Was hoping someone would post this, good job!
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@Jerzees, thank you for the correction. Had a chance to buy a Colt 1907, 90% original bluing, price was a little too rich for me. I have been preferring striker fired polymer pistols lately, no safety, round in the chamber. There are two firearms with safeties though that I find a bit annoying. The FN FiveSeven, the safety is a long reach, the Steyr M9, the safety is above the trigger in the trigger guard and you must push up on it (not natural with one’s index finger.) The Steyr requires some strength and moving one’s index finger up above the trigger. Disengaging the safety takes a little practice on both pistols. It wouldn’t stop me from carrying them, the Steyr has a shape conducive to concealed carry for a full sized pistol because of the grip angle, I would not recommend either of them to anyone either although I personally like them quite a bit. The Steyr is very pointable and feels right holding it. If you can’t trust your firearm with a round in the chamber you probably shouldn’t be carrying it, you either need a new gun or much more practice.
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I prefer carrying chambered…
With one exception, a semi auto with ambi- safeties!
ie:
A Hi Power , or 1911, if carried chambered, cocked and locked… the right side safety is exposed to
’ bumping off’ in an IWB holster.
In this case, were I to carry either gun, it’s in condition 2, chambered, hammers 1/2 cocked… granted I would still have to fully cock them, but it’s much simpler/ quicker than racking the slide and risking a failure to feed , accidental discharge, stove piping , or taking too much time and risk being shot.
My two Carry preferences are my Sig P220 45acp with a long , smooth 10 lb trigger pull ,which is a safety unto itself , or my 1911 Commander, cocked , locked in a IWB LEATHER HOLSTER with an integrated ‘tag’ specifically designed too ‘buffer’ the single left side safety between the holster and my hip . The safety can’t be “bumped off” accidentally.
The sudden adrenaline spike … when SUDDENLY faced with a " FLIGHT" impossible, life or death event in a nano second, may work against me!
Therefore the response to "A MUST STOP IT NOW "encounter…MUST BE QUICK…my preference is :
- Muscle Memory drawing , unlocking , or simply drawing and pressing the trigger !!
Keep in mind. all the really quality striker fired pistols have a entire litany of built in safeties,
learn them, they are quite amazing.
Only you can make the decision!1
Be safe!
We’re living in a condition yellow world!
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I’m for one in the chamber. In a self defense situation, will you have time to rack the slide? Will something happen to where you’ll have to defend yourself with your off-hand? That’s just two of the things you have to think about it. If the unfortunate time comes where my life is in danger & I have to defend myself, my firearm needs to be ready once I draw. Reduce extra steps. Draw, sights on attacker, you know the rest.
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It is your decision how to carry.
In a stressful situation, like in a life threatening attack, will you have the mindset and coordination to rack the slide.
Remember adrenaline dump in these situations will make this difficult.
The same goes for thumb safeties will you be able to thumb the safety off.
This is where training is essential.
I have seen a pro like Jeff Cooper draw and rack the slide in a fraction of a second.
Us mortals may not be as proficient.
I have heard stories that when the NYPD switched from revolvers to Glocks they had many “accidental” shootings.
The officers were uses to the 12 lb pull of a double action revolver. Glock increased the trigger pull to closer to a double action for them.
That 12 LB pull is the safety on a revolver.
Note that clothing, and even a poorly designed holster can, and has, got into the trigger of Glocks causing them to fire.
I carry a DA/SA (Springfield XDe) this gives me a 12lb first shot and a 4lb pull on the second shot. But those different triggers take practice to master. Which I do.
“The best safety is between your ears”
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You have to start off with what works for you and from there keep building up on your skill set and confidence until what may have seemed daunting is habit. Finger and brain are the two best safety’s you have - keep training them and you’ll find they work really well 
.
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I do a press check on my firearm every day when I am picking it up for the first time. I do it for reassurance of knowing the condition of my gun.
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I keep reading this, but y’all seriously over-estimate my mental abilities. 
