One in the chamber always. Now, I'm not saying to leave it laying around the house in such condition if there's a chance of children getting a hold to it. But back to the question, if you ever need that gun, chances are better than good that it will be a surprise moment and there won't be no time to chamber a round. That's also the reason I refuse to carry any pistol with a manual safety because in the heat of the moment, the only thing you need to be worrying about is pulling the trigger on target.
Carry one in the chamber
- Thread starter vsraptor
- Start date
One in the pipe always. As far as I can figure that's the only way to get the "+1". If I had an M&P with a safety I wouldn't engage it. I've been trained a long time ago to keep my finger off the trigger until I want to put a round downrange & I'm very careful to make sure there is nothing to snag the trigger while reholstering or handling a firearm.
Bkreutz
US Veteran
Here's a link to the most recent discussion on this subject. http://smith-wessonforum.com/concealed-carry-self-defense/260293-ccw-keep-one-pipe.html Maybe we should "cut and paste" every post on that thread here and go for the all time record number of posts on one subject. 
Last edited:
Rastoff
US Veteran
The M&P doesn't really have a "condition zero". That terminology was invented prior to the Series 80 style of 1911. The fear of condition zero was that the hammer could fall or be bumped off the sear and fire the gun. What most don't realize is that even if that happened with a 1911, the hammer would stop at the half cock position.
Both guns absolutely will not fire unless the trigger is pulled. The M&P has the striker block and the 1911 has the half cock. Without a finger, or something else, on the trigger, it won't fire.
So, no, I have no qualms about what you're calling carrying in condition zero.
I find this interesting. I'm one of the new school guys. I have two M&Ps, but I choose to carry a 1911. Funny, huh?
This is absolutely correct. The main benefit of the thumb safety on an M&P is during re-holstering. It reduces the possibility of an article of clothing getting caught in the trigger and potentially firing the gun.
turnanewleaf
Member
Absolutely one in the Chamber. Always, safety or no safety.
1. If you carry with a loaded chamber you can draw and fire with one arm if you are caught in a close-in struggle.
2. If you have a round in the chamber you can draw one handed and and immediately fire from a retention position without having to extend the arm to chamber a round--since extending the arm makes it easier to grab or divert the gun.
3. If you carry unloaded chamber, you need to use two arms to reliably chamber a round and to extend the gun arm to do so, making it easier for an attacker to grab or divert the gun.
I know there are alternate ways of chambering a round with one hand by catching the rear sight on your belt or something. That works fine on a range, but not when someone is ragdolling you, beating you to death, or if you are running from someone who is trying to kill you, and a host of other situations.
There is also the issue of the covert draw which can be done if expecting trouble where you angle your body and draw the gun and keep it out of sight. Having to chamber a round adds a whole level of extra movement and visibility to this.
Drawing a gun and then having to chamber a round is a lot more telegraphic with more required movement than simply clearing the holster and presenting the muzzle on a close-in target.
Most lethal force civilian encounters that involve carrying a gun occur at contact distance or just beyond it. It really doesn't take much to see that carrying chamber empty is a major liability for close in use. I don't need to look at any statistics to see a major problem with not having a round in the chamber.
I don't know anyone who needed to defend themselves with a gun who wished it took the extra time and extra movements to chamber a round before they could defend themselves.
2. If you have a round in the chamber you can draw one handed and and immediately fire from a retention position without having to extend the arm to chamber a round--since extending the arm makes it easier to grab or divert the gun.
3. If you carry unloaded chamber, you need to use two arms to reliably chamber a round and to extend the gun arm to do so, making it easier for an attacker to grab or divert the gun.
I know there are alternate ways of chambering a round with one hand by catching the rear sight on your belt or something. That works fine on a range, but not when someone is ragdolling you, beating you to death, or if you are running from someone who is trying to kill you, and a host of other situations.
There is also the issue of the covert draw which can be done if expecting trouble where you angle your body and draw the gun and keep it out of sight. Having to chamber a round adds a whole level of extra movement and visibility to this.
Drawing a gun and then having to chamber a round is a lot more telegraphic with more required movement than simply clearing the holster and presenting the muzzle on a close-in target.
Most lethal force civilian encounters that involve carrying a gun occur at contact distance or just beyond it. It really doesn't take much to see that carrying chamber empty is a major liability for close in use. I don't need to look at any statistics to see a major problem with not having a round in the chamber.
I don't know anyone who needed to defend themselves with a gun who wished it took the extra time and extra movements to chamber a round before they could defend themselves.
Rastoff
US Veteran
If he hadn't carried one in the chamber George Zimmerman wouldn't have had the legal troubles he did because he would likely have been beaten to death by Travon Martin.
DocSunShine
Member
I honestly don't understand the guys who are always chambering and unchambering rounds. First of all they're either risking bullet set back or going through defensive rounds like crazy for no reason. Second of all they are increasing their risk of a negligent discharge. To each their own I guess, but I'd rather just keep one in the pipe unless I'm at the range.
KKECK5
Member
Being left handed you sometimes need to carry differently. My Department issued revolvers were always right handed. They never even considered buying any left-handed revolvers. You learned over time to load and unload your weapon about as quickly as a righty. No safety to play with... As far as semi-auto's, with all my guns with a righty safety, i find it quicker for me to have nothing in the chamber, safety off, full magazine. With lot of practice, i can rack the slide and pull the trigger, faster than fumbling for the safety first. I know a lot of people(most) do not like safeties. That's fine. Me, I don't want to pocket carry in condition #1, the boys are old, but i'm still fond of them.
