How do you CCW? (Poll)

[ronaldrwl]

I would like to see everyone's choices.

1 - Not Cambered with Safety On
2 - Not Cambered with Safety Off
3 - Chambered with Safety On
4 - Chambered with Safety Off

Don't laugh

[Hoosier]

Glock 27 in a OWB/IB holster on the right side. Only carry one magazine, and no round in the chamber. I'm not entirely happy with this arrangement, I'd like to have a safety like H&K's do.

[MarkCO]

So Glocks, revolvers and the such are not allowed?

Frame mounted clips for thinner carry with Kel-Tecs, Glocks and revos also not included. Are you assuming holsted or not?

Of your 4 choices, only 2 and 3 are really valid, and you skipped so many other valid conditions.

[ronaldrwl]

My own testing I like #2 - Not Cambered with Safety Off also

[ronaldrwl]

So Glocks, revolvers and the such are not allowed?

Frame mounted clips for thinner carry with Kel-Tecs, Glocks and revos also not included.

Of your 4 choices, only 2 and 3 are really valid, and you skipped so many other valid methods.

Please tell me. I want to know them.

[earplug]

All the charge holes filled.

[MarkCO]

Please tell me. I want to know them.

Well, for your original post, assuming holstered, you could have your 2 and 3.

If unchambered, you should really only have one motion to charge the weapon, racking the slide. On a 1911, the safety locks the slide and in haste to chamber, most will forget the safety unless practiced a LOT.

Take for instance a FNP series, which are very good pistols BTW. Can be chambered, cocked and locked, safety on. Or Chambered, safety on, decocked. Or unchambered, safety off, requiring only a slide rack.

As I said, Glocks, Revovlers, Kel-Tecs, and many Kahrs, which are some of the most popular carry weapons, have no manual safety. So they need to be carried in a holster if chambered or unchambered if not. Clip-draws are popular in warmer climates for Glocks and the KT P32 and P3AT both can have a clip attached like a pocket knife to allow clip carry. In those conditions, charged magazine and empty chamber is about the ONLY way to carry.

Most of the savvy folks that have carried for any length of time carry in a condition requiring ONE (other than the motion to get the pistol on target) positive motion to bring the gun into play.

[BigBear]

What's a safety? You're either gonna kill something or you're not. I am ready to roll 24/7. I just need to remember to "keep the booger picker off the boom switch" until it's go-time, HAHA. I carry either 5 o'clock or shoulder. Those are the only two that I've found to be comfortable "for me".

[hkOrion]

Chambered, Safety on. No reason not to.

[sniper7]

depends on what I am carrying.

XD9SC chambered and there isnt a safety, so off.

springfield champion operator 1911. chambered, thumb safety on. It is a smooth and fluid motion drawing and kicking off the safety for me

[Irving]

I had to vote for chambered with safety on since there wasn't an option to reflect not having a safety at all.


I carry an M&P compact chambered. Since all my holsters cover the trigger, I've never worried about it. However, just yesterday I got my spare kydex holster for my CZ 75B to put onto my Spartan holster. I was honestly pretty nervous about putting the CZ in there because I've never before holstered a gun with an active safety.

What I ended up doing is using the gun completely unloaded and play around with the holster. Cock and lock it, then put it in the holster and draw it out a bunch of time. I was so nervous because I wasn't sure how the safety would react to being holstered and drawn while pressing up against the leather of the holster the whole time. After holstering and drawing it for about an hour, I was ready to load it up and try it that way. So far it hasn't gone off and shot anything/anyone.


Now, let's talk about why people want you to keep your gun chambered. Several people have already mentioned being ready to go immediately. Sometimes you'll hear people remind you that sometimes seconds count, which is true, but I like to think of it in a little different way. First of all, time DOES count. If someone is so far away from you that you have time to draw AND chamber the pistol, then I would argue that they are far enough way that you shouldn't be drawing in the first place. The examples that I think work the best to convince people, is to remind them that actual self-defense shootings often happen in very close proximity. Have you considered that your weak hand might be occupied with something else?

Maybe your holding a door open.
Maybe you will be holding a child in your arms.
Maybe you'll be pulling your wife behind you.
Maybe your first alert to a problem is when a guy pops out from behind a wall and cracks you in the elbow with a baseball bat.
Maybe a guy rushed you and you are holding him away from you at arms length.
Maybe you're on your back and stiff arming the bad guy with your arm is the only thing stopping him from choking you to death.
Maybe you're in a really bad spot, or a particularly awkward situation and are either hanging off the edge of something, or climbing a ladder or something.

Go back through this list and consider how you would chamber your pistol in each of these scenarios. There are certainly alternative ways to chamber a pistol; the heel of your shoe, the top of your belt, your steering wheel, the tree your using for cover, your teeth if you are desperate enough and your gun is small enough. I encourage you to try every single one of these though, because none of them are easy.

This is a great thread to start, because everyone who contributes can get you to think of other ideas and scenarios that you may not have considered on your own.

[TFOGGER]

My instructor for CCW recommended chambered, and either decocked on a DA, DAO/revolver, or safety on on a single action auto. His reasoning was that you may not have time to rack the slide, bring your weapon on target, and decide shoot/no shoot. I liken carrying an unchambered weapon for defense to having a fire extinguisher that only needs to be charged with nitrogen to be usable. Neither is the best choice in a true emergency.

