I've carried for 50 years. Up until 5 yrs ago I carried a 1911 locked and loaded. At 70 + yrs old now I need a lighter weapon, so I carry Glocks now a 17 or 34 and yes a round in the chamber.
Someone once said carrying without a round in the chamber thinking you'll have time to rack the slide in a defense situation, is like thinking you'll have time to put on your seatbelt just before impact.
Anyone who has had the misfortune of having to pull their gun in complete fear of their life can tell you that everything happens in a split second. I used to always keep my chamber clear thinking I’d have enough time to chamber one when needed since it only takes a fraction of a second. The problem is that you aren’t quite thinking like you would be on a shooting range. You only have milliseconds..what happens, and actually happened to me, is that in the haste you end up “short cocking” the gun. So either one doesn’t chamber at all or one jams. In my case I never even chambered a bullet. Thank God, the attacker did not know this and backed down. I will never do that again.
Same situation here where I had to pull my DB9 on someone. I Tueller Drill often enough to know that I am quite fast on the draw; however, in this instance, I beat every record I can think of when the felon grabbed a knife - it had to be right at one second before I was aiming at his eyeball. I carry that DB9 in an IWB Kydex holster, under a Hawaiian shirt. Luckily, I didn't have to shoot him; instead, I had to reach over the head of my granddaughter to muzzle-punch him in the neck. He dropped the knife and went down to his knee. I walked him out of the house at gunpoint, but was shocked later when I discovered that I was lucky he didn't call my bluff, because upon muzzle-punching him in the neck, the DB9 was knocked out of battery!
Před 2 lety+2
Knocked out of battery? You meant your pistol was destroyed during your punch with it?
@ I think he meant the common issue with autoloaders. Many guns (Glock included) if the slide is pushed ever so slightly backwards out of battery (being all the way forward) the gun will not fire. It's an interesting issue with slides and is often an issue when pocket carrying. Revolvers having a fixed barrel do not suffer that issue and will still fire even if you push that barrel end right against a perp's body.
@@waynegroves6922 two observations, one is that there is a video of an Italian Spec Ops guy dealing with knife attacks. He simply flopped down or did a shoulder roll. And pulled his gun. The one position you are pretty immune to knife attacks is on the ground. Second, there is a book on Amazon "Shooting To Live With the One Handed Gun" by Fairbairn and Sykes. They had the unenviable task of shaping up the British Constabularly in the British Concession of Shanghai in the early 1920s, said police were getting killed in large numbers by the Tongs. They went with the 1911. With all safeties removed. And taught their officers to always rack the slide. Arguing that training a gross motor skill meant greater retention under stress -- they had only a little training time to get their men up to speed. While guns are now better, the way in which human bodies react under stress has not changed since a century ago, and their overall lessons still apply I think.
When I first started carrying a semi auto I was nervous about one in the chamber, and I had to have a manual safety. I thought about it and as you said a good quality modern semi auto in a good holster that covers the trigger guard is similar to a revolver. I have seen too many videos of people unsuccessfully trying to load a round under duress, to convince me that it’s best to keep one in the pipe and not have a manual safety. Also after some timed competitive matches, it convinces you of the reality of the loss of fine motor skills when under pressure. If you don’t carry one in the chamber, you might spend the rest of your life trying to chamber a round.
interesting as I have several different dc pistols...one is so old, a beretta M1951, that the safety is in the most terrible place it could be..however, I do chamber a round, and lower the hammer to half cocked, but again, training is everything.with this gun, If I pull it to fire, I must full cock the hammer before it will fire....also the safety, will not engage, if it is half cocked......just saying..training is EVERYTHING
At least this video covered other models than the 1911. All the other videos I've seen on this topic pose the same question, then debate the safety of carrying a 1911 cocked and locked, not even mentioning other models.
I’ve worked in a shop before, and we’ve had plenty a folks coming in carrying W/O a round chambered. I never really say anything, unless there’s a possible new gun owner. I always assured them the firearm was totally safe to carry, showing and explaining the various safety features of the firearm.
Been carrying a 1911 for about 37 years now with a round in the chamber, cocked and locked! I trust the firearm completely in that condition! Thanks for the video and have a great day!
That Sig is beautiful and my dream gun. I feel safe carrying my Glock loaded in the holster. I don’t keep a round chambered when the kids are around. My boys are always learning firearm safety but the 2 year old is a wild card.
@@OhioGentlemenArms I used to do that, taking the round out of the chamber when I unholstered at night. I then bought one of those small handgun safes than sits on the dresser. When it's not on my person it's in the safe, that keeps me from having to unload/load it every day. I have another firearm that is my primary home defense weapon, and it doesn't have one kept in the chamber, due to kids.
@@m16ty Also, eventually enough times of popping that round out you'll damage the ammo, making it unsafe to fire. You'll push jacket into the casing pushing it into battery too many times. No reason to waste ammo.
My preference has always been a hammer fired semi-automatic with a DA/SA trigger. That is the level of safety I personally require to carry one in the chamber.
Same. I don't trust the 1/4 cocked position, PERIOD. That's why I'll carry my 92FS my LCR, and my single six Ruger with its transfer bar, loaded, but I won't carry my LC9 and my AR 15 fully loaded.
I do both. I put one in the chamber when my situations are a bit more sketchy, but when I'm out like shopping for groceries, I don't rack one in the chamber. Every time I arm myself for the day I assess my daily situation and make that determination on whether or not I want one loaded or not for that situation
Going out shopping is just as likely to be when you'll need that weapon defensively, and 9 times out of 10 you will either not have enough time to rack it, or you will be so full of adrenaline that you will forget that it's not chambered and you will have a dry fire situation and won't survive to tell the tale. You're better off not carrying at all than carrying unchambered.
Ignore these commenters. SA is key to success. I wouldn't carry a hot firearm into a Chuck E Cheese. Just train with whatever weapon you have to the point where it becomes second nature.
Always carry a round in the chamber with my S&W M&P 9 Shield. I've been taught a threat to your life can happen in seconds, and you're not always going to have time to rack the slide.
I've Been hesitant to carry my glock with one in. Never heard the firing pin pressure explained like that. I feel better hearing that. Thanks men great info 👍🏻😁
I would understand electing not to carry a round in the chamber with a firearm of dubious quality, as you guys have mentioned. Of course that begs the question why you are relying on such a firearm in the first place!
@@nomadicobserver4224 That's true. Often people are told to "just save up", though that's not always viable. I suppose its a tradeoff, though training definitely helps most in that regard.
@@DogeMcLovin not everyone live in The Land of the Free. It's common for governments imposing monopolies or barring certain brands abroad. When one or two companies have a market only for themselves, you can bet your pants on the fact that they will be selling guns that don't shoot when needed and go off when they're not supposed to.
@@nomadicobserver4224 Now a days I truly can't think of a reason you would have to pick an unsafe weapon even based on price. The super cheap but unsafe guns (jennings\bryco aven) are become less common curiosities, where the newer Taurus guns (which I hate) are readily available and the same price if not cheaper.
It's not the case now, but I remember being a super broke college student. I carried a 22LR of dubious quality because that's all i could afford to practice with. I carried with an empty chamber as I didn't trust that mystery metal thing at all, but I still trusted it more than copious use of profanity.
Nice presentation on topic novice shooters and some experienced shooters have difficulty with. I am a retired police officer, firearms instructor. I have seen people with modern S&W revolvers carrying it with an empty chamber under the hammer. I've explained about transfer bars many times and sometimes the person looked at me if I were crazy. In those cases, it is probably best to let them believe the myth. My daily carry gun is a 1911 cocked and locked with one in the chamber. If you take the time to learn how to use it, the 1911 is the way to go. Keep up the good work.
I was hesitant about carrying chambered in my Glock, didn’t know about the firing pin issue, this explains the heavy “almost double action” trigger pull feel. Thanks for schooling me, I didn’t know this. I will feel much more comfortable carrying with one in the chamber now. I will always remember to keep finger on side of trigger guard or out of way when holstering and unholstering until ready to shoot. I myself wouldn’t like the S&W route with an additional safety strap in my way to unsnap first. Therefore I personally wouldn’t carry that particular model chambered. The double action mode when chambered on a auto loader or revolver I would have no issue with whatsoever. Personally I would recommend a wheel gun for a newbie for its simplicity and safety features. Thanks for your videos, they are always interesting and informative. Keep up the great work at Brownells 😎👍
I didn’t carry with one in the head when I got my first gun but after some time and repetition it just becomes habit. You gotta practice and get over that fear cause that’s what stops most ppl.
Comfortable and Competent... and practicing will make one become competent. I first started carrying with out one in the chamber. It felt safer. Then after some quality, situational training, I realized what a disadvantage I was putting my self in. I now am competent and prefer a decocker, semi auto. The safety becomes natural with tquality training in the equipment you like to run.
Yeah I'm one of those superstitious people that think it will magically go off. So I carried live rounds on me just walking around my neighborhood a few times. And then finally loaded one in the chamber.
Get training from a reputable instructor and then practice what you’ve been taught. “ you never rise to the level of your expectations but you fall to the level of your training”
I owned my Glock 19 for 5 years and carried every single day with a round in the chamber. Never once was it an issue, because the safety I use is located between my ears! :)
I don’t buy the analogy. How many times a year in America do you think law abiding civilians are put in a quick draw from a holster situation. My guess is close to zero or many one. Even Ken Hakathorn, the guy who won’t let Bill Wilson get a word in, calls bull shit on trying to improve your draw by tenths of a second.
@@marksd5650 Watch this. czcams.com/video/SSUS-b1Ftq0/video.html Also, if you're going to tell me that out of 2.5 million annual defensive uses of firearms that happen in the U.S that 0 of them have never once required a quick draw and shoot, I'll eat my AR-15, mag and all. Watch act of self protection or simply type in empty chamber v loaded, you''ll be surprised at what comes up, especially when they are real situations that happened. I know what you said is a false statement. But okay, I'll set you up with a new challenge then, you don't have two free hands, only one hand, how do you rack the slide?
Once that adrenaline dumps its a totaly different animal. I was in the basement with my wife and our ar-15 was in the basement too. We both heard what sounded to be a groan of a heavy set man in his 40s or 50s upstairs. I immediately got that jolt to my heart, threw my cigarette in the sink, picked up the rifle, picked up the magazine and slammed it in, pulled the charging handle and flipped off the safety. After the fact I realized I ran on sheer muscle memory. Thankfully, no burly man was upstairs, but we both heard something and were both alarmed. She said she was surprised as to how fast I loaded the thing which made me happy lol. It was nothing like loading and shooting paper targets at the range. Repetition and practice are paramount.
I carry a CZ P-07 9MM. It has the ability to either have a thumb safety like a 1911 or decocker. The parts are in the box for you to choose which way you are comfortable with. I run with the decocker set up with round in chamber.
Well having family from three different eras of the military. Especially my late dad who was from the Vietnam era continuously reinforcing firearms safety into my head as a child. Is at the very least a solid foundation to any further firearms training I would possibly get. Since my late dad's rule was simple, the gun is always loaded. Even if the gun is in a million pieces on the table. So that is how I began my understanding of firearm's safety as a child. Which means even if all you have in your hand is the barrel, do not point it at anyone. So even though I always believe I can benefit from firearms training. It is going to be difficult to put the level of consciousness that my late dad, and both my grandfather's put into me about firearms.
