How many carry a round in the chamber?
- Thread starter dahur
- Start date
M2MikeGolf
US Veteran
Your statement about your carry mode is as baffling as the point you are trying to make. Rules of Engagement are just that. If your organization states you carry your weapon unchambered, then you do so. If the ROE states that, it is due to escalation level, not your inability to carry a chambered weapon safely, at least that's how the Army forms ROE; I'd be pretty disappointed to hear that a law enforcement agency has so little faith in their officers. At any moment, the ROE may require you to chamber your weapon, if you can't do it safely, then an organization may require some re-training of it's personnel. If your own personal ROE is based on the premise you cannot carry a chambered weapon safely, then you may wish to consider some re-training on your own.
I have a problem with someone's level of proficiency being at a degree that they cannot be trusted to carry a weapon loaded and chambered. My only issue is that anyone, soldier, marine, LEO, etc., who carries a firearm should be at a level of proficiency where they can be trusted to carry it at that capacity, whether ordered to or not, or they shouldn't carry a weapon at all. I don't care how you carry your weapon, but I know how you should be able to carry it.
Look at it this way, if one were carrying a revolver with the cylinder loaded full, what would be the difference between that and a semi-auto with a round chambered? Would one really ever carry a revolver with an empty chamber (after the trigger was pulled)?
One more angle to this for the hunters out there; maybe I don't even need to say it. A hunter wouldn't even consider not having a round chambered, no matter what the weapon. Otherwise, it makes for a pretty uneventful hunt. Different environment, but same concept.
The difference is the revolver would not have the firing pin under spring tension until one did a real DA trigger pull.
Which brings me to my mind; as much as I shoot, train, admire, love, and trust my M&P's there is something about that striker being a gnat's *** away from letting loose that has kept me from carrying with a round chambered.
BUT...the piece of crapola Ruger LCP that I bought yesterday is a true DA only pistol and I will carry that one fully charged. Actually it is a pretty niece piece.
Not knocking the M&P design and don't want to argue calibers/capacities.
I've always had to laugh at some of the Cop shows on TV. I know y'all have seen them also. The cop goes to enter a building where there might be a villan but before entering, they rack a round in the chamber. So does this mean that the whole time that they've been carrying the weapon, there hasn't been a round in the chamber? But the same officer can be caught off guard and they quickly draw their weapon and fire without racking a round in?
For anyone to suggest that one should not carry a weapon unless they are ready to carry a round in the chamber is silly.
I carry a M&P 9mm in an N82 Tuckable Holster and sometimes in standard IWB Holster, Unless I'm at the range or out hunting and have my side holster on that is not IWB. I do not carry a round in the chamber, I do however have one or two additional clips if not a backpack with 5 additional clips. I can draw (insert a magazine if needed) and rack my weapon and get a shot off in a few seconds. Considering my M&P has no safety aside from the hinged trigger safety, I feel more comfortable with keeping my chamber clear when the muzzle is in my pants. I have a Full Size M&P and can easily conceal, but with getting in and out of cars and considering the places I go I cannot risk a discharge unintentionally. I do know that if my choice of firearm were different, I would possibly be able to roll with one in the chamber and be truly bad ***!
I carry a M&P 9mm in an N82 Tuckable Holster and sometimes in standard IWB Holster, Unless I'm at the range or out hunting and have my side holster on that is not IWB. I do not carry a round in the chamber, I do however have one or two additional clips if not a backpack with 5 additional clips. I can draw (insert a magazine if needed) and rack my weapon and get a shot off in a few seconds. Considering my M&P has no safety aside from the hinged trigger safety, I feel more comfortable with keeping my chamber clear when the muzzle is in my pants. I have a Full Size M&P and can easily conceal, but with getting in and out of cars and considering the places I go I cannot risk a discharge unintentionally. I do know that if my choice of firearm were different, I would possibly be able to roll with one in the chamber and be truly bad ***!
vstromrider
Member
Like I said thats not your only issue. Read the whole thread. If you cannot understand it and are determined to insist I suggest no one should carry a fully loaded weapon then you are either ignorant or confused.. I do not care what you carry or how you carry or if you carry.