[Batteriesnare]

Glock 27 with round chambered, no safety.

[gnihcraes]

um.
All the charge holes filled. I guess as earplug said...

safety off the trigger until I put it there...

[pickenup]

Depends on what I am carrying.
Do I want 8 rounds or 13 rounds today?

Either a SIG, chambered, hammer down. There is no safety.
Or an H&K, chambered, hammer down, safety off.

[G19man]

I had to vote for chambered with safety on since there wasn't an option to reflect not having a safety at all.


I carry an M&P compact chambered. Since all my holsters cover the trigger, I've never worried about it. However, just yesterday I got my spare kydex holster for my CZ 75B to put onto my Spartan holster. I was honestly pretty nervous about putting the CZ in there because I've never before holstered a gun with an active safety.

What I ended up doing is using the gun completely unloaded and play around with the holster. Cock and lock it, then put it in the holster and draw it out a bunch of time. I was so nervous because I wasn't sure how the safety would react to being holstered and drawn while pressing up against the leather of the holster the whole time. After holstering and drawing it for about an hour, I was ready to load it up and try it that way. So far it hasn't gone off and shot anything/anyone.


Now, let's talk about why people want you to keep your gun chambered. Several people have already mentioned being ready to go immediately. Sometimes you'll hear people remind you that sometimes seconds count, which is true, but I like to think of it in a little different way. First of all, time DOES count. If someone is so far away from you that you have time to draw AND chamber the pistol, then I would argue that they are far enough way that you shouldn't be drawing in the first place. The examples that I think work the best to convince people, is to remind them that actual self-defense shootings often happen in very close proximity. Have you considered that your weak hand might be occupied with something else?

Maybe your holding a door open.
Maybe you will be holding a child in your arms.
Maybe you'll be pulling your wife behind you.
Maybe your first alert to a problem is when a guy pops out from behind a wall and cracks you in the elbow with a baseball bat.
Maybe a guy rushed you and you are holding him away from you at arms length.
Maybe you're on your back and stiff arming the bad guy with your arm is the only thing stopping him from choking you to death.
Maybe you're in a really bad spot, or a particularly awkward situation and are either hanging off the edge of something, or climbing a ladder or something.

Go back through this list and consider how you would chamber your pistol in each of these scenarios. There are certainly alternative ways to chamber a pistol; the heel of your shoe, the top of your belt, your steering wheel, the tree your using for cover, your teeth if you are desperate enough and your gun is small enough. I encourage you to try every single one of these though, because none of them are easy.

This is a great thread to start, because everyone who contributes can get you to think of other ideas and scenarios that you may not have considered on your own.


+++1 Stuart
G30 or G26 for myself. Chambered everyday all day long. I refuse to be the victim of any violent crime.

[Ranger353]

I had to vote for chambered with safety on since there wasn't an option to reflect not having a safety at all.


I carry an M&P compact chambered. Since all my holsters cover the trigger, I've never worried about it. However, just yesterday I got my spare kydex holster for my CZ 75B to put onto my Spartan holster. I was honestly pretty nervous about putting the CZ in there because I've never before holstered a gun with an active safety.

What I ended up doing is using the gun completely unloaded and play around with the holster. Cock and lock it, then put it in the holster and draw it out a bunch of time. I was so nervous because I wasn't sure how the safety would react to being holstered and drawn while pressing up against the leather of the holster the whole time. After holstering and drawing it for about an hour, I was ready to load it up and try it that way. So far it hasn't gone off and shot anything/anyone.


Now, let's talk about why people want you to keep your gun chambered. Several people have already mentioned being ready to go immediately. Sometimes you'll hear people remind you that sometimes seconds count, which is true, but I like to think of it in a little different way. First of all, time DOES count. If someone is so far away from you that you have time to draw AND chamber the pistol, then I would argue that they are far enough way that you shouldn't be drawing in the first place. The examples that I think work the best to convince people, is to remind them that actual self-defense shootings often happen in very close proximity. Have you considered that your weak hand might be occupied with something else?

Maybe your holding a door open.
Maybe you will be holding a child in your arms.
Maybe you'll be pulling your wife behind you.
Maybe your first alert to a problem is when a guy pops out from behind a wall and cracks you in the elbow with a baseball bat.
Maybe a guy rushed you and you are holding him away from you at arms length.
Maybe you're on your back and stiff arming the bad guy with your arm is the only thing stopping him from choking you to death.
Maybe you're in a really bad spot, or a particularly awkward situation and are either hanging off the edge of something, or climbing a ladder or something.

Go back through this list and consider how you would chamber your pistol in each of these scenarios. There are certainly alternative ways to chamber a pistol; the heel of your shoe, the top of your belt, your steering wheel, the tree your using for cover, your teeth if you are desperate enough and your gun is small enough. I encourage you to try every single one of these though, because none of them are easy.

This is a great thread to start, because everyone who contributes can get you to think of other ideas and scenarios that you may not have considered on your own.

+1 spot on

RIA 1911 hot with safety on

[Mista Bukit]

I had to vote for chambered with safety on since there wasn't an option to reflect not having a safety at all.


I carry an M&P compact chambered. Since all my holsters cover the trigger, I've never worried about it. However, just yesterday I got my spare kydex holster for my CZ 75B to put onto my Spartan holster. I was honestly pretty nervous about putting the CZ in there because I've never before holstered a gun with an active safety.

