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Doubts are a part of life. I doubt the police will arrive in time to protect me and mine should the need arise, therefore I choose to make the best effort I can. This is no disparagement to our friends in law enforcement, but they are not psychic, nor do they have teleporters. If it were a perfect world, we wouldn't need law enforcement.

Just be as reasonably prepared as you can. And be as safe as reasonably possible while doing it.

Don't hang it up. I plan to be buried with my weapon, not because of it.

I for one, am glad he is asking questions rather then just trying to wing it.

I have reread my post and see how it can be read several different ways. Please accept my most humble apologies if it appeared to be any kind of attack or criticsm. Please rest assured that I am only trying to be supportive and encouraging. I was helped tremendously by many on this forum when I began carrying, whether I was lurking or participating. Bunch of great folks!

To the OP: You are doing a great job asking the questions you are asking. Keep 'em coming. Feel free to use the search function. Don't get discouraged, either. At some point in all our lives, each of us picked up a handgun for the very first time. At some point someone taught us how to shoot and shoot safely. At some point we decided to carry concealed.

I don't know about the rest of the folks on this forum, but I learn things here all the time whether I asked the initial question or not. Its up to you to decide how, what, and even why you carry. Its up to you to decide to use the deadly force if required. In here there is the availability not only of many collective years of experience and wisdom, there is the knowledge and understanding that there are others out there who are just beginning to travel down various paths of life and have questions.

Personally, I could never throw a baseball or a football worth a hoot, but my bullets always seem to fly true. When I began carrying the Beretta, I admit to being shy about having a round in the chamber. I was not secure in the knowledge that the decocker would work properly every time. I still test it when empty after cleaning. Having worked on machines my whole life (and a gun is a machine, trust me) I know that the best laid plans of mice, men and engineers are not perfect. Things wear out.

I handle the weapon like other machines. With respect. I still have all my fingers. Simply put: know the machine and how it works, maintain the machine in top working order, test the machine regularly. I'm sure you'll be just fine.

Chamber. Period. Or find a weapon you are more comfortable with.

I have a Beretta 92G, decocker only, no manual safety. DA/SA.

Recommend working the decocker with the weapon UNLOADED to see how it operates. Read up on it as well. When I use the decocker on mine, after chambering a round (or during testing) you can see the entire striker mechanism rotate away from the hammer drop. The hammer drops with normal force, but the firing mechanism just isn't there.

Test it at the range repeatedly as well, until you are satisied with it. Normal safety rules always apply.

I took your question more along the lines of reliability of the decocker rather then chambered/unchambered. If involved in a situation, I have decided that it is better to have one in the pipe and ready to go than to have to unconceal, draw, work the slide, and pray I survive. Taking one step out of this process is a great help.

Perhaps some of the 1911 shooters will chime in here about having it in the holster, hammer back, safety on, round in chamber, ready to go. Disengaging the thumb safety as one draws, or aims is a LOT easier and quicker than working the slide. As I said, my Beretta has no manual safety and no grip safety, just the DA first shot, but that is quite a pull on the trigger. Good holster and proper technique.

You're good to go.