One in the chamber?

I always carry with one in the chamber and train that way.

During my CCW class, the instructor offered us the chance to experience shooting under high stress situations. It went like this:

We closed our eyes, gun in holster under shirt, facing the target at 5yds. He stood behind us and without warning, grabbed us (with his body on our non-holster side) by the shoulders and started shaking pretty violently. Let me say, that REALLY raises your blood pressure and heart rate and fast too. After about 20 seconds of that, he would let go and the second he let go, you'd have to draw and shoot the target: twice from him, once in front close to body, and while walking back several steps, shoot 3 more times.

I was interested in seeing how it felt, so I went first. It was much worse than I expected and my aim was absolutely horrible!

Granted, he did another scenario where one student had a rubber knife and had to attack another with a concealed gun, from 21ft. Every time, the knife attacker won, even when the teacher had the gun.

If you don't believe these things that people always say, find a way to setup a scenario and test it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Irving

We've had this thread before a few times. I think at least one or two people are converted each time.

---

"...if there's just one life we can save, we've got an obligation to try," Obama said

Always one in the tube. If you think you have time to rack the slide, you may already be too late to save your own life.

One in the tube always.

"...believe that if I were to venture into a very questionable area/vicinity, I'd just go ahead and chamber a round." That might be difficult to do without 'brandishing' the gun...

If one is uncomfortable with a chambered round in a self-loading pistol, perhaps a revolver would be a better choice.

Playing devil's advocate, that sudden attack scenario is probably fatal to the defender if he/she uses any 'conventional' concealed carry method with any type of handgun. A 'hammerless' revolver carried in a jacket pocket with my hand on the gun and fired from inside the pocket (you need cheap/expendable jackets and a wet rag to try this live fire) is the only way I have been able to reliably beat the 'assailant' in training exercises. A 'melted' pistol carried the same way can sometimes beat the attack, but the 'draw' from the pocket is often too late. If you don't want to do the pocket thing, a cane or walking stick should be your first line of defense - not a bad idea in any case.

With a lot of practice, open carry with a short barreled single-action revolver in a proper holster is another method that is sometimes fast enough, but I ain't Bob Munden...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 3beansalad

"...if there's just one life we can save, we've got an obligation to try," Obama said

Always one in the tube. If you think you have time to rack the slide, you may already be too late to save your own life.

---

+1. Plus, we as gun owners drill it into our heads to treat every gun as if it is always loaded anyways. It requires the manipulation of the trigger to fire. As long as you aren't fingering your trigger, it will not go off. If you are carrying in a holster, then the trigger should be fully covered anyways. You carry a handgun to stop a threat that can occur in the shortest time imaginable, why would you want to slow yourself down and thus decrease your odds of survival?

One in the chamber? Most unsafe thing I've ever heard. Don't you know the anti-gun crown reads these threads?

Personally, I carry my Kimber disassembled - Frame in holster, slide assembly in front left (weakside) pocket, slide stop in front right pocket. I also carry shells in my left sock and empty mag in my right. I figure I can flop down on my back to fend off an attack with my boots while I prepare my weapon. Most importantly, I want to be sure that I do not accidentally shoot someone while under stress.

^^^^ Are you reading Morse legislation drafts again?

do you where a seat belt?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DingleBerns

do you where a seat belt?

---

I know where it is, but don't always wear it[Beer]

You will NOT have the time rack the slide. If one in the tube concerns you, get a revolver.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by waxthis

You will NOT have the time rack the slide. If one in the tube concerns you, get a revolver.

---

Or drink lots of water;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jim

I know where it is, but don't always wear it[Beer]

---

dang it Jim! I can't proof read....[fail]

I carry without one in the chamber. I believe there's a greater chance of me making a mistake with the firearm at some point in my life, carrying it for all those years and handling it thousands of times, than actually needing the firearm and being unable to take an extra half a second to chamber a round. The reasons I might need a firearm are infinite. My eventual decision to draw would be instantaneous, but most situations wouldn't require instantaneous trigger pull. I'm sure there are statistics that validate this - many people have drawn their firearms to protect themselves, but only a tiny fraction have pulled the trigger.

I understand all the arguments for carrying chambered as well. Yes, obviously I'd be safer from instant and unexpected attack and I'd be better off. But I believe I'd be in even greater danger of making a tiny mistake within the next 40-50 years that I couldn't live with.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by generalmeow

I carry without one in the chamber. I believe there's a greater chance of me making a mistake with the firearm at some point in my life, carrying it for all those years and handling it thousands of times, than actually needing the firearm and being unable to take an extra half a second to chamber a round. The reasons I might need a firearm are infinite. My eventual decision to draw would be instantaneous, but most situations wouldn't require instantaneous trigger pull. I'm sure there are statistics that validate this - many people have drawn their firearms to protect themselves, but only a tiny fraction have pulled the trigger.

I understand all the arguments for carrying chambered as well. Yes, obviously I'd be safer from instant and unexpected attack and I'd be better off. But I believe I'd be in even greater danger of making a tiny mistake within the next 40-50 years that I couldn't live with.

---

And such is the concept of "personal choice". God Bless America! We still have the freedom to make that choice.

I use to not have one in the chamber now I do because I want to always be prepared. I may not have time to rack the slide. Personal preference though I respect both ways of carrying.

Sig P239 strong side carry and of course one in the chamber.

I've been carrying without a mag inserted, but thanks to everyone's input, I now carry locked and loaded!

[Coffee]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lex_Luthor

I've been carrying without a mag inserted, but thanks to everyone's input, I now carry locked and loaded!

[Coffee]

---

Nice to see we converted at least one!

Carrying with the chamber empty is build around the expectation of two luxuries in a gunfight. Time and distance.

If you are accessing a pistol you shouldn't expect to have either.

