Do you carry one in the chamber?[W:26]

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

MaggieD said:

I don't carry yet. But it's been my observation that those that do? If they have a safety, they carry one in the chamber. If they don't have a safety, they don't carry one in the chamber. That makes sense to me.

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Yes it does. Looks like this guy had one in the chamber:

[video]http://bcove.me/f620eygz[/video]

The guy behind the counter served 4 tours in Iraq

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

aberrant85 said:

In either case, is there consideration of using the gun as a deterrent before using it as a weapon?

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Well, yes and no. If you draw, the situation is serious and may require immediate gunfire. OTOH, if the perps see you are armed and immediately disengage, yes it is preferable to end a situation without gunfire.

But I figure if you draw, it is under the assumption that you're probably going to have to shoot right away. You just have to be ready to adjust on the fly.


I'm really ambivalent about showing a gun with "I will scare them off" as the primary mindset. I realize this is kind of a subtle distinction... on the one hand yeah I am HOPING they will back off before I have to pull the trigger, but my primary mindset is "I will draw and aim and IF the situation continues to be life-threatening I will fire".

Sorta splitting hairs, I know, but I'm uncomfortable about encouraging anyone to show a gun unless they think there's a strong chance they'll be needing to fire it right away.

The reason is if the threat continues, the 'deterrent' mindset might cause undue hesitation.

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

aberrant85 said:

No, I don't mean to suggest that if you choose to carry a gun that you could carry an unloaded gun or be unprepared to use it and still be effective. I think if you legally carry a gun you should be prepared to use it. I also think, though, that in your determination to use it, you might be able to back down your assailant before you have to.

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That is true sort of. Once the attack is over (or never occured?) then you have very little legal authority (absent other witnesses) to make an arrest - it will come down to either you prove their criminal intent or possibly face charges yourself for armed assault, or false arrest.

cpgrad08 said:

To any that Open an/or Conceal carry. When you do, do you have your weapon Condition 1 ( round in the chamber) or condition 3 ( no round in the chamber). I always carry one in the chamber just because makes my draw all the more smoother since I all I have to do is disengage the safety with my thumb.

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Are you referring to revolvers or pistols ?

It's SOP with a revolver to have the hammer on an empty chamber of the cylinder for safety reasons.

I don't pack a revolver but a .45 ACP M-1911 A-1. Depending what the environment is, during the riots of 1992, it was one round in the chamber. cocked and locked.

If I decide go to a seedy nudey bar tonight in Los Angeles County, I don't have a round in the chamber. It only takes a fraction of a second to pull the slide back and chamber a round on a pistol and just the sound of racking the slide is a deterrent in itself, the bad guy balls seem to shrivel up when he hears that sound.

But I doubt I will be going into L.A. tonight because it takes me a couple of weeks to get the stench out of my car.

MaggieD said:

I don't carry yet. But it's been my observation that those that do? If they have a safety, they carry one in the chamber. If they don't have a safety, they don't carry one in the chamber. That makes sense to me.

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Not having a round chambered on a carry weapon is dangerous.

Your observation about safeties is rooted in fear and ignorance by folks who do not understand.
Older semi auto pistols had an external hammer that could be seem.
The newer striker-fired guns do not have external hammers, and most do not have thumb safeties.
Hence, people fear what they cannot see, and so not try and understand the design.

It took time for me to warm up to striker fired autos, but now I carry one daily.

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

TurtleDude said:

many of us grew up shooting 1911 style pistols in competition so for us wiping off the safety is rather second nature. The reason why almost every police department either when to a Glock style (Glock MP or XD) or a decocker style (Beretta, HK, SIG) is that cops don't have the time to make that action reflexively

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I like what IWI/Magnum research did with the slide safety, it's in perfect position to put the gun into fire ready from the hoslter, I'm not a fan of passive safety models just because of the off chance of a misfire, but that's a personal thing for me.

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

Goshin said:

Well, yes and no. If you draw, the situation is serious and may require immediate gunfire. OTOH, if the perps see you are armed and immediately disengage, yes it is preferable to end a situation without gunfire.

But I figure if you draw, it is under the assumption that you're probably going to have to shoot right away. You just have to be ready to adjust on the fly.


