Do You Carry With a Round In the Chamber While You CC or OC?

[Deanimator]

A few years ago, a couple of drugged up morons decided to jump a guy in Dayton pumping gas. By his own admission, if he hadn't had a round in the chamber, he probably would have been overcome, disarmed, and probably killed. Instead, one of his assailants was shot twice and the other fled.

If you're more afraid of your own firearm than you are of an unlawful deadly force attack, you should either carry a different firearm or not carry at all.

 

[Deanimator]

Doesn't do me much good if it is not there. I've had plenty of people tell me that they can rack the slide fast enough but I have never seen it done by the average person before I get a shot off, or two.

More importantly, they never seem to be able to tell you how they'll load a round while they're being double teamed and beaten, choked or stabbed.

If somebody is so afraid of an "accidental" discharge merely from carrying a loaded firearm, what do they think is going to happen when they try to chamber a round ONE HANDED during a wild fight for survival?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Given how safe modern firearms are, I see no reason not to carry a chambered gun, provided you have an appropriate holster also.

 

[Milkmaster]

Always one in the chamber. I carry a DA/SA pistol or a revolver for this reason. In my mind the first one cannot be an accidental discharge easier that way.

 

[azrocks]

EDC round in the chamber.

Nightstand pistol loaded but no round in the chamber.

Logic is that between perimeter security and dog I will have plenty of time to rack the slide should the need arise. Technically a "night stand" gun is off your person so I treat that differently than a carry piece.

Do you every worry about the inconsistency potentially causing you to forget to chamber a round with your nightstand gun under stress (or vice versa - causing you to eject a chambered round in your EDC)?

 

[JR24]

I only keep 2 guns loaded, my CCW and nightstand gun.

Both are always kept hot and ready to rock.

No confusion that way.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I carry in condition Tactical Butterscotch

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8pU2IOTEZlU

 

[morcey2]

I open-carried for a short time without a round in the chamber, but that was a legal requirement here in Utah since I didn't have a CFP. (Law requires 2 actions to fire a gun to be considered unloaded. Disengaging a safety doesn't count as one of those actions.) After I received my CFP, there's always one in the chamber.

Matt

 

[orionengnr]

Yep.
As has been pointed out, an unloaded gun is a very short, very inefficient club.

 

[Dragon breath]

I have carried my lc9s pro in my pocket without a holster a few times. In those rare times, I didn't have a round in the chamber. The trigger is just too light and short for loose pocket carry. If it is in a holster, it does have a round in the chamber.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Yes I do carry one in the chamber in both my autos.

I suspect that if I ever have the occasion to use it, it will be needed quickly.

 

[CoRoMo]

A few years ago, a couple of drugged up morons decided to jump a guy in Dayton pumping gas. By his own admission, if he hadn't had a round in the chamber, he probably would have been overcome, disarmed, and probably killed. Instead, one of his assailants was shot twice and the other fled.

If you're more afraid of your own firearm than you are of an unlawful deadly force attack, you should either carry a different firearm or not carry at all.

I often retell that incident to people who've decided to carry in some unorthodox fashion. It was a classic example of a violent attack anyone may experience in America today.

For those who are unfamiliar with the story...

June 2011, Adam Fox is filling up at Sunoco, is approached and harassed by a couple drugged thugs; Brandon Turner and Billy Blackburn Jr.

Brandon Turner grabs Fox's left arm and begins the attack, not letting go of his arm for the duration of the assault. Billy Blackburn Jr. is able to join the attack on Fox.

Fox manages to lean into his car, grabbing his handgun, then turns and fires one-handed, hitting Turner twice, ending the attack. Had Fox's handgun been in any condition that required a second hand to facilitate operation, it's quite probable that Turner and Blackburn would have not only proceeded the violence further, but also would likely ended up with Fox's vehicle and firearm, resulting in a much more grave ending to Fox's encounter.

Fox then went onto social media to retell the story, which was unwise for sure, but did not result in any ramifications.
http://www.ohioccwforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=53502

Blackburn also began posting on social media, threatening reprisals against Fox, which resulted in Blackburn's arrest and prosecution for such.
http://gunguynextdoor.blogspot.com/2011/06/heres-up-to-date-fb-postings-of.html

The video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz4tOc1GLgo

 

[mdauben]

I know some people carry with an empty chamber but I can't imagine doing that.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

 

[Red Wind]

Fine responses. Thank you. Running at 90%, round in the chamber, on one of Americas most intelligent gun forums. Unfortunately, from personal knowledge, the general public is carrying without one in the pipe at a much higher rate. And it's getting people injured and killed.

There is an unwarranted fear of an accidental discharge that compels these people to not rack a round before carrying. I call it the Glock horror story phenomena, built up in the MSM and then spread through the general populace.

All these tales of those wicked Glocks going off by themselves, amongst cops and "civilians" alike. It's quite difficult getting these folks to see the light. Since Glocks are carried by well over 50% of Americas Police Departments, LEO's themselves have helped to fuel the problem by the occasional ND.
Even my cop cohorts were quick to make disparaging Glock remarks. Our Department were issued Sigs.

Obviously, more Glocks mean more ND's with that brand. It's a numbers game. How many times have we heard (or read) someone say after an negligent shooting that makes the news, "I bet you anything that he/she was carrying a Glock!"