@@earljohnson7675 Well I am sure he got some of it from his dad. Although I have met a bunch of other Vietnam era soldiers that were just as anal about firearms safety. Therefore, from my perspective and my money. It had to do mostly with the fact they were in the military during the Vietnam era. Which somehow 20 lived on the street I lived on when I was a child. And I would say around another 100 live throughout that same neighborhood. So it was definitely being reinforced by people of that served during the Vietnam era.
When i was new to firearms, my first handgun was a 92fs. Had a round in the chamber. Had it in a secure strap over holster, safety on. if fell out of my edc bag. my mistake, i wasnt careful enough and kinda in a rush. The 92fs smashed into the tile floor, hammer first. smashed the tile and left dust in the hammer thumb grooves never went off. That is when i put full trust and love into the beretta design.
As a wise man once said, I base my decision on my experience, my training, my education. Different people have different experiences, so they have different opinions
Does the time saved on having to ready a weapon from a loaded chamber compared to an empty chamber make enough of a difference to make a difference? *You* *be* *the* *judge*
Yes I do. I see it like this: you have 3 seconds (sometimes less) to be on defense when the offender is already in attack mode. That 3 seconds can cost you A LOT.
That Sig is beautiful and my dream gun. I feel safe carrying my Glock loaded in the holster. I don’t keep a round chambered when the kids are around. My boys are always learning firearm safety but the 2 year old is a wild card.
I have a Springfield Hellcat 9mm, i always keep it loaded, my concealed carry instructor showed how important it is to always have it loaded when it comes down to a bad situation you will be either shot or killed by the time you draw and rack a round in. I trust my firearm to never discharge from a mechanical malfunction and will always be ready to fire in a quick moments need. I keep it oiled and cleaned to insure reliability.
I always carry a round in the chamber, my primary carry is a Colt King Cobra and my pocket carry is a Berretta Bobcat .32 ACP. Both have long DA trigger pulls so I am confident in the safety.
@@shanek6582 yes, I carry a revolver. I also mentioned that I always carry a pocket gun as a backup, it is semiautomatic and always with one in the chamber
@@jamesmutz7435 Excuse my possible ignorance, but isn't the 32 called the tomcat? I thought the bobcat was maybe in 22lr? Or do they have have multiple cat names that span multiple calibers?
I carry Glocks (with a round in the chamber), almost exclusively. When I was first issued one by my agency when we transitioned from revolvers, I have to admit I was a little skeptical about the safety. However, after I attended Glock Armorer School, I completely understood how safe that firearm really was. As you stated, despite the short trigger pull, it's not really cocked. In addition, there's a firing pin block until the trigger is pressed and it moves out of the way. It's as safe as any revolver. The lack of education, training, and a full understanding of how the pistol really works, leads to the people unwilling to carry a round in the chamber.
Glock uses the marketing term “Safe Action” to describe its firing-pin system, but the truth is that Glocks are accident-prone. They contributed to more than 120 accidental discharges in the Washington Metropolitan Police Department from 1988 to 1998.”Apr 16, 2016 and there it is.
After around 5 months of carrying my Shield Plus with safety, I keep one in the chamber. When I first started carrying I didn’t. I thought it was safer for me. But after carrying for a while and getting used to my gun, I’m more comfortable now with it chambered than not. I’m more confident and knowledgeable. Also don’t want to have to worry about fumbling around trying to load it in a tense situation. Get into a repetitive safety routine and it’s like muscle memory.
I carry on an empty chamber to make my family happy. My wife and I watch our great granddaughter while her mother is at work. I am teaching her to not touch a gun or a knife. I am in a wheelchair and I carry in a chest rig. I also carry a very sharp knife on my rig for winter and I carry in a custom bag/holster that is always unzipped . She is often on my lap. She reached for my gun once and a neck knife once. I explained things to her and she has left the alone ever since. She is 3 yrs old and very smart. I’ve explained to her that when she’s a few yrs older me, my wife and her mother will teach her to shoot. I teach hunter education her mother was my junior for several years till she turned 18. I’ve carried revolvers and handguns. The only one I worry about is my colt replica with the firing pin on the hammer that one I carry cowboy load. I even have a nagant I’m not afraid to carry loaded. It has a rebounding trigger and I think it would take a sledge hammer to set it off. Good info guys.
The key word in this presentation is “training”. I own several handguns and always carry with round in the chamber or, if carrying one of my revolvers (double action), with one under the hammer. Great presentation for all firearms owners, including those of us that have owned one for decades.
It of course depends on the gun first (must meet all quality/safety standards) but the most important thing when carrying is the holster. A good holster is what will prevent most accidents (having the trigger completely covered, good retention, etc.)
For semi-automatic pistols, my favorite are the SIG 220 ( 225,226,228,229) series. It is about the closest to impossible to get a discharge without pulling the trigger. I say that because In the hammer down position, the hammer rests in the hammer intercept notch, preventing the hammer from touching or striking the firing pin. In addition there is the firing pin lock which does not move out of the way, releasing the firing pin to move until the last few millimeters of trigger pull. If the hammer is fully cocked and it is jarred off the sear, the hammer will be caught by the hammer intercept notch, assuming the finger is off the trigger. Even if the hammer intercept notch fails, the firing pin is still locked by the firing pin lock and it cannot strike the primer unless the trigger is pulled to the rear. In order to fire without pulling the trigger, both safeties would have to fail simultaneously. It just ain't gonna happen.
10 years ago when I started carrying I spent the first 6 months without a round in the chamber. Once I became confident I started and I don't carry without a plus one. I would add to that weapons in good mechanical order. I carried an old Makarov for a while, but only because I knew it was well maintained and reliable.
Just remember the previous advice to top off the magazine not load directly into the chamber. I personally dont +1 because when I clear it I dont want a spare round flopping about.
@@himself3011 Maybe because you want to set it on the kitchen counter when you get home and you don't want a loaded gun sitting there with kids and other family around. I clear mine every night because I like to make sure I know what state it is in all the time. I also place mine in a safe by my bedside because my wife suffers from mental illnesses so I dont want a loaded gun in my home on the off chance her meds stop working and she decides to hurt herself.
I am a woman that carries with a round in the chamber. I have a Sig and am very strong so no trouble racking the slide, but in a bad situation I can see me racking and forgetting to take the safety off. Now there’s just the safety and shoot. Thanks for this video!
My first carry gun was a Walther PPK, and it took me a few weeks to build up the nerve to carry with one in the chamber. In the years since then, I've carried several different guns (all of good quality), and never hesitate to carry chambered.
One reason not to have an an ambidextrous safety on a single action like a 1911 is that the outer safety lever can catch on clothing or something and put the safety off. I am right handed but in weak hand training we were taught to release the safety nearly as fast with our left hand as our right, all it takes is training. Much safer than having that outside lever just waiting to snag on something. Especially a Browning P35 Mk3 with its weak safety.
Twenty six years in law enforcement and I just retired as a sergeant. A pistol without a round in the chamber is useless. We carried Glocks mostly but we had a list of approved QUALITY pistols. Empty chamber...Might as well carry a rock. Only time we did not have one in the chamber was on our patrol rifles (AR platform) and that was ONLY because of policy. Most modern, quality weapons are completely safe to carry with one in the pipe, assuming the user is not an imbecile.
I carried with one in the chamber for years. I have no problem carrying like that, and will admit it is the best way to go. However, I no longer carry with one in the chamber. The reason I chose to carry empty now is because I have small kids at home now. I use that as another redundancy to assure that in any event where my gun goes from my side it can’t be picked up and fired without first racking the slide. Like if I passed out or something while carrying at home and someone else removes my gun and just lays it on a counter without checking it, in that case I would be assured that my 5 year-old couldn’t pick it up and pull the trigger on a hot chamber. I do train without one in the chamber so that I have that muscle memory to rack the slide at the draw. I lose slightly on the speed side, about .5 seconds, but for me that risk is worth the assurance at home.
Comes down to really knowing your weapon and understanding any possible risks, just like having a weapon to begin with. Some old timers were VERY against Glocks when they became a hit because of a lack of "safety". Again, know your weapon, how its made, and train, train, train.
Here is a quick story that might convince people to carry one in the chamber. I came home one afternoon, it was about 5:30 in the evening and it was just about dark. I pulled up, parked and walked in the house, we don't lock the doors because one of us is in and out most of the day, anyway I walked in and started to put my keys on the table and out of nowhere a guy ran out of the utility room, pushed me down and ran out the door I just came in through. I jumped up and ran outside but he was gone. Had he had a gun or a knife I would be dead, he completely surprised me. Always keep your gun loaded and chambered even when going into your home and please make sure you are scanning everything once you're inside.
I carry a Springfield XDS .45ACP 3.3 Mod 2 every day with one in the pipe. Holster covers the trigger. Thank y’all for what y’all do. I am now a subscriber. 👊🏼🇺🇸💪🏻 from NC
So refreshing to hear someone say, "people are people". First heard that when I started as a cop 45 years ago and it sticks with me to this day! I like your straight forward, no nonsense way of explaining things so all "people" can understand.
It's just a nice way of saying that a good number of people that will be watching this video are idiots. Same with being a policeman, a good number of people you deal with are idiots.
Carried a S&W Shield v.1 for many years and now have upgraded to a S&W Shield Plus Performance Center. Always carry with one in the chamber and always inside a quality kydex holster.
That was great! Great explanation and demonstration. I did not know that feature within the glock pistols. I carry the Canik TP9 Elite Sub Compact with one in the chamber.
Not all striker fired handguns are partially cocked. Most are actually fully cocked (Taurus, m&p, XDs). Kahrs are less cocked than Glocks resembling more of a "1.5" or "1.75" action where glocks are 80% cocked, so they're more like a "1.2" action.
Thats the problem I've had with glocks, I can't feel the trigger and I'm used to the take up of other semi auto pistols. Also a glock is just soo smooth in their trigger pull which adds to me not being able to feel them very good. Nice I appreciate that little bit of knowledge.
I usually carry chamber-empty because I shoot a lot of competition and you must pull the trigger before reholstering. I don’t want to risk pulling the trigger out of habit when reholstering. Also, If I I don’t have time to chamber a round, then I am probably already down. That said, if the pistol has an external safety, then I may carry with one in the chamber, but the safety must be on.
An acquaintance of mine is a police firearms trainer, and he said something that really struck me. He said that a handgun in a reactive weapon used for quick response to an unexpected defensive situation. Not carrying with a round in the chamber puts you in great risk. His corollary was never carry a handgun to a known or expected gunfight.
I'm a 1911 guy I carried one for 50 years as a soldier a police officer and as my CCW. I carried it locked and load as John Browning intended. Any doubt action auto is safe with one in the pipe like a DA revolver.
MY EDC is a M777 Howitzer, I keep one in the chamber because the 155mm (Hollow point) shell is a pretty large to chamber in a quick draw scenario. it's a little bulky to carry so I bench press 2000 lbs a day (5) sets of 20 It's also sucks trying to find a holster that is inside the waste band.