What I ended up doing is using the gun completely unloaded and play around with the holster. Cock and lock it, then put it in the holster and draw it out a bunch of time. I was so nervous because I wasn't sure how the safety would react to being holstered and drawn while pressing up against the leather of the holster the whole time. After holstering and drawing it for about an hour, I was ready to load it up and try it that way. So far it hasn't gone off and shot anything/anyone.


Now, let's talk about why people want you to keep your gun chambered. Several people have already mentioned being ready to go immediately. Sometimes you'll hear people remind you that sometimes seconds count, which is true, but I like to think of it in a little different way. First of all, time DOES count. If someone is so far away from you that you have time to draw AND chamber the pistol, then I would argue that they are far enough way that you shouldn't be drawing in the first place. The examples that I think work the best to convince people, is to remind them that actual self-defense shootings often happen in very close proximity. Have you considered that your weak hand might be occupied with something else?

Maybe your holding a door open.
Maybe you will be holding a child in your arms.
Maybe you'll be pulling your wife behind you.
Maybe your first alert to a problem is when a guy pops out from behind a wall and cracks you in the elbow with a baseball bat.
Maybe a guy rushed you and you are holding him away from you at arms length.
Maybe you're on your back and stiff arming the bad guy with your arm is the only thing stopping him from choking you to death.
Maybe you're in a really bad spot, or a particularly awkward situation and are either hanging off the edge of something, or climbing a ladder or something.

Go back through this list and consider how you would chamber your pistol in each of these scenarios. There are certainly alternative ways to chamber a pistol; the heel of your shoe, the top of your belt, your steering wheel, the tree your using for cover, your teeth if you are desperate enough and your gun is small enough. I encourage you to try every single one of these though, because none of them are easy.

This is a great thread to start, because everyone who contributes can get you to think of other ideas and scenarios that you may not have considered on your own.

Great points but I would like to add;
I have been through a 5 day concealed carry course from the US government and was taught that 21 feet is considered an immediate threat zone, it was demonstrated to me if someone was coming at you with a knife from 21 feet you BARELY have time to draw and get a shot off. I carry a GLOCK chambered at IWB at 8 o’clock because if I need to use it there are fewer things do to get into operation. The GLOCK has 3 internal safeties and if the trigger is not touched it will not go off. Also being left handed, manipulating an external safety one handed on most pistols is impossible particularly in a stress situation.

[HandKBRad]

Round in the chamber safety on beacons I carry 1911 most of the time. I carry my HK USP variant 1 the same way. Other than that if I’m carrying a DA handgun I carry it condition 1 decocked safety off if it has one.

[Irving]

Great points but I would like to add;
I have been through a 5 day concealed carry course from the US government and was taught that 21 feet is considered an immediate threat zone, it was demonstrated to me if someone was coming at you with a knife from 21 feet you BARELY have time to draw and get a shot off. I carry a GLOCK chambered at IWB at 8 o’clock because if I need to use it there are fewer things do to get into operation. The GLOCK has 3 internal safeties and if the trigger is not touched it will not go off. Also being left handed, manipulating an external safety one handed on most pistols is impossible particularly in a stress situation.

I considered bring this into my post, but didn't want to make it too long winded. I totally agree with this. If 21 feet is barely enough time to draw and get off ONE unaimed shot, then it surely isn't even enough time to draw, fumble with a safety (if you haven't practiced) then try to chamber a round, THEN try to get on target and take a shot. I think everyone should get out a tape measure and lay out 21 feet just to get an idea of how far that is.

[sniper7]

On top of the tape measure I would recommend everyone take their concealed gun with the mag in, nothing in the chamber and have someone take the time it takes for you to draw, chamber and then get on target.
I bet most people add at least 1/2 to a full second depending on their operation of the slide.
That might take the new threat range to 27 feet or so depending on how fast the guy/girl is.

[William]

Not Chambered with Safety Off*

I know the arguements for a chambered round, but do not feel I have enough holster work to leave a round chambered.

*technically there is a grip safety on my XDm, since I don't have to think about it went with safety off in the poll

[MrPrena]

Depends on what I carry:

-Safety off and Hammer down , chambered
-Chambered (no safety no ext hammer)

[AK47 Ranger]

1911 iwb cocked and locked condition 1

Springy IWB xd40 sub condition 1


More or less anything I carry is condition 1.
Bad guy covers 21 feet and enters my danger zone in less than 2 seconds and im NOT going to be fumbling around with racking slides and other nonsense.

My personal opinion, if you're not comfortable carrying condition one, you probably shouldnt be carrying concealed or get more training so you are.

[newracer]

Chambered with safety on. I carry a Glock 26 or 17.

Dispite what others have posted Glocks and XDs do have safetys, you just release the safety when drawn and trigger onthe finger.

[sniper7]

Chambered with safety on. I carry a Glock 26 or 17.

Dispite what others have posted Glocks and XDs do have safetys, you just release the safety when drawn and trigger onthe finger.


the 26 is one of the few glocks I truly like!

[ntgtyper]

either my lcp chambered no safety or my glock 23c chambered no safety
and the wife carries her S&W M&P9 chambered no safety

[The Extractor]

I like to think that it is the BG who chooses for you whether or not he gets shot.

