Carry with a round in the chamber?

I'd like to ask the question... not to make a big discussion about it, just because I'm curious:

What is the reason people buy handgun with thumb safety and don't use it?
Is it because there is no other model or perhaps they want to try it and do not like it?
 
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For me, the M&P 380 was bought off Gun Broker at a price I could not
Refuse ($233). There weren't any without a safety for sale.
The 9mmEZ I got at the LGS and they wanted about $60 more for the
no safety model. Carrying in a kydex holster with sweat guard the safety is covered and can't be activated.
I also carry +1.
 

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I'd like to ask the question... not to make a big discussion about it, just because I'm curious:

What is the reason people buy handgun with thumb safety and don't use it?
Is it because there is no other model or perhaps they want to try it and do not like it?
Many times, it is because there is not a NTS variant available, such as the original (2012-2013) Shields.
Also, many times the shooter may be a Lefty and there is no Ambidextrous Thumb safety available.
 
I'd like to ask the question... not to make a big discussion about it, just because I'm curious:

What is the reason people buy handgun with thumb safety and don't use it?
Is it because there is no other model or perhaps they want to try it and do not like it?

Many times, it is because there is not a NTS variant available, such as the original (2012-2013) Shields.
Also, many times the shooter may be a Lefty and there is no Ambidextrous Thumb safety available.

Some of the early pocket autos such as the Kel-Tec's had no safety. Was told at one time that the very long and heavy trigger pulls acted as a safety. Seemed kind of silly to me not to be able to lock the firing mechanism in some fashion.
 
Listen carry however you are comfortable. Don't listen to anybody else because all of THEIR experiences are different. That being said, I do not. I just don't fpr personal reasons and that is ok. Do what makes you comfortable but above all, do it safely.
 
I'd like to ask the question... not to make a big discussion about it, just because I'm curious:

What is the reason people buy handgun with thumb safety and don't use it?
Is it because there is no other model or perhaps they want to try it and do not like it?

I've always used the safety/decocker as my "lock" when putting the gun away after work or other use. I flip it off when holstering. Since I was taught to use the decocker function to drop the hammer prior to holstering and after firing, this fits right in for me. Just another 30+ year habit.
Doesn't more than one state require a firearm to have a safety to be state-approved for sale? That's one reason to get a gun with-safety but not use it....
 
On of course.

The only reason not to is a lack of gunhandling skill. In that instance, you shouldn't be carrying a gun.

That is not accurate in every case. I have a manual safety on a Shield that I don't use, and there are many many people including professionals that don't use it. I will holster it with the safety on if I do so appendix or otherwise do it blindly. Then I turn it off while holstered in the event a draw string or something found its way in the trigger guard. Most of the time, however, I just don't use it at all. If it was a full-size safety that might inadvertently get turned on, I would not do this, but the M&P Shield (the original and M2.0 version) was literally designed to make the manual safety optional. Some other manual safety designs are similar and people would have to use their judgement as to whether they want to use it versus risking it inadvertently actuate. Personally I think people often focus too much on highly improbable situations given the likelihood of defending one's self with a firearm is quite low. Murphy does not always rear his head as so many people claim. Like with everything else, people tend to get carried away.
 
I routinely carry one or two of five pistols, but only one has a manual safety (my S&W PC M&P9 Shield M2.0). The manual safety was designed to be optional, and as commented above, I typically only use it to blind holster (when necessary) or holster appendix before turning it off again. I also have an M&P M2.0 Subcompact without a manual safety, and I carry both with a round in the chamber. My Ruger LCP II is the same way. It is a hammer fired gun without a manual safety. As many of you might know it is sort of a hybrid between an SA and a DAO that feels like a very crisp striker-fired trigger with a similar weight. All of the mentioned have triggers well above 5 lbs. (5.5-6 lbs. generally).

That said, I believe in mitigating risk, so these are not my preferred carry pistols, and if I could find quality DA/SA pistols with the same dimensions and similar ergonomics I would carry those instead. I more often than not carry appendix which allows me to carry larger firearms (my preference). My first choices are either my SIG P229 Elite chambered in .357 SIG or my Beretta PX4 Storm Compact Inox chambered in 9mm. These are DA/SA pistols without manual safeties, and they are safer in my opinion when carrying with a round in the chamber. Contrary to popular belief, the DA mode is superbly accurate so long as the pistol is dialed in to fit the user's hand properly. It is true some people have tried double action and can't get used to DA/SA, but most of the time I find they made little or no attempt to warm up to the pistol or even find grips and trigger sizes when necessary to adjust the length of pull.

Anyway, I am not saying carrying a striker-fired pistol without a manual safety with a round in the chamber is inherently dangerous for someone who knows what they are doing, but I do believe DA/SA is still safer, so when I can't conceal one of these DA/SA guns satisfactory, or if I'm just making a quick errand, I'll carry one of the smaller options, but my preference is to carry +1 for each.

All that said, don't listen to me or anyone else. You have to do you. We're all individuals and our circumstances vary. There are times when I have carried with an empty chamber even now after 16 years of concealed carry. If I have a lot on my mind, for example, it's rare but a voice sometimes calls out to me to leave the chamber empty. Woodworkers & carpenters understand this when using a table saw. Sometimes you need to decide against using one until you have your head screwed on straight. Do what works for you. As long as you go into it after having researched it thoroughly for yourself, don't be dissuaded by the unwise who feel everyone should carry as they do all the time. Too many people fall victim to groupthink, confirmation bias, and consciously or unconsciously seek validation for their choices.

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This subject's a well worn path, and the two sides will never agree. My M&P's are carried with one in the pipe and don't have external safeties, but that's my preference. If you feel otherwise, by all means, rock on.
 
He is perhaps processing all information provided... and that may take some time... :D
 
here is the other option for those who carry with an empty chamber . . .

hammer-holster
 
I was schooled long ago by a Viet Vet friend on handling a 1911. Only ever carry a semi with one in the chamber. Since then, have never had any semi without a safety, except one - my first Ruger American 45. About three years ago, I had an AD with it. Don't really know how it happened. No injuries, except my computer monitor, and a hole in my home office wall which I patched. Sold it immediately.

Did discover my building's brick wall could absorb .45 230 FMJ rounds without a mark. Good to know.
 
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Ruger American 45. About three years ago, I had an AD with it. Don't really know how it happened.

Good to hear there was no injuries.
How did it happen? ;)
RUGER AMERICAN® PISTOL:
- pre-tensioned striker system
- automatic sear block system
I hate this "safety" approach.... :mad: I prefer manual safeties over automatic ;)
 
hand guns without a safety;

there is a few out there. i don't like um ! i see there is a kit to put a thumb safety on an earley clock .
 
Someone is bound to mention that the Israeli military used to require ( and may still ) require all pistols to be carried with empty chambers, and will say that if it is good enough for the Israeli's, it's good enough for them.
What is not generally known is that the real reason for this SOP was that for many years the Israeli's had to use such a conglomeration of different auto pistols that it was so difficult to come up with any kind of uniform safety training that the training people threw in the towel and said, in effect, all empty chambers, all the time. Figured that sacrificing some tactical advantage was a good tradeoff to reduce the amount of accidental discharges.
Problem solved.
 
Ayoob and Wilson have an outstanding video on the 1911. Will leave it at that especially Ayoob's statement on how to carry a 1911 and those that don't carry condition one, nuf sed.
 
The guns I carry don't have safeties and all five cylinders are loaded.



And if you ever have to use one, it'll be empty in about three seconds and will then be quite safe.

Better carry three of them for New York reload.
 
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