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WEC pretty much nailed it. You think the gun is "safer" because it doesn't have round in the chamber. You mentally differentiate, perhaps almost subconsciously, between a "safe" gun and a "dangerous" gun. The problem is when you get the situation where there is a round in the chamber and you don't know it -- then you think it is "safe" when it is not. People rarely get shot accidently with loaded guns -- they get shot accidently with "unloaded" guns. I suspect you use the empty chamber as a crutch to make up for lack of confidence in your training and habits.

Ergo, you really need to treat the gun as if it were REALLY, ALWAYS loaded, period. Don't point it at important things, don't put your finger on the trigger unless you have decided to shoot, etc --- ALWAYS. Then you do not need to worry about whether it is "safe(r)" or not. It is always "safe" because YOU are always safe, regardless of whether "one is in the pipe" or not.

One of the problems with the usual shooting ranges is that they make you differentiate between the "safe" gun and the "dangerous" one. No holsters (usually), when changing targets step away from the gun, action open, etc etc. They instill (ultimately dangerous) habits -- they keep themselves safe while you are there shooting, but send you home with this false dichotomy learned. Go to a serious defensive training course (sorry, the CHL courses do not count) like John Farnam's Basic Defensive Handgun Course, or a similar one, and you wil learn a lot more about techniques for correctly handling a defensive pistol and how a hot range is safer than a cold range.

I have carried both Glocks and single-actions (specifically the Hi Power) and revolvers, and the principles are the same. Don't handle it unnecessarily, follow the four rules, get a QUALITY belt and QUALITY holster made for your particular gun, once that covers the trigger and holds the gun in place without safety straps and other gimmicks. Learn to grip the pistol with your trigger finger ALWAYS in the register position (on the frame well clear of the trigger guard) except you have consciously decided to shoot your target. When you are administratively handling your gun (e.g. loading, unloading, cleaning, holstering up for the day, etc) focus EXCLUSIVELY on what you are doing until the gun is either in your holster or in the safe. Don't let others interrupt. If you do get interrupted, make double-dang sure you haven't just skipped an important step in the procedure. Don't assume.

It is not rocket science, but it does require discipline and training. I highly recommend that as soon as possible you attend a serious defensive pistol class. I recommend Farnam because I have been to his classes, but there are others. Here is a link to my experience in his courses.

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... nam#p83800" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... f=8&t=7479" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He usually comes to Victoria twice per year -- once in March, once in October, but check his website and see -- he also comes to Texas at other times as well. Hoffner is permanently based in Houston, and have heard good things about him. There are others, check the Advanced Training forum on this website.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

elb

p.s. and yes I think the "Israeli" twohanded draw-rack-the-slide business is foolish. Extra steps, no matter how fast they are, requires a hand and arm that might not be available when you need it.. etc...