To carry hot or not?
- Thread starter jfjfxray
- Start date
vernsimpson
New member
Your question has been asked and discussed. I and most believe that you should always carry hot. This is because the BG may not give you time to chamber a round. Even if you stay aware of your surroundings you may not have time. But everyone must do what they are comfortable with. I carry hot. Not because I expect to use it but in case I would need it!!!!
The only reason to carry is to be able to defend yourself and your loved ones so I agree with vernsimpson that you must carry hot. If your worried about safety then carry a pocket pistol such as the Ruger LC9 which also has a safety on it which can be released with your thumb while drawing. I carry an LC9 in my right front pocket and I love it. But you need to practice drawing from your pocket and releasing the safety at the same time so you become proficient and comfortable. Then you can carry hot with little worry about an acidental mis-fire.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Pir8fan
,
Vernsimpson is correct. If you're really in a situation where you need your firearm, you are simply not going to have the time to rack a round into the chamber. You don't want have to think about that. Everyone I've ever talked to about a self-defense situation all say it develops very quickly. Training a practice will help you develop the safe practices and confidence needed to carry hot.
Grumpy Old Timer
New member
I agree with others posting here that one should carry hot. Funny that when I was new to everyday carry I had the same question and got these same answers. I did become more comfortable with carrying hot, hopefully never becoming complacent/careless.
IMHO.
IMHO.
bigbassman
New member
You see the cops racking a round, but I believe it is just for camera and movie drama. I and you may not get the chance to rack a round
tricolordad
Banned
An unchambered firearm is about as useful as a rock. Rack the slide and load another into the magazine.
BluesStringer
Les Brers
I'd be curious to know if you've ever been advised by a source which you trust to not carry with one in the chamber (I assume that's what you mean by "hot"), and if so, why did you consider the advice to be credible or reasonable?
My bet is that no one on this forum with any significant experience carrying is going to advise you to carry with an empty chamber. There are myriad reasons for that, from time to rack (as vernsimpson mentioned) to the fact that modern weapons have so many internal safety features that prevent the accidental discharge of the gun that you just put yourself at risk by carrying that way. I honestly can't think of a good reason to carry "cold." Without going into any more depth than that, it only leaves one choice - hot.
Blues
snatale42
New member
As it's been said, if you search the forum you will find a never ending wealth of posts about this but in short, yes, you carry hot. There is no gun on the planet that was designed to be carried unloaded, plain and simple. With practice your confidence will rise and carrying a loaded gun won't be weird anymore.
I would say the rock might be more useful
domscarangella
New member
I want to preface this by saying that it may seem harsh but it is probably the best safety advice I can give. Oh, it is also not a bad question. That being said, when you carry a firearm for the purpose of protecting yourself or your family you need to be completely resigned to the fact that if you unholster that weapon that you are serious enough to use it. If you are not serious enough to use it you are endangering yourself and others. I assume that you like most of us hope and pray that we will never have to use our weapons in that way but we must assume that if you are carrying the weapon it's for a reason. Carrying a weapon that is not ready to fire is worse than not carrying at all because you may be supplying your attacker with a weapon if you have to chamber a round before defending yourself against him. This is a waste of precious moments that could be the difference between life and death. If your weapon is not "hot" as you put it leave it locked up safely at home for your own sake. I am not trying to be a jerk it is just very important to have the correct mind set when it comes to this responsibility. Additionally, as stated in earlier posts, practice makes perfect. Do it until it becomes second nature. Be safe and good luck.
I've learned my lesson, so I won't respond to this. Oh, wait, I think I just did! Well, since I've already responded, I'll just leave you with this: If the question is asked, then it should be considered. You'll find that people on this site won't even consider an empty chamber. They'll dismiss it without much thought. I'm surprised they haven't already resorted to name calling or worse, just because you asked. My advice is do what you feel is best after you've weighed the pros and cons.
CarryNM
New member
My Wife and I have carried "Hot" from the very first day. Also we used to OC in AZ. for years, and always had a round chambered. Just be aware at all times the condition of your firearm, and act accordingly. The longer you do it, the easier it gets. We keep 3 loaded and ready to go guns in our house. We have no children and very few visitors that get past the den door. Yes we are recluse I guess, but our hobbies keep us busy here at the home.
Black Dragon
New member
My first EDC was a Glock 21 .45 - I too asked the same questions and carried for a couple months non chambered. Then I found I could add a real safety and been carrying chambered ever since.
If you get a Glock just add a Cominolli thumb safety and you are good to go.
BluesStringer
Les Brers
Thousands of Glocks are carried safely on a daily basis without one, so if he gets a Glock, he's good to go, period.
Blues
I agree, carry with a round chambered and then reload the magazine to full capacity. If you are worried try carrying with an empty chamber for a month or so. I'm willing to bet that if you are carrying correctly in proper holster that completely covers the trigger, you will never find the trigger has been "pulled" on your weapon. That should give you the confidence to carry with one in the chamber.
