How many carry a round in the chamber?
- Thread starter dahur
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Keeping a round in the chamber is the way to go IF you have a properly designed and properly functioning pistol.
Almost all quality pistols used for LE work have devices of varying designs to prevent the pistol from discharging from an unintended drop or blow to the pistol. On the other hand, almost all of those same pistols WILL discharge if you pull the trigger, even if you did not mean to. The weapon does not have a mind of its own and will fire if you pull the trigger whether you meant for it to fire or not. So, keep your finger and anything else off the trigger if you do not want to fire.
I do not carry a round in the chamber when I carry a pistol (I actually prefer to carry a revolver, J frame, but that is not what the OP asked about). The pistol is more for hiking in the country or fishing trips.
I can get a round in the chamber pretty fast, if I see a pack of dogs coming, a rabid animal on the trail, etc. If I saw a gang of evil-looking miscreants coming down the walking path towards me, I would move off at a 90 degree angle to create time and distance.
If the locale is so dangerous that I might have to bring the gun into action immediately, without the one second buffering time it takes me to chamber a round, I should not be there.
If having a round in the chamber would save my life, one time out of a hundred, or possibly lead to an innocent person being killed, one chance out of a thousand -- I'll go without a round in the chamber. I realize I am leaving myself a bit more vulnerable than everyone who carries a round in the chamber - I'll stipulate to that. But as the right to self defense is morally defensible, preventing the loss of innocent life in morally imperative.
I generally do not put a round in the chamber when I am deployed. I have been deployed a fair amount, and shot at occasionally. I believe in putting a round in the chamber when in immediate danger -- driving around, or training Afghans, for example, would qualify. Otherwise, the moment when I think a round should be in the chamber is the moment to decide if it would be better to do something different. Like reach for a long gun. Or leave.
What am I afraid of with a round in the chamber? Well, a ND, particularly when loading and unloading the gun. There are those who say "training" prevents that. NDs occur, though, even among trained troops and police. Old pros have NDs. I remember... well, I won't tell war stories, but it happens to guys who think they are gunslingers.
It cannot happen to me if I don't carry a round in the chamber.
I can get a round in the chamber pretty fast, if I see a pack of dogs coming, a rabid animal on the trail, etc. If I saw a gang of evil-looking miscreants coming down the walking path towards me, I would move off at a 90 degree angle to create time and distance.
If the locale is so dangerous that I might have to bring the gun into action immediately, without the one second buffering time it takes me to chamber a round, I should not be there.
If having a round in the chamber would save my life, one time out of a hundred, or possibly lead to an innocent person being killed, one chance out of a thousand -- I'll go without a round in the chamber. I realize I am leaving myself a bit more vulnerable than everyone who carries a round in the chamber - I'll stipulate to that. But as the right to self defense is morally defensible, preventing the loss of innocent life in morally imperative.
I generally do not put a round in the chamber when I am deployed. I have been deployed a fair amount, and shot at occasionally. I believe in putting a round in the chamber when in immediate danger -- driving around, or training Afghans, for example, would qualify. Otherwise, the moment when I think a round should be in the chamber is the moment to decide if it would be better to do something different. Like reach for a long gun. Or leave.
What am I afraid of with a round in the chamber? Well, a ND, particularly when loading and unloading the gun. There are those who say "training" prevents that. NDs occur, though, even among trained troops and police. Old pros have NDs. I remember... well, I won't tell war stories, but it happens to guys who think they are gunslingers.
It cannot happen to me if I don't carry a round in the chamber.
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Houdini1953
Member
Well a revolver is quite different from a semi auto, you must rack the slide while holding the weapon with another hand although it is possible to rack the slide with a holster or belt or knee or by other means, but with a revolver that is double action you can just pull the trigger.
This will not happen with a semi auto so if you are not able for one reason or the other to rack the slide and chamber a round you lose in a gun battle!
vstromrider
Member
some of you are a bit harsh with your rhetoric . seems many cannot voice their opinion without getting feelings involved. Why is that.
Carry condition 1,2 or 3 if you prefer, just always carry always. I have been carrying CCW since the first year we had it available in Az I think 1993. never been in a gunfight yet but have had to holster and unholster my pistol many many times. much less chance of a non deliberate shot in a empty chamber. However it will take you a second longer to charge your weapon when needed for defense.
Think it through each time you carry ( which should be always)
A weapon like a sig p250 can be a great compromise ( I have 3).
4 of my M&p have thumb safeties ,carry those chamber loaded. my 2 m&Ps 357 do not have thumb safeties. tend to carry those chamber empty.
Carry condition 1,2 or 3 if you prefer, just always carry always. I have been carrying CCW since the first year we had it available in Az I think 1993. never been in a gunfight yet but have had to holster and unholster my pistol many many times. much less chance of a non deliberate shot in a empty chamber. However it will take you a second longer to charge your weapon when needed for defense.
Think it through each time you carry ( which should be always)
A weapon like a sig p250 can be a great compromise ( I have 3).
4 of my M&p have thumb safeties ,carry those chamber loaded. my 2 m&Ps 357 do not have thumb safeties. tend to carry those chamber empty.
IMHO a pistol with an empty chamber is a fancy paperweight. I cannot think of anyone, LEO friends and other gun enthusiasts, who recommended carrying with an empty chamber. Mostly their comments were "One less thing to remember when the adrenalin rushes."
