So am I the only one?

[pittpa]

I am surprised that nobody brought up the fact that some holsters allow your gun to be pointed at other people or yourself while you are out and about. Think vertical or horizontal shoulder holster or pocket holster (while sitting down). Some carriers may have an issue with that. In my house I keep no round in my chambers (other than my carry guns) out of deference to firefighters potentially fighting a fire. I also operate under the assumption in my house I will have more time to rack slide or release bolt (I have an alarm) and if I'm not awake enough to do that I'd rather not be pulling the trigger.

 

[feralmerril]

We have been out of the cap and ball days for quite awhile now. I believe the guns made today are safely designed but it is paramount to read the manuel as to how the gun is to be operated.

 

[DR505]

As a firearms instructor I have had the dubious honor of seeing several loaded Glocks dropped on the concrete. Not one has discharged...and one or two were damaged and had to be returned for repairs. I've also seen, twice now, clothing get hung up in the holster and discharge the Glock when inserted into the holster. Finally, I was standing one lane down from a brand new shooter who jumped on the trigger as he was drawing and put a .40 S&W into his hip, down his femur, and out his knee...pretty nasty. The point to all this is that the firearm is well engineered, but humans can bypass any safety.

 

[Houdini1953]

After a bad experience when I first started carrying I decided that if I were not in my vehicle my weapon would be on me and chambered, the police carry that way and so should you, the M&P will only fire if you pull the trigger, other than when holstering you weapon can this happen, hell you could drive nails with the butt of it and it will not go off, the trigger has to be pulled, mine is fully loaded and ready whether I am or not!

 

[Louchia]

Only time I carried with no round in the chamber was in the Navy.
That was there rules.......

Same for me as an MP in the army

 

[Louchia]

Agreed, and I'll add a kudos to Charlton Heston: he's new to firearms and the forum, shared a legitimate concern, asked the relevant questions, and is making adjustments based on his desire to carry in the manner he sees fit.

Good on you, CH.

I'll bet this tread also helped some who didn't the question but had the same concerns

 

[Louchia]

If you are not comfortable with one in the chamber and still want to carry that gun, practice, practice, practice 'til you develop the muscle memory to always do it right. A proper holster that covers the trigger is also important.

 

[rwsmith]

Hmmmmmmm....

What's the difference between carrying a DA revolver with no safety and a DA pistol with no safety?

 

[shawn mccarver]

Sorry, but if you don't need a round chambered, you likely just don't really need a gun at all. Attacks come suddenly, and racking a slide under stress is a great way to induce a malfunction. In addition, you may be trying to control a screaming child or a non-compliant spouse to get either or both out of harms way, thereby leaving NO hands free to rack the slide. Or, you may have an injured arm or hand and you are unable to rack the slide.

In the end, carry however you are comfy, but there is a reason the police do not carry their guns unloaded or in Condition 2 (half-loaded - full mag and empty chamber).

It sounds to me like you are simply not confident in the inherent safety of your pistol. I suggest you get a revolver, or get more confidence in your gun - take an armorer's course to learn how it works and WHY it will not go off by itself.

Good luck.

 

[mbliss57]

My wife and I had this discussion over a year ago when she was new to shooting. With training, reading from experts and more training she evolved from carrying her Sig P238, with the mag out but accessible, to the mag in
but nothing in the chamber to now carrying her Sig P238 with the 1 in the chamber and the magazine full, cocked and locked as it's a mini 1911. So she has the safety on as I would recommend in a SA semi auto. But it was a year long process for her and you have to do what you are comfortable with.
My favorite carry pistols are 3rd gens. 4513TSW, 4516, and 3913. All I keep 1 loaded in the chamber, full mag racked, and de-cocked. So my 1st shot is a DA shot like a revolver. But there are no safeties to mess with. It's point and shoot.

 

[Old cop]

Remember that fine motor skills fall apart in a life threatening emergency and you get tunnel vision, I know b/c I've been there. As others have said if you are not comfortable w/a fully charged auto get a revolver. I carry a J frame and have done so for over 40 years. I'm too old to learn new tricks now and see no need to in retirement.