To the person who replied to my comment with a 1911 holster question. I carried a cocked and locked 1911 for 25 years in a PD. I always used a holster with a thumb break retention strap. I carried the same pistol off duty and used a Bianchi 5B holster with a thumb break retention strap. In personal experience, I found the thumb safety disengaged a couple of times. Would the gun have fired? Not likely because of the grip safety. Still, a 1911 thumb safety can become disengaged while holstered. And I used and still use top end holsters. If you carry a 1911 cocked and locked get into the habit of checking that the thumb safety is in place. If the safety on your pistol disengages easily I recommend taking it to a competent 1911 gunsmith and have the thumb safety tightened. As far as needing a safety strap on a 1911 holster, they are not really necessary but add a level of safety by keeping the gun in the holster. Always use a quality holster and if you open carry, something I don't recommend, use a safety strap with a 1911. Some non-gun person might notice you have a cocked gun and make a production out of it. Therefore causing you unwanted attention. For everyday carry with any pistol or revolver, use a good holster, and be low key about carrying it. And practice as often as you can afford.
I don’t currently carry concealed. I have been going over in my mind, the purchase of a SW Shield, a Glock 19, etc, or perhaps another gun that fits my larger hands well. Just rented a Canick (sp?) in 9mm and I really liked the trigger. In my mind, with my limited training, I can imagine scenarios where if a person needed to draw their firearm, there would be no time to chamber a round. You guys put out great content, thank you.
If you want to carry a semi auto and 9mm then I really would look into a Beretta 92fs. Just a tiny bit more expensive than a glock but a much better firearm. Nothing at all wrong with glock but they are overpriced and the polymer just rubs me the wrong way myself. The trigger is too clicky and can really feel the plastic nature of it. The Beretta is an excellent weapon and my EDC when I carry an auto loader. I usually carry a revolver though. Not to mention the Beretta is just a beautiful gun but not too beautiful to worry about scratching it up. It's a full sized gun but carries very nicely with the right holster and belt. And it does have a manual safety....just food for thought
I agree with Peter D above. I was going to comment on the Beretta as well. I have large hands and it fits me well. The FS model is great, but if I were in the market currently I would consider the X model as it has a rail on front for the addition of a light - not to mention the added weight to assist with felt recoil and faster target acquisition. One negative to the X model is the grips are very aggressive to me. I would not want to carry it against my skin with the grips that come with the gun. Best of luck on your journey.
Most deadly crime happens at extreme close range. Imagine someone is stabbing you repeatedly with a knife. You’re going to use your left hand to hold them back or try to block the knife, then you only have your right hand to get your gun out and defend yourself. Watch Active Self Protection on CZcams. There are many people who have died because they did not have a round in the chamber.
I have recently started to carry with a chambered round. I recall getting into a disagreement with a person when I made the comment that a revolver and a semi-auto pistol basically were alike in that each time you pulled the trigger, a round would be discharged. I do realize the mechanics are different, but if the Feds wanted to push it, I think they could/would make the same comparison. I’ve been involved with firearms for 76 of my 82 years of life, so I’m not a newbie!
My father in law owned a Smith and Wesson model 19-4 back in the 70's and 80's and he always carried it with the hammer resting over an empty chamber. I tried for years as well as his sons to convince him that it was safe to carry it with 6 in the cylinder instead of 5. Bless his heart he came up in the days of countless stories of single action army style revolvers going off when dropped.
Going into this video I said to myself, "it depends on the firearm." That was later confirmed by ya'll. I have a 1911 I carry cocked and ready. If you decide to do so I highly suggest two things; ALWAYS practice trigger safety, and make a habit of checking the safety on a regular basis if you are carrying on the hip.
@@jacobwilbert1018 manual safeties. Lots of people like them. Not having the option of one is just one of the reasons I’m not a fan of glocks. With guns like the 1911, if the manual safety is on safe the gun won’t go off even if something hits the trigger, which makes it safer to draw and re-holster (where most negligent discharges happen if I’m not mistaken)
@@evanf1443 I think that feeling comes from ignorance to how a striker fired pistol, particularly a glock works. If you chamber a round in a glock and "touch" the trigger it will not go off because the gun is not yet cocked. When the trigger is fully staged on a glock and it finally comes up against the wall, it is now cocked, safety plunger engaged n ready to fire. Come off the wall, striker is let down, safety plunger is blocking striker, it is uncocked. You are conflating completely different things n scaring yourself over nothing. Think of it like a pinball machine, if you dont pull the plunger back the ball goes nowhere no matter what. With a 1911 and other platforms you are walking around with it back all the time.
@@jacobwilbert1018 your comment doesn’t really have anything to do with what I commented here, so I’ll admit I’m a little confused. The trigger getting pulled when a firearm gets drawn from or returned to a holster is the most common cause of negligent discharges and a manual safety would prevent that. The firing pin being only partially back until the trigger is pulled wouldn’t do anything to fix that because the entire issue is the trigger being pulled. I have no idea what conflation you’re talking about and think you might have misunderstood my comment.
@@evanf1443 Ummm sure, i guess if you cant handle a firearm without negligently discharging it get one with a manual safety. It may make you feel better but in the end its not gonna help you, the manual safety not being the issue. Feelings i guess do count for something but my point was to how a glock actually functions compared to your example of the 1911. 2 completely different things. Your argument is equal to having a manual safety on a double action revolver, or carrying a revolver with transfer bar on an empty cylinder. Sure you could do it n it would make you feel better but you are comparing it to carrying a cocked 1911. Maybe you dont understand the difference or why its redundant but they are completely different things
I’m a retired PD Sgt, Firearms Instructor, Idpa Master Class Shooter. I’ve carried my different pistols with a round in the chamber since 1998. No problems. It was dept policy you must carry with round in chamber & full mag. Even your back up gun.
I guess it’s a personal choice but if you’re caught in a situation where you have to use your firearm in most cases you probably won’t have time to rack a round so yes I carry with a round in the chamber.
I edc a sig p365. No round in the chamber. I spent enough time with the weapon disassembled to understand how the striker block system works, and I'm comfortable that it it is impossible for the striker to fall without the striker block being pushed out of the way, and pushing the striker block out-of-the-way would require a trigger pull. And I have carried it with a round in the chamber. However the way I was trained was to have an empty chamber. And I'm just more comfortable that way. I know that that will cost me a little bit of time in the event that I have to actually use the weapon. But I have trained to draw and rack. I understand the downsides. I currently have about 40 years experience carrying a weapon. In those 40 years, I've never had to draw it, much less use it. I understand and respect what you're saying, it is a matter of personal preference for me. Having said that, as I said, I spent quite a bit of time understanding the p365 mechanism, and I'm comfortable that it can be carried hot safely. I just don't prefer to carry it that way.
@@thebarkingmouse ya great idea until one of your hands is busy, such as a knife attack, and you have no way to chamber a round. Good job boomer. You shouldnt carry a striker fire then
I learned a lot from this video. I have all my pistols with a round in the chamber just in case someone breaks into my house I don't have to worry about loading a round in the chamber. The only draw back is the magazine spring will weaken over time. We had a lot of magazines when I was in the Marine Corps that would not feed correctly because of the weakness of the magazine spring.
The solution to prevent magazine springs from becoming weak is to load the magazine with two rounds short of a full load. I load all of my fifteen round mags with thirteen rounds, eighteen rounds in a twenty round mag. Something I learned from the Marines when I was in the navy in Nam.
@@thomasnielsen5151 You only fire your weapon when your life or someone you love is in imminent danger or great bodily harm. Therefore, you only draw your weapon when you need it. Might as well carry the mag in your back pocket too.
Same thing in the Navy (at least in 1987). I was based in Italy and when we sailed to Spain I was given a shotgun and a small satchel of shells. I was told to hook the satchel to my belt and watch the wall that was on the dock next to the ship (the wall was higher than the main deck {sub-tender type ship}) BUT, if you see someone on the wall DO NOT load the shotgun unless they start shooting at you. So I asked "WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO WHILE THEY'RE SHOOTING AT ME?", so the Chief looks around for a second and says "hide behind that tank while you load" (about a 6ft tall tank). Luckily nothing ever happened.
When I first started carrying, I was carrying a Springfield Armory XD9 subcompact. I also had a Glock 19, but opted to carry the XD9 since it has a grip safety...it made me feel more confident while carrying with one in the chamber. Initially, I preferred DA/SA for it's inherent safety but you have to train for both trigger modes, which is a bit of a chore.
This is why I like my guns to have external safeties. I'm a bit old school in this respect. My edc is the Ruger American compact 9mm holstered in a jm4 magnetic leather iwb holster. My prior pistol was a Bersa UC 45 acp carried in a clip on nylon pouch holster with little to no retention, a very bad way to carry btw not to be recommended or repeated in the future. I always keep a round ready. Seconds do count and I never wish to be caught with my proverbial pants down around my ankles when it truly matters and lives are in danger. Hope you guys are doing well and that you have a most excellent day 😊!
This is still hotly debated by some. I have seen highly skilled operators injured due to accidental misfires when holstering in hot situations. Many people now carry the P365 concealed and my advice is if you are uncomfortable carrying one in the chamber, then buy the version with a manual safety. The grey areas tend to be purse carrying, leaving in the car, and/or when children are around. I cover issues like these in a recent video on this topic: czcams.com/video/JlZ09VM3G5Q/video.html
As a gunsmith by trade, I always carry a glock, iwb, appendix carry. Round in the chamber. Whenever someone says that I will shoot my family gems off*eye roll*. I always took the time to explain the strike safety plunger and it's relationship to the trigger bar and how it operates. I never even thought of the striker not having enough power to ignite the primer. Now I have some more knowledge to use against fudds lol
Somebody once told me to never point a firearm (or allow it to be pointed) at something I wasn't willing to shoot. Well, yeah, I might crease my ass from belt carry, but having a firearm pointed at something I don't much want to live without? No thank you.
You say this as if Glocks aren't notorious for ND's. Ever hear of Glock leg? It usually happens when re-holstering, and none of the safeties you mentioned have prevented it yet. It also usually happens with highly trained people like police or military that have let their familiarity breed complacency. Operator mindfulness is the only thing that would keep one safe, and frankly you sound pretty complacent, relying on the built in safety measures to protect you. You could learn something from the fudds you dismiss.
@@Falconryder lol that only happens when you use a leather holster and the leather gets inside the trigger guard. That is user error and a lack of training, has nothing to do with the gun, but I guess you know nothing about guns lol
with glock strikers only being pulled back ever so slighting and your follow through with the trigger is what actually brings it all the way back, cruciform falls, and striker flies forward is actually something I've just learned super recently. Once I learned that I immediately went to my 43X, racked my slide, threw it back in my holster, and been carrying with one in the chamber ever since. The biggest warning thou is the more trigger modifications you do to your glock (for those guys who chase those 1911/2011 feeling triggers), youre 100 percent going further and further into the "not-safe" territory with that gun.
I carry my Baby Eagle .40 cal just as Caleb carries his Legion, round in chamber, hammer down. That first trigger pull for me is 13 lbs. Safe enough for this Cat! Nice video!
Good video as always... That extra time to chamber a round may cost you your life. It's hard enough to draw and fire under pressure and in time to stop a BG. Practice safety until you feel comfortable with it, otherwise I would recommend don't carry.
When I was in Basic training (April and May 1967) we all had to commit to memory the Eleven General Orders for Guard Duty. (I won't list them here, but you can look 'em up.) There was a joke my Drill Sergeant told me. It said "The Twelfth General Order is -- To walk my post a mile a minute with an M14 with nothing in it!"
