One in the chamber?

[Bubba]

The way I view it is, beyond the tactical reasons for having one in the pipe, there is a liability component. If your firearm isn't loaded to full "X+1" capacity and you are in an altercation where you draw and do not fire, or are accused of firing recklessly by some bystander, it just makes an investigation that much harder if the responding officer finds a round missing. Alternatively if you do fire the weapon the responding detectives will have an easier time if all of the rounds can be accounted for. I just like the peace of mind knowing that if I do end up in a courtroom I won't have to rely on my word that I never loaded that last round.

[jsharmon7]

I always carry with one in the chamber of my Glock. When general firearms safety rules are observed, modern firearms are perfectly safe to be carried loaded.

I do not, however, understand the argument that a gun without one in the chamber is no better than a paperweight. Would it then follow that since it's no better than a paperweight then you just shouldn't carry a gun at all? Call me crazy but I'd rather be one second (slide rack) away from firing than to have "a paperweight." Yes, it's MUCH better to have one in the chamber but if someone isn't comfortable with that then carrying a loaded mag in the gun that's just a second away from firing is clearly second best.

[Annie]

I carry a Kimber Ultra Carry II, and at first I didn't carry with a round chambered because there was something wrong with my safety. Jay fixed it for me and I've carried cocked & locked ever since.

[Sailor]

Really, sometimes I want to stab myself in the eye.

[PwrCruz]

When I carried my 1911 it was always cocked & locked. But when I switched to my G27 it took me a while to get used to having 1 in the chamber when carrying and it took buying a quality holster to really help with my confidence.

[shooter521]

Originally Posted by jsharmon7

Call me crazy but I'd rather be one second (slide rack) away from firing than to have "a paperweight."

I have always been taught to assume you won't have that second, won't physically be able to rack the slide due to unforseen factors (support hand out of commission, using it to do something else, or in a compromised position such as a clinch or ground fight), or just won't have the presence of mind to do so under the stress and adrenaline dump of a defensive encounter.

Chances are, if you need to use your gun in a defensive encounter, you'll need it RFN. You've already got to acquire the target, draw, align the sights (maybe) and press the trigger; why add another task, when by definition (it's a defensive encounter, not an offensive one), you're already behind the power curve?

So from my POV, having a gun with no round in the chamber (and which you won't be able to chamber in time) is no different than having a paperweight, rock or other relatively heavy blunt instrument. YMMV.

[22lr]

I have a question for you 22lr.
You are uncomfortable carrying an auto with one in the chamber for your own reasons and that is just fine for you.
My question: Do you carry your revolver with one at the hammer? or do you load your 6 shooter with 5 and leave the hammer chamber empty?

On my model 10 is has the pin fixed on the hammer so I carry on an empty cylinder. In reality it still has a safety mechanism that would prevent it from going off if you hit the hammer, but I do it anyway.

[shooter521]

Originally Posted by 22lr

On my model 10 is has the pin fixed on the hammer so I carry on an empty cylinder.

Just nitpicking; you carry on an empty chamber. Presumably there are rounds in the other chambers of the cylinder.

[AF92venger]

In my Colt 1911= Cocked, Locked, & Ready to Rock!!! =)

I used to have a Beretta "Tomcat" .32acp with a tip-up barrel and I always had one in the chamber. I also have an AMT BackUp .45acp that I carry a lot and it is always chambered also!!

[jsharmon7]

Originally Posted by shooter521

I have always been taught to assume you won't have that second, won't physically be able to rack the slide due to unforseen factors (support hand out of commission, using it to do something else, or in a compromised position such as a clinch or ground fight), or just won't have the presence of mind to do so under the stress and adrenaline dump of a defensive encounter.

Chances are, if you need to use your gun in a defensive encounter, you'll need it RFN. You've already got to acquire the target, draw, align the sights and press the trigger; why add another task, when by definition (it's a defensive encounter, not an offensive one), you're already behind the power curve?

So from my POV, having a gun with no round in the chamber (and which you won't be able to chamber in time) is no different than having a paperweight, rock or other relatively heavy blunt instrument. YMMV.

Assuming you won't have the extra second (or ability to use your other hand) and planning accordingly is the smart thing to do, and with that I agree. It's simply a matter of preparing for the worst, which will never lead you astray. Realistically though I'm not aware of any data that states whether you definitely will or will not have that magic second. This is why situational awareness is key. My point is only that if someone isn't comfortable carrying with one in the chamber and that feeling prevents them from carrying loaded, it's not entirely worthless to carry a gun. Getting used to carrying loaded resolves any debate, but until one reaches that level it's better than a rock, and certainly better than nothing. He/she is just leaving themselves more vulnerable than they should be.