Fairly new.... With 1 in the chamber ??

[ppiglett]

I'm fairly new here. I havent posted much but I've been reading for some time now.
Through previous posts I gather everyone pretty much agree's that "one in the chamber" is the only way to go. That or you might as well leave it at home. I do carry but in my purse, not holster.
Would you carry the same with Children in your home and your weapon not "on you" all of the time? Would your approach to being chambered be the same?
I have been carrying unchambered and know that the reason I do carry is so that I can protect myself or my children if something ever happens and at some point there may not be enough time to chamber a bullet.
So from a female's perspective what would be your best approach?
No flaming please, I'm not an idiot, I just have children to also be concerned about.

[DunedinDragon]

I would be concerned as well, not only about the children but carrying it in a purse with one in the chamber. Under stress, or any other time for that matter, reaching into your purse to grab a weapon there's no telling how you might end up grabbing it.

I suppose in your situation what I would consider would be to find a good small (probably leather) holster to keep the weapon in, even when it's in your purse. Even then that leaves the problem of what to do when you're not carrying your purse (such as in your home or at the office). I've never been a great fan of purse carry for these very reasons. I suppose if you have positive control over your purse at all times you would mitigate the risks. Possibly getting a holster with a retention strap or thumb break would be a good idea.

Of course, I'm guessing at this point. Being a guy I try not to carry my purse out in public...it's one of those things I do late at night when I'm home alone playing "dress up"......

[Pampers]

Interesting question.

Since you're posting on the Semiauto Forum, I'll assume you're not carrying a revolver. Any descent Semiauto is safe with one "up the tube." The problem is how you're carrying it. It should NEVER be carried ratteling around loose in your purse! As DD points out, there's no tellin' how you're goin' to grab it in a crisis situation. I've seen enough women riffling through their purses to find something to know that whatever you're lookin' for will be burried in the bottom. Not good for keepin' trash out of the action either.

The solution would be to purchase a purse specially designed for handgun carry with a built-in holster. There are many well designed styles out there.

As to the three kindern, remove the mystery. Start 'em shootin' early. My daughter, now 24, started when she was four by shooting a pellet rifle rested over a bar stool. At six, she had a single shot .22 target rifle and was entered in our club's Junior Program. At ten, she had an AR-15, and at 12 was using it in NRA High Power competition. There were no "gun incidents" because she knew what they were, how they worked, and how to safely use them. Remember, you don't keep your kids from drowning by never allowing them near water! You teach them to swim (shoot)!

[BigV]

My wife use to carry in her purse, but all that changed about a month ago. She was approaching her vehicle at night in a grocery parking lot. Two suspicious men approached her, as she was a walking, keys in her right hand, purse over her right shoulder. By the time she switched hands with her keys and got her purse from her shoulder the two men had passed her. Fortunately they were just walking to the supermarket, but it frightened her enough that she reconsidered carrying her weapon in her purse. She now uses an IWB holster covered by a sport coat or an over shirt. She feels more secure knowing she has ready access to her weapon should she need it and it’s on her person at all times so inquisitive mind can’t come across it while looking for candy or gum in her purse. She also carry’s her car keys in her left hand…

[shield20]

i think your best bet is to definetly carry chambered when you are out and about, and unloading AND stashing the gun when you are home. I do this all the time as I have neighbor kids and relatives coming and going too often - a safe comes in handy then. Another "simpler" option would be a gun like a Walther P99QA that has a decocker, where the slide has to be cycled to recock the trigger, or a gun with a mag disconnect, but that is still hairy - esp. if older stronger kids can get access...you just DON'T want ANY kids having access to ANY condition gun unsupervised.

[Zeomac]

If children are young, you can use a Galco soltaire holster handbag with a
SW9VE or 40VE both are DAO. They have approximately a 10# triger which you willl have to become proficient using, however it would be very difficult for a child to accidently discharge.

http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterG3.asp...2434&GunID=133

[RsqVet]

I can't believe what I am reading, are we really suggesting relying on the old the slide / hammer / trigger is too heavy to pull BS for keeping a gun safe from children, am I reading this correctly??