I JUST started carrying with one in the chamber (relatively new, it was a matter of comfort level/getting used to the gun in the first place), feels good to finally be 'doing it right', but glad I didn't push/pressure myself to, I knew it would come in time (loaded a fresh mag, popped it in, put one in the chamber, and switched on the safety, like it was natural.) Zigana PX-9, single action 9mm - a mediocre trigger but once you know how it works, it's fine (the trigger is fine, the gun is above average, I'd say), and is actually pretty easy to learn, and I like its pull being a bit long+loose, maybe that's because I'm novice and the necessary deliberateness of the pull serves me/my focus (the idea of a lighter trigger with less travel is not so appealing for a pistol for me - on a rifle I like it fine), but, yeah, no complaints at all now that I've learned how to pull it correctly.
I have now just began started to carry a round loaded in. It's an odd feeling at first, but it's important to be confident in your abilities and knowing where your trigger finger is.
I have carried my P226 (currently SCT model) with one in the chamber concealed daily since 1999. Never an AD and never worried about it. During my conscription in the IDF it was required to carry with loaded magazine, no round chambered and safety (if there is one) in fire position. Training to draw, chamber a round and fire was extensive. Using both hands or only one, dominant and non dominant hand. Train enough and you can be almost as fast as a loaded chamber. However, few people who fear the loaded chamber and AD will ever train as much as is necessary to master the skill. There are almost no opportunities for training pistol draw on public ranges. For these reasons I do not believe it prudent to even consider carrying without a round chambered. I had a student who was very adament he could be just as effective without a loaded chamber. In a very controlled private range I loaded his weapon with snap caps. Standing 7 yards away (not in the line of fire but to his dominant side facing him) I instructed him that on my command to draw, chamber and fire before I can get to him. After six attempts he conceded he was not trained well enough. And, he grew tired of me knocking him to the ground each time.
On a cocked and locked 1911, three things must happen for discharge: Manual safety off; grip safety depressed; trigger pulled. About as safe as it comes.
When I was in college a few years ago, we were allowed to carry on campus but without a round in the chamber. I elected to carry a double action revolver so that I could be compliant with the law, but not have to add the extra step of racking a slide when time really counted!
Thanks for the vid. I have carried for 45 years, many types of semi-autoes, in many types of holster con- figs. Have always carried one in chamber. Browning, Colt 1911, cocked & locked, Glocks, Kimber 1911, cocked & locked, with confidence. Training is the key to confidence, I could not begin to count the dry fire Sims, from holster hours. Nor range time spent. Training, and more training, will make anyone a competent shooter. I like your approach in putting out information by shooters for shooters. Keep up the good work. Thanks
For me it's not a question of the safety in the firearm. I've seen the most trained and experienced firearms experts have a negligent discharge. If there's a myth involved here, it's the myth that all people who don't carry with a round in a chamber don't have training, and don't trust the mechanical design of the gun. There's so many blanket statements made about this topic because people don't venture outside of their own head very often, and most of these heads are filled with action movie fantasies. The statistical odds of an immediate need for a loaded firearm vs the statistical odds of a negligent discharge of someone who carries every day, are what have to be weighed here. Location, location, location. If you live in say Cleveland, or Atlanta... by all means, carry with a round in the chamber. If you live in the suburbs of Iowa, and have children... maybe consider these odds a little more. The odds of you (I'm sure you're all elite super human commandos), possibly placing a loaded firearm down, or possibly mishandling during the 730 minimum times a year you will handle a carry gun vs the odds that you will have an encounter where that 1.2 sec required to chamber a round is not an option.... Yeah, I'm not buying it. If the situation warrants it, carry with a round in the chamber. If you're dropping the kids off at soccer practice... maybe not. I could be a smart @$$ and say that if you just had better training, you could quickly chamber a round. The argument against this is that in the moment you lose gross motor skills, dexterity goes down, you'll short stroke it, and blah, blah, blah. But somehow if the gun is loaded all of those handicaps won't cause someone to accidentally shoot themselves while grabbing at a loaded gun in their waist? BS. See how easy this game is when it's all theoretical and just thought scenarios? I would train with a round in the chamber, and without. Carry with a round in the chamber when the situation warrants it, and without when it doesn't.
100% David North. Once that round leaves, you can't call it back. Just a little bit of situational awareness. That's all. Based on the rest of the comments, we seem to be SURROUNDED by heroes...So, we've got THAT going for us.
Exactly how I feel, I'd rather die than ND a loved one. On occasion I've chambered , and situational awareness is better than needing +1 due to feeling false Safety just because of an extra rd and quarter second to fight with
Some things to be said on both sides. As a bachelor, use to carry with one in the head in a g19, appendix carry. Have children now...no more round in chamber carry on a glock with no saftey. P.s. type in "accidental discharge glock" people have pulled their triggers with sweater strings, key loops etc
Worst yet: someone else with a gun. Just saying; there was an incident last year in Austin where an Uber driver was held at gunpoint by a man with AK style pistol. The individual with the AK tapped on the window and gestured to him to roll it down; the driver rolled it down but drew a pistol and fired 3 times into the guy's chest - if he had to rack the slide first then I'm sure he wouldn't have been able to get off the first shot without being fired on first.
@@andreivaldez2929 Oooh boy, trust me. I only said for a knife-attack because I was being very overly-generous. People get the stupid fucking assumption that nothing is ever truly a “who gets the first shot” self-defense scenario, but in reality your chances of survival are exponentially higher if you don’t waste precious seconds of your life just to rack the damn slide. Instead, just pull the trigger (if it’s a Glock or most striker fired pistols and revolvers in double action, or DA/SA hammer fired guns), or quickly deactivate the safety and then immediately go ham on the trigger. I’m not here to debate which is better (safety, decocker or none), but one thing I think most people can agree on is that wasting valuable time to rack the slide is a fucking stupid concept. And your examples only proves that point, good sir!
Retired US Army, the only time, outside of combat, I was ever armed, to include live rounds, was when I was designated Pay Officer on Pay day in Europe. I received one .45 Cal. M1911a1 and 7 rounds from the armorer.. Off in a quarter ton to Patch Barracks and back to Panzer Kaserne, Boeblingen Germany, to issue money for pay checks.... Only time..in the Army 25 years. Peace to you!!! Oh and to those of you who say, well he was an officer so he was depending on armed enlisted. I was a private on two separate enlistments, and entered the officer corps in 1982 after having served from E1 to E6 on previous enlistments... Enlisted or Officer, only armed with live ammo on Pay Officer duties. In combat, armed all the time. Thanks for indulging me.
Like others here, when I first started carrying a firearm, I carried without a round in the chamber. After I had more training and was comfortable and confident with the gun, I began carrying it _with_ a round in the chamber and have done so ever since. The gun I carry most often is a S&W Shield with a thumb safety, and I use it. I also train a lot with it, and sweeping the safety with my thumb is now an automatic motion... even if I'm carrying a gun without a thumb safety. Folks grin at me as a sweep the non-existent thumb safety on my Glock 19 if I'm training with it instead of my Shield. 😀
This discussion needs to address the historical record. John Browning designed the 1911 to be carried safely with hammer down on a loaded chamber (Condition 2) -- you can read this in his own words in his US patent # 984519 for the 1911 design. He also describes there how he designed the geometry of the hammer and original grip safety tang to allow one-handed decocking to lower the hammer. It seems clear that Browning was using an inertial firing pin to enable his Army and other customers to do what they could not do with the 1873 Colt -- carry hammer down on a loaded chamber. And the clearest reason for the half-cock feature on the 1911 is the same reason it's on the 1873 Colt and others -- to prevent an accidental discharge when cocking the hammer over a loaded chamber. Of note, the 1914 Army manual for the 1911, which Browning must have reviewed if not written, advises against carrying the 1911 cocked and locked in the holster. Finally, the 1935 FN High Power manual notes that the pistol's design provides for carrying with hammer down on a loaded chamber. We can argue the practical safety of doing so, but the designers' intent remains clear.
I've carried for 50 years. Up until 5 yrs ago I carried a 1911 locked and loaded. At 70 + yrs old now I need a lighter weapon, so I carry Glocks now a 17 or 34 and yes a round in the chamber.
Love my 34
@@seanflorian4653 Yep, I just put a Timney trigger in my 34. Best trigger on the planet.
I currently carry a 1911 at 21 I planned carrying it till I die.
1911 was built to be carried that way in war, that's good enough for me.
1911 all the way, can't ask the bad guy to give you a minute to get cocked and locked
Someone once said carrying without a round in the chamber thinking you'll have time to rack the slide in a defense situation, is like thinking you'll have time to put on your seatbelt just before impact.
Anyone who has had the misfortune of having to pull their gun in complete fear of their life can tell you that everything happens in a split second. I used to always keep my chamber clear thinking I’d have enough time to chamber one when needed since it only takes a fraction of a second. The problem is that you aren’t quite thinking like you would be on a shooting range. You only have milliseconds..what happens, and actually happened to me, is that in the haste you end up “short cocking” the gun. So either one doesn’t chamber at all or one jams. In my case I never even chambered a bullet. Thank God, the attacker did not know this and backed down. I will never do that again.
Same situation here where I had to pull my DB9 on someone. I Tueller Drill often enough to know that I am quite fast on the draw; however, in this instance, I beat every record I can think of when the felon grabbed a knife - it had to be right at one second before I was aiming at his eyeball. I carry that DB9 in an IWB Kydex holster, under a Hawaiian shirt. Luckily, I didn't have to shoot him; instead, I had to reach over the head of my granddaughter to muzzle-punch him in the neck. He dropped the knife and went down to his knee. I walked him out of the house at gunpoint, but was shocked later when I discovered that I was lucky he didn't call my bluff, because upon muzzle-punching him in the neck, the DB9 was knocked out of battery!
Knocked out of battery? You meant your pistol was destroyed during your punch with it?
@ I think he meant the common issue with autoloaders. Many guns (Glock included) if the slide is pushed ever so slightly backwards out of battery (being all the way forward) the gun will not fire. It's an interesting issue with slides and is often an issue when pocket carrying. Revolvers having a fixed barrel do not suffer that issue and will still fire even if you push that barrel end right against a perp's body.
@@waynegroves6922 two observations, one is that there is a video of an Italian Spec Ops guy dealing with knife attacks. He simply flopped down or did a shoulder roll. And pulled his gun. The one position you are pretty immune to knife attacks is on the ground. Second, there is a book on Amazon "Shooting To Live With the One Handed Gun" by Fairbairn and Sykes. They had the unenviable task of shaping up the British Constabularly in the British Concession of Shanghai in the early 1920s, said police were getting killed in large numbers by the Tongs. They went with the 1911. With all safeties removed. And taught their officers to always rack the slide. Arguing that training a gross motor skill meant greater retention under stress -- they had only a little training time to get their men up to speed. While guns are now better, the way in which human bodies react under stress has not changed since a century ago, and their overall lessons still apply I think.
Respect for telling the story. Always keep one in the pipe.
When I first started carrying a semi auto I was nervous about one in the chamber, and I had to have a manual safety. I thought about it and as you said a good quality modern semi auto in a good holster that covers the trigger guard is similar to a revolver. I have seen too many videos of people unsuccessfully trying to load a round under duress, to convince me that it’s best to keep one in the pipe and not have a manual safety. Also after some timed competitive matches, it convinces you of the reality of the loss of fine motor skills when under pressure. If you don’t carry one in the chamber, you might spend the rest of your life trying to chamber a round.
