Do you Carry Loaded?

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Personal expirience has taught me that I most likely won't have time to chamber a round when I need the handgun. Thus my handguns are loaded as I don't like to carry around a paperweight.

Biker
 
I don't think it hurts to carry cocked+locked, chamber empty, for a while to gain confidence in your rig and safety practice. I think long term if you do not feel secure and confident carrying +1 you need to reevaluate your piece and supporting hardware. Maybe a DA revolver would be a better piece versus a autoloader. Doesnt get easier than a quality belt+holster and a DA pistol loaded with 5-6 fresh soldiers.
 
For carry, Glock 23, one in the pipe, 2 full mags, makes 27+1. Like the fat kit at recess, I don't play.

It's all about comfort and proficiency level. Should somebody who just bought their first handgun have a 3# trigger IWB ready to pop off? Probably not.

Empty chamber safety off is a very safe manner to carry. Unfortunately, close-contact might mean you don't have both hands available, making that slide rack more difficult.

Out in California, open carry of an unloaded handgun, with a loaded magazine in easy reach, is completely legal. So they practice draw, load mag, rack, on target.

Home defense is a different story. Benelli Nova 12ga pump, I much prefer to keep it stored chamber empty, safety off, 4 in the mag. Easy, quick manipulation and I might get that slight OODA advantage if an intruder hears the action cycle.

Glock 20 HD gun I keep empty chamber mag loaded, because I also use that as my primary dry-fire practice gun. When it's practice time, I drop the mag, safety check twice, press trigger in a safe direction, and I'm good to go. No worry about bullet setback over time. If I hear a bump in the night, I'm going on the assumption that there's plenty of time to rack the slide.

Mind you I live alone, no children. If I have people coming over with kids, I download and stow/lock up as necessary.
 
I hate these threads - my two cents. If you are not comfortable with the gun and fear you will shoot yourself - don't carry the darn thing. If it is mechanically safe to carry chambered but NOT safe for YOU to carry - guess what the problem focus is the system.

Do what it takes to be fully comfortable with its operation.

Get out on the range, go take courses. Don't carry some honker boom stick that you are scared off.

I've had someone put a round in the ground, a foot from my footsie. I know two guys who shot themselves with a crappy holster (retention anyone). So train, train, train. Training is more important than babbling about equipment.
 
I've had someone put a round in the ground, a foot from my footsie. I know two guys who shot themselves with a crappy holster
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Training notwithstanding, I'd bet that neither incident involved a DA/SA or DAO pistol. If you don't mind, what pistols were involved with these two AD's?

There are millions of gun owners. Many have no training, and the rest of us have some level of training, with a very very few who have the necessary training to be considered completely competent and expert with their firearm. This is just the way it is. So, knowing this, choosing the right equipment is important.

Inexperienced shooters carrying a Glock or 1911 is not a good idea in my opinion. And, even though I personally have done a heck of a lot of shooting and a good amount of pistol training in my life, I am relatively new to concealed carry. I personally do not feel comfortable carrying a Glock-type gun for safety reasons. Cops have the luxury of carrying their pistol in a sturdy, secure external holster which should naturally keep it pointed away from his body. I don't. I have to have my gun concealed which means I've got to come out of concealment. If you accidentally touch the trigger on a glock, it very well could go bang. If you accidentally touch the trigger on a Smith DA/SA, revolver, or DAO, it will not go bang - you have got to really want to fire that first shot.

I have no problem admitting this that, for me, a Glock is not the best tool for conceal carry. Training is not always the answer, this is why different formats of guns are available.
 
A few months ago I was deer hunting (shotgun). I always cycle a slug as soon as I enter the woods, but on this particular day I decided not to cycle until reaching my tree stand, and loaded only the magazine. Well, on my way to my tree stand I kicked up 3 nice bucks well within shooting distance. I raised my gun, went to pump a slug into the chamber and NOTHING. In the excitment I forgot to press the action release and the gun would not cycle! No shot. I hate to think what would have happened if those deer could shoot back! I have been hunting with this gun for years and am very familiar with it, and could not believe the mistake I made. In a life and death situation a mistake like that will cost you your life. If you think you will have no problem chambering a round, think again!

Also, when you make a decision to draw your weapon, the other guy will probably already have a drawn LOADED weapon. Unless you figure he is going to miss, have your gun loaded!
 
I carry my Glock 23 with one in the chamber. If someone attacks me, I don't want to be concerned about fiddling around with the safety or having to actually rack the slide.

