Sorry if this question has been asked but I am new to this board and lots to read. I just purchased a 1911 and was wondering for home defense is it better to have the gun with one in the chamber, cocked and safety on or one in the chamber and hammer down? Or wait to chamber a round until needed? I have no children in the house. Thanks in advance. I will look around some more and maybe find the answer.
home defense gun
- Thread starter striker55
- Start date
SatanzBountyHunter
New member
With no kids in the house and as it is your nightstand/HD gun, got to say cocked, locked and ready to rock. Welcome to the forum and 'Hello' from Lubbock.
I suppose we all live under different circumstances.An idea I read in "To Ride,Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth" is if someone caves in your head with a ball bat while you are asleep,it doesn't much matter if you have a round in the chamber.
From a dog to a lockable gate across your bedroom hall,some early warning gives you a moment to prepare.
Then,generally something like the sound of a shucking Winchester "97 may make the point moot. HiBC
From a dog to a lockable gate across your bedroom hall,some early warning gives you a moment to prepare.
Then,generally something like the sound of a shucking Winchester "97 may make the point moot. HiBC
1911 is my primary weapon.
I know you didn't ask for 1911 advice, but in case you're new to 1911's I'll offer some...
Great weapon if you use it alot and prove its reliability. Unreliable 1911's are not uncommon. Usually feeding problems, especially with cheaper 1911's. FMJ ammo feeds best. Buy only high quality mags, either Chip Mccormick or Wilson Combat. Shoot the gun alot! Any feeding problems after a few hundresd rounds is unacceptable in a sd gun. Get it to a gunsmith if you have any ftl or fte (fail to load or eject). I dont recommend 1911's for people that do not want to shoot alot, because you have to prove they are reliable, unlike most glocks and springfield xd's.
STATUS OF GUN:
If there is any chance a youngster could encounter the gun, I would not leave one in the chamber when not on your person. This could be neighbor kids, neices, grandchildren, etc. If there is no chance of those encounters, I would leave one in the pipe and cocked and locked!
The most important thing is consistency! Whatever you do, ALWAYS do it. That way in a panic or half asleep, you know automatically the condition of the gun and you do not have to guess.
I have 5 children, so I cannot leave loaded guns around. I carry a 1911 often. My ROUTINE is when I put it in my holster on my body, I load, cock and lock it. When I remove it from my person I ALWAYS unload it, and double check it is unloaded. I am consistent with this routine. I always know the status of my guns (even though you should always assume every gun is loaded).
Get a good sd book, and take a handgun class like GUNSITE - It will change your life!
I know you didn't ask for 1911 advice, but in case you're new to 1911's I'll offer some...
Great weapon if you use it alot and prove its reliability. Unreliable 1911's are not uncommon. Usually feeding problems, especially with cheaper 1911's. FMJ ammo feeds best. Buy only high quality mags, either Chip Mccormick or Wilson Combat. Shoot the gun alot! Any feeding problems after a few hundresd rounds is unacceptable in a sd gun. Get it to a gunsmith if you have any ftl or fte (fail to load or eject). I dont recommend 1911's for people that do not want to shoot alot, because you have to prove they are reliable, unlike most glocks and springfield xd's.
STATUS OF GUN:
If there is any chance a youngster could encounter the gun, I would not leave one in the chamber when not on your person. This could be neighbor kids, neices, grandchildren, etc. If there is no chance of those encounters, I would leave one in the pipe and cocked and locked!
The most important thing is consistency! Whatever you do, ALWAYS do it. That way in a panic or half asleep, you know automatically the condition of the gun and you do not have to guess.
I have 5 children, so I cannot leave loaded guns around. I carry a 1911 often. My ROUTINE is when I put it in my holster on my body, I load, cock and lock it. When I remove it from my person I ALWAYS unload it, and double check it is unloaded. I am consistent with this routine. I always know the status of my guns (even though you should always assume every gun is loaded).
Get a good sd book, and take a handgun class like GUNSITE - It will change your life!
I think this thread has put forth some good advice. With enough early warning, one would have plenty of time to rack the slide on something. The CAS (Canine alert system) is primed and ready at our house, and that should give us plenty of time to sufficiently arm ourselves.
I'll take to heart myself the advice to unload the carry gun at the end of the day. The little ones will be that much less likely to come to harm thataway.
Excellent points.
I'll take to heart myself the advice to unload the carry gun at the end of the day. The little ones will be that much less likely to come to harm thataway.
Excellent points.
thanks guys
Since joining this forum I done some reading. Thanks for all the responses, I've found out the difference in condition 0,1,2,3,4 for 1911's. I've owned mostly single action guns like Ruger Super Blackhawk, Remington XP-100 as I was an IHMSA member for many years, shot many competitions but I am new to the autos and home defense. Children have grown and left the house so I am able to have my new 1911 in condition 1 under my bed. I purchased a Para Ordnance SSP, havent shot it yet, rain every day so far. Monday will be the day. I do have and have shot my Bersa 380 and with amazing accuracy, I enjoy shooting steel plates at our local range. Thanks again guys, great forum. More to read!
Since joining this forum I done some reading. Thanks for all the responses, I've found out the difference in condition 0,1,2,3,4 for 1911's. I've owned mostly single action guns like Ruger Super Blackhawk, Remington XP-100 as I was an IHMSA member for many years, shot many competitions but I am new to the autos and home defense. Children have grown and left the house so I am able to have my new 1911 in condition 1 under my bed. I purchased a Para Ordnance SSP, havent shot it yet, rain every day so far. Monday will be the day. I do have and have shot my Bersa 380 and with amazing accuracy, I enjoy shooting steel plates at our local range. Thanks again guys, great forum. More to read!
Last edited:
Hallucinator
New member
IMO one in the chamber at all times. It simplifies things. If you assume every gun you see is loaded, you are psychologically better equipped in an emergency. If you practice proper gun safety, you should not need a safety; neither should you need to rack the slide.