One in the chamber.

NewDad24 · October 6, 2005, 07:20 PM

Just wondering when carrying concealed,does everyone keep one in the chamber?

azredhawk44 · October 6, 2005, 07:22 PM

I keep 5 in the chamber, but I don't carry an auto

mgdavis · October 6, 2005, 07:24 PM

Everybody does not, but everybody should. When The SHTF do you want to have to take the time to rack a round into the chamber?

NewDad24 · October 6, 2005, 07:30 PM

Yeah I agree,but I guess Im just a little afraid of accidental discharge.

smince · October 6, 2005, 07:39 PM

That is what practice and training is for. What kind of auto do you carry?

It could be difficult to impossible to rack the slide and fight off a BG at the same time.

2ksportny · October 6, 2005, 07:54 PM

Smince took the words out of my mouth about training. Also it depens on the firearm & holster setup. My glock has a trigger safety aswell as my holster which completly covers the trigger, so I know it will not be pulled by anything.

I usually carry w/1 in the chamber however there are times when I do not. When I carry my p32 in the pocket I do not carry with 1 in the chamber but with my glock 23 I do 90% of the time. Also depends on my mood.
If I really need to chamber a round when it is not allready loaded w/1 I can manage to do it pretty quickly.

NewDad24 · October 6, 2005, 08:02 PM

I carry a Keltec P3at in my pocket and a Glock 30 in my car,so what do yall think?

rmagill · October 6, 2005, 08:04 PM

Yep. In some recent firearms training I had, we were shown a video of a person that, in under 1 second: drew a revolver, fired all 8 shots, and hit the target every time. Granted, the average person does not have the ability to do this.

However, if someone is in a situation where they have to draw, time is critical. The time it would take to rack the slide might be just the time the BG needed to disarm/overpower you. You also might not get the opertunity to rack the slide (if the BG is right next to you, I doubt you would have the space to rack the slide).

About being nervous about an accidental discharge... with the right gun and holster combination, this won't be an issue. If you are nervous, you can carry the pistol cocked (or however you want to carry it) but without it loaded. This way, you can see if any activities/movements might cause the gun to go off. If not, you are good to go. If so, you should adjust something.

When I first started carrying, I was nervous about that too, but with it not "going off" when it was not loaded, I knew it would not go off loaded until it needed to.

axslingerW · October 6, 2005, 08:04 PM

If you use a pocket holster, I would keep one in the chamber. without a holster I would not.

Alaskanmonte · October 6, 2005, 08:06 PM

I always carry with one in the chamber. If I need to use my gun to defend my self or my family, I want my gun to be as ready as possible.

NewDad24 · October 6, 2005, 08:08 PM

You are right. I am pretty sure that my glock would not go off,but the keltec I just dont know yet.Even though the keltec has a very long trigger pull.

payne · October 6, 2005, 08:10 PM

I carry with one in the pipe. It's something you'll get used to. It's also very practical for the reasons the others have already listed. have a good holdster that covers your trigger since both your pistols DA's. When drawing be sure not to put the trigger finger inside the trigger guard. Practicing this is the best way to be sure about it. You will be fine as long as you don't have a holdster that does not cover the trigger

NewDad24 · October 6, 2005, 08:17 PM

Thanks yall for the input,I have a pocket holster for the keltec,but havent yet choosen my glock holster,what would yall suggest?Sorry bout the grammar Im country.GO DAWGS!!!

2ksportny · October 6, 2005, 09:14 PM

I have a Desants speed pancake holster with an adjustable retention screw. I love it, the gun feels snug and tight to my side, it will not slip around like some holsters allow it to, example: fobus paddle holster. For the money it is worth it to buy a nice leather pancake holster. I went with an open top instead of a thumbreak since I want to be able to draw it quickly & not have anything to slow me down.

hkg3 · October 6, 2005, 09:57 PM

Yup. 1911, “condition 1”. Chambered, cocked and locked. Speed is everything, when you need it.

CajunBass · October 6, 2005, 10:04 PM

I never understood the logic of walking around with an unloaded gun.

Ron Ankeny · October 6, 2005, 10:16 PM

Quote:

in under 1 second: drew a revolver, fired all 8 shots, and hit the target every time

Wow. That would make the guy in the film a lot faster than Jerry Miculek's world record performance.

rmagill · October 6, 2005, 10:25 PM

"Wow. That would make the guy in the film a lot faster than Jerry Miculek's world record performance."

Yeah, that is why he did it... to break the record. And it also goes to show why every part of a second counts.

BobK · October 6, 2005, 10:33 PM

An unloaded gun is just an expensive club.

Geopagus · October 7, 2005, 12:04 AM

NewDad - Most people say to always carry with one in the chamber (obviously for semi-autos that is). I say, do what is most comfortable for you. As for me, some situations/environments warrant whether a round is chambered or not in my pistols.

Shorts · October 7, 2005, 12:06 AM

I cannot and do not have the time to pull the gun out, rack the slide to load one in the chamber in time to fire.