This is poetic
interesting as I have several different dc pistols...one is so old, a beretta M1951, that the safety is in the most terrible place it could be..however, I do chamber a round, and lower the hammer to half cocked, but again, training is everything.with this gun, If I pull it to fire, I must full cock the hammer before it will fire....also the safety, will not engage, if it is half cocked......just saying..training is EVERYTHING
That last line goes HARD 🔥🔥🔥
I can't believe this is still even a question. It physically hurts me hearing people don't carry with a round in the chamber.
At least this video covered other models than the 1911.
All the other videos I've seen on this topic pose the same question, then debate the safety of carrying a 1911 cocked and locked, not even mentioning other models.
Some people shouldn't
@@ThaGodsFather I agree. Just because you buy a gun doesn't mean you know how to use it, carry it safely, etc.
I’ve worked in a shop before, and we’ve had plenty a folks coming in carrying W/O a round chambered. I never really say anything, unless there’s a possible new gun owner. I always assured them the firearm was totally safe to carry, showing and explaining the various safety features of the firearm.
@@MutarFuqueer Kind of like some folks with a drivers license.
I carry 2 rounds in the chamber just to be safe
Been carrying a 1911 for about 37 years now with a round in the chamber, cocked and locked! I trust the firearm completely in that condition! Thanks for the video and have a great day!
That Sig is beautiful and my dream gun. I feel safe carrying my Glock loaded in the holster. I don’t keep a round chambered when the kids are around. My boys are always learning firearm safety but the 2 year old is a wild card.
thumb safety, grip safety and a locked half cocked safety... I love a 1911
Condition 1
@@OhioGentlemenArms I used to do that, taking the round out of the chamber when I unholstered at night. I then bought one of those small handgun safes than sits on the dresser. When it's not on my person it's in the safe, that keeps me from having to unload/load it every day. I have another firearm that is my primary home defense weapon, and it doesn't have one kept in the chamber, due to kids.
@@m16ty Also, eventually enough times of popping that round out you'll damage the ammo, making it unsafe to fire. You'll push jacket into the casing pushing it into battery too many times. No reason to waste ammo.
My preference has always been a hammer fired semi-automatic with a DA/SA trigger. That is the level of safety I personally require to carry one in the chamber.
I agree.
I don’t trust anything with a striker fired system, that’s just my preference.
Same. I don't trust the 1/4 cocked position, PERIOD. That's why I'll carry my 92FS my LCR, and my single six Ruger with its transfer bar, loaded, but I won't carry my LC9 and my AR 15 fully loaded.
@@davidguymon1673you carry your ar in your pants? WOW
Calebs hair is spot on!
I do both. I put one in the chamber when my situations are a bit more sketchy, but when I'm out like shopping for groceries, I don't rack one in the chamber. Every time I arm myself for the day I assess my daily situation and make that determination on whether or not I want one loaded or not for that situation
You don’t get to decide when you need it
@@dis6wood he just did😂😂
Going out shopping is just as likely to be when you'll need that weapon defensively, and 9 times out of 10 you will either not have enough time to rack it, or you will be so full of adrenaline that you will forget that it's not chambered and you will have a dry fire situation and won't survive to tell the tale. You're better off not carrying at all than carrying unchambered.
Ignore these commenters. SA is key to success. I wouldn't carry a hot firearm into a Chuck E Cheese. Just train with whatever weapon you have to the point where it becomes second nature.
Always carry a round in the chamber with my S&W M&P 9 Shield. I've been taught a threat to your life can happen in seconds, and you're not always going to have time to rack the slide.
and even if you do have time, it is not a guarantee the round will load correctly.
@@Boobtube. or that you'll have a free hand to do so.
@@sinisterthoughts2896 yep
I've Been hesitant to carry my glock with one in. Never heard the firing pin pressure explained like that. I feel better hearing that. Thanks men great info 👍🏻😁
I would understand electing not to carry a round in the chamber with a firearm of dubious quality, as you guys have mentioned. Of course that begs the question why you are relying on such a firearm in the first place!
It might be the only handgun the person can afford.
@@nomadicobserver4224 That's true. Often people are told to "just save up", though that's not always viable.
I suppose its a tradeoff, though training definitely helps most in that regard.
@@DogeMcLovin not everyone live in The Land of the Free. It's common for governments imposing monopolies or barring certain brands abroad. When one or two companies have a market only for themselves, you can bet your pants on the fact that they will be selling guns that don't shoot when needed and go off when they're not supposed to.
@@nomadicobserver4224 Now a days I truly can't think of a reason you would have to pick an unsafe weapon even based on price. The super cheap but unsafe guns (jennings\bryco
aven) are become less common curiosities, where the newer Taurus guns (which I hate) are readily available and the same price if not cheaper.
It's not the case now, but I remember being a super broke college student. I carried a 22LR of dubious quality because that's all i could afford to practice with. I carried with an empty chamber as I didn't trust that mystery metal thing at all, but I still trusted it more than copious use of profanity.
Nice presentation on topic novice shooters and some experienced shooters have difficulty with. I am a retired police officer, firearms instructor. I have seen people with modern S&W revolvers carrying it with an empty chamber under the hammer. I've explained about transfer bars many times and sometimes the person looked at me if I were crazy. In those cases, it is probably best to let them believe the myth. My daily carry gun is a 1911 cocked and locked with one in the chamber. If you take the time to learn how to use it, the 1911 is the way to go. Keep up the good work.
I have a 1911 style.45 and I carry it condition one. Loaded magazine, round in the chamber, hammer cocked and the safety engaged.
Same
Same too
...can still ND if dropped on its snout unless it's a series 80 OR has a titanium or other light-weight firing pin (like Makarovs do)....
Same here too
@@timb83 that's good knowledge I didn't know. Thank you
I was hesitant about carrying chambered in my Glock, didn’t know about the firing pin issue, this explains the heavy “almost double action” trigger pull feel. Thanks for schooling me, I didn’t know this. I will feel much more comfortable carrying with one in the chamber now. I will always remember to keep finger on side of trigger guard or out of way when holstering and unholstering until ready to shoot. I myself wouldn’t like the S&W route with an additional safety strap in my way to unsnap first. Therefore I personally wouldn’t carry that particular model chambered. The double action mode when chambered on a auto loader or revolver I would have no issue with whatsoever. Personally I would recommend a wheel gun for a newbie for its simplicity and safety features. Thanks for your videos, they are always interesting and informative. Keep up the great work at Brownells 😎👍
I didn’t carry with one in the head when I got my first gun but after some time and repetition it just becomes habit. You gotta practice and get over that fear cause that’s what stops most ppl.
Yes! Practice practice practice!
Exactly, same here. Once I got comfortable carrying then I carried hot.
Comfortable and Competent... and practicing will make one become competent.
I first started carrying with out one in the chamber. It felt safer. Then after some quality, situational training, I realized what a disadvantage I was putting my self in.
I now am competent and prefer a decocker, semi auto. The safety becomes natural with tquality training in the equipment you like to run.
Yeah I'm one of those superstitious people that think it will magically go off. So I carried live rounds on me just walking around my neighborhood a few times. And then finally loaded one in the chamber.
Get training from a reputable instructor and then practice what you’ve been taught.
“ you never rise to the level of your expectations but you fall to the level of your training”
I owned my Glock 19 for 5 years and carried every single day with a round in the chamber. Never once was it an issue, because the safety I use is located between my ears! :)
I compare this to using a seatbelt. By show of hands, how fast can to engage it before you crash?
Nice analogy!
I don’t buy the analogy. How many times a year in America do you think law abiding civilians are put in a quick draw from a holster situation. My guess is close to zero or many one. Even Ken Hakathorn, the guy who won’t let Bill Wilson get a word in, calls bull shit on trying to improve your draw by tenths of a second.
@@marksd5650 Watch this.
czcams.com/video/SSUS-b1Ftq0/video.html
Also, if you're going to tell me that out of 2.5 million annual defensive uses of firearms that happen in the U.S that 0 of them have never once required a quick draw and shoot, I'll eat my AR-15, mag and all. Watch act of self protection or simply type in empty chamber v loaded, you''ll be surprised at what comes up, especially when they are real situations that happened. I know what you said is a false statement.
But okay, I'll set you up with a new challenge then, you don't have two free hands, only one hand, how do you rack the slide?
@chris b Do you fill the fire extinguisher with foam after the fire has started?
This is the truth. Best analogy I've heard.
Once that adrenaline dumps its a totaly different animal. I was in the basement with my wife and our ar-15 was in the basement too. We both heard what sounded to be a groan of a heavy set man in his 40s or 50s upstairs. I immediately got that jolt to my heart, threw my cigarette in the sink, picked up the rifle, picked up the magazine and slammed it in, pulled the charging handle and flipped off the safety. After the fact I realized I ran on sheer muscle memory. Thankfully, no burly man was upstairs, but we both heard something and were both alarmed. She said she was surprised as to how fast I loaded the thing which made me happy lol. It was nothing like loading and shooting paper targets at the range. Repetition and practice are paramount.
Yeah but will your AR work against that ghost?
you smoke in your house? next to your wife? got that bowling alley odor😂
women like the quick shooters,
I carry a CZ P-07 9MM. It has the ability to either have a thumb safety like a 1911 or decocker. The parts are in the box for you to choose which way you are comfortable with. I run with the decocker set up with round in chamber.
Same. Except I carry the Cz 75 D PCR.
After learning the half cock striker feature of the Glock i now carry one in the chamber on my Model 21.
Well having family from three different eras of the military. Especially my late dad who was from the Vietnam era continuously reinforcing firearms safety into my head as a child. Is at the very least a solid foundation to any further firearms training I would possibly get.
Since my late dad's rule was simple, the gun is always loaded. Even if the gun is in a million pieces on the table. So that is how I began my understanding of firearm's safety as a child. Which means even if all you have in your hand is the barrel, do not point it at anyone.
So even though I always believe I can benefit from firearms training. It is going to be difficult to put the level of consciousness that my late dad, and both my grandfather's put into me about firearms.
Your dad was taught well and passed it on like a responsible father
@@earljohnson7675 Well I am sure he got some of it from his dad. Although I have met a bunch of other Vietnam era soldiers that were just as anal about firearms safety.
Therefore, from my perspective and my money. It had to do mostly with the fact they were in the military during the Vietnam era. Which somehow 20 lived on the street I lived on when I was a child. And I would say around another 100 live throughout that same neighborhood. So it was definitely being reinforced by people of that served during the Vietnam era.
Your Father is/was a smart man.
Good solid advise. People forget that they can forget. Even firearms experts.
No gun is unloaded.
When i was new to firearms, my first handgun was a 92fs. Had a round in the chamber. Had it in a secure strap over holster, safety on.
if fell out of my edc bag. my mistake, i wasnt careful enough and kinda in a rush. The 92fs smashed into the tile floor, hammer first. smashed the tile and left dust in the hammer thumb grooves
never went off. That is when i put full trust and love into the beretta design.
As a wise man once said, I base my decision on my experience, my training, my education. Different people have different experiences, so they have different opinions
I'm a Paul Harrell fan too.
@@jamesa.7604 😉
Does the time saved on having to ready a weapon from a loaded chamber compared to an empty chamber make enough of a difference to make a difference?
