Do you carry unloaded?

[FJC]

I look at it this way...rank the following people in order of who is most prepared:

1) Person carrying, round chambered.
2) Person carrying, round not chambered.
3) Person not carrying.


Ok, I think I already ranked them for you. Now, I'd rather see someone elect to carry unchambered, than choose to not carry at all because they aren't comfortable enough or don't feel they are trained enough to carry chambered. (Preferably, I'd like to see them GET that training and be comfortable with it, but some people need to move in steps - or maybe find a weapon like a revolver that they may be more comfortable with).

They need to understand the limitations of carrying that way (no way they should think they're gonna draw, chamber, fire against someone already pointing a gun at them). But an unchambered weapon in the pocket beats the heck out of a loaded weapon at home...

 

[Majic]

They need to understand the limitations of carrying that way (no way they should think they're gonna draw, chamber, fire against someone already pointing a gun at them).

If you have to draw in this situation chambered or not you lose.

 

[kudu]

Cocked and locked 1911, or why bother to carry.

 

[firestar]

Way back when I first started carrying, I had a Jennings J-22 that I carried without a round in the chamber. It is the ONLY safe way to carry one of the cheap autos. There are a lot of guns like the Jennings that should not have a round in the chamber (AMT, Raven, Bryco, Lorcin, etc). I don't recomend these as carry guns but some people do have them because that is all they can afford. I think any SA hammerless auto should not have a round in the chamber unless it is over high quality and has a good safety. Glocks are borderline but if they are carried in a holster that covers the trigger gaurd, they are fine.

I got pretty good at slapping the slide back (gun fighter style) and rapid fire point shooting from the hip. I think that is one of the things that caused the gun to start to become unreliable.

 

[V-fib]

NEVER!

 

[clubsoda22]

instead of criticizing your dads method of carry, let me just say that he is completely safe carrying that bersa with one in the chamber, i have never seen a ppk or any clone of which go off for no reason. Tell him to just wear it in a holster that covers the trigger.

 

[Mike Irwin]

"Cocked and locked 1911, or why bother to carry."

Revolver.

No manual safeties need apply...

 

[stans]

I had a Jennings J-22 that I carried without a round in the chamber. It is the ONLY safe way to carry one of the cheap autos. There are a lot of guns like the Jennings that should not have a round in the chamber (AMT, Raven, Bryco, Lorcin, etc). I don't recomend these as carry guns but some people do have them because that is all they can afford.

I agree, these pistols should be kept with the chamber empty. In fact, these pistols are best when kept in the dresser drawer and are completely empty! These pistols don't even make good boat anchors.

 

[10-Ring]

Nope, if I'm carrying, it's loaded

 

[rappa]

Nope. Always 1 in the pipe. Might as well be carry throwing knives or a billy club otherwise.

 

[PC Load Letter]

Logically, every one of you is correct- a handgun should be carried with a round in the chamber, ready to go. There are ample safties in today's firearms to prevent accidental discharges.

That being said...I never do it. I never carry with a round in the chamber and I probably never will. Why? Because it makes me uncomfortable, and no amount of training, logic or self-denial will change that. Yes, yes, some may say that it's no better than a "throwing knife." Well, you can't chamber and fire a round with a throwing knife. A gun without a round in pipe CAN be chambered and fired, after all. I'm certain there have been self-defense situations where an individual drew their firearm, chambered a round, and shot the aggressor.

Granted, carrying with one in the pipe is BETTER, but I'd rather carry a gun with nothing in the chamber and a full magazine, than nothing at all.

 

[EJ]

Well --not unloaded -- but loaded--

 

[4thHorseman]

What bother's him the most, ....cocked or round in the chamber?
If cocked bother's him, he can go with what Mike Irwin said, revolvers. Or even a semi auto with a decocker like Sig or Berreta. If a round in the chamber bothers him, well, not much you can do about that but keep it unchambered. What ever he feels comfortable with is best for him.
I too have a few concerns about double action, light trigger pull autos that do not have a manual safety.

 

[Bravo11]

I'm with PC Load Letter(from Office Space?) on this one.
Yes I agree that modern handguns are made to be carried with a round chambered but I don't do it.
I just don't feel comfortable that way. It may come from years of being told not to load your gun until your in the woods and unload it before crossing a fence. I know thats for long guns but I was old school. If I get in a situation, God forbid, I hope I can get to some cover. I stiil believe carrying un-chambered is better than no weapon at all.
Flame on.

 

[Zach S]

These pistols don't even make good boat anchors.

They do make decent paperweights though.