 

[maillesdad]

I am surprised that nobody brought up the fact that some holsters allow your gun to be pointed at other people or yourself while you are out and about. Think vertical or horizontal shoulder holster or pocket holster (while sitting down). Some carriers may have an issue with that. In my house I keep no round in my chambers (other than my carry guns) out of deference to firefighters potentially fighting a fire. I also operate under the assumption in my house I will have more time to rack slide or release bolt (I have an alarm) and if I'm not awake enough to do that I'd rather not be pulling the trigger.

Not to derail but I thought of this post last night and would like to hear what others do with pocket carry. I typically have my Shield with an IWB holster but, for whatever reason, I decided to carry my bodyguard in a pocket holster while traveling out of state with the family. Whenever I have pocket carried before I have never sat facing someone - it has been only used running errands but last night I realized, as I was sitting at the restaurant, that my bodyguard was directly pointed at my daughter sitting across the table from me. I went to the restroom to turn the safety on and reoriented the holster to point left as their was no one seated to my left.

What do all of the pocket carriers do when seated somewhere where others are located? I know with the long and heavy pull of a Bodygaurd, for example, there is practically no chance of a ND but it still goes against my instincts to allow the barrel directed at a person.

 

[Sean from Vt]

You're probably better off not carrying if you are not comfortable with it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MOONDAWG]

Whos freaked out about cc with a round chambered? It just doesnt feel right to me. I realize these firearms dont go off by themselves, but if theres no round chambered theres zero chance of that. I dont like knowing theres a round chambered in my gun...Your thoughts? EDIT: my 40c has no external safety

"A man's gotta know his limitations" Clint Eastwood

 

[koz5614]

If you want an additional margin of safety with a semi-auto, you could always get one of these:

 

[Kentucky Dave]

Carrying a Model 49, all 5 rounds in the cylinder - Always.
Carrying a Glock, one in the chamber - Always.
Carrying a 1911, one in the chamber, cocked & locked - Always.

Don't carry anything until you're comfy enough with that firearm to carry it in a most useful manner should TSHTF.

Good question by the OP, though, and one that probably not enough newbies have really thought out. Great considerations brought up during the thread.

Now, about public bathroom breaks...

 

[Waywatcher]

Not to derail but I thought of this post last night and would like to hear what others do with pocket carry. I typically have my Shield with an IWB holster but, for whatever reason, I decided to carry my bodyguard in a pocket holster while traveling out of state with the family. Whenever I have pocket carried before I have never sat facing someone - it has been only used running errands but last night I realized, as I was sitting at the restaurant, that my bodyguard was directly pointed at my daughter sitting across the table from me. I went to the restroom to turn the safety on and reoriented the holster to point left as their was no one seated to my left.

What do all of the pocket carriers do when seated somewhere where others are located? I know with the long and heavy pull of a Bodygaurd, for example, there is practically no chance of a ND but it still goes against my instincts to allow the barrel directed at a person.

This is one of the reasons that I prefer belt carry if at all possible. Muzzle is nearly always pointed in a safe direction, draw is faster than pocket.

 

[Kentucky Dave]

... I decided to carry my bodyguard in a pocket holster while traveling out of state with the family. Whenever I have pocket carried before I have never sat facing someone - it has been only used running errands but last night I realized, as I was sitting at the restaurant, that my bodyguard was directly pointed at my daughter sitting across the table from me. I went to the restroom to turn the safety on and reoriented the holster to point left as their was no one seated to my left.
...

OK, I'll show a gap in my knowledge... A safety on a Bodyguard?

Mine sure doesn't have one besides my brain.

 

[Rastoff]

OK, I'll show a gap in my knowledge... A safety on a Bodyguard?

I'm pretty sure he meant this one:

 

[kozal01]

I would be more freaked out NOT having a round chambered. Imo a gun intended for pd that's not ready to pull and shoot is a paperweight. Racking the slide to chamber a round seems like a simple act when done at the range in a controlled environment but it's an entirely different thing when done under stress worth your hands shaking, palms sweating and adrenaline pumping. Those vital seconds or takes for you to draw your weapon and chamber a round could actually mean the difference between living and dying. In the time it takes to disengage the safety and pull the trigger an assailant can cover a few yards. This is just my opinion but my advice to anyone considering carrying a gun for protection is to not carry unless you are 100% comfortable with carrying a fully loaded firearm. Don't set yourself up for failure.


Sent from my iPhone 5S using Tapatalk