One in the chamber?

[Buford57]

Depending on the day:

DAO semi with no safety - chamber loaded.
DA/SA semi with safety - chamber loaded, safety off
DAO, internal hammer revolver, no safety - chamber loaded

Do you see the pattern? Each of these was designed to be carried safely with the chamber loaded. Each uses the same procedure for a first shot: a long, relatively heavy but smooth trigger pull. Each has one or more properly fitting holsters.

With SA autos and older pattern SA revolvers this is a very relevant question. I could play devil's advocate, stir the pot and suggest it may be a relevant question for those who carry striker-fired autos also (but I won't). With modern DA/SA and DAO autos and DA or DAO revolvers I can't think of a good reason for an empty chamber under normal circumstances.

 

[flintsghost]

There is/was a european made revolver that had a safety on it. It was very expensive and was sort of a copy of a python as I recall. That is the only revolver I've ever heard of with a safety. PCgunner is obviously not knowledgable on that subject and needs some education before he is licensed to carry. The thought that a revolver should be carried without a round under the hammer is a hold over from Colt SAA days and possibly SASS. I would hope that where ever PCgunner is going to go for his pre licensing training, he would ask enough questions in class that he obtains these answers.

 

[JJEH]

There is/was a european made revolver that had a safety on it. It was very expensive and was sort of a copy of a python as I recall.

Didn't Korth made them?

Korth arms Models

https://youtu.be/iJZwhrxokGA

 

[Protected One]

Every individual is free to choose how they carry, but consider this - there are NO reputable firearms instructors who "teach OR practice" carrying with an empty chamber.

There's a message in there someplace.

 

[hexnut]

If you carry a semi auto with no round in the chamber and think you will always have time to rack the slide, it may be your last mistake.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Condition 1 all the way. I carry a 1911 sometimes, other times a .40 compact. The 1911 is cocked and locked; the .40 is chambered with safety on. Either way I carry, the motion is the same. As I draw, the thumb goes to the safety, muzzle to the target, finger ready for the trigger.

 

[Silver Creek Al]

I want to draw safely and fast from fully concealed carry and for the gun to go bang if I have made the decision to shoot... full cylinders (I am not including old single actions revolvers) and chambered cartridges but one round less in a magazine (a personal preference)... the mind makes the decision and everything else is reflex action... that is why some cops carry Glocks with a round in the chamber and a full magazine....

 

[Whitwabit]

Thanks for the positive responses - those that offered them...



Yes I do have a lack of knowledge which is why I came here and why I am asking questions!

If you prefer I not that's fine, I can go elsewhere - thought this was a friendly place to learn and offer help when I can.

Guess I was wrong

There is always a few .. this forum is usually pretty informative .. and there is a lot of very good info to be found here !!

Most of us carry with one in the chamber for to have to rack your pistol before you are able to shoot while in that same amount of time the BG has shot 2-3 times or advanced and has stabbed you multiple times or struck you with a piece of metal pipe .. what do you think your survivability is ??

I carry a S&W 40 compact no safety and the DA trigger is the safety .. its 6 1/2 pound pull has to be deliberate for the pistol to fire .. it will not fire by its self .. someone or something has to interact with the trigger for the pistol to fire ..

So carrying one in the chamber is very safe in the many different methods of carrying .. as long as your finger doesn't interact with the trigger until the pistol is aimed at the object you intend to shoot .. and you have decided to shoot that object whether it is a target or in a self defense situation ..

 

[LenS]

Always one in the chamber, an empty gun is useless if time is critical (Israelis train to chamber on draw but it takes a lot of training to be time-effective).

Current CCW has no safety. When I CCW'd a 1911, cocked and locked.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

. . . (Israelis train to chamber on draw but it takes a lot of training to be time-effective). . . .

And, AFAIK, it still takes two hands.

 

[Beachcomber]

Just to clarify my vote: "Semi - Yes - no safety"...

I carry various Glock pistols.

 

[UNCLE PAULY]

House guns - two 1911 45 acp with full clips but empty chambers.
Impossible to get carry permit in Maryland but I would keep one in the chamber in carry gun.

 

[Mr.Harry]

SA/DA revolver. Full rack.

 

[LenS]

And, AFAIK, it still takes two hands.