I'm really ambivalent about showing a gun with "I will scare them off" as the primary mindset. I realize this is kind of a subtle distinction... on the one hand yeah I am HOPING they will back off before I have to pull the trigger, but my primary mindset is "I will draw and aim and IF the situation continues to be life-threatening I will fire".

Sorta splitting hairs, I know, but I'm uncomfortable about encouraging anyone to show a gun unless they think there's a strong chance they'll be needing to fire it right away.

The reason is if the threat continues, the 'deterrent' mindset might cause undue hesitation.

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If my pistol comes out of the holster it's because there is a serious threat....no maybe about it. If it's a "maybe" situation I'll be ready to draw but that pistol doesn't come out until I'm pretty damned sure what's going on. The only exception is when I'm home and not wearing a holster.

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

TurtleDude said:

that's just plain silly.

If I am EXPECTING AN ASSAULT I will be behind cover with a SHOTGUN Or a rifle.

I carry a pistol because you never know when an attack might come

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That makes how many posters who have said verbatim the exact same thing? Seems to me that some old talking points have been rebuilt with the "making the case for the anti-gun statist assholes" addendum.

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

Goshin said:

You don't have to live in Somalia, or Chicago for that matter, to suffer very severe consequences from being victimized by a criminal and not be prepared to defend your life and person. This is demonstrated every day in every state in the union, and every province of Canada, and indeed almost everywhere.

The odds may vary, but even if the odds are long that is of no comfort whatsoever to the unlucky one who gets targeted by a criminal who cannot spell compassion let alone exhibit any.


Some of us have experienced these things first hand, or seen them impact people we care about; thus we are passionate about being prepared to defend ourselves and those we love.


There is no "safe place" on the face of the earth, that is an illusion. The only real safety we have is that which we can provide for ourselves.

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Amen. I live in a very safe city overall, and even then we have armed robberies, rapes, murders, robberies, batteries, etc. I myself was cut by a coworker who was messed up on some substance. The thing people asking "why do you "need" to carry" don't seem to want to understand is that criminals don't make appointments, they aren't requesting your permission to commit their intended acts, and most of the time don't have the spine to stick around when it's obvious to them that the act may well fail in the face of equivalent or superior force.

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

Grendel said:

Handling a firearm with a round chambers is where firearm accidents come from. It's just one step closer to accidentally shooting someone and becoming the new poster child for egregious gun bans.

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Untrue. Most negligent discharges from carry come from two issues, 1) Unholstered firearms snagging a clothing item and the trigger being pulled or 2) Not paying attention when pulling the weapon out and having a finger near the trigger. You may be able to make the case that without a round the gun wouldn't fire, but the counter is that if you are ambushed that could be a bad thing, if you have to rack the slide when only a second or so seperates you from an attacker you are at a disadvantage.

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

Goshin said:

If you want to carry on an empty chamber, do so. I don't.


Four decades, no accidents of this kind. :shrug:

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I mix it up myself. If I think there will be kids around who could somehow get to my weapon I dechamber, or if I have a "feeling" I will do so. My typical carry is racked and ready though.

cpgrad08 said:

To any that Open an/or Conceal carry. When you do, do you have your weapon Condition 1 ( round in the chamber) or condition 3 ( no round in the chamber). I always carry one in the chamber just because makes my draw all the more smoother since I all I have to do is disengage the safety with my thumb.

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I carry with all five chambers loaded.

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

MaggieD said:

I'm waiting. If I understand it correctly, the State Police (who'll be processing the permits) won't be ready to accept applications until January 1st. Ha! Just another stall tactics, but . . .

I'm not in a hurry, though. The classes should be fun -- I'm looking forward to the 16 hours of instruction.

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I think you'll really like the range time. Did you decide on a new firearm, or are you sticking with the 38?

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

LaMidRighter said:

Not paying attention when pulling the weapon out and having a finger near the trigger. You may be able to make the case that without a round the gun wouldn't fire

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Exactly. It's just one more step to prevent accidental fire.

LaMidRighter said:

if you are ambushed that could be a bad thing

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And if there's a significant likelihood that you're about to be ambushed, then I agree. If, however, you're the average guy in the average side of the average town, then that's exceptionally unlikely, so it's not worth the risk of accidentally killing someone.

