Do you or don't U keep a round chambered in your carry gun?

[ShipWreck]

I've always thought it is bad news to carry a gun for protection, but not have a round chambered.

However - I routinely see this discussed on various gun forums - and many people don't do this...

Do you or don't U keep a round chambered in your carry gun?

[jlang11]

I carry a Kimber Ultra CDP II and yes its in condition 1.

[kanthek]

I routinely carry but not with one in the chamber. My perception is that in a lot of cases where people have successfully used a weapon to defend themselves(whether or not they discharged it) the single most important factor contributing to their success was awareness of their situation - ie recognizing the threat before it was immediately upon them and therefore not having to act when it is already too late.

I figure since I'm not Han Solo if I get into a situation where a speed draw is going to make the difference I'm probably screwed anyway.

[Zhurdan]

A gun not in condition one, is just a big paper weight in my opinion.

Some states have different rules for revolvers, but I thought I'd heard something about that changing if you have a transfer bar, can't remember.

Zhur

[Blackhawk1]

Normally, I always have a round up the spout and then cocked and locked. I will admit that on occasion this caused me some concern as I did not want an AD during any tense situations.

However, about 2 years ago I bought a Para-Ordnance LDA 7+1 45 ACP. This is now my primary carry piece- I have the protection of the safety being on when I carry with just a thumb swipe to release it combined with the inherent safety of double-action. And the LDA is a very smooth pull with a definite pressure change before trigger release- I can keep the hammer back for a very long time with no fatigue and fully pull back if I have to.

[ShipWreck]

I routinely carry but not with one in the chamber. My perception is that in a lot of cases where people have successfully used a weapon to defend themselves(whether or not they discharged it) the single most important factor contributing to their success was awareness of their situation - ie recognizing the threat before it was immediately upon them and therefore not having to act when it is already too late.

I figure since I'm not Han Solo if I get into a situation where a speed draw is going to make the difference I'm probably screwed anyway.

Well, I always think this is a bad idea - 1 very common scenario is being robbed in a parking lot. It happens with enough occasion in my town to be a very real possibility.

Granted - one may NOT be able to get their gun. But, if you practice a bit - and with some luck - you may be able to fake going for your wallet and pull your gun instead.

Anyway - if you don't have a round chambered - you are totally screwed in that scenario - if someone armed walks up to you and demands your money or they will kill you.

I think it is a mistake to carry a gun with no round chambered...

[MrNuke7571]

In the beginning I carried with no round chambered, safety off. I thought it would be worth the safety factor vs the one second it takes to cock the gun. The more things have changed lately with crime and home invasions, I carry now and keep my HD pistol loaded with one in the chamber, safety on.
I don't carry a 1911 or a block, so I'm not worried about AD.

[kalikraven]

I carry a Kahr PM9 whenever I can with one in the chamber. Like others have said it's not much use if you cant shoot it and you may not get the chance to rack the slide.

[kanthek]

Anyway - if you don't have a round chambered - you are totally screwed in that scenario - if someone armed walks up to you and demands your money or they will kill you.

Agreed although totally screwed would probably also entail having no gun at all and no knife. Of course it can depend on how far away they are from you when you see them. Too close and you won't get a shot off even with a weapon already cocked. Police are often trained to keep a minimum distance between themselves and suspects for this reason.

I guess what I'm trying to get at is that I place a greater emphasis on situation awareness than twitch or reflex. I am also not making the assertion that carrying cocked and locked is a bad idea. Given what you have said here I may consider doing it myself...

[ShipWreck]

Be aware that having a round in the chamber isn't quite "cocked and locked".

My P99 A/S is DA/SA - I don't keep the gun "cocked" in SA mode. The 1st shot would be in DA mode. The heavier DA trigger is my "safety."