Do you carry with a round loaded in the Chamber?

[SlowDave]

I always enjoy this discussion. But most of all, the "an unloaded gun is as useful as a hammer" (sometimes substitute "rock" for "hammer") and "the bad guy is not going to wait for you to chamber a round, you will be dead," responses. To those authors I would say, you have just destroyed your own credibility with me, and possibly 1 or 2 others on here. If you believe the first response, I'll be happy to stand 20 yards apart, me with a pistol with no round in the chamber, and you with a rock, and we'll have it out. To the second response, I am happy that you are able to see into the future into what kind of confrontation you will encounter.

The facts are that it is a trade-off. Not having one in the chamber is more safe, and no amount of cliches or stupid sayings will change that. I also agree that a properly stored and properly operated semi-auto with one in the chamber is sufficiently safe. But people make mistakes, and not having one in the chamber gives one more layer of protection against mistakes. I carry with one in the chamber, and believe that the minimal increase in risk that I encounter through this approach is worth the quicker and more sure response I can provide in the event it is needed.

I checked and can draw, rack, and fire within 0.1 or 0.2 seconds (about as close as one could determine with a handheld stopwatch) of the time it takes me to draw and fire with one already in the pipe. But I *DO* have to have both hands free and I have to remember to rack. Those two factors, primarily the latter, convinced me to keep one in the pipe, and to accept the minutely increased risk that comes with it.

While I'm on the soapbox, an unloaded gun is NOT the most dangerous gun and has never killed anyone, unless possibly someone used it as a hammer on another. On the other hand, a loaded gun that someone *THINKS* is unloaded is a very dangerous situation. Overstating for dramatic purposes like that destroys your argument with me. Of course, that's your right, so feel free to continue with the cliches and other.

Have a nice day everyone. I'll be back next week for the next thread on... "one in the pipe or not".

[MadMonkey]

I checked and can draw, rack, and fire within 0.1 or 0.2 seconds

.....

Forgive me for questioning your ability, but I'm thinking you need a new stopwatch.

[Purplehood]

I always enjoy this discussion. But most of all, the "an unloaded gun is as useful as a hammer" (sometimes substitute "rock" for "hammer") and "the bad guy is not going to wait for you to chamber a round, you will be dead," responses. To those authors I would say, you have just destroyed your own credibility with me, and possibly 1 or 2 others on here. If you believe the first response, I'll be happy to stand 20 yards apart, me with a pistol with no round in the chamber, and you with a rock, and we'll have it out. To the second response, I am happy that you are able to see into the future into what kind of confrontation you will encounter.

Why in the world do I want to challenge you with a rock or a hammer? Your implication is that instead of an unloaded gun, the majority of posters on this forum would prefer a rock or a hammer. This logic escapes me.

On the second issue, no I am not prescient. That is EXACTLY why I try to be ready for any kind of encounter that the bad guy can dream up. In my mind, one less action to take is just that much more of an edge that I may or may not have over whoever is trying to ruin my day.

And as a final point...I feel perfectly safe with my loaded firearm on or about me. I continually remind myself to watch where I put my fingers when grabbing it, as too much comfort can lead to laxness in regards to safety.

[gigag04]

Not having one in the chamber is more safe, and no amount of cliches or stupid sayings will change that.

This is your opinion. In my opinion what you are saying here qualifies as a "stupid saying." Again, in my opinion, it is inherently more dangerous - the encounters that I have had where I have needed to draw my weapon (had one last night actually) I am thankful that it was in battery and hot when I drew it. There is not time when you are back peddling and drawing your weapon while to to have to rack the slide.

Most SD shootings occur within such close proximity (especially civilian ones) that your support hand will most likely be pushing off the aggressor, shielding your face, or getting your cover garment un-stuck (real world encounters are not as smooth as drawing in front of your mirror).

Furthermore - ever thought about the likelihood of inducing a jam of some sort while racking the slide under less than ideal circumstances? Under stress, when fine motor skills deteriorate, and adding that you may be in an awkward position where gravity may work for or against you chambering a round, you may experience a FTF or worse...

The greatest tacticians in the world disagree with your line of thinking here. And yes I understand that the military does it in garrison and in other select circumstances but when they go "outside the wire" they're weapons are good to go. Also - if you are with 5000 of your armed buddies than I think you may survive an armed encounter even though your weapon isn't hot.

[RiverCity.45]

Always have one in the pipe. What's the point, otherwise?