Should you keep a round in the chamber in a house gun?

Pops1085 · July 4, 2013, 07:34 PM

I've got a 1911 (clone) and am fairly new to handguns so excuse my ignorance but I did a search and got kind of mixed results. Is it okay to lock my 1911 in my quick access box cocked and locked or should I leave it unloaded with a loaded mag in the box next to it?

NJgunowner · July 4, 2013, 07:43 PM

Really personal preference, just depends on what YOU are comfortable with. I keep mine with a loaded magazine, but the chamber empty. All I have to do is rack the slide and I'm good to go. I DON'T leave the magazine out of the gun, but I don't leave one in the chamber either.

It's UP TO YOU.

Gbnk82 · July 4, 2013, 07:44 PM

While everyone has a different opinion on it and both have good arguments i always say keep one in the pipe..the reason is that if you ever find a situation where you need your gun you will have only fractions of a second to react..in this situation you will most likely be nervous sweaty and possibly have a bit of a shake in your hands.you may also be bloody or injured (broken arm hand or fingers) if you were attacked having to be able to grab the gun and rack the slide might prove to be a difficult task where as grab point and shoot is much more simple..plus if you have gun locked up why not its nlt like anyone haz acces to handle it then unless you need it.

Noreaster · July 4, 2013, 07:49 PM

What you have to ask yourself is why wouldn't you. State laws are one reason. If the firearm is secure and legally loaded then the only reason you wouldn't have it ready to go is you're worried about waking up suddenly and being surprised by a friendly or you're thinking about searching the house and being surprised by a friendly. Either one can be remedied by safe gun handling, (muzzle control, finger indexed, be sure of your target and what's beyond it...) I'm not faulting anyone for not having a round in the chamber but the violence could happen suddenly and seconds mean the difference between life and death.

Mosin44az · July 4, 2013, 07:59 PM

Mechanically, I have never heard that the 1911 can't be kept cocked and locked. I have actually read accounts of 1911s found buried on battlefields in this condition, that still functioned!

Tactically, you should just make sure you KNOW what condition your gun is in when you reach for it. Obviously if the mag is out and there is no mag in the gun, you know what you have to do.

Assuming you have a burglar alarm or other means of advance notice, keeping your gun unloaded, or unchambered, will still allow you time to get it ready for action.

**JohnKSa** · July 4, 2013, 08:03 PM

Since this seems to be leaning towards a discussion of tactics, I'm going to move the thread to the Tactics & Training Forum.

If the OP's intent was to find out about the functional/safety aspects of leaving a 1911 chamber-loaded, he is free to start another thread in the Semi-Auto Handgun forum with an original post that clarifies what information he is seeking.

Cheapshooter · July 4, 2013, 08:03 PM

Strictly a personal choice. Many have years of "never leave a gun loaded in the house" instilled in their thoughts. Good advise, but outdated when defence against two legged home invaders rather than foxes in the chicken house is the purpose.
My choice, an empty chsmber is an empty gun.......locked & loaded.

redhologram · July 4, 2013, 08:12 PM

I just got a new 1911 yesterday. It was bought for the sole purpose to be another nightstand gun for me. It'll be kept in Condition One just like my EDC piece.
That is a choice only you can make.

Domino300 · July 4, 2013, 08:21 PM

I'm for Condition 1 unless you have kids or immature adults in the house.

johnelmore · July 4, 2013, 09:07 PM

You should not use a 1911 if you are new to it. Get yourself a revolver and move to the 1911 once you are well practiced with it.

.38Catt · July 4, 2013, 09:17 PM

While I repect the 1911 platform, I do not own one for the concerns you expressed.

I think Johnelmore's suggestion is wise.

.38Catt

TheGunGuy · July 4, 2013, 09:20 PM

In my home, the only safe gun IS a loaded gun.

Dwight55 · July 4, 2013, 09:26 PM

There is not a more safe production hand gun on today's market than the standard 1911.

It has a mechanical safety, . . . a grip safety, . . . and no one's finger on the trigger.

I ask you, . . . what more do you want?