[sniper7]

I like to think that it is the BG who chooses for you whether or not he gets shot.


Most of the time that should be the case, but if people aren't prepared and are fumbling chambering a round and taking it off safety you may never get the chance to make the final decision.

[The Extractor]

Dont get me wrong, I advocate full hot safety on, if applicable. That is how I carry my G32
or 1911.

[Troublco]

I carry a SIG 225, a round in the pipe and decocked. I have the safety factor of needing to fully cycle the trigger to fire it, with the ability to fire by just doing that. But I'm not going to carry something that essentially turns out to be a small club. If you need to use one, odds are you're going to need it bad.

[ChadAmberg]

None of my ccw pistols have manual safeties.
But always round in the chamber, just a double action trigger pull always (LCR) or first round (SP2022).

[buffalobo]

Round chambered, then decocked. First round DA, SA for the next 9. Train that way and like it. The real safety is in my finger, that way I don't forget.

[DD977GM2]

I carry one of the following with a round in the chamber and all i have to do is grab it, point and squeeze the trigger.

XD45 4" compact
XD45 5" compact
G23
Sigma 40

[KevDen2005]

I have a Glock 27 that I use as my CCW, so there is no safety to deal with, and I keep a round chambered. On that note I sometimes use a .38 spc as my CCW, also no safety and it is loaded.

[Graves]

Chambered - no safety lever....Glock.

[refryguy]

I don't chamber but I don't have a safety either.

[cowboykjohnson]

Ruger LCP in my back pocket in a Desantis nemisis holster. Kimber ultra CDP II in either my coat pocket or small of my back cocked and locked.

[High Altitude]

I tell the bad guy to hold up a second while I load the chamber........ :-)

DAO or DA/SA - chambered, external safety off if it has one
SAO - chambered, cocked, thumb safety on

All my carry pistols only need a pull of the trigger to fire.

Glock 26
Glock 19
S&W 642
Ruger LCP

[TennVol]

I always carry with a round in the chamber.

The only guns I carry that have a safety are my 1911's, and I always carry in Condition 1.

[sabot_round]

Chambered with booger hook off!!

[Ak47Ar15Glock26]

Glock 23- chambered owb holster left side (lefty)
Glock 26- not chambered iwb, its just pointing too close to my wang to chamber it

would you point your loaded gun at your wang?!?!

[sabot_round]

Glock 23- chambered owb holster left side (lefty)
Glock 26- not chambered iwb, its just pointing too close to my wang to chamber it

would you point your loaded gun at your wang?!?!

I don't scratch my wang while I carry!! LOL

[Ak47Ar15Glock26]

hhahaha, yea, uh me either.... :!

[offgrid]

Sig 220 Carry SAO, Cocked and Locked.

[Sharpline]

My XD40's safety is always on and always chambered

[Elhuero]

I voted chambered, no safety. (I carry a glock)
Damn to Bam in a second.

On the very rare occasions I carry my colt, chambered with safety on.
I once asked my pop if he'd feel nervous carrying a colt in this fashion, he replied "why would you feel nervous? It's what they're designed for."




My personal opinion, if you're not comfortable carrying condition one, you probably shouldnt be carrying concealed or get more training so you are.

This is absolutely correct.

[KevDen2005]

I don't scratch my wang while I carry!! LOL


I don't point my gun at my wang at all

[ryanek9freak]

I don't feel the need to have a round chambered, unless I'm in a place of clear and present danger, such as driving through a dangerous neighborhood, etc. In which case, yes, carry hot, with the saftey on.

I've had this discussion before with a few people, and some expressed being nervous about carrying with a round in the chamber. I always counter that with "You wouldn't have any problem carrying a revolver would you? The answer is always no. There really is no difference.

Revolvers are ALWAYS ready to fire, there's no such thing as no round in the chamber, unless of course you leave out a round and drop the hammer on that chamber (and why in the F would you want to do that?)

[40SWMike]

Carry CZ-40b always with 1 in the pipe at half cock da and 12 sa in mag and Kel-Tec P-11 with 1 in the pipe dao and 12 in mag. Have to be ready to rock with either hand.[Luck]

[GunTroll]

All the charge holes filled.

Same here!

[sabot_round]

I don't point my gun at my wang at all

I wouldn't either!![Beer]

[bjl913]

I have always been of the schooling that you ALWAYS have a round in the chamber. This isnt the movies, and there isnt time to rack the slide. You need to be able to pull your weapon, disengage the safety on single actions, and shoot. On a double action, skip step two! When you make that decision to draw your weapon, your body is going to go into a sort of shock where you may lose some fine motor skills, and gross skills may become alot harder. If you keep your finger off that trigger until you make the concious decision to fire, there should be absolutely no reason for the gun to go off unintentionaly on a double action weapon, or something with a trigger pull, or trigger(glock) that is designed with either a heavier/longer pull for that first round, or some sort of trigger safety. I would rather not be fumbling to grab a slide, or click a safety off if I dont need to! I carry a P99, ready to rock, a Sig 220, ready to rock, or a Glock, ready to rock. Just draw, aim, and shoot! The only things I want to worry about are getting the weapon into play, and getting rounds on target! I have carried 1911's before, and LOVE them, but I would rather substitute for a weapon that I dont need to carry on safe, or rack the slide, or thumb the hammer back, before it's go time! Why add unnecessary steps into an already complicated situation?

