One in chamber? Yes / No

[Totidem Verbis]

Go get some training in situational awareness, scenario and consequences. Then you can decide for yourself what is the best way to carry.

 

[Mwtrees]

I carry my SW 380 most often and in front, IWB. No way would I have a loaded anything pointed at my lap. Most of you talk like you are fighting crime 24/7 in the wild streets of a third world country. If you are getting yourself into situations that surprise constantly you, become aware.

I also have the S&W 380 and I carry with it in the chamber. I discussed this with my handgun instructor and after having fired this pistol and knowing how strong a pull it takes I am not worried about it. I carry with the "thunderwear" iwb and am not concerned with it. If I am in a situation where I need to use the gun I don't believe I want to worry about racking the bullet or remembering to take of the safety.

 

[The_Outlaw]

I carry my SW 380 most often and in front, IWB. No way would I have a loaded anything pointed at my lap. Most of you talk like you are fighting crime 24/7 in the wild streets of a third world country. If you are getting yourself into situations that surprise constantly you, become aware.

Then you obviously do not have very much confidence in your own sidearm and holster. Maybe you should become much more acquainted with them both so that you could finally realize that good quality sidearms holstered in a good quality holster WILL NOT discharge without the trigger being pulled.
If I'm a bad guy with a knife and I am within 21 feet of you with your unchambered sidearm, I will be able to do whatever I want to you before you could ever even chamber a round.
You would be SCREWED.

P.s.
Most of us here are not talking as if we are fighting crime 24/7.
We DO NOT fight crime.
We only carry for 'self defense'.

It would appear by your own statements that I am probably much more aware of my surroundings than you are.

Please watch the video clip below with an open mind and honestly try to learn something.
It truly could save your life someday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwHYRBNc9r8

 

[dogshawred]

21 Feet not far enough

Then you obviously do not have very much confidence in your own sidearm and holster. Maybe you should become much more acquainted with them both so that you could finally realize that good quality sidearms holstered in a good quality holster WILL NOT discharge without the trigger being pulled.
If I'm a bad guy with a knife and I am within 21 feet of you with your unchambered sidearm, I will be able to do whatever I want to you before you could ever even chamber a round.
You would be SCREWED.

P.s.
Most of us here are not talking as if we are fighting crime 24/7.
We DO NOT fight crime.
We only carry for 'self defense'.

It would appear by your own statements that I am probably much more aware than you are.

Please watch the video clip below with an open mind and honestly try to learn something.
It truly could save your life someday.

The Tueller Drill -- Scenario from The Best Defense - YouTube

You mentioned the BG at 21 feet and there being screwed, excuse me SCREWED. You are so SPOT ON and I recently saw a vid linked to a thread on this forum that apply demostrates what happens with knife attacks. Done with experienced LEO unaware of what was staged to happen, devastating results even at 21 feet.
If anyone thinks that they can beat the clock, you just don't know what can be done to you in 2.5 seconds and how little you can do to respond in 2.5 seconds. Most people loose 1+ seconds just for you mind to register that you are being attacked.
With that said, if you are not comfortable carrying a weapon in Condition #1, ready to use, then it is time to practice, train, and get yourself to the point that you can. Otherwise someday and I pray it never happens to anyone, you may not be able to protect yourself even while legally carrying a concealed weapon.

 

[kerb]

I currently have two pistols I carry concealed, a S&W SD40 and my BUG is a Ruger LCP.380.

Do any of you carry your concealed pistol(s) with a round in the chamber? Currently I do not. I am curious if many others do, and if so give your reasoning on the safety aspect.

Thanks in advance.

My usual carry is a 1911, and I carry it in the manner in which I was trained to carry it:
One in the pipe, hammer cocked, safety on.

If I am carrying my Taurus, I carry one in the pipe, de-cocked, safety on. This particular pistol can be fired double action on the first shot.

If I am carrying my Kahr, I carry one in the pipe. (no safety on a Kahr).

 

[escapedthematrix]

You mentioned the BG at 21 feet and there being screwed, excuse me SCREWED. You are so SPOT ON and I recently saw a vid linked to a thread on this forum that apply demostrates what happens with knife attacks. Done with experienced LEO unaware of what was staged to happen, devastating results even at 21 feet.
If anyone thinks that they can beat the clock, you just don't know what can be done to you in 2.5 seconds and how little you can do to respond in 2.5 seconds. Most people loose 1+ seconds just for you mind to register that you are being attacked.
With that said, if you are not comfortable carrying a weapon in Condition #1, ready to use, then it is time to practice, train, and get yourself to the point that you can. Otherwise someday and I pray it never happens to anyone, you may not be able to protect yourself even while legally carrying a concealed weapon.

Yes, and this is exactly why my advice to anyone is to train in some sort of self defense that teaches situational awareness and empty hand defense. Krav maga, Kapap, etc. I know there are more out there but these two are the most well known real life fighting training systems. Having more defense options is the best personal security plan and depending on the situation, drawing your weapon may not always be the best option. Simply turning around and walking a different direction may be. Running may be. Fighting? The important thing is to be aware and prepared.

