Glock-one in chamber or not?

[Lonestar49]

*Slight correction..

Quote: There is nothing more useless than an unloaded gun.
----------
...

Actually, *not having a gun at all falls under "useless" .. IMO

And, from what I have read of this entire post, I'd say Larry is fine, knows his SA, does not live in a concrete jungle like the majority of us.

And if he likes Glocks and he is current, pulling and racking in under 2 secs, then I'd say he has his comfy zone in check.. and has a right to be happy and confident with that choice.

To each his own, as his post really asked, who carries (Glocks) and how?

Me, no offence to Glocks but, I'm only comfy with guns with hammers, (one can "see") in either DA/SA or SAO-1911's ( all chambered) DA/SA with decockers only, and love the 1911 cocked and locked, with both safety's, especially with the thumb slide-safety ON.

A man has got to know his limitations.. which doesn't mean one lacks vs another.


Ls

 

[Broadhead]

Fact: Light single-action trigger pull or heavy revolver trigger pull, a gun fires when the trigger is pulled.

Opinion: I think my Glocks, contained in a quality holster that covers the trigger guard, are completely prevented from firing the chambered cartridge.

 

[D-Man]

^

A man has got to know his limitations.. which doesn't mean one lacks vs another.

A great point, as in the end it only matters what the original poster is comfortable with.

I hate when people bring up Glocks and talk about a light trigger pull or wanting a safety and the usual comments of 'Keep your booger of the bang switch' come up. (Yes, I know I completely screwed up that saying). Some people just like different things, and if it's a heavier trigger with an external hammer (for example), so be it.

I picked up my first striker fired gun a couple of months ago, but I went with a M&P45 w/ safety, as that was my preference.

 

[Geno]

Okay, I'm back. I wanted to check my course notes. Each time I take a Tactical Shooting course or an Advanced Tactical Shooting course, I take "several" pages of notes. As a former administrator, I was trained up in "scripting". Basically one writes shorthand everything the person says. Per course, I take the better part of 30 to 50 pages of notes.

According to the one instructor, per my notes, the average defensive shoot lasts about 2 seconds. The average number of bullets fired in that time is around 2.5 rounds.

So, if someone is fumbling around looking to chamber their weapon, and it takes two (2) seconds to do so, it's all over. Please re-read, and reconsider my previous post. If the trigger is too light, get a stiffer trigger. If you can't carry a Glock with confidence, get one that you can.

If you can't Glock-it...
cock-it & lock-it...
with a Colt 1911.​

Your life, your peace-of-mind.

 

[10-Ring]

When I carry, it is with a round in the chamber, firearm ready to go...

 

[jlficken]

I started carrying a cocked and locked 1911 but switched to a Glock because I wanted more than the 7 rounds in a mag (just another one of those I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it things) and .40 is plenty good for 2 legged attackers. I was a little nervous at first but now it is no worry at all. I have been carrying it for 3+ months and I say that good safety practices along with a good quality leather/kydex holster that stops anything from entering the trigger will negate any chance of a ND.

I also agree in the mention of the "Nike approach" in that avoidance is the first door (so to speak) when carrying concealed.

Just my .02

 

[Soybomb]

If you aren't comfortable with keeping a round chambered in your Glock, then the Glock is not the correct weapon for you.

Sounds like good advice to me. I'd find a gun out there that you feel comfortable using.

 

[Setzer77]

Used to carry my Glock with an empty chamber (the 3.5# pull on the 34 made me nervous), but I got used to it after a while, it won't just magically go off.

 

[mgregg85]

Those dang glocks are unsafe, gotta have the grip safety and the trigger safety to be truly safe Get an XD and carry +1 all the time

 

[Lucky 7]

I can empathize with you on this concern. I carried my Glocks (19 w/ 3.5# trigger and 34 w/ 4.5 # trigger) with an empty chamber for almost 2 weeks before I came to terms that if it were to fire, I was to blame. It was a change from my SigPro and Kimber, but it was all mental, and easy to overcome.

Try this solution: Have a buddy roll a dummy round (mark it clearly), chamber it, then, while performing your honey-do list one weekend, see if the primer gets struck. This little excerise will help you overcome the worry, and instill confidence in your equipment.

Regards and Semper Fi!
-L7

 

[Lucky 7]

I'd also like to echo about the right holster. Sparks Summer Special II and Hume PCCH are great holsters and completely cover the trigger guard. This is a damn important part of your carry gear (right after a reliable peice you can use accurately) if you're serious about carrying. IDK how many times I've seen cats at the range tug their ENTIRE holster and weapon out.

Get it right the first time and don't collect more holsters than you have handguns.

Regards and Semper Fi!
-L7

 

[triguy]

Many are forgetting that even though Glock does not have a conventional manual saftey it's "SAFE ACTION" design has 3 independent, mechanical safety devices. The trigger safety, firing pin safety and drop safety are revolutionary and can be trusted fully. Carry one in the pipe and train, train train !

 

[Ringer]

Several times I have felt as if I were entering a hostile or possibly dangerous situation I will chamber a round

Then what do you do with the gun, re-holster it? What about when you exit the situation? For me this is when I fear an ND the most, when handling the gun in a not so controlled situation. My gun goes in the holster and holster in the pants as I'm getting dressed and doesn't come out. Oh and it goes in with a round in the chamber. To each their own. I voted ALWAYS.