I really don't get the whole "carrying with an empty chamber" thing; like Mick said, when time is of the essence, that empty chamber represents your first chance to die in a deadly confrontation. Doesn't make sense to me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kmac

Nice to see we converted at least one!

---

The coffee guy was supposed to show I was being facetious. I definitely wouldn't be carrying without a mag, OR with an empty chamber.

ETA: that video is intense. Definitely worth a watch for someone who carries, chamber empty

Only cops on T.V. shows like CSI New York chamber a round when they draw their gun from holster.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by spqrzilla

You know, if someone needs a period of carrying with an empty chamber to acustom themselves to carrying a loaded gun. I'm not going to make fun of them.

---

I always carry my Glock 19 hot in a real holster that covers the trigger.

I have a couple of friends and family who are new to carrying and were concerned about carrying their Glocks hot. I shared that jewelry store robbery vid with them and told then to carry with a snap cap in the chamber for a couple of weeks and tell me if it goes off. Most of them do it and realize that if your carry rig is what it should be this is a non-issue and more mental than anything else.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CO Retriever

I always carry my Glock 19 hot in a real holster that covers the trigger.

I have a couple of friends and family who are new to carrying and were concerned about carrying their Glocks hot. I shared that jewelry store robbery vid with them and told then to carry with a snap cap in the chamber for a couple of weeks and tell me if it goes off. Most of them do it and realize that if your carry rig is what it should be this is a non-issue and more mental than anything else.

---

That's fine. It does not refute what I wrote.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by spqrzilla

That's fine. It does not refute what I wrote.

---

Wasn't intended to, nearly agreeing and mentioning something that I have shared with others with the same concern.

Definitely one in the chamber. Such a big disadvantage if you don't.

Crazy video

Always one in the chamber - carry a club if you're worried!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47Yxa9IeJEc

"9mm.. Safety always off"

Yeah you should keep safety on.

For those that carry empty chamber.

What are your concerns? What led you to this style of carry? I ask this with respect. It is not my first choice, but a rational discussion shouldn't be too hard.

I have not carried with one in the chamber however as of two weeks ago that changed. We live in a crazy world and we need to be ready at a minutes notice.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 7insert

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47Yxa9IeJEc

"9mm.. Safety always off"

Yeah you should keep safety on.

---

no saftey on my glock+ lightened trigger and springs....i carry one in the chamber as long as your fingers off the trigger there shouldnt be a problem

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cofi

no saftey on my glock+ lightened trigger and springs....i carry one in the chamber as long as your fingers off the trigger there shouldnt be a problem

---

Yeah as long as you are carrying a modern pistol that should be fine. But a tokarev and guns that are less than steller when dropped you should most likely carry with a safety

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 7insert

Yeah as long as you are carrying a modern pistol that should be fine. But a tokarev and guns that are less than steller when dropped you should most likely carry with a safety

---

yea i didnt watch the video....my toes owe there lives to glocks drop saftey :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Aloha_Shooter

Cute scenario. What do you do with the marker when the friend understands you're inside the range for hand-to-hand and decides to first knee you in the junk and then swipe the barrel of the pistol through your dental work before racking the slide? Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of good arguments for carrying with a chambered round but a lot of what I'm seeing here is specious nonsense equating carrying with empty chamber to walking around while all your ammo is locked up at home. I think the point you're driving at is that there are a handful of rare but significant scenarios where the carrier won't have time or ability to rack the slide and would be better off having one in chamber ready to go but you're not acknowledging that most of the time they will.

OP should be happy that his friend is carrying and ready to respond in a moment-and-a-half's notice rather than trying to make him feel like trash for not being ready at a moment's notice. What's more important is that he knows the drawbacks, is situationally aware and thinks ahead of time about what to do when faced with various scenarios.

---

I agree with this, but this is one of those arguements where few will find middle ground.

I haven't had to try it on the street but I learned in the Army that an unloaded chamber usually ends a filled body bag. To each their own but I would not leave the house without a hot gun.

They would probably stop after the first shot and run but if
You pull a weapon you are now a threat and as long as you are still moving they will keep firing, I have seen a few guys trying to reload once they are hit a few times its ugly shit! If it ain't loaded don't pull it leave it at home it could save your life. Do some force training and try loading while someone is pumping you full of sim rounds and see how easy it is then decide if you wanna replace the sims with lead.


For people new to packing its fine to ease into it and carry with caps or what ever it takes to build your confidence, but my advice is don't EVER pull a gun that's not ready.

I carry a DA/SA service style pistol, one in the chamber, safety on. I regularly practice drawing and flipping the safety off as soon as the muzzle passes about 30 degrees. I remember watching a video of Israeli Defense Forces drawing, racking and firing, and wondering why, considering their Jericho 941's are just like the Beretta, and can be safely carried hammer down/double action, just like a revolver. I guess it just comes down to your level of risk tolerance/aversion and what scenarios you foresee, both with regards to firearm safety and self-defense. No matter how you carry, there are concessions that you have to make one way or another.

Carrying a condition 3 weapon is pointless. If someone suddenly assails you, you won't have time to chamber a round and engage your target.

But more importantly, if you "feel" a situation brewing, you'll blow your cover by drawing down and racking in front of someone. And the DA is going to have a field day when he/she accuses you of instigating the situation by drawing a weapon when the threat wasn't imminent. It would be equivalent to firing a warning shot, me thinks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 7insert

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47Yxa9IeJEc

"9mm.. Safety always off"

Yeah you should keep safety on.

---

Your holster is your safety as far as Im concerned. Train to draw the gun with your finger out of trigger guard every time and your good to go.

how is a modern gun going to go boom in a CCW holster? Are there ants in someones pants playing on a holstered firearm? Trigger finger is the best safety.