Chambered round or not when carrying?

S

sight-on

Inactive
I'm interested in knowing about those who carry a concealed firearm and their opinions on whether or not to chamber a round while holstered. In other words, do you always have a round chambered with the safety on, or never chamber a round with the safety on and know you must take the time to chamber one if/when you have to draw for self defense.
 
Absolutely one in the pipe of my 1911. You are not ready without one. Your own personal training and ability should take care of carrying one fully ready. Watch and train on where your finger goes on one without a safety (M&P, ect). When, God forbid, the **** hits the fan, you better be ready NOW! When I carry a wheel gun, it's not an issue. Why should it be an issue with a slide gun?
Train, practice, train, practice then practice some more. Welcome to the board.
 
Would you take a taser around without batteries? Use an unsharpened combat knife? When/if the situation of needing to actually fire your concealed weapon of choice comes along, that extra second or two spent racking the slide and getting your grip ready can be the difference between life and death. Plus, what if one of your hands in otherwise incapacitated, i.e., injured, pinned, or being chewed on by a dog. Best to take one less step out of the equation from start to finish.
 
One in the chamber always, the only caveat I have is when I carry a new pistol (semi-auto) I'll carry (Israeli, condition III) for a week, just to get used to it. I did this when I switched from a S&W auto (469) to a 1911 clone (RIA), just to get used to it. After I did, back to one in the chamber.
 
+1 to what Mac1 stated. It is a little strange in the begining to have a round chambered. If have a modern firearm thats in good working order it's your booger hook that will get you in trouble every time.
 
A perennial question.
If you want your defensive tool to be ready for immediate action, you have the chamber loaded.
If the idea frightens you, you don't.

That's pretty much it, reduced to the basics.
Denis
 
A defensive gun should always be carried with one in the chamber. If someone has safety concerns about carrying a gun with on in the chamber, get a gun with a manual safety like a Beretta or a 1911.

Carrying a pistol without a round in the chamber is an invitation for a wrestling match. Think it through.

You pull your gun on someone, but before you can rack the slide and fire the guy charges you and now you are wrestling with the bad guy for control of your gun. Now that is a BEST case scenario.

If you are justified in pulling your weapon, it means you life is in danger, so the guy has a weapon of his own, in which case you will probably end up dead before you get the chance to use your own weapon.

Carrying your pistol unchambered is an invitation for the bad guy to take it from you and use it on you.
 
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Look...normally, we don't complain about somebody asking a stupid question. But...I have a problem here. In order to ask this question, you would have to have a gun (or are considering buying one) that you don't know how it works.

Some guns are safe carrying full-up, others have to run chamber-empty.

If you don't know which one your gun is, you have no business carrying it. You actually have no business owning it if it's something you'll ever rely on for defense.

I'm sorry if this seems harsh but...it's as if you're contemplating jumping in a car you have no idea how to drive. it's just about that reckless.
 
Response to Mr. March

I would consider a "stupid" question one that is not asked. Unless I'm mistaken, a forum is the place where questions are put to others for advise, input, survey of opinions, and to gain a greater understanding of people with like interests. I certainly don't pretend to know what others think. My question was put to this forum out of a discussion I had with a neighbor and I was merely interested in learning about what others who carry 'do'. I poised the question to get feedback from people with all levels of experience. As for my experience with firearms, I've been a gun owner for more than 40 years and I own many. As a former deputy sheriff I am quiet familiar with the use and operation of all firearms. Maybe in the future you should not be so quick to belittle those who enter these forums with your elitist and condescending comments. If, in fact, this had been a 'newbie' asking a question, you chould have set an example and be a mentor to those who seek to learn from the knowledge of those with more experience.
 
I would consider a "stupid" question one that is not asked
Click to expand...

Well, yeah, you're right, but this one gets asked about once a week around here. Personally, I can't see why anyone would carry with an empty chamber, other than if there's a limitation on the gun. Something like the old style SA revolver comes to mind where you need an empty under the hammer.

In the case of most modern DA revolvers, this isn't an issue. They're mostly fitted with a transfer bar that allows all chambers to be loaded. There are exceptions to this in older firearms.

In the case of a semi-auto, one of the most likely times for a jam is in chambering the first cartridge; especially under stress. As long as the gun is safe to do it, I carry them fully loaded.

Of course, others should carry however they feel most comfortable; within safe guidelines, of course. Personally, I've never owned a firearm that couldn't be carried safely with a chambered cartridge, and as a result I've never carried a firearm that didn't have a round chambered.

:)

Daryl
 
One in the chamber.

This question does get asked a lot, and perhaps it is wearing on folks somewhat. I have come to the conclusion at this point that if it is asked quite a bit it must be a question that needs answered quite a bit.

Welcome to the forum sight-on.
 
Come on Jim, don't pick on the guy! He's just admitted he was a cop, probably the most likely category of people to shoot themselves while fumbling with a firearm they don't know how to operate...

Sorry guys, after all the stories I've read about cops being dangerous with peoples CCW guns they have temporarily "confiscated", I just couldn't resist! ;)
 
Mr. March, not only is that rude, but you don't seem to understand the OP's question. You could carry an auto with a full mag and an empty pipe. Why would he not understand his own weapon and have no business carrying? This question is posted on here often, but this is a new member. How about a little hospitality? You could have easily ignored the thread.
 
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