[ronaldrwl]

I'm not taking sides here and I have not voted since I'm waiting for my CCW permit. I just want to get ready and evaluate what others are doing.

My thinking, the odds are I will never have to use a gun in self defense. And if you do, what are the odds that you'll be in a "who can draw their gun the fastest" scenario. Now I know many are thinking they want to be ready for everything. That's OK by me. I'm trying to weigh the benefits here. In short, I don't want the odds of an accident out weighing the intended purpose. I also know (now), there are different safety strategies on guns (double action, different safety mechanisms...). So in hindsight, I should have waited to buy my handgun until after making these choices.

BTW - after reading many reports of self-defense cases, it's seems to me, that the most likely self-defense scenario is stopping a burglar while at home (shotgun time).

.

[Irving]

I see you ignored some of my posts. It is never about a "quick draw" scenario. It IS about what your other hand will be doing if you have to draw.

[Beprepared]

CZ P-07 chambered decocked DA/SA No safety
Taurus 85 snubie DAO No safety

safety's are for chumps! heheheeh[Muaha]

[ronaldrwl]

I see you ignored some of my posts. It is never about a "quick draw" scenario. It IS about what your other hand will be doing if you have to draw.

Good point but I think it still falls into the thinking that everything will happen within a couple of seconds, right?

[Irving]

I hope that didn't come off as condescending, I didn't mean it to be. Sorry about that.

[ronaldrwl]

I hope that didn't come off as condescending, I didn't mean it to be. Sorry about that.

I can take it besides I owed you one after my snide "Strip your GMKIA" remark.

[Ak47Ar15Glock26]

good point stuart. you might not have both hands available if its boom time. ive just been scared of accidentally shooting myself point blank! but in reality my trigger has never been pulled while tucked away. plus my glock has a heavy trigger. tomorrow im carrying chambered.

[Irving]

I often have to carry my sleeping daughter in from the car, good luck trying to convince me to throw her to the ground so I can rack the slide.

Sometimes I'm bringing groceries in from the car (in my left hand). Good luck trying to convince me to let food out of my possession either. I'm like a hungry dog. ;)

[Troublco]

I have always figured that if you need it, you need it really bad and right now. So it doesn't make any sense to me not to have one chambered. My carry gun is a SIG P225, so there's no safety anyhow. I just carry it decocked so I can DA the first.

[cowboykjohnson]

you just tell the BG to hold on a minute (very nice like) so you can rack the slide to shoot him in the face![Tooth]

[Irving]

So I was at a crowded restaurant tonight (Cizzinni's or whatever it's called), and I sat back down in my chair and felt that my shirt wasn't falling correctly. Well turns out my the back of my shirt had gotten caught on the highest point on the back of the chair. My shirt was pulled up to my shoulder blade and my full size CZ was exposed to the family of four sitting about 3 feet behind me. They were too engaged in their conversation to notice. There was another family of four next to them as well. No one noticed. It had me pretty freaked out though because I've been very good at making sure my clothes are falling correctly to keep stuff mostly concealed. Just thought I'd share.

[Sled_Dog]

I have always figured that if you need it, you need it really bad and right now. So it doesn't make any sense to me not to have one chambered. My carry gun is a SIG P225, so there's no safety anyhow. I just carry it decocked so I can DA the first.

This, with a Sig P228...

[Byte Stryke]

laying around the house, un-chambered, safety off

my Toddler cant pull the slide if he gets a hold of it.
out and about... locked loaded ready to roll

[OgenRwot]

I've got a Glock 19 that's my daily carry. Occasionally I carry my wife's 26. There is no way in hell I'm carrying a firearm that's not hot, you never know if you're going to have two hands to rack the slide. I want to be able to draw and fire if need be. Obviously there is no safety and I'm fully confident that the gun will not fire on it's own. Been doing it this way for years and I've never had a ND or an AD for that matter. If I hand a 1911 it would be chambered, hammer back and safety on.

[DOC]

I carry mine with fresh powder with the matchlock burning in the half cock position.
Here's my safety.
[harley][HH]

[solomon751]

Sig 229 in a IWB Kydex Fist holster - one in the chamber, full mag - no safety on the 229 so it isn't a problem. I carry mine everywhere. Muscle memory - I learned in Iraq that when the chips are down, fine motor skills are out the window, why I am such a fan of the DAO. I want the least amount of motion(s) necessary to place a round on target.

I have been carrying like this since I was granted my CCW. Not a super big fan of the 1 o'clock carry but I can't stand the idea of having the weapon on at the 6 o'clock as it seems a bit easier for someone to try and snatch if you print. My .02

[Irving]

Great timing. I was just going to search for this thread and ask if the original poster ever changed his mind about carrying chambered. Did you?

[ronaldrwl]

I'm the original poster. I feel very comfortable carrying un-chambered with no safety. That's the way I started out and have practiced (a lot). If I were in Iraq or an officer, it would be a different story; but my calculation is with a chambered round an accident is more likely than needing the weapon. I think that may be true for most newbs.

[Irving]

Hmmm, I can certainly see the logic of negligent discharge vs. self defense.

Have you had any ND's? (You don't have to really answer).

Have you done anything that has really spooked you yet? I remember the first time I dropped a loaded gun.