Sorry folks there is NO WAY that would be considered acceptable by most if not all serious instructors or schools of defensive shooting, let alone people in the legal sytem or from CPS, it's as silly as assuming the kid can't gain acess to the pool because the door knob to the back yard is high on the door --- well guess what kids can overcome and do the damdest things so I can't think of a reasonable person who would rely on a heavy trigger or slide to keep their kid safe, let alone what junior might do with it other than shoot it --- throw the gun? I trust my drop safety but not so much I want to test it.

Options to consider:

1. Going to some form of holstered carry --- all other things being equal it's probibly the better mode of carry if you can find a gun / holser combo that you are comfortable with, finding a decent shop that has a large selection can be a challange but it will be worth it as you can see and try various things depending on your mode of dress and manner you wish to carry.

2. As others have said get a dedicated purse with a holster, and if you want to just carry in this manner get a lock box at home large enough to accomodate the purse, that way you are secure at home and will never forget to "load up" the gun into the purse when you leave home.

[Zeomac]

Are you reading it correctly RsqVet, Yes and No.. Everything here is an opinion or suggestion. I can't write a novel covering all the bases. I have to assume the person has some common sense and can fill in the blanks...

[KeithR]

If the gun is not with you, I would never leave it lying around. Have it on you or in a safe. It is too easy for a child to walk around unnoticed and start playing with your stuff.

When I was little my step mother had pepper-spray on her key chain. She always kept it out of our reach, but I eventually figured out how to get ahold of it to see what it was. Luckily she took it before I harmed myself. Children could easily figure out how to work a gun, especially if they watch TV. I always knew how to rack the slide just from seeing it done on movies. Its probably better not to risk it.

Try IWB or even a shoulder holster, so it can stay with you. It is up to YOUR comfort level of whether or not to chamber a round, but ANY gun with ammo near it should never be in a childs reach.

A purse is usually out of reach, but I always tried like hell to gt my moms purse....she had treats in there!

[Eghad]

If I was going to carry in a purse, I would have one designed to carry a concealed weapon to ensure that the trigger is covered if you carry one in the chamber.

For the house with kids one of those combinattion lockboxes that can be opened quickly.

[tegemu]

Perhaps a good Pocket Holster carried in your purse would suffice. It would help to keep the gun in an optimal position for a draw and keep th egun cleaner.. Regardless of your choice, as others have stated - do not carry it unprotected. In addition to the excellent points others have made, there is the issue of dirt and other foreign matter getting into your firearm, probably more critical in an auto-loader. Other objects may very well interfere with your draw.

[Sulaco2]

Gun with magazine safety, remove the mag at home?

+1 on the purse designed for gun carry if a purse is a must...

[Musketeer]

1. Carry with one in the chamber. In an emergency you may not have the time or both hands free to chamber a round.

2. When not carrying on your person lock it up. No Exceptions when kids are around. If it is not on your person you have no control over it.

3. Do not under any circumstances go with a purse for carry.

Purses are the #1 target for a thief. The best outcome of this scenario is you are in a wrestling mactch for control of your purse and its enclosed gun.

Purses are OFTEN left out of immediate physical contact. If you aint hold'n it you aint control'n it! Scan these forums or www.packing.org for tales of purse guns gone bad...

Others have access to your purse. Sure, the kids know not to look in your purse but are you going to gamble a loaded gun on that. Others as well may look in it in a "percieved" emergency/

Purses breed Complacency. If you do not feel that steel (or tupperware depending ou your preference) against your body you very quickly forget about it being there. Hence you get purses left with guns at restaurants and stores. You also get people carrying their gun into no carry zones by accident. TSA is very unforgiving on this...


There are plenty of good solutions. Look at www.smartcarry.com bellybands work well for women if raised just under the breasts, Kramer T Shirt Holsters, and other holsters designed just for women. Post/Search www.packing.org for women's holsters and you will get many answers.

[shield20]

You are reading correctly Rsq, especially if you read the part of how while it is an option, it is not really acceptable...as the part about having a safe infers, and the last line states...letting kids have unsupervised access is not acceptable under ANY condition.

[OneInTheChamber]

I wouldn't carry a gun in a purse (well, I wouldn't wear a purse either for that matter, no man bag for me!); because purses get left places. With kids around, who might snoop in mom's purse for God knows what, the least thing you want them to find is a loaded hangun.