A revolver CAN fire a round with a simple pencil inserted against the trigger, . . . yes it is difficult, . . . but it is IMPOSSIBLE with a properly operating 1911 that is cocked and locked.

Yes, people who are not familiar with the 1911 platform can be intimidated by it, . . . but if one really should be intimidated, . . . take a look at a Glock or a Springfield XD that does not have a grip safety. THOSE are dangerous pieces of handgun hardware, . . . compared to all the rest.

But, . . . to each his own, . . . that is what makes a horserace.

May God bless,
Dwight

kutz · July 4, 2013, 09:28 PM

No kids at my place anymore, wife uses revolvers, my usual is some sort of 1911, always in condition 1. I'm a Boy Scout, Be Prepared, & a Marine, firstest with the mostest.

An old Gunny says Semper Fi.

TheGunGuy · July 4, 2013, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight55

There is not a more safe production hand gun on today's market than the standard 1911.

It has a mechanical safety, . . . a grip safety, . . . and no one's finger on the trigger.

I ask you, . . . what more do you want?

A revolver CAN fire a round with a simple pencil inserted against the trigger, . . . yes it is difficult, . . . but it is IMPOSSIBLE with a properly operating 1911 that is cocked and locked.

Yes, people who are not familiar with the 1911 platform can be intimidated by it, . . . but if one really should be intimidated, . . . take a look at a Glock or a Springfield XD that does not have a grip safety. THOSE are dangerous pieces of handgun hardware, . . . compared to all the rest.

But, . . . to each his own, . . . that is what makes a horserace.

May God bless,
Dwight

Why do some people think a Glock is so unsafe? I have carried a Glock of some flavor or another in just about every way imaginable and never had an "incident"...

dakota.potts · July 4, 2013, 09:30 PM

Gun should only be loaded if it's on your person or secured. Secured might mean a safe or it might mean a kitchen drawer where you hide it but it probably doesn't mean laying on the coffee table.

I vote for having your gun loaded and ready to go in the safe. Mine doesn't have an external safety but if it did it would probably be off. I do, however, decock it from single action trigger pull to a heavier double action for safety.

Garycw · July 4, 2013, 09:34 PM

Like others mentioned its personal preference and what you're comfortable with. On a side note Never assume its unloaded just because the mags out.

johnelmore · July 4, 2013, 09:51 PM

Simulate a situation by setting your alarm to 3am. Set it to the loudest you can. Next put the 1911 unloaded onto the nightstand. I must emphasize safety and insist you check it twice to make sure its unloaded. Next wake up to the alarm and see how you handle it. Some folks may be able to make it work at 3am while others may fumble. This is why I say revolver.

dakota.potts · July 4, 2013, 10:11 PM

Nothing difficult about handling a 1911 with one in the chamber and hammer cocked whether it's on safety or not.

My CZ 75 BD has no safety. If one's in the chamber and you pull the trigger, it will fire no matter what.

It's stored loaded in my safe. One in the chamber. If I open it and pull the trigger 15 times, it will go off 15 times.

JimmyR · July 5, 2013, 03:59 AM

Ideally, I like having a revolver for nightstand duty, but when I have my carry gun next to me (generally a SA/DA autoloader), i tend to keep the round in the chamber. If your nightstand gun is a 1911, i would reccomend keeping it in condition 1 for 2 reasons:
1) Mag capacity- the extra round in the pipe is a much larger proportional increase compared to a 16-18rd 9mm double stack.

2) multiple safties- making the gun inoperable until both safties have been disengaged, reducing chance of errors while sleeping or otherwise around the house.

Onward Allusion · July 5, 2013, 06:07 AM

I prefer double-action, safety off (if applicable), and round in chamber. Just pull the trigger and be done with it. Just make sure you have a good holster.

Vince44 · July 5, 2013, 06:08 AM

Usually keep the 9mm on the nightstand. There's no safety so I keep the chamber empty. Personnal preference. Thinking about switching to my .45, but I need to finish sighting in first.