*You* *be* *the* *judge*
Niiiiiiiiice 😂👍
Paul Harrel is a national treasure
Yes I do. I see it like this: you have 3 seconds (sometimes less) to be on defense when the offender is already in attack mode. That 3 seconds can cost you A LOT.
That Sig is beautiful and my dream gun. I feel safe carrying my Glock loaded in the holster. I don’t keep a round chambered when the kids are around. My boys are always learning firearm safety but the 2 year old is a wild card.
I have a Springfield Hellcat 9mm, i always keep it loaded, my concealed carry instructor showed how important it is to always have it loaded when it comes down to a bad situation you will be either shot or killed by the time you draw and rack a round in. I trust my firearm to never discharge from a mechanical malfunction and will always be ready to fire in a quick moments need. I keep it oiled and cleaned to insure reliability.
I always carry a round in the chamber, my primary carry is a Colt King Cobra and my pocket carry is a Berretta Bobcat .32 ACP. Both have long DA trigger pulls so I am confident in the safety.
So you’re saying you always carry with a round in the chamber……and you carry a revolver…..
@@shanek6582 yes, I carry a revolver. I also mentioned that I always carry a pocket gun as a backup, it is semiautomatic and always with one in the chamber
@@jamesmutz7435 sorry man, I just had to.
@@jamesmutz7435 Excuse my possible ignorance, but isn't the 32 called the tomcat? I thought the bobcat was maybe in 22lr? Or do they have have multiple cat names that span multiple calibers?
@@mattschmitt9924 you are correct, it is the Tomcat in .32 ACP that I carry
I carry Glocks (with a round in the chamber), almost exclusively. When I was first issued one by my agency when we transitioned from revolvers, I have to admit I was a little skeptical about the safety. However, after I attended Glock Armorer School, I completely understood how safe that firearm really was. As you stated, despite the short trigger pull, it's not really cocked. In addition, there's a firing pin block until the trigger is pressed and it moves out of the way. It's as safe as any revolver. The lack of education, training, and a full understanding of how the pistol really works, leads to the people unwilling to carry a round in the chamber.
same
I think I need to study more on the safe aspects of the gun. Thanks.
Glock uses the marketing term “Safe Action” to describe its firing-pin system, but the truth is that Glocks are accident-prone. They contributed to more than 120 accidental discharges in the Washington Metropolitan Police Department from 1988 to 1998.”Apr 16, 2016 and there it is.
@@donalddouglas9645 poor training standards🎃
@@donalddouglas9645 You didn't watch this video did you...?
After around 5 months of carrying my Shield Plus with safety, I keep one in the chamber. When I first started carrying I didn’t. I thought it was safer for me. But after carrying for a while and getting used to my gun, I’m more comfortable now with it chambered than not. I’m more confident and knowledgeable. Also don’t want to have to worry about fumbling around trying to load it in a tense situation. Get into a repetitive safety routine and it’s like muscle memory.
I carry on an empty chamber to make my family happy. My wife and I watch our great granddaughter while her mother is at work. I am teaching her to not touch a gun or a knife. I am in a wheelchair and I carry in a chest rig. I also carry a very sharp knife on my rig for winter and I carry in a custom bag/holster that is always unzipped . She is often on my lap. She reached for my gun once and a neck knife once. I explained things to her and she has left the alone ever since. She is 3 yrs old and very smart. I’ve explained to her that when she’s a few yrs older me, my wife and her mother will teach her to shoot. I teach hunter education her mother was my junior for several years till she turned 18. I’ve carried revolvers and handguns. The only one I worry about is my colt replica with the firing pin on the hammer that one I carry cowboy load. I even have a nagant I’m not afraid to carry loaded. It has a rebounding trigger and I think it would take a sledge hammer to set it off. Good info guys.
Caleb is back!
The key word in this presentation is “training”. I own several handguns and always carry with round in the chamber or, if carrying one of my revolvers (double action), with one under the hammer. Great presentation for all firearms owners, including those of us that have owned one for decades.
Tim Smith, I sometimes carry my S&W .38 special double-action revolver. I never have a round under the hammer.
@@hrfardan66 My S&W .38 special is a 1956 model that I inherited from my dad.
It of course depends on the gun first (must meet all quality/safety standards) but the most important thing when carrying is the holster. A good holster is what will prevent most accidents (having the trigger completely covered, good retention, etc.)
For semi-automatic pistols, my favorite are the SIG 220 ( 225,226,228,229) series. It is about the closest to impossible to get a discharge without pulling the trigger. I say that because In the hammer down position, the hammer rests in the hammer intercept notch, preventing the hammer from touching or striking the firing pin. In addition there is the firing pin lock which does not move out of the way, releasing the firing pin to move until the last few millimeters of trigger pull.
If the hammer is fully cocked and it is jarred off the sear, the hammer will be caught by the hammer intercept notch, assuming the finger is off the trigger. Even if the hammer intercept notch fails, the firing pin is still locked by the firing pin lock and it cannot strike the primer unless the trigger is pulled to the rear. In order to fire without pulling the trigger, both safeties would have to fail simultaneously. It just ain't gonna happen.
10 years ago when I started carrying I spent the first 6 months without a round in the chamber. Once I became confident I started and I don't carry without a plus one. I would add to that weapons in good mechanical order. I carried an old Makarov for a while, but only because I knew it was well maintained and reliable.
I did that all of 2 days at work!
Just remember the previous advice to top off the magazine not load directly into the chamber. I personally dont +1 because when I clear it I dont want a spare round flopping about.
@@trenvan5546 why would you clear a carry pistol unless youre cleaning it?
@@himself3011 Maybe because you want to set it on the kitchen counter when you get home and you don't want a loaded gun sitting there with kids and other family around.
I clear mine every night because I like to make sure I know what state it is in all the time. I also place mine in a safe by my bedside because my wife suffers from mental illnesses so I dont want a loaded gun in my home on the off chance her meds stop working and she decides to hurt herself.
I am a woman that carries with a round in the chamber. I have a Sig and am very strong so no trouble racking the slide, but in a bad situation I can see me racking and forgetting to take the safety off. Now there’s just the safety and shoot. Thanks for this video!
My first carry gun was a Walther PPK, and it took me a few weeks to build up the nerve to carry with one in the chamber. In the years since then, I've carried several different guns (all of good quality), and never hesitate to carry chambered.
One reason not to have an an ambidextrous safety on a single action like a 1911 is that the outer safety lever can catch on clothing or something and put the safety off. I am right handed but in weak hand training we were taught to release the safety nearly as fast with our left hand as our right, all it takes is training. Much safer than having that outside lever just waiting to snag on something. Especially a Browning P35 Mk3 with its weak safety.
Twenty six years in law enforcement and I just retired as a sergeant. A pistol without a round in the chamber is useless. We carried Glocks mostly but we had a list of approved QUALITY pistols. Empty chamber...Might as well carry a rock. Only time we did not have one in the chamber was on our patrol rifles (AR platform) and that was ONLY because of policy. Most modern, quality weapons are completely safe to carry with one in the pipe, assuming the user is not an imbecile.
I carried with one in the chamber for years. I have no problem carrying like that, and will admit it is the best way to go. However, I no longer carry with one in the chamber. The reason I chose to carry empty now is because I have small kids at home now. I use that as another redundancy to assure that in any event where my gun goes from my side it can’t be picked up and fired without first racking the slide. Like if I passed out or something while carrying at home and someone else removes my gun and just lays it on a counter without checking it, in that case I would be assured that my 5 year-old couldn’t pick it up and pull the trigger on a hot chamber. I do train without one in the chamber so that I have that muscle memory to rack the slide at the draw. I lose slightly on the speed side, about .5 seconds, but for me that risk is worth the assurance at home.
I carry a glock 34 or a sig 365xl (depending on weather). Both with a round in the chamber. Seconds count if a gun has to come out.
Comes down to really knowing your weapon and understanding any possible risks, just like having a weapon to begin with. Some old timers were VERY against Glocks when they became a hit because of a lack of "safety". Again, know your weapon, how its made, and train, train, train.
You guys rule. I love this channel. Keep up the good work.
Here is a quick story that might convince people to carry one in the chamber. I came home one afternoon, it was about 5:30 in the evening and it was just about dark. I pulled up, parked and walked in the house, we don't lock the doors because one of us is in and out most of the day, anyway I walked in and started to put my keys on the table and out of nowhere a guy ran out of the utility room, pushed me down and ran out the door I just came in through. I jumped up and ran outside but he was gone. Had he had a gun or a knife I would be dead, he completely surprised me. Always keep your gun loaded and chambered even when going into your home and please make sure you are scanning everything once you're inside.
Glad you are safe. I bet you lock your doors now.
Not having one in the chamber is like thinking you can get your seatbelt on before the accident happens..
Well said.
I carry a Springfield XDS .45ACP 3.3 Mod 2 every day with one in the pipe. Holster covers the trigger. Thank y’all for what y’all do. I am now a subscriber. 👊🏼🇺🇸💪🏻 from NC
So refreshing to hear someone say, "people are people". First heard that when I started as a cop 45 years ago and it sticks with me to this day! I like your straight forward, no nonsense way of explaining things so all "people" can understand.
It's just a nice way of saying that a good number of people that will be watching this video are idiots. Same with being a policeman, a good number of people you deal with are idiots.
Carried a S&W Shield v.1 for many years and now have upgraded to a S&W Shield Plus Performance Center. Always carry with one in the chamber and always inside a quality kydex holster.
That was great! Great explanation and demonstration. I did not know that feature within the glock pistols. I carry the Canik TP9 Elite Sub Compact with one in the chamber.
Not all striker fired handguns are partially cocked. Most are actually fully cocked (Taurus, m&p, XDs). Kahrs are less cocked than Glocks resembling more of a "1.5" or "1.75" action where glocks are 80% cocked, so they're more like a "1.2" action.
@@timb83 agree, but I didn't know that about Glock. I am not a huge fan of Glock, therefore I need to brush up on my Glock Knowledge 👊
Thats the problem I've had with glocks, I can't feel the trigger and I'm used to the take up of other semi auto pistols. Also a glock is just soo smooth in their trigger pull which adds to me not being able to feel them very good. Nice I appreciate that little bit of knowledge.
It's best to have a trigger with a long pull and some significant resistance. Glock do not offer that. Short and light trigger pull = accidents.
I usually carry chamber-empty because I shoot a lot of competition and you must pull the trigger before reholstering. I don’t want to risk pulling the trigger out of habit when reholstering. Also, If I I don’t have time to chamber a round, then I am probably already down. That said, if the pistol has an external safety, then I may carry with one in the chamber, but the safety must be on.
As far as I am concerned if you carry a semi auto hand gun without a round in the chamber, you might as well be carrying it without the magazine.
An acquaintance of mine is a police firearms trainer, and he said something that really struck me. He said that a handgun in a reactive weapon used for quick response to an unexpected defensive situation. Not carrying with a round in the chamber puts you in great risk. His corollary was never carry a handgun to a known or expected gunfight.
I'm a 1911 guy I carried one for 50 years as a soldier a police officer and as my CCW. I carried it locked and load as John Browning intended. Any doubt action auto is safe with one in the pipe like a DA revolver.
MY EDC is a M777 Howitzer, I keep one in the chamber because the 155mm (Hollow point) shell is a pretty large to chamber in a quick draw scenario. it's a little bulky to carry so I bench press 2000 lbs a day (5) sets of 20
It's also sucks trying to find a holster that is inside the waste band.