Many of you do not have a clue, and further explanation will not change that...
Many of you do not have a clue, and further explanation will not change that...
M2MikeGolf
US Veteran
Suit yourself. I am neither confused nor ignorant. I clearly stated my "issue", perhaps you should read it more carefully. I disagree with the advice and premise that you offer for carrying a semi-auto un-chambered. If someone disagrees with you, that does not make one ignorant or confused, especially if they have experience to back it up.
Would you explain why you think that would be silly? My point here is that if you are not at the level of proficiency to carry a round chambered, then carrying a weapon is almost pointless and possibly dangerous and that you must seek out training to get you to that point if you wish to carry a weapon. Apparently, you have the proficiency to be abe to carry a round unchambered that but choose not to. However, those few seconds to "rack the slide" can be the ones that you need to defend yourself effectively. I might also add that most, if not all, manufacturers and organization do not recommend or train loading autos or semi-autos by a full cycle (i.e. "racking the slide") over an already inserted, fully loaded magazine. Manuals (to include military ones) will tell you to always insert the magazine from the bolt open/slide back position and then chamber the round. There's a valid reason for this, one of the most important being properly chambering a round completely. It is too easy to not fully chamber a round otherwise, which can have pretty disastrous results in a self defense situation. I have witnessed numerous incidents where individuals did not chamber a round correctly, which caused a myriad of issues later, one of them being a failure to fire when most needed. This is why proper training is imperative for semi and automatic weapons.
Please read my posts and the content completely, my point is that training, practice and proficiency are the absolute key to carrying any weapon, most particularly when it comes to self-defense and any responsible organization with members that carry weapons will ensure that training takes place. Your level of training must allow you to carry a weapon safely in any condition; if you choose to lower the condition, then so be it (unless directed to do otherwise by your organization). What I am NOT saying is that you MUST carry a round chambered.
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blkpitbull
Member
- Joined
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yep, one in the chamber carrier here!!
senecaap
Member
I don't need a paperweight, I carry one in the chamber.
Sodbuster46
Member
Absolutley - I carry with one chambered; You don't pay your utility bill before you turn your lights on; get into the habit of treating every gun you come across as being loaded and ready to fire; the life you save may be your own.
AkRay
Member
Empty chamber carry seems to work for the Israelis, but they train to become proficient to a high level. Besides, they're Israelis and God is on their side.
DEFCON727
Member
Loaded Weapon
Greetings dahur,
It’s very smart you asked yourself this question. You wouldn’t have asked it if you are not comfortable handling your weapon. Nothing wrong with that at all!! It takes time to become proficient with any weapon. I rarely go into gun forums or watch you tube videos because of the imbeciles that make them or troll in the sites with their jackassinine stories of countless conflicts with Zombies, Home Invaders, Martians etc. Stay away from those people because they are dangerous. A gun to them is compensating for some severe mental defects. I am in this forum because I purchased an M&P 9mm full size after retirement. As the USBP progressed from revolvers to autos I had first hand experience using many different models. From the .357 to the Glock 9mm to the Beretta .40 to the HK Compact .40. All good and all will do the job with the right round, providing you practice using common sense. The M&P is a nice reliable pistol with refinements to aid you to be a fine shooter. In areas you feel you need more work then get the help you need from people willing to teach you instead of you having to listen to their stories. Most of us were good solid shooters not because we swallowed some magical pill but we practiced……. period.
All too often in these forums you’ll ask a honest question like you did and right away you’ll have “Blowhards” pinging you back with self-aggrandizing statements or degrading to completely off-topic responses or the good old one-upmanship BS.
Carrying a gun is a big responsibility in all aspects. Practice and become proficient. When you feel you are, then carry it properly with one in the chamber. Incidents happen in seconds and you have to spend that time to your advantage. You can’t boil water without the stove turned on and it’s better to have and not need then to need and not have.
