have one but I never want to use it

Hank

 

[4506517]

One in the pipe, safety off. I have a healthy respect for knives and the 21 foot rule.

 

[Engine 21]

I fully agree. There is no correct way to carry - one in the pipe - empty chamber - fully loaded mag. - running your mag one short to save the spring - carry concealed - open carry etc. My opinion doesn't really matter to anyone else so I carry the way I am most comfortable and can safely operate my weapon. And besides, your going to get opposing opinion no matter what you do.

 

[Road Rat]

This subject has been beaten to death. It is up to the individual!!

ME, I would not bet my life on the system of racking the slide to load a round after the draw!!!

I have no idea how many things could go terribly wrong...........

I'll carry condition ONE............thank you.

 

[firecontrol123]

One has to keep in mind that under extreme stress the body does not react normally, so that 1/2 second could turn into a 1/2 a minute. I always carry my CC pistol with one in the chamber an an extra magazine. I recommend you do the same.

 

[gunny4053]

We all operate within the boundaries of what we are comfortable with. As such, carrying with one in the chamber or not, safety on or not, striker fired or hammer fired, depends on our comfort zone.

I've seen these articles and discussions many times, but there is one inescapable fact that seems to be overlooked time and again. In a situation where you may need to react with your weapon, you are doing exactly that, reacting. The bad guy already has the advantage as he is the aggressor and is at that point already in attack mode. That 1/2 second may be the difference between a dirt nap and repelling his attack. You're already playing catchup by the time you draw anyway, so any advantage you have has to be in place ahead of time. Just some food for thought.

For me, anything less than one in the chamber is the same as none in the gun. But, that's my comfort zone choice.

 

[805moparkid]

as posted above everything counts... for me i carry chambered hammer down. but i practice cocking the hammer one handed while drawing from my carry holster. i dont trust safeties, never have and never will, but if you have to use two hands your better off using it like a club, because if your jumped one hand may be guarding knife blows or a dog, one hand is cocking(or undoing the safety for others) simple and fast... but what ever method you use you train the same way everytime...

 

[sniper47]

One in the pipe, safety off. I have a healthy respect for knives and the 21 foot rule.

I'm not LE, but completely concur. I carry all of my weapons with one in the pipe. Depending on the gun, a safety may be deployed and usually it is when I am in open carry mode. Any other carry condition, safety OFF, round in the chamber and the weapon is ready to go. Why carry a hand weapon without a round in the chamber? We are talking SPLIT SECONDS in order to make a decision. Thinking about whether there is a round in the chamber or not is one thing I do not want to think about.

 

[S&W5906]

1911s, Cocked, locked, ready to rock.
The S&W 59, 659, 5906, 4006, and 645 would be carried, decocked and chambered.
Most likely failure in the heat of a problem is going to be a failure to feed properly. One already chambered gives you at least one shot before FTF.

 

[MichiganScott]

For me it's a moot point. I carry a revolver with speed loaders and consider myself well armed.

 

[TSQUARED]

One has to keep in mind that under extreme stress the body does not react normally, so that 1/2 second could turn into a 1/2 a minute. I always carry my CC pistol with one in the chamber an an extra magazine. I recommend you do the same.

I agree. I would not carry a defensive weapon without it having one in the chamber. I also will only carry a psitol without any exteranl safeties or hammer. Under stress I do do want any hangups nor searching for safties etc.

 

[jdh]

Goudy: Now is it not true that you sprang up on old man Wharton and his two sons with a deadly, six shot revolver in your hand?
Rooster Cogburn: I always try to be ready.
Goudy: Was this revolver loaded and cocked?
Rooster Cogburn: Well, a gun that's unloaded and cocked ain't good for nothin'.

If you (meaning the generic you not anyone in particular) really want to be safe you should consider carrying the pistol in a truly safe condition, EMPTY. Leave the hammer down on an empty chamber and the loaded mag in a pouch on the belt on the weak side. When you need it draw the pistol strong hand and the mag weak hand, insert mag, rack slide, and, if you have time, fire as needed.
If it is safety you are concerned about and you don't trust either yourself or your equipment perhaps you should consider carrying pepper spray instead of a gun.

 

[18DAI]

Of course how anyone decides to do something is totally up to them.

I would opine that carrying a gun, for serious purpose, with an empty chamber, indicates a lack of training/confidence and perhaps a lack of knowledge of that handguns mechanical design.