One in the chamber always, safety off for me. Have a good holster. That's the other part of carrying safely.

HighValleyRanch · October 7, 2005, 01:01 AM

I don't know....
I can draw and rack the slide and get off a well placed shot as fast as most people can just draw and fire the same shot and distance. I'm a better shot than most, and practice this routinely. The balance point is being able to get the shot off as well.

So it's not written in stone that a chambered gun is faster than an unchambered one.
When you are bringing up the gun, you rack and come to sight orientation.
Try it.

Of course this takes two hands. So if the BG can close the distance faster than you can do this, you're out of luck. On the other hand, it's a good idea to see what that distance is, so that you know your safe zone.
If my safe zone with rack and shoot is say twelve feet, and another shooters safe zone with draw and chamber loaded is twelve feet, what's the difference?

If I wear a deep concealment IWB holster with a round chambered, I'm slower than having a OWB holster unchambered, with draw rack and fire.
Does that mean I should always wear an OWB type holster. It's all a trade off.
A safety takes that slight extra motion and time. Does the same logic mean that you should only carry a gun without a safety to always have the fastest presentation?
I carry both ways, depending on my mood. I feel fine both ways. Depends on the amount of threat present. I see no need to carry chambered if I am carrying around the ranch or doing chores. Going down to the hood, I do carry chambered!

r.w. schrack · October 7, 2005, 01:10 AM

In every TV show and Movies thay always rack one in. Saw a show once where the guy racked 5 in before he ever fired, Be real, As the one guy said 5 in the pipe if I could. If you are afraid of a loaded weapon don't carry, and remember that critical second racking one in could be your life. Schrack

Shorts · October 7, 2005, 01:44 AM

Shorts has one hand - of course anyone can rack and shoot faster than me.

SAXD9 · October 7, 2005, 01:57 AM

I always carry with a round chambered. I carry my XD9 in a homemade inside the waistband holster that covers the trigger and I feel perfectly safe with that. If I carry my Beretta 21A it's either in a pocket holster in my back pocket or in an ankle holster.

October 6, 2005, 07:20 PM	#1
NewDad24 Member Join Date: March 7, 2005 Location: Savannah,Georgia Posts: 31	One in the chamber. Just wondering when carrying concealed,does everyone keep one in the chamber?

October 6, 2005, 10:04 PM	#16
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,789	I never understood the logic of walking around with an unloaded gun. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

October 7, 2005, 01:01 AM	#22
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,137	I don't know.... I can draw and rack the slide and get off a well placed shot as fast as most people can just draw and fire the same shot and distance. I'm a better shot than most, and practice this routinely. The balance point is being able to get the shot off as well. So it's not written in stone that a chambered gun is faster than an unchambered one. When you are bringing up the gun, you rack and come to sight orientation. Try it. Of course this takes two hands. So if the BG can close the distance faster than you can do this, you're out of luck. On the other hand, it's a good idea to see what that distance is, so that you know your safe zone. If my safe zone with rack and shoot is say twelve feet, and another shooters safe zone with draw and chamber loaded is twelve feet, what's the difference? If I wear a deep concealment IWB holster with a round chambered, I'm slower than having a OWB holster unchambered, with draw rack and fire. Does that mean I should always wear an OWB type holster. It's all a trade off. A safety takes that slight extra motion and time. Does the same logic mean that you should only carry a gun without a safety to always have the fastest presentation? I carry both ways, depending on my mood. I feel fine both ways. Depends on the amount of threat present. I see no need to carry chambered if I am carrying around the ranch or doing chores. Going down to the hood, I do carry chambered! __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

October 7, 2005, 01:10 AM	#23
r.w. schrack Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2005 Location: Delaware Posts: 327	Tv In every TV show and Movies thay always rack one in. Saw a show once where the guy racked 5 in before he ever fired, Be real, As the one guy said 5 in the pipe if I could. If you are afraid of a loaded weapon don't carry, and remember that critical second racking one in could be your life. Schrack

October 6, 2005, 07:22 PM	#2
azredhawk44 Junior member Join Date: September 28, 2005 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 6,465	I keep 5 in the chamber, but I don't carry an auto

October 6, 2005, 07:24 PM	#3
mgdavis Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2004 Location: Western Washington Posts: 397	Everybody does not, but everybody should. When The SHTF do you want to have to take the time to rack a round into the chamber?

October 6, 2005, 07:30 PM	#4
NewDad24 Member Join Date: March 7, 2005 Location: Savannah,Georgia Posts: 31	Yeah I agree,but I guess Im just a little afraid of accidental discharge.

October 6, 2005, 07:39 PM	#5
smince Junior member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Location: Northeast Alabama Posts: 2,580	That is what practice and training is for. What kind of auto do you carry? It could be difficult to impossible to rack the slide and fight off a BG at the same time.