[Daniel_187]

all 5 chambers loaded no safety(sorry no wheel gun option)

[hurley842002]

I voted Chambered safety on, Glocks are safe action pistols and therefore the safety is always on until you decide to pull the trigger.

[Ranger]

If I recall, it's illegal to have a chambered weapon in your car, CCW or not. Loaded is OK, but chambered is not, so I've always kept mine un-chambered (and have no safety). If I had a safety on my P3AT I might keep one chambered but the possible legality makes me hesitant to say I would for certain. One exception to the rule is that I would chamber one if I was in a seedy area or thought my likelihood for reaching for my weapon would be increased.

Like it or lump it, the CCW is a privilege and I don't want to risk losing that for any reason. Besides, I think that CCW carries with it a sense that the carrier is a safer gun owner, I wouldn't want to make headlines about how the moron CCW carrier accidentally discharges his chambered weapon :).

[Irving]

That's not true. It is only illegal to keep a long gun (shot gun or rifle) chambered while in a vehicle. This is a DOW regulation to prevent poaching and you can supposedly get an exemption if you are in a wheel chair. You can have a pistol in the car with you in any condition, in any location, in Colorado. Just keep in mind that not all state laws are the same.

I've been pulled over at a DUI check point with a loaded (and chambered) gun in my car (wearing it in an IWB holster) WITHOUT a CCW and it was no issue.

In before someone challenges you on your stance of CCW being a privilege.

[ronaldrwl]

Hmmm, I can certainly see the logic of negligent discharge vs. self defense.

Have you had any ND's? (You don't have to really answer).

Have you done anything that has really spooked you yet? I remember the first time I dropped a loaded gun.


No unintended discharges but I've witnessed one by another newb. I will admit to having it fall to the floor in a changing room. That about stopped my heart. And having moments of thinking to myself about myself “Dang, did you just do that?” So, I know accidents are possible. When I started the thread I didn't think about other options like wheel guns.

[TFOGGER]

If I recall, it's illegal to have a chambered weapon in your car, CCW or not. Loaded is OK, but chambered is not, so I've always kept mine un-chambered (and have no safety). If I had a safety on my P3AT I might keep one chambered but the possible legality makes me hesitant to say I would for certain. One exception to the rule is that I would chamber one if I was in a seedy area or thought my likelihood for reaching for my weapon would be increased.

Like it or lump it, the CCW is a privilege and I don't want to risk losing that for any reason. Besides, I think that CCW carries with it a sense that the carrier is a safer gun owner, I wouldn't want to make headlines about how the moron CCW carrier accidentally discharges his chambered weapon :).

You can carry in your car openly or concealed, loaded and chambered, without a permit, in any part of the state where not prohibited by state or federal law:


18-12-105.6. Limitation on local ordinances regarding firearms in private vehicles. (http://www.michie.com/colorado/lpext.dll?f=FifLink&t=document-frame.htm&l=query&iid=3e560e4d.76343909.0.0&q=%5BGroup%20%2718-12-105.6%27%5D)










(1) The general assembly hereby finds that:








(a) A person carrying a weapon in a private automobile or other private means of conveyance for hunting or for lawful protection of such person's or another's person or property, as permitted in sections 18-12-105 (http://www.michie.com/colorado/lpext.dll?f=FifLink&t=document-frame.htm&l=jump&iid=COCODE&d=18-12-105&sid=3e560e4d.76343909.0.0#JD_18-12-105) (2) (b) and 18-12-105.5 (3) (c), may tend to travel within a county, city and county, or municipal jurisdiction or in or through different county, city and county, and municipal jurisdictions, en route to the person's destination;








(b) Inconsistent laws exist in local jurisdictions with regard to the circumstances under which weapons may be carried in automobiles and other private means of conveyance;








(c) This inconsistency creates a confusing patchwork of laws that unfairly subjects a person who lawfully travels with a weapon to criminal penalties because he or she travels within a jurisdiction or into or through another jurisdiction;








(d) This inconsistency places citizens in the position of not knowing when they may be violating local laws while traveling within a jurisdiction or in, through, or between different jurisdictions, and therefore being unable to avoid committing a crime.








(2) (a) Based on the findings specified in subsection (1) of this section, the general assembly concludes that the carrying of weapons in private automobiles or other private means of conveyance for hunting or for lawful protection of a person's or another's person or property while traveling into, through, or within, a municipal, county, or city and county jurisdiction, regardless of the number of times the person stops in a jurisdiction, is a matter of statewide concern and is not an offense.








(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no municipality, county, or city and county shall have the authority to enact or enforce any ordinance or resolution that would restrict a person's ability to travel with a weapon in a private automobile or other private means of conveyance for hunting or for lawful protection of a person's or another's person or property while traveling into, through, or within, a municipal, county, or city and county jurisdiction, regardless of the number of times the person stops in a jurisdiction.






None of which means anything if the cop that pulls you over does not know the law(and many of them do not). With a permit, you are covered pretty much anywhere not specifically restricted by law. CCW is a RIGHT, not a privilege, as affirmed by CRS 18-12-206 (http://www.michie.com/colorado/lpext.dll?f=FifLink&t=document-frame.htm&l=query&iid=3e560e4d.76343909.0.0&q=%5BGroup%20%2718-12-206%27%5D). CRS 18-12-204 (3) (a) (http://www.michie.com/colorado/lpext.dll?f=FifLink&t=document-frame.htm&l=query&iid=3e560e4d.76343909.0.0&q=%5BGroup%20%2718-12-204%27%5D) specifically gives you the right to carry without a permit as long as "The handgun is in the possession of a person who is in a private automobile or in some other private means of conveyance and who carries the handgun for a legal use, including self-defense".