 

[kerb]

No I don't carry one in the chamber. My preference please!!! Of course some will tell me about all those horror stories about the ones that didn't keep one in the chamber and were killed by accident or otherwise...oops...the reverse is true. I can draw my weapon and chamber a round in about 2.5 seconds. If I don't have that much time then I am probably already dead. If you don't scold me for not keeping a round in the chamber I promise not to tell you how reckless keeping a round chambered can be. I have evidence to support my statement as the reverse is not true. Never heard of anyone loosing a gun fight because he did not have a round chambered! Situational awareness is my best defense.

Where did you get your training? No one trains people to carry this way, except the Israelis.

Perhaps you can illustrate why having a round in the chamber is reckless?

 

[Sheldon]

A gun with out a round in the chamber is nothing more than a fancy paper weight...

 

[DCkilla]

What a silly question.

 

[CCWlady]

Austin....I must 'strongly' disagree with your post.
I believe that this video will clearly show why you are mistaken in your thought process'.
Please review this video and take what it being taught to heart.
I believe that it could save your life someday.

Well I felt pretty confident until I watched this video. I do keep one in the chamber, but have to say my draw is not that fast and I am too small to physically fight off my attacker. Looks like I need lots more practice. If you let someone get that close and do not suspect that they are a threat I am not sure how you can react fast enough.

 

[dakotaracing]

ALWAYS. If not you might as well just carry a bat.

 

[NCIC105]

I currently have two pistols I carry concealed, a S&W SD40 and my BUG is a Ruger LCP.380.

Do any of you carry your concealed pistol(s) with a round in the chamber? Currently I do not. I am curious if many others do, and if so give your reasoning on the safety aspect.

Thanks in advance.

Carrying any weapon without a round chambered is like using a condom with a hole in it!

 

[2Awarrior]

I carry a DA/SA (P226, so there is no safety), so the initial pull requires more pressure. I have absolutely no concern of it going off unless I intentionally tell it to. One in the chamber means one less thing for me to fumble with under the heat of the moment. I've practiced solo, as well as having taken a number of pistol self-defense courses. The better ones elevate the pressure to somewhat simulate what I'll experience if faced with a self-defense situation. You're only as good as your training.

If you don't feel competent and confidant enough to carry with one in the chamber, you need more training. If you need more training for that, you probably shouldn't be carrying yet.

I understand others may disagree with my position. They may do as they wish. I stand by my position.

You saved me a lot of typing.
Only difference is mine's a Beretta PX4, same config.

 

[tartanphantom]

In Tennessee, If you carry but you don't have one in the chamber, you are ejected from society and shunned for life by the good ol' boys club.
Just kidding.
Even so, I carry one in the chamber, or I don't carry at all. An empty pipe is the same thing as walking out the door and leaving your firearm on the nightstand

 

[capnbo]

yes, locked and loaded

 

[Steon]

also I do not recamend any gun with a manual safety being used by a new shooter, for the same reason, you may forget about the safety, and get shot while trying to get it off, ........keep your gun loaded, racked, and ready to shoot with only a pull of the trigger, as its really the only safety that counts

Personally I chose a manual safety. I've been practicing to draw, click the safety off, and fire to develop it as muscle memory. But then again, I'm not totally new to guns or carry, even though I'm starting to carry again after not carrying for 10 years.

 

[MuskegonBrian]

In the house, no. Out if the house, most definitely!

 

[Steon]

Thanks for posting this video. It demonstrates the reasoning behind my training to keep a 21' reactionary gap... Lord only knows if I would even know I was about to be attacked the BG was that far away in most civilian needs, but it goes to show that I probably will be defending myself with my left arm as I'm drawing....

Austin....I must 'strongly' disagree with your post.
I believe that this video will clearly show why you are mistaken in your thought process'.
Please review this video and take what it being taught to heart.
I believe that it could save your life someday.

 

[Steon]

I chose to carry one in the pipe before I ever read this thread. 7+1! Having read this thread and viewing the videos some kind people have put here to demonstrate the reasoning, I am glad I had. I still plan on carrying with my manual safety on, but as I said before, I'm working at developing muscle memory that whenever I draw, I automatically turn the safety off as part of the draw. Same as hitting the thumb retention snap!

I hope I never get into a situation where I will have to draw and fire, but I will be prepared if I do.

 

[Rocketgeezer]

In Tennessee, If you carry but you don't have one in the chamber, you are ejected from society and shunned for life by the good ol' boys club.
Just kidding. Even so, I carry one in the chamber, or I don't carry at all. An empty pipe is the same thing as walking out the door and leaving your firearm on the nightstand

I like that and its probably truer than you think, a dude in sales at work just got his permit and he ask's that (carrying chambered) he just didn't think that was safe at all, so I seriously told him that if he really felt that way that maybe he should not even carry the gun at all, because god forbid if he should have a situation, he would proably get shot with his own gun