But if one is more comfortable carrying empty that's fine. But practice practice practice. If the muscle memory is there that is one less thing to remember when the need suddenly arises.
But if one is more comfortable carrying empty that's fine. But practice practice practice. If the muscle memory is there that is one less thing to remember when the need suddenly arises.
stasher1
Member
Always, because my 9c and CM9 make pitiful clubs.
New guy here and I'm thoroughly enjoying this thread and learning a lot as well. I am also thoroughly enjoying practicing with and getting to know my m&p. I have listened to these sorts of debates before and would encourage the empty chamber carriers to continue speaking up for argumentative value and to continue allowing this topic to evolve.
My reasons for owning firearms (started with a P22 four years ago) are different and each of us have varying rationale for carrying or considering carrying. I'm preparing for formal education and documentation on this matter and threads like this are not only informative but to a certain extent reassuring.
I have a lot of reading to do and practicing as well and the hypothetical scenarios some of you have conveyed and shared are superb food for thought to assist me on my path and I'm sure there are a plethora of other threads here and on the interwebz pertaining to this issue. But I do get tired of searching so please keep this going.
I really figured I'd be a chambered guy but I have just enough reservation that I definitely am enjoying hearing both sides. Always robbing Peter to pay Paul, huh?
My reasons for owning firearms (started with a P22 four years ago) are different and each of us have varying rationale for carrying or considering carrying. I'm preparing for formal education and documentation on this matter and threads like this are not only informative but to a certain extent reassuring.
I have a lot of reading to do and practicing as well and the hypothetical scenarios some of you have conveyed and shared are superb food for thought to assist me on my path and I'm sure there are a plethora of other threads here and on the interwebz pertaining to this issue. But I do get tired of searching so please keep this going.
I really figured I'd be a chambered guy but I have just enough reservation that I definitely am enjoying hearing both sides. Always robbing Peter to pay Paul, huh?
I'm out numbered here with most folks needing one in the chamber. I carry a M&P 40 with no safeties....except for the careful handling on my part. I love the smooth trigger and shoot often. My weapon is a tool that I'm very comfortable with....so much in fact, that the need to chamber a round at the proper time is on my shoulders. I can stuff my gun here or there with no need to worry about it going off ever....until I rack the slide.
Most folks don't carry at all...I have a huge advantage with being confident enough to be able to rack and point in time....besides my wife loves knowing the gun isn't in full battery. She would hate to eject a live round when planning to go full battery.
Being safe is more important than being worried about being overwhelmed...in my opinion...it has alot to do with confidence....I'm taking my chances with being safe first.
Go easy on the bashing...I can prolly shoot better than you...LOL
Be Safe... spricks
Most folks don't carry at all...I have a huge advantage with being confident enough to be able to rack and point in time....besides my wife loves knowing the gun isn't in full battery. She would hate to eject a live round when planning to go full battery.
Being safe is more important than being worried about being overwhelmed...in my opinion...it has alot to do with confidence....I'm taking my chances with being safe first.
Go easy on the bashing...I can prolly shoot better than you...LOL
Be Safe... spricks
Houdini1953
Member
If you were in a situation where you only had use of one hand with bullets flying in your direction what would you do pray that the guy shooting at you was a really lousy shot...?
It'd be my luck I only had use of the WRONG hand.....LOL
OK Hog Shooter
Member
I always keep a bean in the pot. That way I'm always ready to turn up the heat and cook as necessary!
Silversmok3
Member
In a majority of encounters simply presenting the pistol will defuse the situation in 90% of cases.The odds of any of us who carry on this thread actually trading shots with someone are nearly nil.Debating the merits of whether or not one should carry hot is thus an exercise in pointless bickering. I carry with one in the chamber and I will not change my mind because of an internet post to the contrary. I imagine people who carry condition three will view postings contrary to their position the same way.
Its an issue with all the traction of a .45 vs 9mm debate, as in favor of the chamber hot club its true if the sugar turns to poop one doesn't need to rack the slide.
Conversely, in favor of the empty chamber sect the odds of a shots fired situation ever happening to a civilian shooter is very remote compared to the likelihood of a negligent discharge.
Its a personal choice, and let us leave it at that.
Its an issue with all the traction of a .45 vs 9mm debate, as in favor of the chamber hot club its true if the sugar turns to poop one doesn't need to rack the slide.
Conversely, in favor of the empty chamber sect the odds of a shots fired situation ever happening to a civilian shooter is very remote compared to the likelihood of a negligent discharge.
Its a personal choice, and let us leave it at that.
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There are may be others who have responded that have experienced situations where the elements of time, surprise, etc. have not been in their favor. I have been there and can tell you that things can happen unexpectedly violently and unbelievably quick. You may not have either the time or the ability to use both hands to rack a slide. It may be that you can only get one hand free and even then you better hope it's the hand that can get to your gun.
I'm not sensing this thread is at all adversarial or involving any sort of bickering or conflict. In considering my future approach to this matter I'm simply gathering information and listening to opinions and vantage points from those more experienced in this matter.
One in the pipe, cocked & locked as per JMB
-don
-don
carbuncle
Member
If I'm carrying, there's a round in the chamber.