[Ranger]

I stand corrected! I knew there was SOME law about a chambered weapon, I didn't realize it was only rifles.

[Bow]

[CO4x4]

I don't have a safety, I think I would be afraid I'd end up with a premature gun-jaculation!

[StagLefty]

Walther P99- no safety

[solomon751]

I feel very confident in my ability to access and carry my weapon in such a way as to avoid an ND or AD. I have never tried but I wonder what it would take to get a SIG229 to AD - a drop on a hard tile floor I highly doubt would do it. Granted my military experience with pistols was with the Beretta M9 and not a SIG. Anyone out there care to shed some light on their experience with this - not anecdotally please... Just first hand experience.

My thoughts are, as stated before, that I want the least amount of motion necessary to put a round (or rounds) on target. My combat experiences taught me that you have to maintain some semblance of safety but I am in the camp with a bunch here that my finger is safety enough. One of the few good things about relying on your weapons 100% of the time (in combat) to stay alive is to have gained a sincere appreciation and respect for them that you don't get being back in society.

[Irving]

I've dropped my M&P 40c with a round chambered, many times. I've also dropped my full size CZ 75B down some stairs while cocked and locked.

[ronaldrwl]

I've dropped my M&P 40c with a round chambered, many times. I've also dropped my full size CZ 75B down some stairs while cocked and locked.

Sounds like some interesting stores Stu?

[Irving]

Nah, those are the most interesting parts. With the CZ, I was jumping up the stairs as far as I could, and the retention of the holster was so bad, that the gun just popped out and fell back down the (wood) stairs. It got everyone's attention in the room...

[BigBear]

I was playing horseshoes once while wearing a horrible OWB with no lock. The horseshoe grabbed the grip and the shoe and gun both went flying towards the stick... I rang the horseshoe. No ND or AD though... must've been a fail that my handgrenade didn't go off... I must be doing it wrong again. Gotta love my Glock.

[StagLefty]

I guess after reading a few of these post I see why I wear a Serpa holster. [Beer]

[Irving]

So you can get sand stuck in the release mechanism at the most inopportune time?

[StagLefty]

Exactly-I look for the negative side in everything.

[Irving]

Must be a mathematician. ;)

[SonOfTheGriz]

I was trained in the school of "if it's got one, use it."

1911 - chambered and safe. Had a kid once look at my hip and warn me that my hammer was back as if it would magically jump out of the holster, disengage its own grip and thumb safeties, and start dropping the hammer without me. My answer was "Yep. And?" He left.

Glocks / XDs / M&Ps / other random battleplastic... chambered and ready to go.

Kahr - chambered and ready to go -- DAO trigger means not having to tell the floor "I'm sorry."

I have watched (in horror) a handgun tumble toward the floor on more than one occasion working as a range officer and have waited for the *BANG* -- thankfully, dropping the vast majority of autos made today simply leaves a dent in the linoleum and a flat spot on the front sight and little else.

I remember being nervous to carry "cocked and locked" -- and quickly got over it. The trick to not being nervous about it is trusting the gun and NOT fiddling with it. Put it on, leave it on, and don't finger$&%# it.

In my opinion, if you're going to carry, you have to mean it. If you're going to mean it, you may not have time to chamber a round before you need it.

[DD977GM2]

I am really surpised and concerned with all the CCWers who dont have a round chambered and safety on.
I hope if there is ever a time you guys actually need to use your CCW that you heva time to chamber a round etc. [Bang]

[ChunkyMonkey]

That's because there are only so many Darwin awards to go around! [Coffee]

[Gritty]

Does anyone have any thoughts of carrying a locked-and-loaded glock in an SOB holster? I think the lack of safety and the position of carry might present a liability, but I would like to hear other opinions.

[Dr_Fwd]

G19 here chambered all the time.

[gungrinder]

Glock 23 w/ one in the chamber usually in a Comp Tac MTAC. Why would I carry my weapon without a round in the chamber and ready to use? I doubt Joe Scumbag is going to give me time to chamber a round before he tries to kill me and I'm certainly not confident I would fully activate the slide and not cause a malfunction while fighting for my life. Practice, practice, practice.

[ghettodub]

Old carry gun: KelTec .380, chambered, no safety on the gun.
New carry gun: Ruger LCR .38, and yeah, it's a revolver

[rondog]

1911, con 1.

[BigBear]

Does anyone have any thoughts of carrying a locked-and-loaded glock in an SOB holster? I think the lack of safety and the position of carry might present a liability, but I would like to hear other opinions.


Ought to be fine if you have a decent holster. I carried the G26 in a Galco SOB for a while.

(if you have a G26 and you'd like the holster, name your price, I don't use it anymore)

[Jethro]

I bet it's safe to say that the opportunity to stop most deadly encounters is just a few seconds at best. If your handgun is unloaded when your adrenaline races do you think you will have either the presence of mind or the time to chamber a round and still address the threat? I hope that's the way you train. An empty gun is just a club with a handle.