Bartholomew Roberts · July 5, 2013, 09:25 AM

Personally, I don't see the point in keeping the 1911 cocked and locked in a safe. I don't see a problem with it; I just don't see the logic. A handgun is less powerful and less accurate than most any other firearm. Its one big advantage is that it is convenient to carry and easier to conceal. If you aren't going to make use of that advantage and just plan to leave it locked up in a safe in the house, then why not lock up a long gun of some type and get the better power and accuracy?

On the other hand, if we are talking about a carry handgun that is being stored over night, then I suggest it be carried with a round in the chamber. I can find you several shooting incidents that started with the good guy taking rounds to his hands or otherwise being unable to chamber a round. Likewise, if you plan to carry it with a round in the chamber, then storing it the same way at night makes good sense. The less you handle a gun unnecessarily, the less chances you have to make a mistake. You'll also be able to use ammunition longer without having to worry about setback or primer sensitivity due to repeated clearing and chambering. When I take off my gun at the end of the day, I don't even unholster it usually*. It goes into the safe cocked and locked and holstered.

*However, it gets inspected/cleaned often enough to make sure there is no corrosion or problem with it and it has a finish that is much more resistant to corrosion than bluing or Parkerizing.

TailGator · July 5, 2013, 09:55 AM

A couple of minor quibbles with the otherwise good post from Mr. Roberts:

The OP said he uses a quick-access box, not a safe. Access is likely faster, and I don't know of a quick-access box for long guns.

And a lot of folks prefer the maneuverability of a pistol over a long gun indoors.

The rest of the post - carrying chambered, minimizing handling, preventing setback - I am completely on board. A 1911 isn't my choice, but the redundant safeties of the design make it very safe in the described situation, it would seem to me.

Johannes_Paulsen · July 5, 2013, 09:58 AM

@Bart Roberts:

If you're using the handgun for protection at home, and it's locked in a safe, presumably when you want to access it, time will be of the essence.

July 4, 2013, 07:34 PM	#1
Pops1085 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 369	Should you keep a round in the chamber in a house gun? I've got a 1911 (clone) and am fairly new to handguns so excuse my ignorance but I did a search and got kind of mixed results. Is it okay to lock my 1911 in my quick access box cocked and locked or should I leave it unloaded with a loaded mag in the box next to it? Last edited by Pops1085; July 4, 2013 at 07:51 PM.

July 4, 2013, 08:03 PM	#6
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,973	Since this seems to be leaning towards a discussion of tactics, I'm going to move the thread to the Tactics & Training Forum. If the OP's intent was to find out about the functional/safety aspects of leaving a 1911 chamber-loaded, he is free to start another thread in the Semi-Auto Handgun forum with an original post that clarifies what information he is seeking. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

July 4, 2013, 08:03 PM	#7
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	Strictly a personal choice. Many have years of "never leave a gun loaded in the house" instilled in their thoughts. Good advise, but outdated when defence against two legged home invaders rather than foxes in the chicken house is the purpose. My choice, an empty chsmber is an empty gun.......locked & loaded. __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING! Last edited by Cheapshooter; July 4, 2013 at 08:14 PM.

July 4, 2013, 09:20 PM	#12
TheGunGuy Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2012 Posts: 102	Re: Should you keep a round in the chamber in a house gun? In my home, the only safe gun IS a loaded gun.

July 4, 2013, 09:26 PM	#13
Dwight55 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 2,568	There is not a more safe production hand gun on today's market than the standard 1911. It has a mechanical safety, . . . a grip safety, . . . and no one's finger on the trigger. I ask you, . . . what more do you want? A revolver CAN fire a round with a simple pencil inserted against the trigger, . . . yes it is difficult, . . . but it is IMPOSSIBLE with a properly operating 1911 that is cocked and locked. Yes, people who are not familiar with the 1911 platform can be intimidated by it, . . . but if one really should be intimidated, . . . take a look at a Glock or a Springfield XD that does not have a grip safety. THOSE are dangerous pieces of handgun hardware, . . . compared to all the rest. But, . . . to each his own, . . . that is what makes a horserace. May God bless, Dwight __________________ www.dwightsgunleather.com If you can breathe, . . . thank God! If you can read, . . . thank a teacher! If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a Veteran!

