In chamber or no?

[terryg]

I've read through all of the responses here, and have to wonder if I'm "over-thinking" things. First, I'm new to all of this, and am definitely open to suggestions. I have a Glock 23. Most of the time, it's in my holster (which covers the trigger), with one in the chamber. When I put in the safe at night though (a small safe next in my headboard cabinet), it's loose (not in a holster), and I don't like the thought of reaching in to grab it, and my finger hitting the trigger - so I leave it unchambered when it's in the safe. Thoughts?

I would recommend, with the gun unloaded, practicing reaching in the safe and grabbing it many many times keeping your trigger finger fully extended the entire time. While you can, as some have suggested, use small holsters to protect the trigger while in the safe; I think the more important issue is developing proper handling skills so that no matter where you gun is when grabbing, you KNOW that you will do so in a safe manner. Keeping the trigger finger extended (rigor-trigger-finger) needs to be so ingrained in your patterns that there is no chance you could grab it any other way.

[WildBill]

I've read through all of the responses here, and have to wonder if I'm "over-thinking" things. First, I'm new to all of this, and am definitely open to suggestions. I have a Glock 23. Most of the time, it's in my holster (which covers the trigger), with one in the chamber. When I put in the safe at night though (a small safe next in my headboard cabinet), it's loose (not in a holster), and I don't like the thought of reaching in to grab it, and my finger hitting the trigger - so I leave it unchambered when it's in the safe. Thoughts?

My thoughts about chamber or no? Of course you keep it chambered.

Other thoughts? Regardless if a handgun is holstered, you must keep your finger off the trigger. A holster can only keep your finger off the trigger while the handgun is in the holster. When you are putting a handgun into a holster or taking it out, you must keep your finger off the trigger.

Regardless if your gun is sitting on the kitchen table or in a safe you must keep your trigger off the finger. Regardless if your handgun or rifle or shotgun is a Glock 23, Mossberg 7 gauge or an AR-7, you must train your brain to keep your finger off the trigger. Not just your carry gun, all firearms. As someone posted above, the best safety is your brain.

[74novaman]

My Glock 19 is my bedside gun as well as my usual carry piece and I just have it on the nightstand chambered, not in a holster.

Now, if you're prone to sleepwalking or something, I might do something different. But I don't do anything in my sleep, so I'm perfectly comfortable leaving it out in the open with one in the chamber. (I also don't have kids. If I did, I'd have some sort of bedside pistol safe setup)

[WildBill]

Now, if you're prone to sleepwalking or something, I might do something different.

That's a good point. Some people are prone to sleepwalking, sleepeating and rollerblading, especially if they exceptionally tired or taking certain medications. If that is the case, then you might do something different.

[74novaman]

Now, if you're prone to sleepwalking or something, I might do something different.

That's a good point. Some people are prone to sleepwalking, sleepeating and rollerblading, especially if they exceptionally tired or taking certain medications. If that is the case, then you might do something different.

I had a friend that would sleep walk. He'd come into your room mumbling at night, or wander around the house talking. It was weird.

[DesertRadioRat]

Regardless if a handgun is holstered, you must keep your finger off the trigger. A holster can only keep your finger off the trigger while the handgun is in the holster. When you are putting a handgun into a holster or taking it out, you must keep your finger off the trigger.

Regardless if your gun is sitting on the kitchen table or in a safe you must keep your trigger off the finger. Regardless if your handgun or rifle or shotgun is a Glock 23, Mossberg 7 gauge or an AR-7, you must train your brain to keep your finger off the trigger. Not just your carry gun, all firearms. As someone posted above, the best safety is your brain.

One of the best things I've read lately.

[Matt78665]

Chambered. If I have the gun on my person, there is one in the pipe

[speedsix]

I've read through all of the responses here, and have to wonder if I'm "over-thinking" things. First, I'm new to all of this, and am definitely open to suggestions. I have a Glock 23. Most of the time, it's in my holster (which covers the trigger), with one in the chamber. When I put in the safe at night though (a small safe next in my headboard cabinet), it's loose (not in a holster), and I don't like the thought of reaching in to grab it, and my finger hitting the trigger - so I leave it unchambered when it's in the safe. Thoughts?

My thoughts about chamber or no? Of course you keep it chambered.

Other thoughts? Regardless if a handgun is holstered, you must keep your finger off the trigger. A holster can only keep your finger off the trigger while the handgun is in the holster. When you are putting a handgun into a holster or taking it out, you must keep your finger off the trigger.

Regardless if your gun is sitting on the kitchen table or in a safe you must keep your trigger off the finger. Regardless if your handgun or rifle or shotgun is a Glock 23, Mossberg 7 gauge or an AR-7, you must train your brain to keep your finger off the trigger. Not just your carry gun, all firearms. As someone posted above, the best safety is your brain.

...all joking and insults aside, the Glock-type trigger is safe if used correctly...one thing different from other brands...if you drop it...let it go...do NOT make a grab for it...it is easier to shoot and the act of grabbing it may hit the trigger...if it hits the floor...no harm will be done...if it hits the concrete...well, it was ugly anyways...ooops, there I go again...

[Songbird]

Let me chime in with a big thank you as well! Got my CHL in February and have been trying to educate myself and learn as much as possible, and this is a great place for that! On the "chamber or no" subject...Can a fall ever cause an AD? I'm wondering about this because I did fall last week. HARD. I wasn't carrying at the time because I'm a teacher and I was on school property. I normally appendix carry and would have fallen directly on the gun had I been carrying.

[speedsix]

...MOST guns are designed so that you could drop them from shoulder height and they wouldn't go off...MOST have a physical block between the hammer and firing pin unless the trigger is pulled...that is a big MOST...and I would never trust one that I didn't KNOW was built that way...but I would never fear a holstered weapon's going off unexpectedly unless something pulled the trigger...become so familiar with how your gun works that your only concerns are about what YOU do...you carry for peace of mind...not to have one more thing to worry about...
...I have fallen hard...tripped over a piece of 2x4...with my P90 in hand...the gun hit the baseboard while still in my fist...and nothing happened...from a full-length fall...because my finger was where it should have been...along the slide...only damage was to my knee...and my pride...

[WildBill]

Can a fall ever cause an AD?

Welcome to the forum Songbird. My answer is yes. That is why the advice is to never try to catch a gun if it has been dropped. You are more likely to grab the trigger and have an AD.

As many members have stated there are a lot of safeguards designed into a handgun to prevent it discharging after a fall. It may be unlikely, but it can happen.

A few years back there was a instance of a man dropping his 1911 when it fell out of a coat pocket. He got a severe wound.

That is just one of the reasons to buy a holster with good retention.

[Songbird]

Thanks, Wild Bill. I understand the "keep your finger off the trigger" if the GUN falls, but my question referred more to ME falling while I'm wearing the gun. If I hit the ground and the ground and the gun come in contact while it's still firmly attached to me, can it AD. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

[speedsix]

...that goes back to the design of the gun and if the holster's a good one...a 1911 with the grip safety pinned and the safety off still wouldn't fire if it were properly holstered and you fell...a cheaper gun might...if your clothing caught in the trigger because it wasn't in a proper holster...I'd start by learning your carry gun's design, get a proper holster that covers the trigger...that'd get you about 95% of the way to a "No" answer...

[RPB]

Them Tupperware Glocks they drop from helicopters and they are fine, but don't try to catch a falling gun ... especially one falling from a helicopter. Especially if it isn't one of "our" helicopters ...

[barstoolguru]

there is no case history of a gun ever going off by it self and there is no saying you will ever have the time to rack on in when need be