 

[fubb]

it shoots better that way

 

[birddog1]

larry,

the choice is ultimately yours, but I'm with the majority. I carry MY G19 with one in the chamber every day. You justified doing it this way by saying you will chamber a round if/when you get into a dangerous situation. The problem with that is that folks don't know when that is going to happen. If they did, they would avoid the situation to begin with. Just my thoughts.

bd1

 

[Riss]

Because this thread is getting quite long I may be repeating what others have said. The Glock was designed with a long, and somewhat heavy trigger pull for a reason. Carrying one in the chamber is fine, the same as a revolver. Do not pull the trigger and it will not go off. This does not completely apply to those of us that also have, but not carry, heavily modified G-35 IPSC guns, with no overtravel, or pretravel and about a 2 Lb trigger. That gun I would not carry concealed. It is way too big. The gun is safe enough, but I do not think I will ever have to shoot upwards of 20 guys in less than 1 minute, while running. My G-27 will do just fine.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Before I bought my Glock 26, I extensively tested its trigger in the store. While unloaded, try to balance the gun by its trigger on your finger. The gun won't magically discharge. The trigger won't even go off. Next, stick the gun down your waistband ("mexican carry") style. Try and pull the trigger through your pants. It's possible, but still requires a distinct effort. Finally, get a decent holster and try to jimmy the trigger though it. Next to impossible. You're more likely to dislodge the safety on a cocked and locked 1911 than you are to engage the trigger on a Glock. Keep in mind that the trigger safety is millimeters thick. It is in the dead center of the trigger and cuts at an angle (natural for your finger, unnatural for anything else) and must be fully depressed to even depress the trigger. Next you have the weight of the trigger. The trigger on the Glock does not immediately click the striker when it is pulled all the way back. There is that "stopping point" before you have to add the required poundage (5.5-8 usually) to get the trigger to go bang. The stock 5lb trigger is still quite heavy for a non-human object to engage.

I know about "Glock's 3 safeties" but personally, they've never meant anything to me. I was more worried about the same things you were. I'm not going to drop the gun. I'm more worried about it firing into my groin area. It won't do that. It's designed NOT to do that. Like another poster mentioned. A good portion of your fear is mental. If your cocked and locked 1911's safety disengaged, you'd have a gun with a 1 lb trigger. If my Taurus 605 revolver's hammer cocked when I leaned back, I'd have a revolver cocked with a 1/2lb trigger point straight at my groinal arteries.

I seriously don't know of any Glock accidents that weren't user related (too powerful of handloads or stupid handling of the Glock).

Also remember this gun is designed by Austrians. They, like their German cousins, do not build crap. They just don't. Gaston Glock probably sat in solitary isolation for a couple years just drawing up the gun. I'd bet that engineers at the Glock factory probably spend every day trying to make the guns misfire or break. These guns have also been around since 1987. That's over 20 years. If there was a problem, there would have been a recall by now.

 

[Harley Quinn]

I like Glocks and I like the idea it can be carried both ways. If not in a holster and its laying around, I am inclined to not have one in the chamber.
If in a holster designed for the pistol it is loaded. I can tell the difference by the fact that when not loaded in the chamber, I have the trigger in the pulled state and not the ready, works for me

 

[rhweb32]

In a stressful situation you're unchambered glock won't do you any good. Go to a range and have one of the instructors put a little artificial stress on you as you are drawing and shooting. I'd bet my money, that atleast 7 outta 10 times you would forget to chamber a round before engaging the threat.

However you should only carry how you feel comfortable carrying, but if you don't feel comfortable carrying the glock they way it was meant to be, then find a different gun.

It's that easy........

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

You should carry your weapon the same way all the time. If you're not comfortable carrying a weapon that has no safety and a light trigger with a round chambered, just find another weapon. There are hundreds of choices out there for carry weapons. Just find a weapon with a safety, or a heavy DA trigger and carry that chambered all the time. Don't buy a Glock and then hate/not use the way it's supposed to be carried. That's stupid, just find a new weapon and carry it how it's designed.

 

[inherentical]

I'd bet my money, that atleast 7 outta 10 times you would forget to chamber a round before engaging the threat.

I'm your huckleberry. All of your money, or just some of it?

 

[neby98]

I like 500 dollar paper weights as much as the next guy.... wait no I don't.

 

[Constantine-p89]

Glock or cocked locked and ready to rock, lol

 

[Harley Quinn]

I carry it the way I want and I practise putting one in the chamber right out of the get go...So if one was in there it would be out and the next one in. It is a normal practise routine. I shoot a lot and this is the best way for this particular shooter to be carried, they are a accident waiting to happen. If I was an active LEO I'd carry it the same way around the house and at work it would have one in the chamber, or not...

The folks who are giving advise need to worry about themselves and wonder why they feel so insecure in the way someone else, feels secure with carrying a pistol. I own and shoot many Glocks. Your advise falls on deaf ears.

 

[Mad Magyar]

i disagree, its not as if Im barney fife and have to fumble it out of my shirt pocket. I can draw my glock and chamber a live round in less than 2 seconds if needed...........Like I said earlier, IF i am entering a hostile situation I take prior actions.............

That's telling them....

A uniformed officer is rarely attacked suddenly, where a civilian might be.

The ol'ambush theory once again....
You have it backwards....You need to view the FBI Uniform Crime Report the past 30 yrs for data concerning LEO's and shooting incidents....If you're ambushed, it doesn't make any difference if you're in Condition 1 or 3....
BTW, if you happened to be in a position where a close encounter led to your weapon being relieved; where are you better off? M. Ayoob's account of LEO's being shot with their own weapons that are in readiness condition makes you think about it.....
All these "paperweight" retorts really are getting old...This is about as fallacious as saying "Condition 1 is an Accident waiting to Happen!"