Mxrdad wrote:Yes sir, I did. Trying to rack the slide and fighting off an attacker does not sound attractive at all. And what if my weak hand gets injured making it even more difficult, or even impossible to rack? And the list goes on so nah, think I'll have it chambered.C-dub wrote:You didn't mention it, but may have also figured out that it may not be a time factor, but rather just the ability to rack the slide at all. What if you are actively fighting off the attacker with your off hand. Could you rack the slide one handed? Some can and practice this, but many do not and cannot. I do not practice it regularly, but can do it. I don't know about under stress, but then again, I carry with a round in the chamber and have since before my licensed first arrived about 14 years ago. I figured this out while carrying around the house getting ready for its arrival.Mxrdad wrote:cmgee67 wrote:I'm glad you decided to change! Like others have said just practice safety and be cautious and you will be just fine! I have always carried one in the chamber and never gave it much thought. I even converted a couple others that's the way to carry just by example and being consistent. After they saw nothing bad happened and guns just don't go off they realized it's ok. Stay safe!
It took a little while but I finally got it.
Maybe some newbies (like myself) can research this for themselves and possibly get something out of this?
You are on the right path of thinking about this subject. I always preach to my students to carry with a round in the chamber in pistol and "Cruiser Ready" in long guns. This is largely due to all modern pistols have firing pin block and long guns don't, therefore rifles are not drop safe. When pistol is chambered, as long as one practice the Four Firearms Safety Rules, one is safe.
Also, as mentioned above, you may not be able to use your support hand to rack the slide due to fighting, injury and lack of time. One other thing to think about is what if your hands for wet as in blood soaking? Can you rack the slide under that stressful situation in a timely fashion? On the same subject, one needs to practice chamber a round and be proficient in clear all three types of malfunctions using just one arm (firing side and supported side). Training never stops. Be safe!