But I know women don't like to carry IWB and any other method on the waist because they like to wear tighter clothing than men. But, I would only feel comfortable having a loaded gun around children if it was on my person. Sitting on the kitchen counter in a purse is not under your direct control.

Also, thieves might just grab your purse from you before you even know what has happened.

I feel sorry for women who have to make that decision: looks vs. function. To most men this is like asking "do you want to get kicked in the crotch or a piece of cake (the cake being the function part)?". For men its easy, but from my male perspective, it seems to be a much harder choice for women.

[swmike]

Since a woman's purse is likely to be a prime target from the beginning of a bad encounter, consider a holster carry. When the purse is flapping down the street with some punk carrying it, you will at least still have the gun. If he has more on his mind than just the purse, you won't be rummaging around in it to get to your weapon.

[Stiofan]

I don't keep a round in the breach of my semi autos or the top center of my revolver cylinder when my guns are at home. I have no kids at home, but I've heard too many stories from my firefighter friends about rounds cooking off as they were trying to enter burning houses to realize the danger to them. As long as the round is chambered it can be just as deadly as if you aimed it at them. I don't carry living in California, if I did I wouldn't have a problem carrying it chambered while on my person.

[pdkflyguy]

I owuld say that if you have it in a holster, then you would be fine with a round in the chamber. If you carry in your purse, I would consider leaving the chamber empty. One thing many guys forget is that a lipstick tube is almost exactly the same size and shape as a human finger. I would think it could easily set the gun off accidentally.

Bottom Line: Purse - Empty, Holster - Locked and Loaded.

[ppiglett]

Thank you for all the great advice. Alot of good points that I've never really considered.

I'm rethinking my purse carry. I havent given much thought to my purse being left somewhere or taken from me in a struggle and I do agree that if the weapon is on my body its less likely to be taken from me in time of need. I've never left my purse somewhere but who's to say it couldnt happen. Weekly, several times a week I go places where my weapon cant go with me so I have to take it out. Just this week I did take it out, but forgot the pepper spray as I went into the police station. ooops, back to my truck they sent me My weapon is in a middle compartment, free of anything else including lint. Its as clean when I take it out of that zip compartment as when I just cleaned it. Always in the same position as I placed it. I know when I reach for it, where my hand will be on the gun. I would never place it in my purse where I had to rifle around for it.
I am thin and wear fitted jeans as well as shirts so finding a system that works well with my lifestyle might be a struggle but well worth it if I can carry concealed and stay concealed and still wear my normal wear.
I do carry a Glock 23C so its not exactly tiny.

[9mm_prn]

Glocks would be one of my last choices for concealed carry in a purse with one in the tube. If you really like that gun it needs to be holstered when you have a round in the chamber.

My wife and I just went through this same thing. We spent forever deciding what type of gun and carry method was best for her. We decided a long DAO 9mm with a manual safety and loaded chamber indicator was the ticket (our preference was the Taurus PT111 Mil Pro). Ideally I would prefer my wife only carry her gun holstered and not in her purse but that just isn't reality so a dedicated concealed carry purse with a hidden velcro panel (purse on left and slung to opposite shoulder allways and keys in left hand) was what she opted for. In her vehicle next to the drivers seat is a Dosko sport electronic gun safe mounted to the floor. When she goes to work (a courthouse) or other places a gun is not allowed (my work, a hospital) or likely to be needed she has a secure option.

Oh yeah, the advice on the safe large enough for your puse is a great idea. We plan on doing just that in the near future.

[ppiglett]

9mm_prn,
Question, How exactly did they mount the safe to the floor? Wondering because I drive a 2004 F~150 Lariat with the center console. So there isnt much room for secure mounting of a lock box and I cant exactly lock my weapon in a box and put it in the trunk. My husbands Jeep has a center console with a lock on it, mine no lock but a huge box area.

[9mm_prn]

My wife has a minivan so no center console. The safe sits flat on the floor next to her seat. The Dosko comes with a mounting plate that allows you quickly remove the safe if you want to for some reason. Really pretty handy.

For your situation you may want to consider a different type of safe (maybe biometric, uses a finger print to open it) that can be mounted on it's side on or next to your center console? I have been thinking about getting one for my vehicle just because sometimes on long drives I get tired of my gun poking me in the ribs.