How many carry a round in the chamber?

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dahur

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Probably because I'm new to guns, I'm hesitant to keep one chambered. However, I realize in a situation,
being ready to go might mean the difference between living or dying. I'm working up to it...
 
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Yeah...really if you are going to carry a semi-auto for self defense, carrying a round in the chamber is the only way to go. There are various options (DAO, striker vs hammer, cocked and locked vs hammer down) that depending on the model and style gun you carry can help with your comfort level, but I don't think anyone would really recommend an empty chamber. The most important thing is that regardless of how you decide to go, get some good training and instruction on YOUR weapon...and then practice with it until it is second nature...not just shooting, but manipulation of the safety etc.
Good luck!
 
I do, and confidently at that. It's the only way to go, really. With a good holster and safe gun handling, there's virtually nothing to worry about.
 
one in the chamber, pistol in a good holster.

if pistol is out of the holster, finger out of triggerguard.

use care when reholstering. i have read that lots of NDs occur when clothing or some other object (like a finger:D) gets in front of the trigger during reholstering.
 
IMHO not carrying a round in the chamber is like the old practice of carrying an empty chamber under the hammer of a revolver. In modern firearms neither makes any sense and could result in a bad outcome. Get some good training, practice until handling the gun becomes second nature and hope you never have to use it.
 
It's all about being comfortable with your gun. If you get some range time with it and a good holster, you will be ok.
 
A duty/carry gun that's not fully loaded, with a round in the chamber, is called a "Dead mans gun".

At the same time, if you are not comfortable carrying a pistol that way yet, get some good training until you are.
 
Look at it this way; if you had to fight off an assailant with one hand and draw your weapon with the other, how would you rack the slide to chamber a round?

Carry a round in the chamber and practice with it until you are confident and comfortable. If need be practice (safely) with snap caps. If you cannot get over it, than consider transitioning to a revolver.

Good luck, stay safe.
Frank
 
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gruntdeputy said:
Look at it this way; if you had to fight off an assailant with one hand and drawing your weapon with the other, how would you rack the slide to chamber a round?

Carry a round in the chamber and practice with it until you are confident and comfortable. If need be practice (safely) with snap caps. If you cannot get over it, than consider transitioning to a revolver.

Good luck, stay safe.
Frank
Click to expand...

it's actually quite easy to rack it one handed off your belt.. but yeah, who wants to have to do that DURING a fight?
 
All of the info posted above is A++ WISDOM. However, if you are unable to achieve a training level that is comfortable for you,then I would suggest carrying a DA revolver.I don't mean that to sound snotty, I do know some folks that are just not comfortable carrying "cocked and locked" over a chambered round. The solution,as I suggested,is a good double action revolver. In any reasonable caliber .357 Mag or better you will not be undergunned.Nick
 
gruntdeputy said:
Look at it this way; if you had to fight off an assailant with one hand and drawing your weapon with the other, how would you rack the slide to chamber a round?

Carry a round in the chamber and practice with it until you are confident and comfortable. If need be practice (safely) with snap caps. If you cannot get over it, than consider transitioning to a revolver.

Good luck, stay safe.
Frank
Click to expand...

Good advice from this gentleman.I'd like to add "brain connected to trigger finger."A semi auto with manual safety may be the way to go for you.Yes I know there are a lot of people who feel it's not needed, but go with what you are comfortable with.It's all a matter of personal preference.Not to ignite controversy,but racking the slide of a loaded weapon off your belt during a fight makes me extremely nervous.
 
I look at it like this... You carry the weapon for protection, only to be used in life threatoning situations. What good does it do if it is NOT ready to be used. If you are concerned about safety, your abilities, etc. PRACTICE until you are OK with it. If you don't feel safe with the gun, don't carry it till you do. You'll just get yourself hurt.
 
When I carry my .45 Commander, it's in Condition One - loaded, cocked and locked. Your carry piece must be your own, meaning you are comfortable, knowledgeable, proficient and confident with it. If you're not, PRACTICE until you make it your own.

Larry
 
Always a round in my chamber with a 1911 or any auto. I usually carry a DA revolver now days because of arthritis in my hands. Gripping a slide comes with much pain, but I can shoot 44 magnum. I never feel under gunned with a revolver.
 
I ordered my 9c with a thumb safety.
Be safe, and be ready for an event with a round chambered. I agree.
 
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tacreload said:
Not to ignite controversy,but racking the slide of a loaded weapon off your belt during a fight makes me extremely nervous.
Click to expand...

No controversy intended.. just stating it can be done and not a bad thing to know in case some situation requires it.. But yeah, no need to add a risk.
 
tacreload said:
A semi auto with manual safety may be the way to go for you.Yes I know there are a lot of people who feel it's not needed, but go with what you are comfortable with.It's all a matter of personal preference.
Click to expand...

^^^ Great suggestion.

If the SHTF its better to flip off the safety than rack the slide.

A lot of people in this Glock era feel an external safety is stupid, and try to force their opinion on others.

Go with what's comfortable for you and don't worry about impressing someone else.

Just because someone else is comfortable with something doesn't mean you have to be.

(Just some randon thoughts.)
 
All my pistols have one in the chamber though at first I wasn't comfortable with the idea. I practiced until I felt like I had the hang of carrying and drawing my weapon while loaded.
 
I when I first started to carry never had a round in the chamber but then came the day that I ran into a potential adversary, who didn't seem to recognize me and seemed preoccupied and perturbed about an auto part. As I was new to carry my weapon was in my vehicle with no round in the chamber but as soon as I returned to my vehicle I racked the slide and have carried that way ever since.

Also I sometimes carry openly now since it is legal for me to carry openly or concealed in the State of Tennessee with my Handgun Carry Permit but I also carry concealed most of the time except when I am at my workplace or job site and depending on the job site may carry if necessary!

Now I don't even think about racking one into the chamber and stuffing it into a good holster, which is the most important part of carrying!

You finger is the most important safety that you have if you mean to shoot then put it on the trigger if you do not keep it away from the trigger guard!
 
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