I haven't read this whole thread, so forgive me if this has been mentioned already, but found it interesting to see this topic just after having watched a few minutes of the Zimmerman trial where prosecution seems to be trying to paint carrying one in the pipe as form of premeditation on the part of Zimmerman
Defense cross effectively got the prosecution witness (firearm forensic expert, I believe) to say carrying one in the chamber is not abnormal and that nearly all law enforcement officers carry in this manner.