One in the chamber or no?
- Thread starter dendad
- Start date
- Status
bhk
Member
I had been shooting for 35+ years when we were first allowed CCW permits. I felt entirely comfortable with a loaded chamber right away.
archigos
Member
I carried with one in the chamber from the beginning. Having a loaded gun that is not ready to operate introduces you to unnecessary hazards without giving you any benefit from carrying.
I introduced my father to carrying about a year after I started. For the first couple months he had his permit, he actually carried his gun in the manner he normally would (DA/SA decocked w/ no safety) but without any ammunition on him until he was comfortable enough that he knew it wasn't going to "go off".
Its certainly worth getting used to operating your CCW, as well as holstering and unholstering the weapon, until you are very competent with its operation and it feels natural. However, carrying with a loaded magazine without a chambered round serves you next to no purpose.
I introduced my father to carrying about a year after I started. For the first couple months he had his permit, he actually carried his gun in the manner he normally would (DA/SA decocked w/ no safety) but without any ammunition on him until he was comfortable enough that he knew it wasn't going to "go off".
Its certainly worth getting used to operating your CCW, as well as holstering and unholstering the weapon, until you are very competent with its operation and it feels natural. However, carrying with a loaded magazine without a chambered round serves you next to no purpose.
NavyLCDR
member
Not I. My personal safety was too important to me.
Hardtarget
Member
I have never carried without a chambered round. Doesn't seem right to me to have the chamber empty.
Mark
Mark
12131
Member
Yes, always on my carry gun.
NavyLCDR
member
Also, is that a bet you want to put on the table with a criminal? I'm betting his/her gun has a round in the chamber!
ilikepancakes
Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2010
- Messages
- 145
The vast majority of people (as far as I've gathered from various forums) carry with one chambered.
The important thing is to make sure whatever you're doing, do it safely.
The important thing is to make sure whatever you're doing, do it safely.
tangomike706
Member
Locked and loaded . always .
sonick808
Member
After familiarizing myself with the safety features of my gun, I've always felt 100% safe carrying w/round chambered at all times. Research your weapon's features and how to carry it safely. If it can't be, switch.
LouisCipher777
Member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2010
- Messages
- 58
I have always carried guns with one in the chamber ever since I was a kid. You just get used to doing it that way. I like my guns to be like my computers, a "point-and-click" interface.
I always get a good laugh from these TV shows and movies where everyone always racks the slide before they get serious.
I always get a good laugh from these TV shows and movies where everyone always racks the slide before they get serious.
NavyLCDR
member
Personally I don't like it when my gun goes click.
Arkansas Paul
Member
I think KAK makes a valid point. A good DA revolver would be ideal for those who don't feel comfortable with one in the pipe.
possum
Member
welcome to thr.
no i have always carried with a round in the chamber and to me that is the only way to carry.
have you ever heard of the Tueller Drill? try doing it with your gun under concealment with a round chambered, that is hard enough. try doing it with it under concealment and with no round in the chamber, if you can pull it off in time i would be suprised.
personally i believe if you don't feel safe with a loaded chamber in your ccw you probally should feel safe with out a loaded chamber, and maybe you should re evaluate your personal defense.
no i have always carried with a round in the chamber and to me that is the only way to carry.
have you ever heard of the Tueller Drill? try doing it with your gun under concealment with a round chambered, that is hard enough. try doing it with it under concealment and with no round in the chamber, if you can pull it off in time i would be suprised.
personally i believe if you don't feel safe with a loaded chamber in your ccw you probally should feel safe with out a loaded chamber, and maybe you should re evaluate your personal defense.
sonick808
Member
don't give up, keep reading and practicing at the range. Read to learn the gun's operating system and features so you know how they work inside and out; practice so your shots are reflexive if you need to shoot. Consider seriously taking defensive pistol classes.
Let me ask this: how long have you been shooting prior to getting your carry license ?
Let me ask this: how long have you been shooting prior to getting your carry license ?
AJChenMPH
Member
+1bhk said:
The only time I ever carried without one in the pipe was when I was having some problems with the hammer block -- the gun otherwise functioned fine, but I was afraid of a ND until I could get it fixed (and I didn't have another handgun at the time). So I carried it unchambered until (1) I bought another gun and (2) I got it fixed.
earlthegoat2
Member
When I was first introduced to shooting it was centered around hunting. My dad taught me to put one in the chamber and engage the safety. He said as long as there is no malfunction the gun will not fire as long as the safety is engaged. Just keep it pointed in a safe direction all the time. The round in the chamber was faster to deploy on a game animal and quieter to do so as well. You never knew when a deer was going to run in on you or jump out of some brush so it was good to keep your firearm ready to strike.
Fast forward a few years and I bought my first pistol, a 1911. I felt fine with a round chambered and the safety on. Even though I saw the hammer back I knew it was the same as when my shotgun had been chamber loaded and ready while I was hunting but instead of the hammer being covered it was exposed. No big deal.
My sister is a police officer and I once while watching her get her weapon ready to carry off duty she chambered a round a and holstered it. I saw nothing wrong with this and figured it was good to be ready.
Fast forward a few more years and while reading some internet forums I run across someone talking about whether or not to carry a gun with one in the chamber and I was shocked that anyone would not carry a round chambered. I figured if one did not have the nerve to carry a loaded gun ready to go then they did not have the nerve to even have a gun.
In the end though I now understand the concerns for each of us has a different situation and a different level of familiarity with firearms.
Fast forward a few years and I bought my first pistol, a 1911. I felt fine with a round chambered and the safety on. Even though I saw the hammer back I knew it was the same as when my shotgun had been chamber loaded and ready while I was hunting but instead of the hammer being covered it was exposed. No big deal.
My sister is a police officer and I once while watching her get her weapon ready to carry off duty she chambered a round a and holstered it. I saw nothing wrong with this and figured it was good to be ready.
Fast forward a few more years and while reading some internet forums I run across someone talking about whether or not to carry a gun with one in the chamber and I was shocked that anyone would not carry a round chambered. I figured if one did not have the nerve to carry a loaded gun ready to go then they did not have the nerve to even have a gun.
In the end though I now understand the concerns for each of us has a different situation and a different level of familiarity with firearms.
nitetrane98
Member
Trying not to sound too mean, but if you're uncomfortable carrying a loaded weapon maybe you're not quite ready to carry.
Lv4snobrdg
Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2010
- Messages
- 123
Yes, always. Cocked, locked and ready to rock. You don't want to be the guy that goes down due to lack of shooting back.
I agree with nitetrain, if you are nervous to have "one in the pipe" please carefully consider your reasons for wanting to carry. Carry is not about cool, its about social responsibility.
I agree with nitetrain, if you are nervous to have "one in the pipe" please carefully consider your reasons for wanting to carry. Carry is not about cool, its about social responsibility.
RonBernert
Member
One in the chamber. What if you don't have time to work the slide? What if your other hand is injured?
Know your gun, be comfortable carrying it loaded and ready, know your safeties, but most of all, KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS!!!!
Know your gun, be comfortable carrying it loaded and ready, know your safeties, but most of all, KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS!!!!
Lv4snobrdg
Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2010
- Messages
- 123
Clint Eastwood Magnum Force
- Status