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Just keep me apprised of your whereabouts and at least I will be safe… 
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Interesting Paul319. Appreciated. I’ve a mixed collection of holsters.
You made me think about the leather ones. Haven’t had my leather ones long, but I wonder if over time, if the top base of it could become so soft as to bend too much – where as I insert the firearm (FA) into it, the top base could touch the trigger.
Similarly, some holsters have retention straps, kinda dangling and floppy; As I look and feel it, I worry as I insert the FA, the tip of the strap could touch or pull on the trigger as I push it in.
Similarly on cloth/nylon shoulder holsters with “strap” belts loosely dangling over the holster.
I’ve holsters that are kydex, plastic, and or metal, which offer that clicking in sound, without the little strap. Has some risk a perp could try to grab, but I always cancel, so I have less worry. Plus, I kinda like easy to draw, not needing to un-snap a strap.
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I have come across stories of people having issues with worn out leather and even the hybrid kydex/leather holsters.
I have a handgun that came with one of those soft sided sticky pocket holsters. I couldn’t depress the trigger through the holster when I tried but think as it softens up over time it could be an issue and I didn’t feel I could trust it if a got a branch jammed into my leg while bushwhacking. So I replaced it with a kydex pocket holster.
But even a good kydex holster could eventually wear out. Checking holsters for signs of wear should be part of everyone’s gun maintenance habits.
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My EDC is a Kahr CM9 in a Kydex pocket holster. The striker on the Kahr does not engage on chambering a round. You must fully pull the trigger back to fire the pistol, and it’s a long pull. The Kydex holster covers the trigger and guard fully. There is no manual safety and no need for one. This is such a safe combination I have never had a qualm about carrying a round in the chamber. It is smaller than your Sigma and is a 9. My two alternates are a S&W M&P Shield 9mm with safety and trigger safety and a Taurus Millenium G2 PT140 with the same safety set up as the Smith. I have great faith in the Smith when it is on safety and carry a chambered round in it. The Taurus not so much.
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A mans gotta know his capabilities:joy:
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What makes you think that you will be able to chamber that needed round when the time comes? The gun is NOT ready without a round chambered. There is no need to feel unsafe with one in the chamber, because the rule states, “finger off trigger until on target.” The gun can’t go off if you follow this. Also, how many times, without one in the chamber, did you pull the trigger when unholstering? I bet it’s none.
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I don’t think anyone here has argued that they can rack a round like The Flash. My interpretation of those who carry without one in the chamber is that they either:
- are relatively new to carrying and haven’t gotten that comfortable yet, or
- for whatever reason, they are carrying in a lower readiness condition on purpose, and are willing to accept that they’ll have to prep their firearm before using it. I don’t know what all the reasons are, but I don’t see this any differently that someone who keeps a rifle in the truck. It’s not ready to use, but it’s nearby if needed.
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I was one of these people for few months…
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First, practice, practice, practice with what you carry and how you carry. There is NO replacement for muscle memory.
Second, practice in scenario driven conditions (shooting house with instructor). Best money I ever spent.
Personally, I carry a highly modified Browning HP in a shoulder holster when wearing a coat. When not wearing a coat, I carry a H&K .45C in a Sneaky Pete.
Notice, both are hammer fired. I carry chambered, de cocked, safety off.
When drawing, I practice cocking the hammer as I register and identify …never consulting the sights… and fire immediately when my trigger finger slides from the frame to the trigger.
What condition you decide to carry your hand gun in depends on the type of mechanism, your skill, and how you train, train, train.
My wife carries a Lady Smith in a Coronado handbag. Not ideal and slow but she has been trained extensively, to identify, point and shoot…as I have.
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Only a fool would carry without one in the chamber!
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So we have a lot of fool responsible gun owner then… 
Please don’t call somebody fool only because he or she is leaning a new stuff.
There is also no reason to call fool all gun owners, who chose this carry option.
If something is different than your habits, doesn’t mean is fool or bad. 
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The more silly topics like this come up, the more I wonder how many of you are actually temperamentally unsuited to be AROUND firearms - much less own them.
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