Former Sheriff Deputy Advising Carrying on Empty Chamber

[Orion8472]

That is one of the reasons why I'm waiting out the 9mm XDs. Having that grip safety is just an extra peace of mind thing, . . . when holstering it, keeping my hand off that grip safety makes it less likely for an AD.

 

[GEM]

1911s have grip safeties. I had a guy put a round a few inches from my foot when he was holstering his gun after a load and make ready at an IDPA match.

Also with grip safeties, while rare, there are some reports of an injured shooter (hand shot) having trouble with the grip safety.

It's trigger on the finger for the vast majority of cases. Even with heavier DA pulls we've had NDs.

 

[Orion8472]

Perhaps, GEM. However, I am willing to take the extra added safety over a rare hand injury episode. . . . considering the likelihood that I'll probably never take it out of my holster [meaning, far less likely that I will need to defend my life than even an AD]. So, with the XDs, when holstering it, I won't even be touching the grip safety. No "snagged clothes AD" potential.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Hey everyone,

I was talking with a coworker this morning who is fairly new to owning guns. He visited fam and friends last weekend back in Ohio.

One of his friends is a former sheriff deputy. Of course they spent some time talking about guns and such. My coworker got his conceal permit and is planning on a .380 I think. Well I guess the two of them were talking about carrying concealed and his buddy (former sheriff deputy) says that he was taught in police academy to carry on empty chamber and load a round as you draw.

I feel like his is joking with my friend because that sounds so ridiculous. Is that taught in any police academies?

Personally I carried with empty chamber for a little while on my M&P9 but have changed that practice. I can't imagine law enforcement doing it.

I guess it is personal choice and some law enforcement do it? Apparently the former sheriff deputy mentioned the benefit that if someone grabs his gun it won't fire because it the chamber is empty. That could definitely save your life in a situation where your gun is taken from you but I never thought for a second LEO would carry empty.

Either it was a bad joke or the guy is a MOTHO.

 

[smithwr3]

I agree that carrying with an empty chamber defies logic. Every time I've requalified with the Beretta M9 over the last 17 years, my Air Force instructors tell us to carry a round in the chamber with the safety off. That way, as soon as you pull your weapon and immediately you point the weapon forward, you can engage and stop your enemy that is running towards you.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

I carry a semi-automatic with an empty chamber. Its my preference and I am comfortable with it. If i carry a revolver it is with all cylinders loaded and hammer forward. No firearm in my house has a round in the chamber and all actions are open on rifles and shotguns. The exception is a home defence shotgun. There is round in the chamber but not in battery. That means I can see the action out of battery. These are rules that I set into place years ago.
I am fifty years young and have witnessed more than enough tragedy around me due to carelessness.