I am not nearly as sure of that end result, DAC1842. There have been too many times where a display of being armed ends the problem. There are also the times I was forced to carry with an empty chamber (8 years as an MP and that was the reg). I never did need the pistol while an MP so my personal experience is non-conclusive, but there are enough documented cases of MP's winning gunfights to make me question this conclusion. Yes, it is different because we carried openly, but we also practiced chambering as part of the draw.
I carry cocked and locked, and I recommend it, but carrying other ways is a personal choice that I cannot condemn as wrong.
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Return to “To Chamber or not to Chamber?”
- Sun Nov 15, 2009 10:52 pm
- Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
- Topic: To Chamber or not to Chamber?
- Replies: 180
- Views: 23244
- Tue Nov 10, 2009 2:11 pm
- Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
- Topic: To Chamber or not to Chamber?
- Replies: 180
- Views: 23244
Re: To Chamber or not to Chamber?
No, Purplehood, that may be the owner, but not the pistol. 
Skiprr,
As a firearms trainer for law enforcement, I want to agree with you. As a general rule, cops are experienced with the pistol they carry. They may be familiar with a few others since a lot of cops are also gun guys. Being familiar with one is not being expert with it. And there are a lot of cops out there who carry only because they are required to. There are cops today who would do it Andy Griffith style (sheriff without a gun) if they could. I, personally, don't understand that outlook though I concede wit the wishful thinking.
I was taught to carry a 1911 by the Army as an MP. We were also taught to never touch the hammer. But we carried it, by regulation, without a round in the chamber. When I carried it as a duty or off duty weapon in my civilian police career, I still never touch the hammer. I do carry it cocked and locked. And I feel perfectly safe doing so. Please note that I do not consider myself an expert with firearms even as an instructor. There is always more to learn. I post this part just so people can see that there are two officers here that can reasonably disagree on how to do the same thing. Reasonable people can disagree and what works for me may not work for you (and vice versa).
As I said, I carry cocked and locked and feel safe. I do not feel safe trying to lower the hammer on a 1911 that is loaded. This is not to say that anyone is wrong for doing so. I have seen people that did lower the hammer all the way on loaded 1911's. Their time from the holster to a shot being fired was close enough to mine that I cannot say it would slow down a practiced draw. You are responsible for your decisions, which also means you have the authority to make them. Do what feels safe for you.
Skiprr,
As a firearms trainer for law enforcement, I want to agree with you. As a general rule, cops are experienced with the pistol they carry. They may be familiar with a few others since a lot of cops are also gun guys. Being familiar with one is not being expert with it. And there are a lot of cops out there who carry only because they are required to. There are cops today who would do it Andy Griffith style (sheriff without a gun) if they could. I, personally, don't understand that outlook though I concede wit the wishful thinking.
I was taught to carry a 1911 by the Army as an MP. We were also taught to never touch the hammer. But we carried it, by regulation, without a round in the chamber. When I carried it as a duty or off duty weapon in my civilian police career, I still never touch the hammer. I do carry it cocked and locked. And I feel perfectly safe doing so. Please note that I do not consider myself an expert with firearms even as an instructor. There is always more to learn. I post this part just so people can see that there are two officers here that can reasonably disagree on how to do the same thing. Reasonable people can disagree and what works for me may not work for you (and vice versa).
As I said, I carry cocked and locked and feel safe. I do not feel safe trying to lower the hammer on a 1911 that is loaded. This is not to say that anyone is wrong for doing so. I have seen people that did lower the hammer all the way on loaded 1911's. Their time from the holster to a shot being fired was close enough to mine that I cannot say it would slow down a practiced draw. You are responsible for your decisions, which also means you have the authority to make them. Do what feels safe for you.