The problem with this scenario is that it implies that carrying with an empty chamber is wrong. But it all depends. There are scenarios where carrying with a round in the chamber was the bad choice (ie bad guy uses your gun against you) or in the case of accidental discharge, and so on. Which is right? It unfortunately depends on the scenario you are up against. We are too quick to believe that accidental discharge cannot happen to us (as its happened to trained professionals) or that someone couldn't take a gun and use it against us (ie the idea that they can possibly get your gun before you can draw at 21ft in and if you fire past 21 ft it could be murder...not to mention an encounter might not happen from the front)
Think of it like this, how many scenarios involve your guns being taken from you? I can think of only ONE since the fights probably over at that point if the BG has your gun, and even if it's not chambered will that save you?
How many other scenarios can you think of that does not end that way?
There is no question that a loaded chamber simplifies and decreases deployment time.
This is in every scenario, wouldn't you want that advantage in the 99 out of a 100 that's to your benefit?
To Put it to you another way how many people have been saved by seat belts in cars? How many have been saved because they was throw free of the car because they was not wearing a seat belt?
Im willing to bet more people survived with the seat belts.. Im also willing to bet some of those thrown free was killed into what ever they was throw TO.
As for unintentional discharges.. most of the time these comes down to negligence not a fault with the gun.
This is the cost of admission, you try to be safe and follow the rules but ultimately the risk is never 0%.
I will say this though with a half way decent holster, and a modern gun (anything built in about last 40 years) already has at least 1 type of rough handling safety built in, transfer bars, firing pin blocks, etc..
Even the cheap hi-points have counter weight's for drop protection and sear block on "safe".
These guns do not just go off on their own, baring some freak mechanical failure.
You mean its not making sense in the scenarios you have planned out in your head. Not all scenarios are going to go the way you believe they will...For example someone comes up to you from behind, trips/pushes you down, your gun falls and they grab it. You tell me how glad you would be that the gun won't fire when the bad guy has it? Unfortunately there is no perfect way to carry. Everything you do has disadvantages/advantages depending on the given scenario. What is right for scenario A is wrong for scenario B.
IF I was the BG in this scenario I can tell you what would happen.. I've already rolled it over in my head many times that If Im ever in immediate need of a semi auto that is in a unknown condition I will simply rack the slide when I pick it up.
I might waste 1 round but I know it's loaded.
I don't think your empty chamber will save you in this scenario.
I suppose my line of thinking here might open my self up for the scenario where the original owner is setting me up with a juryrigged gun that will explode when I pull the trigger or something so I guess it's not a 100% full proof plan.