October 6, 2005, 07:54 PM	#6
2ksportny Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2005 Posts: 135	Smince took the words out of my mouth about training. Also it depens on the firearm & holster setup. My glock has a trigger safety aswell as my holster which completly covers the trigger, so I know it will not be pulled by anything. I usually carry w/1 in the chamber however there are times when I do not. When I carry my p32 in the pocket I do not carry with 1 in the chamber but with my glock 23 I do 90% of the time. Also depends on my mood. If I really need to chamber a round when it is not allready loaded w/1 I can manage to do it pretty quickly.

October 6, 2005, 08:02 PM	#7
NewDad24 Member Join Date: March 7, 2005 Location: Savannah,Georgia Posts: 31	I carry a Keltec P3at in my pocket and a Glock 30 in my car,so what do yall think?

October 6, 2005, 08:04 PM	#8
rmagill Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 142	Yep. In some recent firearms training I had, we were shown a video of a person that, in under 1 second: drew a revolver, fired all 8 shots, and hit the target every time. Granted, the average person does not have the ability to do this. However, if someone is in a situation where they have to draw, time is critical. The time it would take to rack the slide might be just the time the BG needed to disarm/overpower you. You also might not get the opertunity to rack the slide (if the BG is right next to you, I doubt you would have the space to rack the slide). About being nervous about an accidental discharge... with the right gun and holster combination, this won't be an issue. If you are nervous, you can carry the pistol cocked (or however you want to carry it) but without it loaded. This way, you can see if any activities/movements might cause the gun to go off. If not, you are good to go. If so, you should adjust something. When I first started carrying, I was nervous about that too, but with it not "going off" when it was not loaded, I knew it would not go off loaded until it needed to.

October 6, 2005, 08:04 PM	#9
axslingerW Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2005 Location: St. louis Posts: 249	If you use a pocket holster, I would keep one in the chamber. without a holster I would not.

October 6, 2005, 08:06 PM	#10
Alaskanmonte Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 403	I always carry with one in the chamber. If I need to use my gun to defend my self or my family, I want my gun to be as ready as possible.

October 6, 2005, 08:08 PM	#11
NewDad24 Member Join Date: March 7, 2005 Location: Savannah,Georgia Posts: 31	You are right. I am pretty sure that my glock would not go off,but the keltec I just dont know yet.Even though the keltec has a very long trigger pull.

October 6, 2005, 08:10 PM	#12
payne Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: SE US Posts: 519	I carry with one in the pipe. It's something you'll get used to. It's also very practical for the reasons the others have already listed. have a good holdster that covers your trigger since both your pistols DA's. When drawing be sure not to put the trigger finger inside the trigger guard. Practicing this is the best way to be sure about it. You will be fine as long as you don't have a holdster that does not cover the trigger

October 6, 2005, 08:17 PM	#13
NewDad24 Member Join Date: March 7, 2005 Location: Savannah,Georgia Posts: 31	Thanks yall for the input,I have a pocket holster for the keltec,but havent yet choosen my glock holster,what would yall suggest?Sorry bout the grammar Im country.GO DAWGS!!!

October 6, 2005, 09:14 PM	#14
2ksportny Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2005 Posts: 135	I have a Desants speed pancake holster with an adjustable retention screw. I love it, the gun feels snug and tight to my side, it will not slip around like some holsters allow it to, example: fobus paddle holster. For the money it is worth it to buy a nice leather pancake holster. I went with an open top instead of a thumbreak since I want to be able to draw it quickly & not have anything to slow me down.

October 6, 2005, 09:57 PM	#15
hkg3 Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 1999 Location: Kalifornia, on my way to Arizona Posts: 1,149	Yup. 1911, “condition 1”. Chambered, cocked and locked. Speed is everything, when you need it.

October 6, 2005, 10:25 PM	#18
rmagill Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 142	"Wow. That would make the guy in the film a lot faster than Jerry Miculek's world record performance." Yeah, that is why he did it... to break the record. And it also goes to show why every part of a second counts.

October 6, 2005, 10:33 PM	#19
BobK Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2005 Posts: 838	An unloaded gun is just an expensive club.

October 7, 2005, 12:04 AM	#20
Geopagus Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 101	NewDad - Most people say to always carry with one in the chamber (obviously for semi-autos that is). I say, do what is most comfortable for you. As for me, some situations/environments warrant whether a round is chambered or not in my pistols.

October 7, 2005, 12:06 AM	#21
Shorts Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2004 Posts: 1,484	I cannot and do not have the time to pull the gun out, rack the slide to load one in the chamber in time to fire. One in the chamber always, safety off for me. Have a good holster. That's the other part of carrying safely.

October 7, 2005, 01:44 AM	#24
Shorts Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2004 Posts: 1,484	Shorts has one hand - of course anyone can rack and shoot faster than me.

October 7, 2005, 01:57 AM	#25
SAXD9 Member Join Date: September 8, 2005 Location: NW North Carolina Posts: 85	I always carry with a round chambered. I carry my XD9 in a homemade inside the waistband holster that covers the trigger and I feel perfectly safe with that. If I carry my Beretta 21A it's either in a pocket holster in my back pocket or in an ankle holster.