Kel-Tec: "To chamber or not to chamber, that is the question."

Doug in VA · February 19, 2000, 10:23 PM

OK, My other guns had external safeties that gave me warm fuzzies. I know if I ever find myself in a serious social situation I'll wish I already had one in the pipe. What do you think Kel-Tec owners?

tatters · February 19, 2000, 10:46 PM

I pretty much always carry with one in the pipe. P-11 or P-32. Ready for action if need be.
Seems very safe to me given the long,hard d.a. trigger pull. That is one of the reasons I picked the KelTec. External safeties are a necessity on some handguns, and that is ok. I prefer mine without.

------------------
Knock twice. Rap with your cane. Feels nice. You're out of the rain. We got your skinny girls. Here at the Western World
from Steely Dan's "Western World"

7th Fleet · February 19, 2000, 10:53 PM

I carry mine with the chamber loaded on my P-32 and with the mag topped off with 7 rounds. I feel secure with this gun but will find a pocket holster that covers the trigger guard, when I can...7th

------------------
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL POLICE, KEEP THEM INDEPENDENT.

[This message has been edited by 7th Fleet (edited February 19, 2000).]

swatman · February 20, 2000, 02:16 AM

I am with Tatters. One thing I like is that if you pull the trigger on your Kel-tec, it is a deliberate act and not some mishap like on some of the hair trigger guns. in fact all of my carry guns over the years if they were autos were double action on the 1st shot. This eliminates the need to manipulate safetys and other little details if you are in a extreme high stress situation. I keep a round in the chamber of my P11. Another good thing is when done shooting, you just holster it and not have to worry about lowering hammers,ect. one reason why I prefer hammer drop safteys and decockers on double/single action autos.

------------------
"what gives a government that arms the whole world the right to disarm it's own citizens?"

[This message has been edited by swatman (edited February 20, 2000).]

wolf 1415 · February 21, 2000, 12:06 AM

Refer to the rules of gunhandling. Finger OFF the trigger until target acquired and ready to fire. Learn it, live it, and keep one in the pipe.

orsogato · February 21, 2000, 01:42 AM

Sir,
If you are not going to keep one in the pipe, you shouldn't be carrying it at all. If your weapon's safety/ trigger mechanism does not make you feel like it is safe/ reliable, find a weapon that does. There are just too many things that a potential hostile could do while you are attemting to rack one in.

my .02

BronzeEmu · February 21, 2000, 03:14 AM

Heck I thought you guys were talking about rechambering for the .32 Defender wildcat cartridge.

see: http://www.geocities.com/mousemag32/

Futo Inu · February 21, 2000, 11:59 AM

WITH a holster covering the trigger guard?Yes, round chambered.

P32 loose in my pocket with keys? Nope, just a full mag.

Spectre · February 21, 2000, 07:39 PM

Sidearm in holster, round in chamber.

The '32 is lighter, but still requires a definite decision to fire.

FUD · February 21, 2000, 08:31 PM

Doug,

Most (not all) concealed weapons holsters require a second hand to come into play someplace along the way (either to draw a shirt up or to hold the holster while removing the gun or whatever). With practise, you can rack the slide as you are bringing your gun into service -- just remember to keep your finger off the trigger at all times until you have your target in your sights.

While it may not seem very macho, some military outfits actual require their men (and women) to carry in condition three (hammer down and no bullet in the chamber) and yet they could mostlikely get their gun out of their holster, chamber a round and fire their weapon faster than you or I could even if we had a bullet in the chamber.

As orsogato mentioned, you need to be comfortable with what you are carrying. If you feel uncomfortable with a bullet in the chamber because the gun doesn't have a safety, then carry it without a round in the chamber and practise on how to quickly chamber the round or switch to another gun that makes you more comfortable.

I felt uncomfortable carrying a loaded Kahr MK9 for the same reasons that you mentioned. I originally carried it in condition three and then I had the trigger pull adjusted by a few pounds to where it increased my comfort level to the point where I now can carry it with a round in the chamber and not be worried about it.

Good luck.

------------------
Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD.

[This message has been edited by FUD (edited February 21, 2000).]

Doug in VA · February 21, 2000, 10:15 PM

Good Citizens,
Thank you for the advice.

February 19, 2000, 10:23 PM	#1
Doug in VA Member Join Date: February 11, 2000 Posts: 17	OK, My other guns had external safeties that gave me warm fuzzies. I know if I ever find myself in a serious social situation I'll wish I already had one in the pipe. What do you think Kel-Tec owners?