[BuffCyclist]

I carry my G23 in an IWB holster between 4 and 5oclock. Theres a round in the chamber and the mag is topped off, gotta be ready for anything and if I have to draw, I'm going to pull the trigger, and when I draw pulling the trigger will be the only thing on my mind. Not racking the slide. Not loading a mag. Not remembering if I have one chambered. Not hitting a safety (hence why I won't carry a 1911 or other non-safe action pistol).

(I voted Chambered and Safety On, because it's a Glock and the safety is always on)

[Jethro]

Glock 27, one in the tube with a full mag behind it.

[Troublco]

So what is a Glock with a round chambered? Safety on or off? I'd think that as long as your finger isn't on the trigger, that'd be safety on. Then you have decock-only guns, like my 225. I suppose that would qualify as safety off, but it's still DA for the first round which to me is fairly safe.

[reddevil1111]

Put it into the hands of a lawyer, So you say you had time to rack the slide,take the weapon off safe and point it at my client and order him to go away? Then you SHOT HIM? ALL that TIME you could have ran away!

So...I carry loaded with safety on if the weapon has one. I carry 3 different weapons ccw all are different sizes. all are the same type of weapon just small, medium and large frame. All are from Sig Sauer. Its what I like. I have carried others like Colt 1911's and H&K and several others. I went with the weapon I feel most comfortable shooting and I guess the different sizes are for different types of weather. All are the same caliber. I care less about how many rounds. I care more about target practice, drawing (unloaded of course) and malfunction drills. I figure that if I need more that 5 to 8 rounds of .45 I got myself into something I shouldnt have and I deserve whats coming. I dont belive in Zombies.[ROFL1]

[Byte Stryke]

I thought this was a Poll, not a self-righteous "My way is the only way" Beat down.

[rondog]

I thought this was a Poll, not a self-righteous "My way is the only way" Beat down.
Now, what fun would that be?

[reddevil1111]

I thought thats what a poll was?[Coffee]

[gcrookston]

mostly I carry a 340pd in my jacket or pants pocket. As occasion permits, I carry a P226 or sometimes a P220, chambered with hammer down (the trigger is the safety on these guns). When traveling, I'll occasionally carry a 1911 cocked and locked.

[MONTROSE1911]

Glock 19 or 26 with chamber loaded!

[Cman]

Para p12 cocked and locked on my right hip.

[lead_magnet]

Glock 17 w/ TLR-1s ... round chambered and ready to go. (I know everyone typicly carries a smaller gun but I've never found this setup to be uncomfortable or difficult to conceal and I'm TINY)

[steincj]

Pocket carry a Bodygurard 380, chambered, safety

Have also carried a Sig P238, Condition One, but I don't like it because though 1911 style, it has no grip safety. WIll make an awesome purse gun for the wife, but whe will carry not chambered, no safety.

Have also carried a Glock 36, chambered, no safety, IWB.

The pocket carry Bodyguard 380 is the best so far for me.

[spyder]

Chambered with saftey on. Like to carry one of my own, but my wifes PK380 is growing on me... Half the size of my 45's. I carry in my jacket, vest, or with an ankle holster.

[argonstrom]

3 Screw Blackhawk .357 with the hammer on an empty chamber.

[CapLock]

686 plus 2.5 inch snubby IWB holster. I like revolvers. Don't fantasIze about shoot outs with 10 gangbangers. Don't worry about jams or a safety. 7 rounds in the gun and couple of speed loaders what more could I need. Besides CCW makes a great hiking gun to boot.

[DFBrews]

taking my class on the 28th holy crap 2 days... but in practice around the house I have a .45 xd 5" the sits at 4:30 IWB one in the the go tube in a homemade cross breed clone.

[Geology Rocks]

I carry my Kahr, my XD, and my M&P with one in the pipe and because there is no safety its never on. IWB in an MTAC for all of them.

joe

[Castle]

XD9sc IWB with one in the tube and no safety.

I used to carry it without a round chambered untill someone put it in perspective for me and said something to the effect of:

"chambering a round when you need your gun is like putting your seatbelt on when you watch someone run a red light."

[nikole95.7]

All the charge holes filled.
Take for instance a FNP series, which are very good pistols BTW. Can be chambered, cocked and locked, safety on. Or Chambered, safety on, decocked. Or unchambered, safety off, requiring only a slide rack.

[mcantar18c]

Not chambered with safety off. I carry a 1911, so I could carry with one in the chamber, but for me racking the slide is more of an instinctive and easier action than switching the lever... if a situation arises where I have to use it, how to make it go bang isn't something I want to have to think about.

[CrufflerSteve]

I generally carry my P3AT (.380) in a pocket holster. Sometimes, in colder weather or with more clothes I carry my P239 or P229 (357SIG). Sometimes out in the back country I open carry my S&W 586 (357Mag)

The P3AT may be a mouse gun but it is reliable and it conceals.

Steve

[weirjf]

Depends on the weather. Warm out I carry my Ruger LCP in a pocket holster. Cool out I carry my Kimber HD PCII in my conceal-carry leather jacket with built-in holster.

Ruger LCP - Chambered safety off because that's the only way you can carry it short of completely unloaded

Kimber - Chambered safety on because shooting myself in the arm/hand trying to draw quickly would suck

[AirbornePathogen]

I carry a SIG 229, full mag, chambered, hammer down. No manual safety. I carry OWB, usually a Serpa paddle, strong side.