How do LEO's carry their Glocks
- Thread starter Bill Daniel
- Start date
Departed402
New member
I'm a LEO. My dad is a LEO. I know a lot of LEOs. I'm certain every cop I know carries with a round chambered. Action is faster than reaction, so we're often starting from behind in gun fights. We're told a lot of gun fights are over in 3 seconds. Extra time spent racking the slide could prove deadly. Quality holsters and trigger finger discipline are key. Same goes for off-duty and non-LEOs, unless the gun is being carried loose in a pocket etc.
Please tell us what dept is allowing their officers to go on duty without a round chambered in their sidearm. I'm a retired LEO, worked for a few different depts, have known all kinds of cops coast to coast and have never met one that carries an unchambered handgun, regardless of make or model.
armoredman
New member
My Dept requires a fully loaded sidearm at all times on duty. Off duty is whatever you want, but mine are fully loaded as well.
Interesting to see the responses.
What I've been instructed (by LEO and former LEO who largely operate the range where I've taken classes) is that Glocks and pretty much all modern pistols have some form of internal safeties that block the strikers/firing pins from moving fully forward unless the trigger is depressed. Hence, that round in the chamber cannot be fired so long as the trigger remains in the holster.
The usual concern I've heard expressed is that striker guns' triggers are lighter than DA triggers and therefore much easier to accidentally depress if a finger goes where it shouldn't when drawing or holstering. I can appreciate that aspect. "Training, training, training" is essential, but anyone can make a thoughtless error when startled or under attack.
I've also heard the counterargument that if someone is startled enough to grab a handful of gun, the difference between a 6 lb trigger and a 12 lb trigger isn't going to stop anyone from squeezing a trigger.
At any rate, the few LEO I've talked to there certainly teach that it's safe to carry chambered rounds. In my case, it's a rare day that my carry pistol (either a Springfield XD or a Walther PPS--both of which are basically Glock-like designs) ever leaves its holster outside of a range. Goes into the safe in its holster, comes out of its safe in its holster. Taking apart for cleaning is the only exception, and even then I'm taking it out of its holster after the holster is off the belt and the whole rig is aimed in a safe direction.
(Oh--I have met one person--and I do mean one--who is a fan of manual safeties on guns, ONLY for the purpose of taking the gun in/out of a holster or handling it when you do not want it to be able to fire. I can see his point...safety on...into holster...carry with safety off...taking out to clean, etc, safety on....and so forth. The majority of striker guns don't usually seem to have external safeties. I do kind of like the safety that's on the new Springfield XDE, since it's unobtrusive but easy to operate intentionally, and you can load/unload with the safety on. For whatever peace of mind that may afford).
What I've been instructed (by LEO and former LEO who largely operate the range where I've taken classes) is that Glocks and pretty much all modern pistols have some form of internal safeties that block the strikers/firing pins from moving fully forward unless the trigger is depressed. Hence, that round in the chamber cannot be fired so long as the trigger remains in the holster.
The usual concern I've heard expressed is that striker guns' triggers are lighter than DA triggers and therefore much easier to accidentally depress if a finger goes where it shouldn't when drawing or holstering. I can appreciate that aspect. "Training, training, training" is essential, but anyone can make a thoughtless error when startled or under attack.
I've also heard the counterargument that if someone is startled enough to grab a handful of gun, the difference between a 6 lb trigger and a 12 lb trigger isn't going to stop anyone from squeezing a trigger.
At any rate, the few LEO I've talked to there certainly teach that it's safe to carry chambered rounds. In my case, it's a rare day that my carry pistol (either a Springfield XD or a Walther PPS--both of which are basically Glock-like designs) ever leaves its holster outside of a range. Goes into the safe in its holster, comes out of its safe in its holster. Taking apart for cleaning is the only exception, and even then I'm taking it out of its holster after the holster is off the belt and the whole rig is aimed in a safe direction.
(Oh--I have met one person--and I do mean one--who is a fan of manual safeties on guns, ONLY for the purpose of taking the gun in/out of a holster or handling it when you do not want it to be able to fire. I can see his point...safety on...into holster...carry with safety off...taking out to clean, etc, safety on....and so forth. The majority of striker guns don't usually seem to have external safeties. I do kind of like the safety that's on the new Springfield XDE, since it's unobtrusive but easy to operate intentionally, and you can load/unload with the safety on. For whatever peace of mind that may afford).
So, you know one person that likes 1911s?
LOL! I didn't realize how badly I'd butchered that sentence. I mean I know only one person who uses a safety on a striker gun specifically for putting it into or taking it out of the holster (not under duress). He won't carry with the safety on, but won't own a gun without one. Most who I know dislike manual safeties, or else carry with the safety on.
I don't know that many people I guess
Nakanokalronin
New member
Most of your gun manuals will tell you to not leave a round in the chamber. It's there to cover the manufacture if someone does something stupid.
Last edited:
I personally find this a very questionable practice. If you take proper care while holstering (which really only needs to be once a day for CCW, less if your holster can be clipped on/off) and if you leave the safety off abd train with it off. . What happens when you draw and it gets accidentally engaged (it does happen)? Your muscle memory is not there to disengage the safety and you are stuck.
I prefer to train my hands to disengage the safety upon getting the sight picture, then no matter what the safety status you are good to go.
Enough years with 1911s and I can pick up one cold, under stress (timed competition) after carrying Glocks and never have an issue forgetting the safety.
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
There is no argument about this as it has been tested ergonomically. Startles, trips, sympathetic squeezes due to the other hand squeezing - have been shown to pull the trigger.
This is an endless argument:
1. Should I chamber
2. Should I have a manual safety
on and on. There is no resolution as it is a version of Superman vs. the Hulk and zealots don't listen.
Do what you feel you can do with your level of training. If you lose the fight or shoot yourself or the wrong person - become a internet sensation.
If you don't train enough to handle the chosen firearm, then your view isn't really worth much.
Tactical Jackalope
New member
It has to be chambered over here.
I think it's safe to say that it's the SOP for most if not all LE agencies.
I think it's safe to say that it's the SOP for most if not all LE agencies.
Okay, ya got me. Although, I hear that since Barney retired they've updated their policies. Each deputy gets 2 rounds now and one must be in the cylinder at all times.