To the person who replied to my comment with a 1911 holster question. I carried a cocked and locked 1911 for 25 years in a PD. I always used a holster with a thumb break retention strap. I carried the same pistol off duty and used a Bianchi 5B holster with a thumb break retention strap. In personal experience, I found the thumb safety disengaged a couple of times. Would the gun have fired? Not likely because of the grip safety. Still, a 1911 thumb safety can become disengaged while holstered. And I used and still use top end holsters. If you carry a 1911 cocked and locked get into the habit of checking that the thumb safety is in place. If the safety on your pistol disengages easily I recommend taking it to a competent 1911 gunsmith and have the thumb safety tightened. As far as needing a safety strap on a 1911 holster, they are not really necessary but add a level of safety by keeping the gun in the holster. Always use a quality holster and if you open carry, something I don't recommend, use a safety strap with a 1911. Some non-gun person might notice you have a cocked gun and make a production out of it. Therefore causing you unwanted attention. For everyday carry with any pistol or revolver, use a good holster, and be low key about carrying it. And practice as often as you can afford.
I don’t currently carry concealed. I have been going over in my mind, the purchase of a SW Shield, a Glock 19, etc, or perhaps another gun that fits my larger hands well. Just rented a Canick (sp?) in 9mm and I really liked the trigger. In my mind, with my limited training, I can imagine scenarios where if a person needed to draw their firearm, there would be no time to chamber a round. You guys put out great content, thank you.
Just get a Glock19 and think of it as a tool like a leatherman, don’t worry about getting it scratched.
I'd recommend a glock all day. If you liked the feel of the canik trigger, I'd also recommend trying the arex delta B, that is also a decent pistol.
If you want to carry a semi auto and 9mm then I really would look into a Beretta 92fs. Just a tiny bit more expensive than a glock but a much better firearm. Nothing at all wrong with glock but they are overpriced and the polymer just rubs me the wrong way myself. The trigger is too clicky and can really feel the plastic nature of it. The Beretta is an excellent weapon and my EDC when I carry an auto loader. I usually carry a revolver though. Not to mention the Beretta is just a beautiful gun but not too beautiful to worry about scratching it up. It's a full sized gun but carries very nicely with the right holster and belt. And it does have a manual safety....just food for thought
I agree with Peter D above. I was going to comment on the Beretta as well. I have large hands and it fits me well. The FS model is great, but if I were in the market currently I would consider the X model as it has a rail on front for the addition of a light - not to mention the added weight to assist with felt recoil and faster target acquisition. One negative to the X model is the grips are very aggressive to me. I would not want to carry it against my skin with the grips that come with the gun. Best of luck on your journey.
Most deadly crime happens at extreme close range. Imagine someone is stabbing you repeatedly with a knife. You’re going to use your left hand to hold them back or try to block the knife, then you only have your right hand to get your gun out and defend yourself. Watch Active Self Protection on CZcams. There are many people who have died because they did not have a round in the chamber.
I have recently started to carry with a chambered round. I recall getting into a disagreement with a person when I made the comment that a revolver and a semi-auto pistol basically were alike in that each time you pulled the trigger, a round would be discharged. I do realize the mechanics are different, but if the Feds wanted to push it, I think they could/would make the same comparison. I’ve been involved with firearms for 76 of my 82 years of life, so I’m not a newbie!
Would love to see your break down of p320 safeties and get your take on all of these uncommanded discharges
I agree. As a sig owner, I love the gun. It shoots amazing I just don’t have confidence in it right now even after the “fix”.
My father in law owned a Smith and Wesson model 19-4 back in the 70's and 80's and he always carried it with the hammer resting over an empty chamber. I tried for years as well as his sons to convince him that it was safe to carry it with 6 in the cylinder instead of 5. Bless his heart he came up in the days of countless stories of single action army style revolvers going off when dropped.
Going into this video I said to myself, "it depends on the firearm." That was later confirmed by ya'll. I have a 1911 I carry cocked and ready. If you decide to do so I highly suggest two things; ALWAYS practice trigger safety, and make a habit of checking the safety on a regular basis if you are carrying on the hip.
@@MultiCal if you have one in the chamber and pull the trigger, it should fire, right? What am I missing here?
@@jacobwilbert1018 manual safeties. Lots of people like them. Not having the option of one is just one of the reasons I’m not a fan of glocks. With guns like the 1911, if the manual safety is on safe the gun won’t go off even if something hits the trigger, which makes it safer to draw and re-holster (where most negligent discharges happen if I’m not mistaken)
@@evanf1443 I think that feeling comes from ignorance to how a striker fired pistol, particularly a glock works. If you chamber a round in a glock and "touch" the trigger it will not go off because the gun is not yet cocked. When the trigger is fully staged on a glock and it finally comes up against the wall, it is now cocked, safety plunger engaged n ready to fire. Come off the wall, striker is let down, safety plunger is blocking striker, it is uncocked. You are conflating completely different things n scaring yourself over nothing. Think of it like a pinball machine, if you dont pull the plunger back the ball goes nowhere no matter what. With a 1911 and other platforms you are walking around with it back all the time.
@@jacobwilbert1018 your comment doesn’t really have anything to do with what I commented here, so I’ll admit I’m a little confused. The trigger getting pulled when a firearm gets drawn from or returned to a holster is the most common cause of negligent discharges and a manual safety would prevent that. The firing pin being only partially back until the trigger is pulled wouldn’t do anything to fix that because the entire issue is the trigger being pulled. I have no idea what conflation you’re talking about and think you might have misunderstood my comment.
@@evanf1443 Ummm sure, i guess if you cant handle a firearm without negligently discharging it get one with a manual safety. It may make you feel better but in the end its not gonna help you, the manual safety not being the issue. Feelings i guess do count for something but my point was to how a glock actually functions compared to your example of the 1911. 2 completely different things. Your argument is equal to having a manual safety on a double action revolver, or carrying a revolver with transfer bar on an empty cylinder. Sure you could do it n it would make you feel better but you are comparing it to carrying a cocked 1911. Maybe you dont understand the difference or why its redundant but they are completely different things
I went from 1911's to Glocks . I still always carry one in the chamber . Like your programs.
90% of the time, and if you're carrying for self defense - or place around your home for self/family defense - always.
I’m a retired PD Sgt, Firearms Instructor, Idpa Master Class Shooter. I’ve carried my different pistols with a round in the chamber since 1998. No problems. It was dept policy you must carry with round in chamber & full mag. Even your back up gun.
I guess it’s a personal choice but if you’re caught in a situation where you have to use your firearm in most cases you probably won’t have time to rack a round so yes I carry with a round in the chamber.
I edc a sig p365. No round in the chamber. I spent enough time with the weapon disassembled to understand how the striker block system works, and I'm comfortable that it it is impossible for the striker to fall without the striker block being pushed out of the way, and pushing the striker block out-of-the-way would require a trigger pull. And I have carried it with a round in the chamber. However the way I was trained was to have an empty chamber. And I'm just more comfortable that way. I know that that will cost me a little bit of time in the event that I have to actually use the weapon. But I have trained to draw and rack. I understand the downsides. I currently have about 40 years experience carrying a weapon. In those 40 years, I've never had to draw it, much less use it.
I understand and respect what you're saying, it is a matter of personal preference for me.
Having said that, as I said, I spent quite a bit of time understanding the p365 mechanism, and I'm comfortable that it can be carried hot safely. I just don't prefer to carry it that way.
@@thebarkingmouse ya great idea until one of your hands is busy, such as a knife attack, and you have no way to chamber a round. Good job boomer. You shouldnt carry a striker fire then
@@thebarkingmouse I had an assailant suddenly appear and grab my arm, but was able to draw with my free hand. I have always carried chambered.
@@gewtube3794 "boomer" when you can't make your case, ad hominem. Good job. Not a boomer. Just not an immature or insecure.
@@thebarkingmouse go put your gun in the safe since youre so afraid of it
I learned a lot from this video. I have all my pistols with a round in the chamber just in case someone breaks into my house I don't have to worry about loading a round in the chamber. The only draw back is the magazine spring will weaken over time. We had a lot of magazines when I was in the Marine Corps that would not feed correctly because of the weakness of the magazine spring.
The solution to prevent magazine springs from becoming weak is to load the magazine with two rounds short of a full load. I load all of my fifteen round mags with thirteen rounds, eighteen rounds in a twenty round mag. Something I learned from the Marines when I was in the navy in Nam.
"I prefer to carry with an empty chamber"
Translation: "I want to be slow in a gun fight"
Not every situation is a sudden pull-first situation.
Guess people evaluate their own risk and carry accordingly...
Some people want to get stabbed or shot before they even have a chance to fight back
Translation: I've never had a training class so I'm a bit apprehensive about this new lifestyle.
@@thomasnielsen5151 You only fire your weapon when your life or someone you love is in imminent danger or great bodily harm. Therefore, you only draw your weapon when you need it. Might as well carry the mag in your back pocket too.
@@stevecochran9078 not alot of training involved... dont pull trigger, gun no go bang. Pretty simple
My P226 EDC, with one in the chamber, been carrying for 20 years.
yes keep your finger off the trigger
Same thing in the Navy (at least in 1987). I was based in Italy and when we sailed to Spain I was given a shotgun and a small satchel of shells. I was told to hook the satchel to my belt and watch the wall that was on the dock next to the ship (the wall was higher than the main deck {sub-tender type ship}) BUT, if you see someone on the wall DO NOT load the shotgun unless they start shooting at you. So I asked "WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO WHILE THEY'RE SHOOTING AT ME?", so the Chief looks around for a second and says "hide behind that tank while you load" (about a 6ft tall tank). Luckily nothing ever happened.
always a round in the chamber, it honestly makes no fricken sense to not.
It can if you have the ability to consider that other people's firearms and situations aren't the exact same as yours......
It can make a ton of sense, but you'd have to be willing to listen to others to understand why.
Also make sure you have a quality holster to prevent accidents
When I first started carrying, I was carrying a Springfield Armory XD9 subcompact. I also had a Glock 19, but opted to carry the XD9 since it has a grip safety...it made me feel more confident while carrying with one in the chamber. Initially, I preferred DA/SA for it's inherent safety but you have to train for both trigger modes, which is a bit of a chore.
This is why I like my guns to have external safeties. I'm a bit old school in this respect. My edc is the Ruger American compact 9mm holstered in a jm4 magnetic leather iwb holster. My prior pistol was a Bersa UC 45 acp carried in a clip on nylon pouch holster with little to no retention, a very bad way to carry btw not to be recommended or repeated in the future. I always keep a round ready. Seconds do count and I never wish to be caught with my proverbial pants down around my ankles when it truly matters and lives are in danger. Hope you guys are doing well and that you have a most excellent day 😊!
This is still hotly debated by some. I have seen highly skilled operators injured due to accidental misfires when holstering in hot situations. Many people now carry the P365 concealed and my advice is if you are uncomfortable carrying one in the chamber, then buy the version with a manual safety. The grey areas tend to be purse carrying, leaving in the car, and/or when children are around. I cover issues like these in a recent video on this topic: czcams.com/video/JlZ09VM3G5Q/video.html
You might want to look into an automotive gun safe, their not expensive
As a gunsmith by trade, I always carry a glock, iwb, appendix carry. Round in the chamber. Whenever someone says that I will shoot my family gems off*eye roll*. I always took the time to explain the strike safety plunger and it's relationship to the trigger bar and how it operates. I never even thought of the striker not having enough power to ignite the primer. Now I have some more knowledge to use against fudds lol
Somebody once told me to never point a firearm (or allow it to be pointed) at something I wasn't willing to shoot. Well, yeah, I might crease my ass from belt carry, but having a firearm pointed at something I don't much want to live without? No thank you.