Too many. Any reflections on this issue?

 

[stchman]

Yes, round in the chamber, ready to go. Any other way and the gun is a paperweight.

Condition 3 with 1911 or BHP ..

So you want to be unprepared?

 

[chopinbloc]

No. I don't carry an empty gun.

 

[azrocks]

There is an unwarranted fear of an accidental discharge that compels these people to not rack a round before carrying. I call it the Glock horror story phenomena, built up in the MSM and then spread through the general populace.

All these tales of those wicked Glocks going off by themselves, amongst cops and "civilians" alike. It's quite difficult getting these folks to see the light. Since Glocks are carried by well over 50% of Americas Police Departments, LEO's themselves have helped to fuel the problem by the occasional ND.
Even my cop cohorts were quick to make disparaging Glock remarks. Our Department were issued Sigs.

Obviously, more Glocks mean more ND's with that brand. It's a numbers game. How many times have we heard (or read) someone say after an negligent shooting that makes the news, "I bet you anything that he/she was carrying a Glock!"

Too many. Any reflections on this issue?

I have to disagree.

All other things being equal, a handgun with an extra safety will be inherently more idiot-proof than one without. It will be safer for everyone around, excepting perhaps the operator, who may fail to remove it when the time comes to go bang.

In well-trained hands, there should be no significant difference in terms of practical safety. But being well-trained is not a prerequisite to buy or own a firearm. As a former apartment dweller, I'm a big fan of manual safeties on other people's guns. You might say such people may not use them - and this is true - but most monkeys I've seen like to fiddle with small metal objects, so the chances of them being less of a danger to those of us surrounding them is 50% better than it would be with a Glock

 

[JamieC]

Whether it's my 1911, M&P 9mm, PF9, it's loaded, one in the chamber. My shotgun, AR, even though I don't carry them, they are the same way, one in the chamber.

 

[Deanimator]

Another factor to consider before carrying with an empty chamber:

If, due to an empty chamber, you are unable to effectively employ your firearm and your assailant(s) prevails in a physical struggle for the gun, you have GIVEN to your opponent an at least partially loaded firearm.

The mantra of the anti-gun cult is "You'll get your gun taken away!". Carrying an unloaded firearm actually increases the likelihood that that's what will happen.

 

[Warp]

I have to disagree.

All other things being equal, a handgun with an extra safety will be inherently more idiot-proof than one without. It will be safer for everyone around, excepting perhaps the operator, who may fail to remove it when the time comes to go bang.

In well-trained hands, there should be no significant difference in terms of practical safety. But being well-trained is not a prerequisite to buy or own a firearm. As a former apartment dweller, I'm a big fan of manual safeties on other people's guns. You might say such people may not use them - and this is true - but most monkeys I've seen like to fiddle with small metal objects, so the chances of them being less of a danger to those of us surrounding them is 50% better than it would be with a Glock

It may not be safer for every around...guns with "the safety on" are sometimes treated like "unloaded guns", that is, sometimes other safety rules are intentionally violated because of the supposed condition of the gun.

You know...people shot with "it was unloaded" or "the safety was on" guns.

In particular you will find the "I can put my finger on the trigger whenever I want because the safety is on" crowd

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Do you every worry about the inconsistency potentially causing you to forget to chamber a round with your nightstand gun under stress (or vice versa - causing you to eject a chambered round in your EDC)?

No.

I am personally just not going to leave a gun that's not attached to me (holstered) with a round in the chamber. To each their own.

In the vast array of day to day safety issues I deal with this is by far the easiest to remember.

 

[Yelovitz_503]

If the shooting starts my first task is going to be getting cover. If everyone else is running and you're standing still you will catch the eye of the shooter because of your different reaction and because you're still a stationary target. In the event of an active shooter I don't need that first round in the chamber ready to go, because once I find cover and get out of their line of sight I can rack one in and be ready to respond from a good position. I understand this isn't right for every situation, and if I'm going to a rough part of town chances are I'll put one in the chamber before going in, but in most cases I don't need the weapon to be hot 24/7.

 

[cmb3366]

Yes, a carry piece without a round in the chamber is just a fancy club. Buy quality handguns, the best leather or kydex you can find, and trust the system.

 

[Warp]

If the shooting starts my first task is going to be getting cover. If everyone else is running and you're standing still you will catch the eye of the shooter because of your different reaction and because you're still a stationary target. In the event of an active shooter I don't need that first round in the chamber ready to go, because once I find cover and get out of their line of sight I can rack one in and be ready to respond from a good position. I understand this isn't right for every situation, and if I'm going to a rough part of town chances are I'll put one in the chamber before going in, but in most cases I don't need the weapon to be hot 24/7.

An active shooter is an extremely low probability encounter within the already low probability of needing a gun.

More likely you will be personally targeted by quick, violent attack up close and personal.

 

[bgw45]

Most on this board, I suppose, do more with their weapons than just participate on this forum. Some shoot as a hobby, some as a part of their profession and some compete. But, if you are unwilling to train/practice with your SD weapon then by all means don't endanger others by carrying with a chambered round.

If you do carry with a chambered round train enough to be proficient and safe with your weapon. You deserve to be as prepared as can be to protect others and yourself.