I guess the question is related to your reason for carrying one. Is it just in case you see something happening and want to be able to act? If so, you have plenty of time to rack the slide if needed. If it's because your job or location invite danger, and you have a genuine (and sane) concern of ambush, then I would agree. I guess it's risk versus reward. What is the actual danger you're facing in your day compared to the -- albeit slightly -- increased chance of your accidentally shooting someone.

I mean, if you really have a need to have a round chamber at all times, do you also wear a vest at all times? If the risk of an armed attack is high enough to warrant an increased risk to those around you, then isn't it also high enough to warrant body armour?

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

Grendel said:

Exactly. It's just one more step to prevent accidental fire.



And if there's a significant likelihood that you're about to be ambushed, then I agree. If, however, you're the average guy in the average side of the average town, then that's exceptionally unlikely, so it's not worth the risk of accidentally killing someone.

I guess the question is related to your reason for carrying one. Is it just in case you see something happening and want to be able to act? If so, you have plenty of time to rack the slide if needed. If it's because your job or location invite danger, and you have a genuine (and sane) concern of ambush, then I would agree. I guess it's risk versus reward. What is the actual danger you're facing in your day compared to the -- albeit slightly -- increased chance of your accidentally shooting someone.

I mean, if you really have a need to have a round chamber at all times, do you also wear a vest at all times? If the risk of an armed attack is high enough to warrant an increased risk to those around you, then isn't it also high enough to warrant body armour?

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I was mugged in a very "safe" area in a somewhat rural college town. while the nearby city had some street crime, this area was safe. The only reason why I was packing was I had planned on doing some shooting with a cop friend but the county range was closed. Of course, that was also good luck for the muggers. If I had not had the gun I would have had to cut the two mopes until they stopped beating on me. and that means both of them probably would have been died. Instead, one got hit, went straight down, and the other gave up right away. The one who was shot lucked out since there was a paramedic unit nearby and I immediately called the emergency dispatch.

Why is it that so many liberals are opposed to self defense? iS it

1) because they hate the responsibility of accepting the risk of self defense

2) are they cowards

3) or do they have a sense of self guilt and feel wrong to hurt a criminal

I just don't get this nonsense

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

Grendel said:

Exactly. It's just one more step to prevent accidental fire.

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Or get you killed in an ambush, whatever.

And if there's a significant likelihood that you're about to be ambushed, then I agree. If, however, you're the average guy in the average side of the average town, then that's exceptionally unlikely, so it's not worth the risk of accidentally killing someone.

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I can't repeat this enough, criminals don't make appointments.

I guess the question is related to your reason for carrying one. Is it just in case you see something happening and want to be able to act? If so, you have plenty of time to rack the slide if needed. If it's because your job or location invite danger, and you have a genuine (and sane) concern of ambush, then I would agree. I guess it's risk versus reward. What is the actual danger you're facing in your day compared to the -- albeit slightly -- increased chance of your accidentally shooting someone.

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I've been cut before, wasn't armed myself. I've been attacked before, fortunately I'm in good enough shape that I can handle myself, but that's not always guaranteed. The firearm I own is yet another preventative item I have.

I mean, if you really have a need to have a round chamber at all times, do you also wear a vest at all times? If the risk of an armed attack is high enough to warrant an increased risk to those around you, then isn't it also high enough to warrant body armour?

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Don't get silly here, vests are expensive and aren't practical.

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

LaMidRighter said:

Or get you killed in an ambush, whatever.



I can't repeat this enough, criminals don't make appointments.

I've been cut before, wasn't armed myself. I've been attacked before, fortunately I'm in good enough shape that I can handle myself, but that's not always guaranteed. The firearm I own is yet another preventative item I have.


Don't get silly here, vests are expensive and aren't practical.

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what just drives me batty is the dishonesty we often see on these boards. People who know nothing about the use of arms, self defense etc pretend that what we do is wrong based upon ignorant mindsets but in reality what we are dealing with is people who oppose others being able to defend themselves.