If you have a handgun that you carry and are not confident enough to carry it with a round in the chamber, ready to perform as designed, perhaps you should find another type of handgun or maybe get enough training with that gun to be confident as well as proficient. Perhaps research the guns mechanical operation and built in safety features as well.

It is one thing to experiment in the safety of ones home or office for the purpose of writing an article for a gunrag. It is quite another to be suddenly accosted, perhaps from behind, at night, or in the rain, and try to recall - let alone perform - that neat quick racking method you saw in a gunrag - assuming you have two hands available to use while grappling with an assailant at close range. And assuming both your hands aren't injured or slippery with blood.

Lots of things can occur in reality, out on the street, that aren't taken into account by gunrag scribes pushing an agenda and trying to sell magazines. My 0.02

Anyways, do what works for you. Good luck! Regards 18DAI

 

[skeeterbait]

S&W TDA guns, chambered, hammer down, and safety off. There is enough trigger weight that it is just as safe as a revolver.

 

[Arik]

Always one in the pipe. The test doesnt prove much. Both the parties were ready and knew what was coming, no one was caught of guard and no one was trying to hurt anyone. An actual assailant would move faster, harder and more aggressive. They also wont wait for you to be ready to defend yourself

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[ispcapt]

It is one thing to experiment in the safety of ones home or office for the purpose of writing an article for a gunrag. It is quite another to be suddenly accosted, perhaps from behind, at night, or in the rain, and try to recall - let alone perform - that neat quick racking method you saw in a gunrag - assuming you have two hands available to use while grappling with an assailant at close range. And assuming both your hands aren't injured or slippery with blood.

Exactly. Or in the heat of things you short stroke the slide and don't pick up a rd. Or it gets hung up and doesn't go completely back into battery. Or you're fending off your attacker with one hand while trying to draw and fire with the other. Or a host of other things that always seem to go wrong at just the wrong time.
Those knuckleheads get paid to turn in an article every month. Month after month it gets hard to come up with something new to write about and put down in "X" number of words. But sometimes instead of writing stupid stuff like in the referenced article and hurting what little credibility they have the authors should just tell their editors that they're out of ideas for that month. At least then we wouldn't have gun rags full of lame articles that someone reads and things it's a good idea.
I think the author of the referenced article is former USSS. Either he was out of ideas or it shows even the USSS sometimes hire those who aren't too bright.

 

[Old cop]

I had to use my weapon more than once during my 30 year LEO days and while it was a wheel gun, it set my perspective on this topic. Believe me when I say if you do not carry a round in the chamber, and carry for self defense, you're asking for trouble (I read the same article being referenced here).

In retirement I continue to carry a revolver. When and if I do carry a semiauto it always has a round chambered. Please understand that I am not looking to start an arugment and have nothing against those who carry w/o one chambered. I only wanted to give my perspective based on my experiences. Stay safe.

 

[joespapa]

For me it's a moot point. I carry a revolver with speed loaders and consider myself well armed.

^^^^^^^^^This! I choose not to bet my life on ANY autoloader! YMMV

 

[sierra255]

I am no expert, however, in my LEO career I have been in a couple of O.I.S situations. So with real "time on the trigger" I offer you this.

Training including mental preperation, and lot's of time on the range saved my life and a whole bunch of citizens. Without going into a lot of detail, let me simply say that in one of the incidents I was charged by a subject with a edged weapon, and I had to draw and neutralize the threat. I truly believe, even with all my training, that if I would have had to "rack a round" into the weapon and then fire, I would not be typing my thoughts now. It happened that fast.....

Things in the real world change quickly and many times are not expected. You don't have the time to make decisions in order of what makes sense. 1) clear your outter garmet away if belt or iwb carry. 2) reach for your wepon of choice 3) draw your weapon 4) render it ready to fire (rack the slide)
5) point the weapon at the bad guy (s) 6) final shoot or no shoot mental process 7) fire till the threat is over. (Sometimes 6 & 5 are reversed, and in real situations it's a matter of draw and fire)

My point is simply this: There are thoughts on both sides of the fence on this issue and no real correct one. But, I believe that if any of the unecessary steps taken by you in a combat situation, it will give you a extra edge to survive. I suggest one in the pipe..

My opinion, yours may vary......................