just looking for opinions. the reason i ask is i'm kinda leery of leaving a loaded gun not in my direct control. yes it is in a combination safe (touch pad type) but i just don't like to do it. on the other hand loading it takes time, granted not much (it's a semi auto) but if i'm gonna need it i'd like to have it ready quick like. also i've read that repeted cycling of ammo can be damaging to the round. like i said, just looking for opinions.
any reason to unload a pistol before locking it up?
- Thread starter hawken50
- Start date
chris in va
New member
I leave mine loaded, ready to go...but you could always just have the mag loaded and separate from the gun. Slap in, rack and done.
Hawken50
If you were to draw (safely) unload and reload everyday. Things start to become very natural. Rotate your rounds and you shouldn't have any problems. Also that RACKING of a round has a giddy up and go effect when heard by BG.
For what its worth just the way I like to do it.
If you were to draw (safely) unload and reload everyday. Things start to become very natural. Rotate your rounds and you shouldn't have any problems. Also that RACKING of a round has a giddy up and go effect when heard by BG.
For what its worth just the way I like to do it.
If it really worries you, don't chamber a round, but if its chambered and a DA, leave it in DA with saftey on. Perfectly safe, unless you pull the trigger.
And BIC, you said,
Yep, sure does. Also alerts BG to the fact that you are awake, and armed, and takes away all element of suprise you may have had. If he is determined, now he KNOWS he HAS to KILL YOU FIRST. In my opinion, stupid move that looks good in movies, compromises you in real life.
And BIC, you said,
Yep, sure does. Also alerts BG to the fact that you are awake, and armed, and takes away all element of suprise you may have had. If he is determined, now he KNOWS he HAS to KILL YOU FIRST. In my opinion, stupid move that looks good in movies, compromises you in real life.
I live in a house with 3 other guys - all unfortunately not firearm saavy and reject requests to learn how to use them. (Side Note: I can't believe I found these people in TEXAS!). Anyways, I keep my 9mm chambered at night, but pop out the round and throw on a lock when I'm gone during the day. All of the other guns are locked up. Just rotate the rounds to avoid loading one cartridge too many times and occasionally take your defensive ammo to the range and shoot it out for some new stuff.
God knows I'm a strong believer in securing all firearms but if it's in a safe ... it's secure whether it's got a round chambered or not. Chambering a round certainly doesn't take any time once you get the safe open, so whatever you feel best with.
Most of my firearms are stored unloaded, but the one I would grab for HD is ready to go.
Most of my firearms are stored unloaded, but the one I would grab for HD is ready to go.
Howdy,
You guys really gave me something to think about. As I stated earlier my handgun is locked in the safe with a round chambered and the safety on, I think it is important that one has as much as a tactical advantage as possible with a secured firearm.... However if I had a shotgun for home defense I think I would have it loaded but not chambered until trouble came stumbling in my house. I think the psychological effect of racking a pump shotgun is the international sign to get the heck outta of dodge.
I must admit I think it is a lot easier for me as it is most people to rack a shotgun than it is to chamber the first round in a pistol during clutch situations. Does anyone else feel this way?
I feel that a lot of it has to do with chambering a shotshell sounds a whole lot more intimidating than chambering a pistol round.
You guys really gave me something to think about. As I stated earlier my handgun is locked in the safe with a round chambered and the safety on, I think it is important that one has as much as a tactical advantage as possible with a secured firearm.... However if I had a shotgun for home defense I think I would have it loaded but not chambered until trouble came stumbling in my house. I think the psychological effect of racking a pump shotgun is the international sign to get the heck outta of dodge.
I must admit I think it is a lot easier for me as it is most people to rack a shotgun than it is to chamber the first round in a pistol during clutch situations. Does anyone else feel this way?
I feel that a lot of it has to do with chambering a shotshell sounds a whole lot more intimidating than chambering a pistol round.
The concept of SSV is often taught to those who may have to become involved in altercations in their employment.
As I recall, those elements are: Surprize, . . . Strength, . . . and Violence of Action.
Racking an 870, a 1911, or pulling back the hammer on a Colt .45 and spinning the cylinder would just throw the first element out.
To me, it is kinda like stepping up to bat, with one strike already levied against you.
If the bg has real good hearing, . . . he may hear the sound of my 1911 safety going off, . . . then again, his first indication may be my 1911 going off.
I really do not ever want to have to go through all the legal mumbo jumbo of proving it to be a legal "shoot", . . . but I want to preserve all the odds of my coming out as the one tried by 12, rather than the one carried by 6.
That is also why I shoot my 1911, . . . clean it (if it needs it), . . . load it, . . . and the next logical step is again the beginning: shoot it. I put it in my holster, in my pants, in my coat, in my truck, in my car, in my safe, on my nightstand, . . . loaded until it is shot. Just the way I do things.
One thing for sure about that system, . . . don't never have to ask the question: Is it loaded?
May God bless,
Dwight
As I recall, those elements are: Surprize, . . . Strength, . . . and Violence of Action.
Racking an 870, a 1911, or pulling back the hammer on a Colt .45 and spinning the cylinder would just throw the first element out.