Arik
Member
I dont get how you guys carry in front pocket. I cant even out my wallet in my front pocket. So uncomfortable.
The problem with racking quickly is being ready for it. Cant always be alert and ready and adding an extra and very crucial step is just silly
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
The problem with racking quickly is being ready for it. Cant always be alert and ready and adding an extra and very crucial step is just silly
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
dlcra
US Veteran
Ultimately it all comes down to what you feel comfortable doing. Personally, I choose being able to respond as swiftly as possible to a threat. To me that means OITC.
Vinney47
Member
I carry with one in the chamber. I want to be able to fire one handed. One scenario I think of that makes me carry OITC is all the accounts of people attacked by large dogs. If a dog has jumped on me and it's jaws are closing on my throat, I want to be able to draw and put several rounds into it's gut ASAP. Something I couldn't do if the all the ammo is still sitting in the magazine and I need both hands to chamber that first round. Same could be said for a human assailant - if they are on top of you already, you aren't going to be able to chamber a round.
Be it man or beast, I want to be able to draw and fire.
Be it man or beast, I want to be able to draw and fire.
I carry my mp40c with one in the chamber. It has no thumb safety. As it has no thumb safety sometimes I will will remove the bullet in the chamber for ban extra level of protection when the gun isn't in my possession but always one in when its on my side.
agksimon
Member
one in chamber always
Have a action pistol league and one drill is concealed carry
timed first shot & so on
We have one shooter no round in chamber - he draws & racks very fast, but his first shot is always slower than the shooters who carry one in the chamber.
We talked him into carrying one in the chamber for a test .
His first shot time was on par with the others and his accuracy of the first shot was better .
FYI
Have a action pistol league and one drill is concealed carry
timed first shot & so on
We have one shooter no round in chamber - he draws & racks very fast, but his first shot is always slower than the shooters who carry one in the chamber.
We talked him into carrying one in the chamber for a test .
His first shot time was on par with the others and his accuracy of the first shot was better .
FYI
As an old 1911 shooter, I don't care for it. The obvious solution to me would be to trade your full-size gun for one with a thumb safety. On the other hand, if you can't afford to do that right now, I guess carrying the M&P loaded in a holster that covers the trigger makes sense as opposed to hoping you will have the opportunity to chamber a round in every circumstance that might come along. Just be careful when you put that gun in the holster.
Last edited:
Arik
Member
KKECK5
Member
BEING older, i don't wear those John Travolta pants from Saturday night fever...... Summer my gun is pocket carried in my cargo short, nice and roomy...Rest of the time it's in the pocket of a light or heavy jacket, depending on the temp.
I dry fire mine often which necessitates ejecting a round. I'll get the calipers out in a month and see how much set back I'm getting with the Hornady's I have loaded.
Smithbrother
Member
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2013
- Messages
- 143
- Reaction score
- 103
Practice racking the slide one handed by hooking the rear sights on your belt or top of your holster, while protecting your face with the off hand. Also practice racking the slide on someone else's belt or by digging the rear sights into their leg or back or ear. This will come in very handy if someone is on top of you or you're rolling on the ground with them in a fight. Also, carry a knife, preferably one that doesn't fold.
DocSunShine
Member
You may want to get another gun to dry fire, you never know when the bullet setback will happen. Calipers or not, the last time you racked that round into the chamber may be the one that causes bullet set back. With modern factory defensive ammo that's crimped, they seem to have a threshold of around 10x being racked before bullet setback begins... I won't rechamber a round more than 3 out of precaution. After the 3rd time it becomes range ammo.
If you aren't comfortable carrying with one in the chamber I would seriously carry a different weapon in which you are. The purpose of the weapon is self defense in the case on an emergency, being able to bring it into action quickly may be the difference between life and death.
Silversmok3
Member
Consider also-in most states, any presentation of a weapon before a clear threat to your life exists is illegal. That means you have to wait until someone clearly wants to do you harm before you can draw-which , in turn, means the scumbag's weapon of choice will assuredly be deployed before YOURS.
If you still think my post is bunk, watch police dashcam footage of a shooting. I've yet to see one where the officer had time to ever draw really, to say nothing about racking the slide.
If you still think my post is bunk, watch police dashcam footage of a shooting. I've yet to see one where the officer had time to ever draw really, to say nothing about racking the slide.
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2014
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 2
I carry a 9mm shield daily and always have a round chambered for several reasons
1. Due to a disability in my left hand I have to rack the slide with my right (shooting) hand which takes 1-2 seconds...this is time I may not have when facing a threat.
2. If you train like the saftey is always on (by train I mean master sweeping the saftey off during your draw) you should never have any issues.
1. Due to a disability in my left hand I have to rack the slide with my right (shooting) hand which takes 1-2 seconds...this is time I may not have when facing a threat.
2. If you train like the saftey is always on (by train I mean master sweeping the saftey off during your draw) you should never have any issues.
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2014
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 2
If I think my life is in danger IDGAF what the law says...better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6
Similar threads