I'm not that concerned about accidental discharges because I'm careful with it and keep it pointed away from my body and others at all times.
 
blutob; the difference is 1) you did something different than what you usually do and 2) you were not thinking about what state your shotgun was in at the time you put your finger on the trigger.

If you always kept the chamber empty, and always pumped it prior to a shot, it wouldn't be an issue. But you broke your training or at least your standard procedure, and it failed you. Not surprised.
 
I know lots of people that carry chamber empty. They feel sufficiently armed and im not gonna try and force my belief on them. I just find it weird to be honest. I cant see why anyone would want to carry a gun that will need both hands to bring it into a ready state.

Im sure they have their reasons.
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Most reasons I've heard of are for "safety". Which really makes you less safe since you're burdened with the necessity of two hands being required to deploy your pistol.
 
I'm not experienced on the subject, but I am a logical person.
Let's say I'm the BG mugging you (so I'm pretty close; as I expect most of these encounters are) and I've got a weapon (maybe it's a gun, but for the sake of my argument, doesn't matter). AS SOON AS you reveal your gun, you make or break my will to victimize you and I will either surrender or attack immediately.
So, if you carry with a round in the chamber, you're in the fight right away.
If you don't, it is your responsibility to create/maintain distance between us until your weapon is ready (i.e. chambered, cocked and aimed).
BUT, if I, the BG, am just looking for an easy victim (as I likely am), I'll probably back down after your gun comes out (especially if I don't have one, which not all BG's will) IF you give me an opportunity.
Remember that easy victims make a criminal's job much easier, and he knows there are plenty of other people put there who aren't carrying like you are, so there IS a possibility he would flee if you pulled out even an empty gun.

Of course this debate will continue and there is sound logic to each choice... except NOT carrying :D
 
So, if you carry with a round in the chamber, you're in the fight right away.
If you don't, it is your responsibility to create/maintain distance between us until your weapon is ready (i.e. chambered, cocked and aimed).
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Often you won't be given the opportunity to create distance and using logical thinking is great, except when dealing with the criminal element. They don't think like you do.

If you are depending or believing that the badguy will run at the sight of your gun, tells me that you view the weapon as a talisman to ward off evil, and not for the lethal tool it is.

I respectfully suggest that you come to terms, and decide, if you have the ability to take another person's life before carrying a weapon. The badguy will be able to sense this before you even clear leather.

Biker
 
So.....That all being said OP what are you going to do when you wake up tomorrow morning? Rack that slide and continue with your day?

Trust me...I've had experiences where if I thought about replaying it again in my head and it went slightly different that unchambered round could have been fatal for me.


Empty the thing out, draw it..Do drills for yourself. Get used to it, be comfortable.

Finger off the trigger = Safe

Finger on the trigger = Hot. Good to go.

Now worries you'll be fine. Muscle memory for the finger off the trigger will kick in eventually.
 
That's a question I consider the same as, "Are you carrying?" or "Have you stopped beating your wife?" I don't answer questions that are none of 'askers' business.
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LOL asked that much, are ya?:D

I don't/can't carry (SoCal), but I can't imagine not have a round chambered. Same goes for house guns.
 
I do Carry Loaded and ready, and the kid who asked me this question Came Across as a Smart ass and Acted like i was wrong if I did, Witch i do everyday everywhere my glock stays ready and i am sure if he knew it was a glock (if he knows anything about glocks) and the way the safty was setup on this gun he would only be more disgusted. but thats for him I am loaded and ready, never had a Accidental fire I keep my glock in a fobus holster that keeps this from happening. Now in responce to a few.. My nightstand gun is unchamber I do have a kids runnning around
and i think if i was to go back and be asked again i think i would handle this is a better manner.
but i do agree if you dont feel safe carrying a loaded ready to point and fire gun, you shouldnt carry it at all. Just my thoughts..and never will judge or try to change a person mind on this subject the end result is that you must do what makes you cofortable...
but thanks to all the responce on this topic i know it has been outplayed a little but i know how to handle the question next time it comes across

1 last thought. From reading these forms i have relized that if your gonna post on here you must be able to take the criticism i see people really getting offended on what others say
 
My .44spl. revolver is fully loaded when I carry it my .25ACP is not carried with a round in the chamber when I carry it. The safety on it is not safe enough so I keep the safety off and have to rack the slide.

YMMV
 
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