Stay safe,
Tom
Greetings dahur,
It’s very smart you asked yourself this question. You wouldn’t have asked it if you are not comfortable handling your weapon. Nothing wrong with that at all!! It takes time to become proficient with any weapon. I rarely go into gun forums or watch you tube videos because of the imbeciles that make them or troll in the sites with their jackassinine stories of countless conflicts with Zombies, Home Invaders, Martians etc. Stay away from those people because they are dangerous. A gun to them is compensating for some severe mental defects. I am in this forum because I purchased an M&P 9mm full size after retirement. As the USBP progressed from revolvers to autos I had first hand experience using many different models. From the .357 to the Glock 9mm to the Beretta .40 to the HK Compact .40. All good and all will do the job with the right round, providing you practice using common sense. The M&P is a nice reliable pistol with refinements to aid you to be a fine shooter. In areas you feel you need more work then get the help you need from people willing to teach you instead of you having to listen to their stories. Most of us were good solid shooters not because we swallowed some magical pill but we practiced……. period.
All too often in these forums you’ll ask a honest question like you did and right away you’ll have “Blowhards” pinging you back with self-aggrandizing statements or degrading to completely off-topic responses or the good old one-upmanship BS.
Carrying a gun is a big responsibility in all aspects. Practice and become proficient. When you feel you are, then carry it properly with one in the chamber. Incidents happen in seconds and you have to spend that time to your advantage. You can’t boil water without the stove turned on and it’s better to have and not need then to need and not have.
Stay safe,
Tom
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A2 Stippling
US Veteran
I carry one in the chamber and only buy my plastic guns without safeties. I train, practice, train, and practice to remain proficient.
On the other hand - like others have said on this thread - when I carry my Beretta 92f deployed...I have one in the chamber and it is on safe. I pretty much devout a lot of time pre-deployment to ensure I practice drawing, flipping off safety and engaging from DA. I don't own any 1911s so have no experience with SA feather-weight triggers.
Different strokes for different folks.
On the other hand - like others have said on this thread - when I carry my Beretta 92f deployed...I have one in the chamber and it is on safe. I pretty much devout a lot of time pre-deployment to ensure I practice drawing, flipping off safety and engaging from DA. I don't own any 1911s so have no experience with SA feather-weight triggers.
Different strokes for different folks.
Houdini1953
Member
This will probably not be the last post on this subject but a semi auto without a chambered round is basically a small club and not a lethal weapon, same as a six shooter wheel gun with only five rounds, it is kinda like "Russian Roulette" but with five chambers instead of six loaded with a semi auto you know the first round will not go off ever and you will lose to the guy with the other gun that is only interested in stealing something from you or otherwise doing you harm...he or she is gonna draw down on you at almost point blank range and you still have a holstered gun and you are gonna be scared ****less...whatcha gonna do?
You do not have the time to chamber a round at all it is shoot first and best and walk away or possibly die right then and there!
May this never happen but it could so like a Boy Scout then always be prepared! You can control the situation and not a lunatic that wants your stuff with a fully loaded weapon!
You do not have the time to chamber a round at all it is shoot first and best and walk away or possibly die right then and there!
May this never happen but it could so like a Boy Scout then always be prepared! You can control the situation and not a lunatic that wants your stuff with a fully loaded weapon!
One in the Pipe
From 21' a person with a knife can suddenly leap forward and charge you. A number of test have found a peace office cannot draw his weapon and fire in the time it takes for the bad guy to stab the officer. Do I carry with one in the chamber? Absolutley!!!! If you are new to guns then get with a NRA instructor and practice, pratice, pratice. Even though I do this for a living I draw my weapon a minimum of ten times before I go on duty. Get with an instructor and you'll do fine.
From 21' a person with a knife can suddenly leap forward and charge you. A number of test have found a peace office cannot draw his weapon and fire in the time it takes for the bad guy to stab the officer. Do I carry with one in the chamber? Absolutley!!!! If you are new to guns then get with a NRA instructor and practice, pratice, pratice. Even though I do this for a living I draw my weapon a minimum of ten times before I go on duty. Get with an instructor and you'll do fine.
DEFCON727
Member
Very true Spanky, back in the 80s USBP put us through an 8 hour course exactly as you said...21' It was taught by a Filipino knife expert. We all left that training with a new mindset.
Stay safe,
Tom
Stay safe,
Tom
chuck s
Member
vstromrider
Member
How many of you that posted on this thread. always carry .even to the mailbox etc. when allowed by law..