July 4, 2013, 07:43 PM	#2
NJgunowner Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 1,254	Really personal preference, just depends on what YOU are comfortable with. I keep mine with a loaded magazine, but the chamber empty. All I have to do is rack the slide and I'm good to go. I DON'T leave the magazine out of the gun, but I don't leave one in the chamber either. It's UP TO YOU.

July 4, 2013, 07:44 PM	#3
Gbnk82 Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 293	While everyone has a different opinion on it and both have good arguments i always say keep one in the pipe..the reason is that if you ever find a situation where you need your gun you will have only fractions of a second to react..in this situation you will most likely be nervous sweaty and possibly have a bit of a shake in your hands.you may also be bloody or injured (broken arm hand or fingers) if you were attacked having to be able to grab the gun and rack the slide might prove to be a difficult task where as grab point and shoot is much more simple..plus if you have gun locked up why not its nlt like anyone haz acces to handle it then unless you need it.

July 4, 2013, 07:49 PM	#4
Noreaster Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2011 Location: New England Posts: 1,449	What you have to ask yourself is why wouldn't you. State laws are one reason. If the firearm is secure and legally loaded then the only reason you wouldn't have it ready to go is you're worried about waking up suddenly and being surprised by a friendly or you're thinking about searching the house and being surprised by a friendly. Either one can be remedied by safe gun handling, (muzzle control, finger indexed, be sure of your target and what's beyond it...) I'm not faulting anyone for not having a round in the chamber but the violence could happen suddenly and seconds mean the difference between life and death.

July 4, 2013, 07:59 PM	#5
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,585	Mechanically, I have never heard that the 1911 can't be kept cocked and locked. I have actually read accounts of 1911s found buried on battlefields in this condition, that still functioned! Tactically, you should just make sure you KNOW what condition your gun is in when you reach for it. Obviously if the mag is out and there is no mag in the gun, you know what you have to do. Assuming you have a burglar alarm or other means of advance notice, keeping your gun unloaded, or unchambered, will still allow you time to get it ready for action.

July 4, 2013, 08:12 PM	#8
redhologram Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2013 Posts: 352	I just got a new 1911 yesterday. It was bought for the sole purpose to be another nightstand gun for me. It'll be kept in Condition One just like my EDC piece. That is a choice only you can make.

July 4, 2013, 08:21 PM	#9
Domino300 Junior Member Join Date: September 6, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 6	I'm for Condition 1 unless you have kids or immature adults in the house.

July 4, 2013, 09:07 PM	#10
johnelmore Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2013 Posts: 456	You should not use a 1911 if you are new to it. Get yourself a revolver and move to the 1911 once you are well practiced with it.

July 4, 2013, 09:17 PM	#11
.38Catt Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2006 Posts: 255	While I repect the 1911 platform, I do not own one for the concerns you expressed. I think Johnelmore's suggestion is wise. .38Catt

July 4, 2013, 09:28 PM	#14
kutz Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: Arizona Posts: 393	No kids at my place anymore, wife uses revolvers, my usual is some sort of 1911, always in condition 1. I'm a Boy Scout, Be Prepared, & a Marine, firstest with the mostest. An old Gunny says Semper Fi.

July 4, 2013, 09:30 PM	#16
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	Gun should only be loaded if it's on your person or secured. Secured might mean a safe or it might mean a kitchen drawer where you hide it but it probably doesn't mean laying on the coffee table. I vote for having your gun loaded and ready to go in the safe. Mine doesn't have an external safety but if it did it would probably be off. I do, however, decock it from single action trigger pull to a heavier double action for safety.

July 4, 2013, 09:34 PM	#17
Garycw Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2011 Location: Ohio-Kentucky - florida Posts: 1,221	Should you keep a round in the chamber in a house gun? Like others mentioned its personal preference and what you're comfortable with. On a side note Never assume its unloaded just because the mags out.

