One in the Chamber

[Fyrtwuck]

Many years ago I worked with an officer who carried a 1911 type pistol without one in the chamber. I advised him against it. He told me that if he ever needed it, he had plenty of time to put one in the chamber.

Later that year during qualifications I noticed him putting one in the chamber before the course started. I made a point with the range officer that we should have to draw it as we carried it. The range officer agreed and he had to take the bullet out of the chamber and start over.

He was not able to draw, chamber and shoot in the time allotted and failed to qualify. He was allowed to shoot the course again with the chamber loaded for each course of fire and did qualify. He didn't like it, but he did it.

After qualifications he went right back to carrying without a round in the chamber.

 

[WessonOil]

So panicked you could even shoot yourseld on the draw? So panicked you could miss your intended target? So panicked you could misjudge the badguy? Or possibly just so panicked you would forget to rack your slide?

Coz

Yep, that panicked...and you can just as easily shoot yourself in the foot while racking the slide as having one in the chamber.
In fact, when you spend as much time as I do with new and experianced shooters, you'd be surprised as to how many keep their finger on the trigger or in the trigger guard when racking the slide to chamber a round.
Newbies who aren't comfortable with carrying a round in the chamber also tend to have poor trigger finger discipline.

But hey, if you want to add having to chamber a round to the other factors you mentioned, go for it.
If you think that you're going to be thinking about what you're going to have for lunch as you're drawing your weapon, go for it.

 

[Hoov]

Just to be safe, I also take the battery out of the vehicles each night. . .don't want them starting up on their own! I figure that if I need one of them, I'll have plenty of time to install the battery.

I let the air out of my spare...

 

[jsl_pt]

I let the air out of my spare...

Ha. Never know when that thing may "just go off"

 

[twoguns?]

I believe its the Israeli Army that carrys unloaded, and have become quite sharp at putting the gun in battery While drawing,,,,,google it if you would like to, pretty interesting


Glock ...cocked , not locked....

 

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

I am not an Israeli conscript....

I carry one in the chamber. They work better that way.

 

[grwd]

I let the air out of my spare...

you have two blow up dolls? Very smart thinking. I only have one.

 

[MrShooter]

I carry two in the chamber.....

You got a stuck squib bro?

 

[Coded-Dude]

 

[aeropb]

I hope whoever I get in a gunfight with has an empty chamber. They won't stand a chance.