You keep one in the chamber right?

[Jacobie]

Was just curious what the majority do when carrying CCW? i was talking with a guy at work that i have went to the range with so we both know each other CCW's e procedded to tell me that he doesnt keep one in the chamber. Stating that it only takes a second to slide it. He doesnt carry a Glock (i have know a few Glock carriers who dont keep 1 in th chamber) but said that he was scared of an AD, was a little suprised. Kinda thought this defeats the purpose of carrying. Said he doesnt trust his safety. Anyone else carry this way?

[Odd Job]

When in South Africa I carry one up because I can't guarantee I will have both hands free at the time I draw. Second reason is time saving.

[rich52us]

I always carry with one in the chamber. I see no sense to carrying a firearm for protection that is not ready to go. You never know for sure that you will have both hands available to rack the slide when you need to. Or that you will have the time to do it. The BGs will have one in the chamber, and there may be more than one of them. I've been carrying for 37 yrs. I trust my brain (main safety) and trigger finger discipline to prevent NDs. No NDs in 37 years of handling handguns and 45 yrs of firearms in general.

[link523]

I carry with one in the chamber! If its not loaded it not going to do you any good. If i come up to your car and tell you to get the f--- out or else are you you to tell me to wait tell go load your gun? If your not comfortable carrying a loaded gun then don't. as far as safety's i have a Springfield xd it only has a grip safety.

[Bill T]

If there isn't one in the pipe, all you have is a hammer. Bill T.

[Average Joe]

Why keep a mag in it, it only takes a second to slide one in ? Why carry, if you are not ready to defend yourself.

[jhenry]

It makes absolutely no sense to me, but some folks do just that. You could have one hand otherwise occupied or hurt. You will probably also not have the time to draw and rack the slide. There is a rule that goes "3 to 5". That is, most encounters are over in 3 to 5 seconds, involve 3 to 5 shots, and take place within 3 to 5 yards. If someone wants to waste the time to rack a slide because they are unsure of their own ability to be safe with a firearm that's fine by me, but why play with your life. In a purely civilian defensive situation the attacker knows you are the mark BEFORE you are aware of it. He already has the tactical advantage. He is initially in control. You are the prey. He is the predator. This is the reality of the situation so do not just give away time for no purpose.

[Dwight55]

To each his own, . . . but I can visualize a whole bunch of scenarios where there would be no time at all to chamber a round.

If a guy wants to carry a gun with an empty "chamber" he ought to get one of those Taurus (?), 7 shot revolvers, and leave the chamber on top as the empty one.

Other than that, . . . my recommendation would SERIOUSLY be that he attend some very good basic gun handling courses. There really is not anything more dangerous out there than a good guy or a bad guy with a firearm who really doesn't know what they are doing.

I would take a cutting torch to any firearm I owned that I didn't trust the safety on if I could not fix it so that I could trust it.

FWIW, . . . the 1911 platform is probably the safest platform of all for those who are first willing to take the time to learn proper gun safety and handling. After that, . . . it's cocked and locked with a loaded chamber, . . . 24/7.

May God bless,
Dwight

[Jacobie]

I actually suggested the revolver idea to him, said he wasnt keen on carrying a revolver

[Jkwas]

If you carrying a DA/SA with a safety, and you have one in the chamber, it's like carrying a revolver with a safety on it. That first DA pull is usually just as heavy as a revolver. I agree, what happens when you don't have two free hands?

[DonR101395]

Isn't carrying without one in the chamber kinda like putting tires on your car but leaving the air for them in your trunk?

[TacticalDefense1911]

Always one in the chamber on all my ccw guns and home defense guns. I think it is foolish to believe that you know what will happen when the time comes to use your gun in self defense. Thinking that you have plenty of time to rack the slide to chamber a round may be a deadly mistake; it is a risk that doesnt need to be taken and a mistake I am not willing to make.

[brett30030]

Loaded, no safety, DAO, holster covered trigger. Ready to go from the time it leaves the holster.

[Syntax360]

This is one of the many debates in the firearms world that will never be resolved. Personally, I'm with the majority and don't see a point of carrying without one in the chamber.

[ReefBlueCoupe]

Definitely keep one in the chamber.

[Lionken07]

I leave one in the chamber like most of you. Its better to have it (in the chamber) and not need it than need it and not have it.

[warwagon]

Totaly depends on the weapon, and your skills using it.

For a 1911 configured weapon, my choice is locked, and loaded. For others , not so comfortable with that type of carry,they choose not to have a round in the chamber.

I would suggest that you speak with some experienced people in your area(Or take a NRA course).

In fact, just take the NRA course, forget the co-workers advice!

[SilverState]

chambered

[ITEOTWAWKI]

Jacobie, watch this educational video on why you should always carry with one in the tube.

http://www.the-roberts.info/gallery/...collateral.mpg

Now doesn't it feel knowing for SURE that you SHOULD.

[dallasconundrum]

Totaly depends on the weapon, and your skills using it.

I completely agree with that, and the example given. Most all of the time, I carry with one in the chamber (for revolvers, all "chambers" naturally). However, even though I've had 1911's for awhile I've never really carried them. Recently, I've decided to add them into the rotation.

As I've never carried cocked and locked before...I'm a little apprehensive. I know, I know, grip safety, manual safety. But, what I've decided to do, and what I did today in fact, is get myself comfortable with carrying the 1911 cocked and lock...during the day when I'm close to the house, or at the house and just running a few quick errands while "risk levels are lowest".

Today, for instance, I knew I would be just running to town for gas, and then back to a friend's body shop that is less than a mile from my house. Also, another friend of mine that is there at the shop went through the carry permit course with me and he always carries. So, I loaded up my magazine and left the chamber empty, but thumbed back the hammer and put on the safety. I know this adds yet another step to the process, as I would have to lower the safety before I could even chamber a round, but again I wanted to "test" myself carrying the 1911 and felt that a day like today was my best opportunity to do so. I'll probably do this a few more times and then will feel comfortable enough to truly carry cocked and locked.

[ITEOTWAWKI]

Did you not watch the video? Someone could have your breifcase man!

[Maser]

My dad always keeps one in the chamber. What's the point of having a CCW and not have it ready?

[THE_PUNISHER06660]

Always Cocked, Locked,and Loaded.

[Axion]

If a guy wants to carry a gun with an empty "chamber" he ought to get one of those Taurus (?), 7 shot revolvers, and leave the chamber on top as the empty one.

That's not a half bad idea, although it's really no safer then a DA/SA gun with one in the pipe. Either way it's one DA pull and then bang.

[iowain45-70]

I have one in the pipe.