Its like the crap on the Garand imports. Those defending Obama's asshole move can never post a logical argument for his actions so they question why people "want or need" old rifles or claim those rifles aren't the best for camp Perry etc

the oblique attacks on gun ownership are common because gun haters are afraid to just come out and say what they really believe-they want to disarm people they don't agree with

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

Tucker Case said:

The only time I am ever worried about that kind of thing is when I am with my son. I'm not concerned about my own safety all that much, but I am concerned about his safety.

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I think that is the common thread with most of us, I don't have any kids but could end up a stepfather if things go well at sometime in the future with a certain lady in my life, I don't care about myself so much but if anyone threatened either of them they will have to take me out first, and I plan to make that a chore for them.

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

TurtleDude said:

what just drives me batty is the dishonesty we often see on these boards. People who know nothing about the use of arms, self defense etc pretend that what we do is wrong based upon ignorant mindsets but in reality what we are dealing with is people who oppose others being able to defend themselves.

Its like the crap on the Garand imports. Those defending Obama's asshole move can never post a logical argument for his actions so they question why people "want or need" old rifles or claim those rifles aren't the best for camp Perry etc

the oblique attacks on gun ownership are common because gun haters are afraid to just come out and say what they really believe-they want to disarm people they don't agree with

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Looks like it more every time. With the Garand issue I think Obama just had something he figured he actually "could legally do" so he did it out of spite, his followers for whatever reason think it's not okay to question the idiot.

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

LaMidRighter said:

Looks like it more every time. With the Garand issue I think Obama just had something he figured he actually "could legally do" so he did it out of spite, his followers for whatever reason think it's not okay to question the idiot.

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Yeah the petulant loser was mad that he couldn't ban scary guns to soothe the bloodlust of people like finetard or the brady thugs so he did this just to piss on gun collectors and Classic Match shooters. Spite is his main motive=most liberal policies are about punishing people for not buying into their pernicious marxist nastiness.

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

Tucker Case said:

I wouldn't call what Goshin did a show of force so much as it was preparation to use force if needed.

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That's exactly right. Most people don't want to take a life, and would only do so as a last resort, I know I have no intention of harming someone unless they are an imminent threat, if the person presenting the threat doesn't understand that my firearm isn't simple decoration and force my hand, well, unfortunately I would then have to engage. I would assume that is Goshin's approach as well.

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

TurtleDude said:

Why is it that so many liberals are opposed to self defense? iS it

[ . . . ]

2) are they cowards

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It honestly makes you feel "brave" to have a round chamber at all times? How exactly is that bravery?

TurtleDude said:

[ . . . ] People who know nothing about the use of arms, self defense etc [ . . . ]

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I've been shooting since I was 9 and I started boxing when I was 15. Maybe you don't know what you're talking about?

LaMidRighter said:

Don't get silly here, vests are expensive and aren't practical.

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So there's not enough of a danger to be uncomfortable but there is enough of a danger to keep a round chamber? I mean, if there's a real risk at any given time, I agree. But if there isn't, I just think it's an unnecessary addition to an already high risk. Any time you handle a gun it's dangerous. I'm sure you already know that. Any time you handle one that's round, it's much, much more dangerous.

For example, at a range I used to shoot on, we had to walk out to pull our targets. When we broke to get our targets, everyone had to put their gun on the table, unloaded with the safety on, and no one was allowed to touch their weapons again until we all agreed to an all clear. That's because it's dangerous any time you handle a gun, especially one that's loaded and round. (That site, by the way, had been open since before I was born and had never had an accident -- for good reason, they practiced rational safety).

Sometimes there's a call for carrying hot. I don't argue that at all. Cops, soldiers, some security personel, and people who are being stalked or are moving through a risky area or expect to be in an area they feel could present danger -- along with people who have dangerous lifestyles, like drug dealers. All good reasons to carry hot. I just think people should take a look at their environment before they decide to step it up to position one.

Most of you probably already have. Some of you, though, are probably doing it because it makes you feel "brave" for some reason.

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

Grendel said:

It honestly makes you feel "brave" to have a round chamber at all times? How exactly is that bravery?

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Did I say "It makes me feel brave"? No, I didn't because bravery and cowardice have nothing to do with it, if I am attacked I'm going to be ready, end of story.