No, the Israeli system is to chamber using only one hand, by raking the sight across clothing or holster to rack the slide. I had a recent student in my NRA PPOH class who trained with the Israelis and demonstrated it for me with my 1911. It works, but takes a lot of training to get it right instinctively.

LEOs in the US don't spend a lot of range time training as it is, and most civilian CCW folks don't shoot at ranges that would allow you to do such things, so I would consider it as an impractical way to carry in the US!

 

[hexnut]

Just read on another gun forum where someone said that people who are afraid to carry one in the chamber are not really ready to carry a gun. I think I agree.

 

[apotter11]

You'll need a better class of friends. Unless you are a cop doing a traffic stop, empty chamber should be fine. Be alert, don't be stupid, watch your environment and you should have plenty of time to avoid using the safety blanket.

 

[DD357]

An old thread on arfcom came back around (the search function over there is terrible or I'd include a link) and I though of this thread. The member was a robbery victim where there was no chance to chamber a round, as it was both the victim and the perp took hits. The member left his gun at the office and he almost didn't bother going back to get it; fortunately he did - if not he may not be alive today. The member was carrying a 1911 and as has happened before, the other shooter - the perp - focused on his gun (and just like an instinctive archery shooter where the arrow goes where you are looking) he took a glancing hit to his gun hand. He got off 2 shots and then it wouldn't fire, he thought he had a jam; as it turns out the hand hit - while not enough to totally disable it caused enough of a problem the grip safety was now engaged. Anyways the perp had a 6 shot revolver and when he realized he ran it dry he fled. The member was treated for multiple gunshot wounds and the perp was picked up later. None of the the hits were lethal to either person and the perp got 75 years. Several lesson here to consider I think:
1) Not carrying a gun ready go could be a mistake you will not get to correct it for the next time. I agree with the post that if you aren't comfortable carrying one chambered then you either need a different gun or you should not be carrying until you can get your head on straight.
2) Maybe grip safeties aren't such a good idea.
3) Always carry.
4) Just because you and/or the bad guy are hit doesn't mean things are now over.
5) Just because you have a big handgun that doesn't mean you have a death ray
6) Keep fighting
7) If the perp hadn't run dry would the arfcom member still be alive? More rounds sometimes make a difference.

It is a good read but describing the whole incident would be far too long in an already long post and not sure I would get all the details right.

 

[Protected One]

An old thread on arfcom came back around (the search function over there is terrible or I'd include a link) and I though of this thread. The member was a robbery victim where there was no chance to chamber a round, as it was both the victim and the perp took hits. The member left his gun at the office and he almost didn't bother going back to get it; fortunately he did - if not he may not be alive today. The member was carrying a 1911 and as has happened before, the other shooter - the perp - focused on his gun (and just like an instinctive archery shooter where the arrow goes where you are looking) he took a glancing hit to his gun hand. He got off 2 shots and then it wouldn't fire, he thought he had a jam; as it turns out the hand hit - while not enough to totally disable it caused enough of a problem the grip safety was now engaged. Anyways the perp had a 6 shot revolver and when he realized he ran it dry he fled. The member was treated for multiple gunshot wounds and the perp was picked up later. None of the the hits were lethal to either person and the perp got 75 years. Several lesson here to consider I think:
1) Not carrying a gun ready go could be a mistake you will not get to correct it for the next time. I agree with the post that if you aren't comfortable carrying one chambered then you either need a different gun or you should not be carrying until you can get your head on straight.
2) Maybe grip safeties aren't such a good idea.
3) Always carry.
4) Just because you and/or the bad guy are hit doesn't mean things are now over.
5) Just because you have a big handgun that doesn't mean you have a death ray
6) Keep fighting
7) If the perp hadn't run dry would the arfcom member still be alive? More rounds sometimes make a difference.

It is a good read but describing the whole incident would be far too long in an already long post and not sure I would get all the details right.

Grip safeties AREN'T a good idea. That's one of the things JMB improved when he made the High Power.

 

[FUBAR-M1A]

Surprised by the number of people who said they carry w/ an empty chamber.

 

[jdebarto]

When I first got my Shield I carried it in my bag unchambered and with the safety on. After a trip to the range I started carrying it on me, same condition. As time went on I started carrying it chambered with safety on and eventually the safety came off. The more confident owners start out that way, but we all eventually get there. Set your own pace and you will get comfortable enough.

Exactly every one is at their own pace. Just like learning how to drive a car.

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