To me, it is kinda like stepping up to bat, with one strike already levied against you.
If the bg has real good hearing, . . . he may hear the sound of my 1911 safety going off, . . . then again, his first indication may be my 1911 going off.
I really do not ever want to have to go through all the legal mumbo jumbo of proving it to be a legal "shoot", . . . but I want to preserve all the odds of my coming out as the one tried by 12, rather than the one carried by 6.
That is also why I shoot my 1911, . . . clean it (if it needs it), . . . load it, . . . and the next logical step is again the beginning: shoot it. I put it in my holster, in my pants, in my coat, in my truck, in my car, in my safe, on my nightstand, . . . loaded until it is shot. Just the way I do things.
One thing for sure about that system, . . . don't never have to ask the question: Is it loaded?
May God bless,
Dwight
Bic wrote:
Would you mind trying that in english.....friend?
And I am just saying and yes it is my opinion, (although alot of people in the self defense world reguard it as common sense) that racking a shotgun or a pistol in the dead of night, in a home invation situation, only alerts the BG to your armed presence. You have immediately lost your element of surprise. If I were BG, and didn't see you, but heard that sound, it would put me on high alert, and FORCE me to act violently and kill you, even if it weren't my first intention, because now I know, you have a gun, and will no doubt shoot me.
Now because of your movie shotgun rack and scare the BG, I know you are armed, and with what, and I know your approximate location. I'll wait for you. You come on out in the dark to me......friend....
Would you mind trying that in english.....friend?
And I am just saying and yes it is my opinion, (although alot of people in the self defense world reguard it as common sense) that racking a shotgun or a pistol in the dead of night, in a home invation situation, only alerts the BG to your armed presence. You have immediately lost your element of surprise. If I were BG, and didn't see you, but heard that sound, it would put me on high alert, and FORCE me to act violently and kill you, even if it weren't my first intention, because now I know, you have a gun, and will no doubt shoot me.
Now because of your movie shotgun rack and scare the BG, I know you are armed, and with what, and I know your approximate location. I'll wait for you. You come on out in the dark to me......friend....
You never want to reveal your position to a BG. That is common sense. I don't care how skilled you are, basic defense courses state this. It is a bad idea to give your location in a dark house with a bad guy in it. Don't rack the slide, not everything works like it does in the movies.
I was taught from when I as young, firearms safety - never, ever store a loaded gun... and for that matter, don't store the ammo with the gun. But of course, still treat every gun as if it is loaded, even if you know it isn't.
But... defensively speaking... you would have the advantage if the gun were already loaded. I liked the idea of keeping the mag loaded & ready...
Of course a lot of it depends on how secure your gun is, who *may* have access to it (can the BG get there first? Are there kids in the house? etc.)
But... defensively speaking... you would have the advantage if the gun were already loaded. I liked the idea of keeping the mag loaded & ready...
Of course a lot of it depends on how secure your gun is, who *may* have access to it (can the BG get there first? Are there kids in the house? etc.)
too many choices!?
New member
Disclaimer: I don't have kids or particularly want them......
"Any reason to unload a pistol before locking it up"....Why would it need to be locked up? Was it bad? And why take the bullets out unless they are time delayed
? The only reason to unload a defensive firearm is to clean it or while "using" it("uload" while "using" get it 
).....The only reason to lock up a defensive firearm is if it is not going with you(unless slide lock counts also)......reread my disclaimer at this time.....
The only other reason to unload a defensive firearm, would be if you are too forgetful to remember to use the safety rules.....In wich case I hear they are making some wicked stun guns now a days :barf:
"Any reason to unload a pistol before locking it up"....Why would it need to be locked up? Was it bad? And why take the bullets out unless they are time delayed
? The only reason to unload a defensive firearm is to clean it or while "using" it("uload" while "using" get it ).....The only reason to lock up a defensive firearm is if it is not going with you(unless slide lock counts also)......reread my disclaimer at this time.....The only other reason to unload a defensive firearm, would be if you are too forgetful to remember to use the safety rules.....In wich case I hear they are making some wicked stun guns now a days :barf:
Got three locked & loaded in there right now - and I'm the only one with the combo.
Only thing I can think of beyond this is the fact that the magazine springs will compress over time with a fully loaded gun and your last round will start jamming because of a weak spring. One partial solution to that is leave one round out of the mag so the spring doesn't stay as compressed.
Only thing I can think of beyond this is the fact that the magazine springs will compress over time with a fully loaded gun and your last round will start jamming because of a weak spring. One partial solution to that is leave one round out of the mag so the spring doesn't stay as compressed.
thanks for all the input. yes i do have kids, so the gun is locked up when not on me. i was taught the same as wendi5000, always unload a gun before you set it down, and always check the chamber when you pick one up. that's the reason for the question. i didn't think it was necessary to unload befor putting it in a safe but old habits die hard. (p.s. my old man taught me this and we only had rifles and shotguns.)
Steamboatsig
New member
I have Springfield XD. At night I usually keep it next to my bed with a loaded magazine but an empty chamber. My reasoning is because I don't like the gun sitting there cocked for extended periods of time. Correct me if I am wrong to think that having it cocked for days on end is bad for the gun.