July 4, 2013, 09:51 PM	#18
johnelmore Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2013 Posts: 456	Simulate a situation by setting your alarm to 3am. Set it to the loudest you can. Next put the 1911 unloaded onto the nightstand. I must emphasize safety and insist you check it twice to make sure its unloaded. Next wake up to the alarm and see how you handle it. Some folks may be able to make it work at 3am while others may fumble. This is why I say revolver.

July 4, 2013, 10:11 PM	#19
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	Nothing difficult about handling a 1911 with one in the chamber and hammer cocked whether it's on safety or not. My CZ 75 BD has no safety. If one's in the chamber and you pull the trigger, it will fire no matter what. It's stored loaded in my safe. One in the chamber. If I open it and pull the trigger 15 times, it will go off 15 times.

July 5, 2013, 03:59 AM	#20
JimmyR Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2012 Posts: 1,273	Ideally, I like having a revolver for nightstand duty, but when I have my carry gun next to me (generally a SA/DA autoloader), i tend to keep the round in the chamber. If your nightstand gun is a 1911, i would reccomend keeping it in condition 1 for 2 reasons: 1) Mag capacity- the extra round in the pipe is a much larger proportional increase compared to a 16-18rd 9mm double stack. 2) multiple safties- making the gun inoperable until both safties have been disengaged, reducing chance of errors while sleeping or otherwise around the house.

July 5, 2013, 06:07 AM	#21
Onward Allusion Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2009 Location: Back in a Non-Free State Posts: 3,133	I prefer double-action, safety off (if applicable), and round in chamber. Just pull the trigger and be done with it. Just make sure you have a good holster. __________________ Simple as ABC . . . Always Be Carrying

July 5, 2013, 06:08 AM	#22
Vince44 Member Join Date: February 24, 2011 Posts: 52	Usually keep the 9mm on the nightstand. There's no safety so I keep the chamber empty. Personnal preference. Thinking about switching to my .45, but I need to finish sighting in first. __________________ In an aircraft, the only time you have too much fuel is when your on fire and the only time you have too much ammo is when the house is on fire.

July 5, 2013, 09:25 AM	#23
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	Personally, I don't see the point in keeping the 1911 cocked and locked in a safe. I don't see a problem with it; I just don't see the logic. A handgun is less powerful and less accurate than most any other firearm. Its one big advantage is that it is convenient to carry and easier to conceal. If you aren't going to make use of that advantage and just plan to leave it locked up in a safe in the house, then why not lock up a long gun of some type and get the better power and accuracy? On the other hand, if we are talking about a carry handgun that is being stored over night, then I suggest it be carried with a round in the chamber. I can find you several shooting incidents that started with the good guy taking rounds to his hands or otherwise being unable to chamber a round. Likewise, if you plan to carry it with a round in the chamber, then storing it the same way at night makes good sense. The less you handle a gun unnecessarily, the less chances you have to make a mistake. You'll also be able to use ammunition longer without having to worry about setback or primer sensitivity due to repeated clearing and chambering. When I take off my gun at the end of the day, I don't even unholster it usually. It goes into the safe cocked and locked and holstered. However, it gets inspected/cleaned often enough to make sure there is no corrosion or problem with it and it has a finish that is much more resistant to corrosion than bluing or Parkerizing.

July 5, 2013, 09:55 AM	#24
TailGator Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,787	A couple of minor quibbles with the otherwise good post from Mr. Roberts: The OP said he uses a quick-access box, not a safe. Access is likely faster, and I don't know of a quick-access box for long guns. And a lot of folks prefer the maneuverability of a pistol over a long gun indoors. The rest of the post - carrying chambered, minimizing handling, preventing setback - I am completely on board. A 1911 isn't my choice, but the redundant safeties of the design make it very safe in the described situation, it would seem to me.

July 5, 2013, 09:58 AM	#25
Johannes_Paulsen Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 297	Should you keep a round in the chamber in a house gun? @Bart Roberts: If you're using the handgun for protection at home, and it's locked in a safe, presumably when you want to access it, time will be of the essence.