It takes a fraction of a second to put a round in the chamber !
Unless you are in imminent Danger why do that!
My rule is if I put a round in the chamber “not at the range” I will shoot someone and this leads to positive thinking about shooting another human being and the why when and how!
I have never shot another human being and don’t want to but I stay Armed, Armored and Ready!
But my rule is when you chamber a round you do it for defense and when someone doing bad things needs to be shot!!!
I am a US Army Veteran and have never shot anyone but I have been shot at by people who could not even see me as I saw the bullets whizz by!
this made me always think about the bullets I shoot and where they are going!
When I shoot out in Public it is to Kill and you need to hit your target and not the population!!!
When I first started to conceal carry, I didn’t put one in the chamber for fear of acciden…, er negligent discharge. Practice and discipline helped me overcome it.
Welcome to all of you responsibly armed Americans who are looking to learn and share with like-minded individuals! You’ve all got something special to bring to this group that will help others no matter what spot you’re at on your self-defense journey.
Gun-shy about talking about yourself? Here are some questions to help you get started!
Who are you?
What got you interested in carrying and self-defense?
How long have you been training for your self-defense?
What formal training have you had?
What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten regarding your self-defense?
What’s your favorite gun?
How often do you train?
How have you gotten your friends and family involved?
What do you hope to learn from others in the USCCA Community?
Yeah, I just got off Reddit and suddenly that seems like the notsostupid site
Had a guy scared of his 1301(and deciding he wouldn’t shoot home invaders in nyc after all), and another asking if his suppressor would thread on his muzzle…suddenly my cichlids are looking like Einstein.
My background as an Air Force EST (SWAT) instructor, as a Law Enforcement Officer in my civilian career, and as a manager at a very large Public Safety Healthcare system - allowed me to be at ease with a round in the chamber, when I do carry, only when I am at home is when their is not one in the chamber to send down range.
I want every time advantage I can get, therefore, I carry hot.
This is an issue that has been discussed ad nauseum on this site. There are those that believe as you do and there are others that don’t. Here are two links that will provide all the opinions needed for this topic.
I admit I was worried about it when I started carrying because none of my pistols have what I call a real safety. That’s old man speak for something you flip up or down. What I did to get used to it was to rack the slide with an empty magazine and stuff it in my pants and do whatever I was doing that day. If the trigger wasn’t activated after three days, I would be carrying with one in the chamber. Well, since I carry appendix and am not missing important parts, I’m good to go with one in the chamber.
Welcome to the community @Derek76 ! Personally I have practiced enough and have become very comfortable with a firearm on me at all times. I mindlessly arm myself when leaving home just like grabbing my wallet and keys. My safety on my weapon is to not put my finger on the trigger until ready to send a round downrange. I always carry with one in the pipe.
I am an Air Force Veteran and I have shot people, but none of them after I was discharged. Let that sink in for a second for all those guys who think the Air Force doesn’t have to do any shooting.
I have carried one in the pipe from the first day I owned my EDC, a Beretta 92A1. 17 + 1 and two spare mags, on my body, every day. That does not include what I have available at arm’s reach or available with a ten second sprint to my truck while I am at work.
Beretta does not have a true ‘safety’. It has a de-cocker. When the weapon is de-cocked, the trigger is disconnected. I can pull the trigger all day long while the weapon is de-cocked and all I do is exercise my trigger finger, albeit not in the fashion required for correct weapon manipulation.
I have never had a negligent discharge. I’m not saying it will not ever happen, but so far there have been none. If or when that does occur, I may decide to change how I carry, but not until.
It is certainly your choice. Each method has advantages and dangers.
My bottom line, after watching many actual self defense videos, is that things happen very fast. There might not be enough time to chamber a round. I’ll gladly trade that potential advantage of having one in the pipe for the 30 seconds it takes me to drop my magazine and clear my chamber when I get home.
Some sidestep the entire debate by carrying a revolver.
I can respect those who instead prefer chambered, especially if they use a safety lever and or are highly skilled on safe handling.
I have my own personal reasons, but with pistols, I normally go un-chambered.
I imagine there are pro’s and con’s for both/either way of carrying. Always a good and engaging topic, I know some other threads talk about it - but I think it’s important, especially for those just getting into it (whom I tend to reach out to). Good to revisit it.
Here’s to another year spent with the clan.