One in the chamber?

[BuffCyclist]

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.

[3beansalad]

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.

[SamuraiCO]

One in the tube always.

[Milt]

"...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...

[osok-308]

"...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?

[davsel]

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.

[3beansalad]

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

[DingleBerns]

do you where a seat belt?

[Great-Kazoo]

do you where a seat belt?

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

[waxthis]

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