February 19, 2000, 10:46 PM	#2
tatters Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 1999 Location: Indiana Posts: 786	I pretty much always carry with one in the pipe. P-11 or P-32. Ready for action if need be. Seems very safe to me given the long,hard d.a. trigger pull. That is one of the reasons I picked the KelTec. External safeties are a necessity on some handguns, and that is ok. I prefer mine without. ------------------ Knock twice. Rap with your cane. Feels nice. You're out of the rain. We got your skinny girls. Here at the Western World from Steely Dan's "Western World"

February 19, 2000, 10:53 PM	#3
7th Fleet Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2000 Posts: 1,469	I carry mine with the chamber loaded on my P-32 and with the mag topped off with 7 rounds. I feel secure with this gun but will find a pocket holster that covers the trigger guard, when I can...7th ------------------ SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL POLICE, KEEP THEM INDEPENDENT. [This message has been edited by 7th Fleet (edited February 19, 2000).]

February 20, 2000, 02:16 AM	#4
swatman Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2000 Location: Pa. USA Posts: 768	I am with Tatters. One thing I like is that if you pull the trigger on your Kel-tec, it is a deliberate act and not some mishap like on some of the hair trigger guns. in fact all of my carry guns over the years if they were autos were double action on the 1st shot. This eliminates the need to manipulate safetys and other little details if you are in a extreme high stress situation. I keep a round in the chamber of my P11. Another good thing is when done shooting, you just holster it and not have to worry about lowering hammers,ect. one reason why I prefer hammer drop safteys and decockers on double/single action autos. ------------------ "what gives a government that arms the whole world the right to disarm it's own citizens?" [This message has been edited by swatman (edited February 20, 2000).]

February 21, 2000, 12:06 AM	#5
wolf 1415 Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2000 Posts: 170	Refer to the rules of gunhandling. Finger OFF the trigger until target acquired and ready to fire. Learn it, live it, and keep one in the pipe.

February 21, 2000, 01:42 AM	#6
orsogato Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 1999 Location: Steeler Country Posts: 628	Sir, If you are not going to keep one in the pipe, you shouldn't be carrying it at all. If your weapon's safety/ trigger mechanism does not make you feel like it is safe/ reliable, find a weapon that does. There are just too many things that a potential hostile could do while you are attemting to rack one in. my .02

February 21, 2000, 03:14 AM	#7
BronzeEmu Member Join Date: September 5, 1999 Posts: 18	Heck I thought you guys were talking about rechambering for the .32 Defender wildcat cartridge. see: http://www.geocities.com/mousemag32/

February 21, 2000, 11:59 AM	#8
Futo Inu Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 1999 Location: Oklahoma City, OK, USA Posts: 3,624	WITH a holster covering the trigger guard?Yes, round chambered. P32 loose in my pocket with keys? Nope, just a full mag.

February 21, 2000, 07:39 PM	#9
Spectre Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 23, 1998 Location: ATL Posts: 3,277	Sidearm in holster, round in chamber. The '32 is lighter, but still requires a definite decision to fire.

February 21, 2000, 08:31 PM	#10
FUD Junior member Join Date: January 28, 2000 Posts: 1,727	Doug, Most (not all) concealed weapons holsters require a second hand to come into play someplace along the way (either to draw a shirt up or to hold the holster while removing the gun or whatever). With practise, you can rack the slide as you are bringing your gun into service -- just remember to keep your finger off the trigger at all times until you have your target in your sights. While it may not seem very macho, some military outfits actual require their men (and women) to carry in condition three (hammer down and no bullet in the chamber) and yet they could mostlikely get their gun out of their holster, chamber a round and fire their weapon faster than you or I could even if we had a bullet in the chamber. As orsogato mentioned, you need to be comfortable with what you are carrying. If you feel uncomfortable with a bullet in the chamber because the gun doesn't have a safety, then carry it without a round in the chamber and practise on how to quickly chamber the round or switch to another gun that makes you more comfortable. I felt uncomfortable carrying a loaded Kahr MK9 for the same reasons that you mentioned. I originally carried it in condition three and then I had the trigger pull adjusted by a few pounds to where it increased my comfort level to the point where I now can carry it with a round in the chamber and not be worried about it. Good luck. ------------------ Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD. [This message has been edited by FUD (edited February 21, 2000).]

February 21, 2000, 10:15 PM	#11
Doug in VA Member Join Date: February 11, 2000 Posts: 17	Good Citizens, Thank you for the advice.