It occurs to me, my wife probably can't even rack my latest toy, since I upped it to a 19-pound recoil spring ...
She can pull the trigger, though. Generally pretty well.
AA
She can pull the trigger, though. Generally pretty well.
AA
So what if you don't have a free hand to rack the slide with because you're already in a physical struggle when you decide you need to shoot to save your life? Also, the probability of bungling racking the slide under stress and causing a misfeed or failure to chamber a round is far greater than a "mechanical misfire", what ever that is. The gun won't go off unless you have your finger on the trigger (unless there is a serious defect in the gun). This is a training issue. Learn to keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target. You have enough to deal with if you are presented with a lethal threat. Get your gun out fast, focus on the front sight and press the trigger. If you really need to shoot, you won't have time to rack the slide. If you don't need to shoot, but need to be ready, you don't want to advertise that you are armed by racking the slide, that could be seen as "brandishing", as well as giving up the tactical advantage of surprise.
Frankly, I find the "if you can't handle carrying with a round chambered, you can't handle carrying at all" line of thinking a bit condescending. There are plenty of situations where carrying with chamber open would still be useful, even if it requires an extra step before being at full anger.
Statistically, among those who carry a gun frequently, such as LEOs, the majority of NDs occur while re-holstering their weapon. Either poor trigger finger discipline, or some other object gets into the trigger guard and when the gun is shoved down into the holster, the trigger is inadvertently pulled. One recent incident was when the drawstring and toggle from the waist of a cover garment got caught in the trigger guard and pulled the trigger as the gun was holstered.
In my view, I'm 100x more likely to have a 1 in a million situation where the gun falls out of the holster and the trigger is pulled in some freak accident while I'm on the commode than being in a situation where racking the slide is the difference between life and death. Especially since my holster has a tendency to rotate on the belt when the belt is loose. I'm comfortable with the gun, but I'm not training often enough that I'm gonna be able to prevail in a situation where fractions of a second count. I don't have enough range time to outdraw somebody right now.
I'm playing the odds. In my estimation, it's more likely that keeping the chamber empty will save me from a potential negligent discharge than it would threaten me in some sort of duel with a baddie. Either way, I'm just happy that my only concern so far has been remembering to pull the firearm out of the holster and clean off the lint.
Frankly, I find the "if you can't handle carrying with a round chambered, you can't handle carrying at all" line of thinking a bit condescending. There are plenty of situations where carrying with chamber open would still be useful, even if it requires an extra step before being at full anger.
Not having one in the chamber is like leaving the pistol at home. You might as well have. Not being condescending, just being practical. You can do what you want, your decision, maybe your life! I'll always keep one in the chamber, or leave it at home!Mike
Very well said.I always carry chambered, many do. I'm sure there are many who don't, and may not be representative in this sub forum or who might fear some type of ridicule or negativity against their saying so.
We all have weighed the pro's and con's of carrying chambered and or un-chambered. We who carry chambered, cannot suppose or impose, that those who don't, have not looked at their reasons not too, any less heavily or with less due diligence than those of us who have decided too.
It is the kind of personal decision, that needs no explanation or justification; for or against.
That is all.
I'm sure there are many who don't, and may not be representative in this sub forum or who might fear some type of ridicule or negativity against their saying so.
It's interesting. I went to another online forum and asked the same question there as neutrally as possible. The results were very different than here. Most of them carried with one in the chamber, but quite a few didn't, and nobody seemed to have too strong of an opinion either way. One guy told a story about a neighbor who fumbled his carry gun, stepped on it awkwardly, and it discharged and killed him instantly.
I have always carried with a round chambered and in more than 32 years as an LEO I have never carried with a safety engaged. As a private citizen I carry the same way. I have always trained and taught this way of carry!
BUT that’s just me and we all are wired differently!
I guess apples float and my iPhone didn’t drown!!
Carrying and H and K 40 cal and at home it’s my trusty Elsie Pea
Neither has a “safety”.
I guess apples float and my iPhone didn’t drown!!
Carrying and H and K 40 cal and at home it’s my trusty Elsie Pea
Neither has a “safety”.