So there's not enough of a danger to be uncomfortable but there is enough of a danger to keep a round chamber? I mean, if there's a real risk at any given time, I agree. But if there isn't, I just think it's an unnecessary addition to an already high risk. Any time you handle a gun it's dangerous. I'm sure you already know that. Any time you handle one that's round, it's much, much more dangerous.

For example, at a range I used to shoot on, we had to walk out to pull our targets. When we broke to get our targets, everyone had to put their gun on the table, unloaded with the safety on, and no one was allowed to touch their weapons again until we all agreed to an all clear. That's because it's dangerous any time you handle a gun, especially one that's loaded and round. (That site, by the way, had been open since before I was born and had never had an accident -- for good reason, they practiced rational safety).

Sometimes there's a call for carrying hot. I don't argue that at all. Cops, soldiers, some security personel, and people who are being stalked or are moving through a risky area or expect to be in an area they feel could present danger -- along with people who have dangerous lifestyles, like drug dealers. All good reasons to carry hot. I just think people should take a look at their environment before they decide to step it up to position one.

Most of you probably already have. Some of you, though, are probably doing it because it makes you feel "brave" for some reason.

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Right, more silliness. Tactical vests require changes in clothing choices, they aren't exactly "all day wear". The tradeoff to not wearing a vest is pretty much okay to the level of danger "potentially faced", not so much with a firearm. Besides, the best example of how badly this hypothetical of yours fails is the fact that officers on duty don't always "vest up", most officers will wear a vest to serve warrants, or in high crime areas but traffic cops........not so much, reason being the actual probability of danger.

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

Grendel said:

It honestly makes you feel "brave" to have a round chamber at all times? How exactly is that bravery?



I've been shooting since I was 9 and I started boxing when I was 15. Maybe you don't know what you're talking about?





So there's not enough of a danger to be uncomfortable but there is enough of a danger to keep a round chamber? I mean, if there's a real risk at any given time, I agree. But if there isn't, I just think it's an unnecessary addition to an already high risk. Any time you handle a gun it's dangerous. I'm sure you already know that. Any time you handle one that's round, it's much, much more dangerous.

For example, at a range I used to shoot on, we had to walk out to pull our targets. When we broke to get our targets, everyone had to put their gun on the table, unloaded with the safety on, and no one was allowed to touch their weapons again until we all agreed to an all clear. That's because it's dangerous any time you handle a gun, especially one that's loaded and round. (That site, by the way, had been open since before I was born and had never had an accident -- for good reason, they practiced rational safety).

Sometimes there's a call for carrying hot. I don't argue that at all. Cops, soldiers, some security personel, and people who are being stalked or are moving through a risky area or expect to be in an area they feel could present danger -- along with people who have dangerous lifestyles, like drug dealers. All good reasons to carry hot. I just think people should take a look at their environment before they decide to step it up to position one.

Most of you probably already have. Some of you, though, are probably doing it because it makes you feel "brave" for some reason.

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Your questions demonstrate a great deal of ignorance of self defense issues. your posts suggest you obviously appear afraid of guns and carrying them. Pistols are designed to be carried loaded. Your question about bravery is both irrelevant to this discussion and sadly the sign of an ulterior motivation when it comes to self defense.

Boxing is a good sport-My father was a GG finalist and Navy Champion. I was pretty good at boxing until I realized grappling arts were far better for self defense.

I am a firearms trainer. I am a national class shooter and expert on the legal aspects of self defense. I have taught at some of the most prestigious academies where self defense is taught to both LEOS and other citizens. Its STUPID to carry a gun with an empty chamber. In the case of modern revolvers-it does nothing to increase safety and deprives you of another shot-often in a weapon that has few rounds to start with. IN a semi automatic, it triples or quadruples the time it takes to deploy the weapon. In other words it is really really stupid

Please stop embarrassing yourself with posts that demonstrate such a complete misunderstanding of this subject

Re: Do you carry one in the chamber?

WCH said:

Yes it does. Looks like this guy had one in the chamber:

[video]http://bcove.me/f620eygz[/video]

The guy behind the counter served 4 tours in Iraq

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How I wish there had been sound with that. I'd love to know what he said to the guy.