Re-Thinking One in Chamber

[Mxrdad]

I have searched this forum and found many opinions on "one in the chamber". I have never carried with one chambered with the thought I would have enough time to rack it if need be. It became apparent that the general consensus is to carry one in chamber, not only here but at other reputable sites as well. So, I did some not-so-scientific, real life "testing" of my own. My "testing" consisted of things such as when I use a restroom in a fast food joint, or waiting in line at a convenient store, or walking to my vehicle etc. And when someone was either walking by me, or behind me, or whatever, I would then ask myself if that guy/girl wanted to rob/assault me, could I get my weapon out in time and rack it? The answer to every one of those occasions was easliy NO.

So I have changed the way I carry thanks to this great community and my very scientific research. I dont know if I would have ever considered carrying with one chambered if not for the views and opinions on here. So, thanks for the eye-opening. I learned that with the proper holster, and of course some range time, it just makes sense.

Thanks again.

[vjallen75]

I have searched this forum and found many opinions on "one in the chamber". I have never carried with one chambered with the thought I would have enough time to rack it if need be. It became apparent that the general consensus is to carry one in chamber, not only here but at other reputable sites as well. So, I did some not-so-scientific, real life "testing" of my own. My "testing" consisted of things such as when I use a restroom in a fast food joint, or waiting in line at a convenient store, or walking to my vehicle etc. And when someone was either walking by me, or behind me, or whatever, I would then ask myself if that guy/girl wanted to rob/assault me, could I get my weapon out in time and rack it? The answer to every one of those occasions was easliy NO.

So I have changed the way I carry thanks to this great community and my very scientific research. I dont know if I would have ever considered carrying with one chambered if not for the views and opinions on here. So, thanks for the eye-opening. I learned that with the proper holster, and of course some range time, it just makes sense.

Thanks again.

When I first started carrying I wondered the same thing. All signs typically pointed towards the same thing you did, you will not have enough time to rack the slide. I'm glad you did research to make the decision on your own.

[allisji]

guns don't simply fire randomly. Just follow the four basic rules of gun safety, practice with your guns and know your equipment (holsters, etc) well and you will manage just fine. Also, if you have little ones at home, take care to secure your firearms well and keep them out of the wrong hands. With my kids, just putting them "high and out of reach" is not enough. My 4 year old will climb the cabinets and the refrigerator if he sees something he wants.

[Mxrdad]

guns don't simply fire randomly. Just follow the four basic rules of gun safety, practice with your guns and know your equipment (holsters, etc) well and you will manage just fine. Also, if you have little ones at home, take care to secure your firearms well and keep them out of the wrong hands. With my kids, just putting them "high and out of reach" is not enough. My 4 year old will climb the cabinets and the refrigerator if he sees something he wants.

Agreed. And thats why I never carried like that. I was frightened to death my grandkids would somehow get a hold of it, but I have resolved that issue. Little kids always do things to surprise us. Even when you think youve seen it all, they surprise you again. They keep me on my toes not only with weapons but anything else I dont want them to fiddle with. LOL.

[cmgee67]

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!

[Mxrdad]

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.

[C-dub]

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.

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.

[nimravus01]

I heard a saying: "If you carry with an empty chamber, you could spend the rest of your life racking the slide."

[Mxrdad]

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.

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.

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.

Maybe some newbies (like myself) can research this for themselves and possibly get something out of this?

[BCGlocker]

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.

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.

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.

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!

[vjallen75]

Agreed. And thats why I never carried like that. I was frightened to death my grandkids would somehow get a hold of it, but I have resolved that issue. Little kids always do things to surprise us. Even when you think youve seen it all, they surprise you again. They keep me on my toes not only with weapons but anything else I dont want them to fiddle with. LOL.

My kids will touch anything within reach that they want to. I keep mine locked in a safe if it's not on me but I do empty the chamber just in case.

Maybe some newbies (like myself) can research this for themselves and possibly get something out of this?

There is another thread that is dedicated for this subject. While waiting for my LTC, I read it multiple times and it helped me make my decision.

[treadlightly]

One in the tube is the only way to carry.

For my nickel's worth, if a round in the chamber changes anything with regard to gun handling, including protecting kids from risk, rethink the gun handling, not the round in the chamber.

All guns are loaded, ready to fire, at all times.

Protect your kids and everyone else's from tragedy. A gun without a round in the chamber (that you put there) is little protection from horror (with a round the kids chambered). Train the kids early, keep the weapons stored safely.

[Dan20703]

I always do but a friend of mine never carries with one in the chamber and will never do otherwise.

He used to carry that way but put a round through his leg while holstering his weapon once. Luckily it didn't hit any bone, cartilage, or major blood vessels.

[rotor]

I always do but a friend of mine never carries with one in the chamber and will never do otherwise.

He used to carry that way but put a round through his leg while holstering his weapon once. Luckily it didn't hit any bone, cartilage, or major blood vessels.

This topic gets covered over and over and the consensus is to carry with one in the chamber. I like your "It's all about shot placement" sig. Your friend was lucky. I carry deep appendix and do not carry with one in the chamber. My bad I know. Everything in life is a compromise though and this is one that I take knowing I am wrong. But I like high cholesterol foods too.

[Liberty]

I always do but a friend of mine never carries with one in the chamber and will never do otherwise.

He used to carry that way but put a round through his leg while holstering his weapon once. Luckily it didn't hit any bone, cartilage, or major blood vessels.

This is what's called Glock leg. It can be avoided by not carrying a Glock, or any other weapon without a manual safety. It may also be avoided by really paying attention when holstering.
Given the choice of not carrying with one in the chamber, or not carrying a Glock or similar clone. I think the carrying a safer gun might be advised.