@@jimdavenport8020 I found the fudd^
You say this as if Glocks aren't notorious for ND's. Ever hear of Glock leg? It usually happens when re-holstering, and none of the safeties you mentioned have prevented it yet. It also usually happens with highly trained people like police or military that have let their familiarity breed complacency. Operator mindfulness is the only thing that would keep one safe, and frankly you sound pretty complacent, relying on the built in safety measures to protect you. You could learn something from the fudds you dismiss.
@@redactedboi8753 Fudd? Does that mean I won't risk shooting my cock off? Guilty as Charged and damn proud of it
@@Falconryder lol that only happens when you use a leather holster and the leather gets inside the trigger guard. That is user error and a lack of training, has nothing to do with the gun, but I guess you know nothing about guns lol
with glock strikers only being pulled back ever so slighting and your follow through with the trigger is what actually brings it all the way back, cruciform falls, and striker flies forward is actually something I've just learned super recently. Once I learned that I immediately went to my 43X, racked my slide, threw it back in my holster, and been carrying with one in the chamber ever since. The biggest warning thou is the more trigger modifications you do to your glock (for those guys who chase those 1911/2011 feeling triggers), youre 100 percent going further and further into the "not-safe" territory with that gun.
No way I keep the clipazines away from the gun when I carry.
I only EDC with my double barrel shotgun like President Brandon told me - fire two *blasts* in the air when I get attacked.
@@andreivaldez2929 Firing into the air sounds like it would be effective.
I carry my Baby Eagle .40 cal just as Caleb carries his Legion, round in chamber, hammer down. That first trigger pull for me is 13 lbs. Safe enough for this Cat! Nice video!
Always treat a gun like they're loaded because they should be
That sounds like common sense brilliant.
that old relic the p38 is one of my favorite pistols. First saw on Man from U.N.C.L.E. loved them ever since
Good video as always... That extra time to chamber a round may cost you your life. It's hard enough to draw and fire under pressure and in time to stop a BG. Practice safety until you feel comfortable with it, otherwise I would recommend don't carry.
What if your "spare" hand is compromised? Racking the slide in a hurry... Good luck with that.
When I was in Basic training (April and May 1967) we all had to commit to memory the Eleven General Orders for Guard Duty. (I won't list them here, but you can look 'em up.) There was a joke my Drill Sergeant told me. It said "The Twelfth General Order is -- To walk my post a mile a minute with an M14 with nothing in it!"
I JUST started carrying with one in the chamber (relatively new, it was a matter of comfort level/getting used to the gun in the first place), feels good to finally be 'doing it right', but glad I didn't push/pressure myself to, I knew it would come in time (loaded a fresh mag, popped it in, put one in the chamber, and switched on the safety, like it was natural.)
Zigana PX-9, single action 9mm - a mediocre trigger but once you know how it works, it's fine (the trigger is fine, the gun is above average, I'd say), and is actually pretty easy to learn, and I like its pull being a bit long+loose, maybe that's because I'm novice and the necessary deliberateness of the pull serves me/my focus (the idea of a lighter trigger with less travel is not so appealing for a pistol for me - on a rifle I like it fine), but, yeah, no complaints at all now that I've learned how to pull it correctly.
Yes. You did it right.
I have now just began started to carry a round loaded in. It's an odd feeling at first, but it's important to be confident in your abilities and knowing where your trigger finger is.
I have carried my P226 (currently SCT model) with one in the chamber concealed daily since 1999. Never an AD and never worried about it. During my conscription in the IDF it was required to carry with loaded magazine, no round chambered and safety (if there is one) in fire position. Training to draw, chamber a round and fire was extensive. Using both hands or only one, dominant and non dominant hand. Train enough and you can be almost as fast as a loaded chamber. However, few people who fear the loaded chamber and AD will ever train as much as is necessary to master the skill. There are almost no opportunities for training pistol draw on public ranges. For these reasons I do not believe it prudent to even consider carrying without a round chambered.
I had a student who was very adament he could be just as effective without a loaded chamber. In a very controlled private range I loaded his weapon with snap caps. Standing 7 yards away (not in the line of fire but to his dominant side facing him) I instructed him that on my command to draw, chamber and fire before I can get to him. After six attempts he conceded he was not trained well enough. And, he grew tired of me knocking him to the ground each time.
On a cocked and locked 1911, three things must happen for discharge: Manual safety off; grip safety depressed; trigger pulled. About as safe as it comes.
When I was in college a few years ago, we were allowed to carry on campus but without a round in the chamber. I elected to carry a double action revolver so that I could be compliant with the law, but not have to add the extra step of racking a slide when time really counted!
why follow a colleges rules?
What college was that?
Thanks for the vid. I have carried for 45 years, many types of semi-autoes, in many types of holster con- figs. Have always carried one in chamber. Browning, Colt 1911, cocked & locked, Glocks, Kimber 1911, cocked & locked, with confidence. Training is the key to confidence, I could not begin to count the dry fire Sims, from holster hours. Nor range time spent. Training, and more training, will make anyone a competent shooter. I like your approach in putting out information by shooters for shooters. Keep up the good work. Thanks
this series should really be called "Fudd Busters" lol
Having to rack the slide in an active shooter situation gives away your advantage. Gain the confidence to carry with one in the chamber.
For me it's not a question of the safety in the firearm. I've seen the most trained and experienced firearms experts have a negligent discharge. If there's a myth involved here, it's the myth that all people who don't carry with a round in a chamber don't have training, and don't trust the mechanical design of the gun. There's so many blanket statements made about this topic because people don't venture outside of their own head very often, and most of these heads are filled with action movie fantasies. The statistical odds of an immediate need for a loaded firearm vs the statistical odds of a negligent discharge of someone who carries every day, are what have to be weighed here. Location, location, location. If you live in say Cleveland, or Atlanta... by all means, carry with a round in the chamber. If you live in the suburbs of Iowa, and have children... maybe consider these odds a little more. The odds of you (I'm sure you're all elite super human commandos), possibly placing a loaded firearm down, or possibly mishandling during the 730 minimum times a year you will handle a carry gun vs the odds that you will have an encounter where that 1.2 sec required to chamber a round is not an option.... Yeah, I'm not buying it. If the situation warrants it, carry with a round in the chamber. If you're dropping the kids off at soccer practice... maybe not. I could be a smart @$$ and say that if you just had better training, you could quickly chamber a round. The argument against this is that in the moment you lose gross motor skills, dexterity goes down, you'll short stroke it, and blah, blah, blah. But somehow if the gun is loaded all of those handicaps won't cause someone to accidentally shoot themselves while grabbing at a loaded gun in their waist? BS. See how easy this game is when it's all theoretical and just thought scenarios? I would train with a round in the chamber, and without. Carry with a round in the chamber when the situation warrants it, and without when it doesn't.
100% David North.
Once that round leaves, you can't call it back.
Just a little bit of situational awareness. That's all.
Based on the rest of the comments, we seem to be SURROUNDED by heroes...So, we've got THAT going for us.
Got a cop pal who does the same. Generally carries without the+1 around the fam
Exactly how I feel, I'd rather die than ND a loved one. On occasion I've chambered , and situational awareness is better than needing +1 due to feeling false Safety just because of an extra rd and quarter second to fight with
Some things to be said on both sides. As a bachelor, use to carry with one in the head in a g19, appendix carry. Have children now...no more round in chamber carry on a glock with no saftey. P.s. type in "accidental discharge glock" people have pulled their triggers with sweater strings, key loops etc
2 everyday carry guns, Taurus Public Defender and a LCP2 .22. Both fully loaded. The revolver with .410 PDX and the 22 with 15 rounds of mini mags
If you don’t have a round in the chamber, you’re basically asking to be slower when someone with a knife is about to jump you.
Worst yet: someone else with a gun. Just saying; there was an incident last year in Austin where an Uber driver was held at gunpoint by a man with AK style pistol. The individual with the AK tapped on the window and gestured to him to roll it down; the driver rolled it down but drew a pistol and fired 3 times into the guy's chest - if he had to rack the slide first then I'm sure he wouldn't have been able to get off the first shot without being fired on first.
@@andreivaldez2929 Oooh boy, trust me. I only said for a knife-attack because I was being very overly-generous. People get the stupid fucking assumption that nothing is ever truly a “who gets the first shot” self-defense scenario, but in reality your chances of survival are exponentially higher if you don’t waste precious seconds of your life just to rack the damn slide. Instead, just pull the trigger (if it’s a Glock or most striker fired pistols and revolvers in double action, or DA/SA hammer fired guns), or quickly deactivate the safety and then immediately go ham on the trigger. I’m not here to debate which is better (safety, decocker or none), but one thing I think most people can agree on is that wasting valuable time to rack the slide is a fucking stupid concept. And your examples only proves that point, good sir!
Retired US Army, the only time, outside of combat, I was ever armed, to include live rounds, was when I was designated Pay Officer on Pay day in Europe. I received one .45 Cal. M1911a1 and 7 rounds from the armorer.. Off in a quarter ton to Patch Barracks and back to Panzer Kaserne, Boeblingen Germany, to issue money for pay checks.... Only time..in the Army 25 years. Peace to you!!! Oh and to those of you who say, well he was an officer so he was depending on armed enlisted. I was a private on two separate enlistments, and entered the officer corps in 1982 after having served from E1 to E6 on previous enlistments... Enlisted or Officer, only armed with live ammo on Pay Officer duties. In combat, armed all the time. Thanks for indulging me.
Like others here, when I first started carrying a firearm, I carried without a round in the chamber. After I had more training and was comfortable and confident with the gun, I began carrying it _with_ a round in the chamber and have done so ever since.
The gun I carry most often is a S&W Shield with a thumb safety, and I use it. I also train a lot with it, and sweeping the safety with my thumb is now an automatic motion... even if I'm carrying a gun without a thumb safety. Folks grin at me as a sweep the non-existent thumb safety on my Glock 19 if I'm training with it instead of my Shield. 😀
This discussion needs to address the historical record. John Browning designed the 1911 to be carried safely with hammer down on a loaded chamber (Condition 2) -- you can read this in his own words in his US patent # 984519 for the 1911 design. He also describes there how he designed the geometry of the hammer and original grip safety tang to allow one-handed decocking to lower the hammer. It seems clear that Browning was using an inertial firing pin to enable his Army and other customers to do what they could not do with the 1873 Colt -- carry hammer down on a loaded chamber. And the clearest reason for the half-cock feature on the 1911 is the same reason it's on the 1873 Colt and others -- to prevent an accidental discharge when cocking the hammer over a loaded chamber. Of note, the 1914 Army manual for the 1911, which Browning must have reviewed if not written, advises against carrying the 1911 cocked and locked in the holster. Finally, the 1935 FN High Power manual notes that the pistol's design provides for carrying with hammer down on a loaded chamber. We can argue the practical safety of doing so, but the designers' intent remains clear.