I realise i have a lot to learne on here and i've already started the reading. But one question that i am curious about is when carrying is your gun loaded as in one in the chamber ready to go? I worry about a misfire which is probably just from being a newbie and never having carried on my person. I also worry about the kids around me when carrying if loaded like explained. I have not seen a question like this asked but it seems important enough to me to ask it.
Also where is the closest place to try out some comp-tac IWB holsters in the Houston area. I live in the League City area and am currently waiting for the plastic just sent the paperwork today.
Newbie here with a few questions
Moderator: carlson1
-
Snake Doctor
- Senior Member
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2007 4:47 pm
- Location: Austin
This all depends on what you carry and how you carry it. If you're carrying a 1911 with the hammer cocked and the safety off in the waistband of your gym shorts, well.... then you might have some potential trouble on your hands! 
But, I think that with the combination of the right weapon, the right holster/carry position, and a good amount of practice, you will find that confidence comes in no time. I used to be (don't laugh) almost afraid of the gun that was on my hip; however, in time I came over from the dark side and learned that just like pencils don't misspell words, triggers don't pull themselves. Operating a motor vehicle... diving into a pool... slicing vegetables... all of these are potentially dangerous activities, sure, but a little common sense and practice is all you need to do them all safely.
Oh, and I guess to answer the more direct question, yes, I carry fullly loaded +1 in the chamber. Scary thought at first, but when you are attacked, bad guys don't generally wait around when you say, "Forgive me, but could you keep that knife out of my face until I load my gun? Thanks so very much!"
But, I think that with the combination of the right weapon, the right holster/carry position, and a good amount of practice, you will find that confidence comes in no time. I used to be (don't laugh) almost afraid of the gun that was on my hip; however, in time I came over from the dark side and learned that just like pencils don't misspell words, triggers don't pull themselves. Operating a motor vehicle... diving into a pool... slicing vegetables... all of these are potentially dangerous activities, sure, but a little common sense and practice is all you need to do them all safely.Oh, and I guess to answer the more direct question, yes, I carry fullly loaded +1 in the chamber. Scary thought at first, but when you are attacked, bad guys don't generally wait around when you say, "Forgive me, but could you keep that knife out of my face until I load my gun? Thanks so very much!"
Nemo me impune lacessit.
I carry a Sig P245 with full clip and one in the pipe. The DA pull on the sig is around 8.5 lbs i believe so it would take some doing to have it misfire.
The only part that requires a lot of attention with carrying one in the chamber is and loading and unloading.
It's only as dangerous as you are.
The only part that requires a lot of attention with carrying one in the chamber is and loading and unloading.
It's only as dangerous as you are.
/////////////////////////////////////
NRA and TSRA
P226 P245 GP100 PLR-16
Μολών λαβέ
/////////////////////////////////////
NRA and TSRA
P226 P245 GP100 PLR-16
Μολών λαβέ
/////////////////////////////////////
Welcome, doghouse!
I doubt you'll find anyone here who doesn't carry in a "ready to use" condition. Every modern gun has a safe "carry" setting. In that condition, it won't fire if dropped, won't fire if bumped, and won't fire on its own.
There's an array of safety systems out there, but in every case, there is no physical way for the gun to fire unless you defeat the safety system and pull the trigger.
In some cases, the trigger is the safety system. Think about a simple double action revolver: with a couple of very rare exceptions, there is no manual safety on any revolver ever made. The weight and length of the trigger pull is the only safety feature: apply enough pull to the trigger, and it will fire.
Police and military and ordinary citizens have safely carried double action revolvers for a century or so. Sometimes even without a holster... dropping a .38 snub into a jacket pocket was the common carry method for decades. I don't advise carrying any gun unless it's in a holster that properly covers the trigger, but there are millions, possibly billions, of man-carry hours throughout history where people have done so without incident.
The modern double-action only semi-autos are just like revolvers, except some of them do have shorter and lighter trigger pulls. They also usually have manual safeties, even if it's just the Glock-style in-trigger safety. Because of the lighter/shorter trigger pulls, it's important to carry these pistols in a proper holster that covers the trigger. But you should still have absolute confidence that they will not, can not fire unless drawn from the holster and the trigger is pulled.
Nothing gives confidence like experience. I encourage you to spend a lot of time on the range, preferably with an instructor or experienced friend. You'll eventually hit that point where you become confident that your gun is safe to carry just as it's designed. After all, hundreds of thousands of police officers carry the same or similar models every single day, and not a one of them has ever "gone off" while in its holster.
Kevin
I doubt you'll find anyone here who doesn't carry in a "ready to use" condition. Every modern gun has a safe "carry" setting. In that condition, it won't fire if dropped, won't fire if bumped, and won't fire on its own.
There's an array of safety systems out there, but in every case, there is no physical way for the gun to fire unless you defeat the safety system and pull the trigger.
In some cases, the trigger is the safety system. Think about a simple double action revolver: with a couple of very rare exceptions, there is no manual safety on any revolver ever made. The weight and length of the trigger pull is the only safety feature: apply enough pull to the trigger, and it will fire.
Police and military and ordinary citizens have safely carried double action revolvers for a century or so. Sometimes even without a holster... dropping a .38 snub into a jacket pocket was the common carry method for decades. I don't advise carrying any gun unless it's in a holster that properly covers the trigger, but there are millions, possibly billions, of man-carry hours throughout history where people have done so without incident.
The modern double-action only semi-autos are just like revolvers, except some of them do have shorter and lighter trigger pulls. They also usually have manual safeties, even if it's just the Glock-style in-trigger safety. Because of the lighter/shorter trigger pulls, it's important to carry these pistols in a proper holster that covers the trigger. But you should still have absolute confidence that they will not, can not fire unless drawn from the holster and the trigger is pulled.
Nothing gives confidence like experience. I encourage you to spend a lot of time on the range, preferably with an instructor or experienced friend. You'll eventually hit that point where you become confident that your gun is safe to carry just as it's designed. After all, hundreds of thousands of police officers carry the same or similar models every single day, and not a one of them has ever "gone off" while in its holster.
Kevin
Condition 1 for my 1911, one in the chamber, cocked and locked. I was sceptical to carry at first, but with safety features I feel confident to carry that way. Plus to put the hammer down with one in the chamber is a little risky and if you're going to carry you want to be ready and not have to chamber the round when it's needed.
-
Texas Armadillo
- Member
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:25 am
- Location: Katy, Texas
I also carry a full mag and one in the chamber.
I carry SIG's. (P232, P239,and P245, depending on clothing) Their DA/SA trigger system works best for me so that is what I carry.
Last year I dropped my P239 hammer down onto my driveway. It hit so hard that it bent the hammer but the gun did not go off. I sent it back to SIG for repair and it remains my favorite carry gun.
I also suggest that you get plenty of practice and even some training to make you confident and safe with your carry weapon.
Welcome to the forum! There is alot of good info here.
I carry SIG's. (P232, P239,and P245, depending on clothing) Their DA/SA trigger system works best for me so that is what I carry.
Last year I dropped my P239 hammer down onto my driveway. It hit so hard that it bent the hammer but the gun did not go off. I sent it back to SIG for repair and it remains my favorite carry gun.
I also suggest that you get plenty of practice and even some training to make you confident and safe with your carry weapon.
Welcome to the forum! There is alot of good info here.
Thanks for all the replies. I do plan on getting further training as suggested by my instructor. I have not reached that section of the forum(progession classes) but in time I'm sure I'll make it there(lots of great info in here). I will be carrying my XD 40 when my plastic gets here. I think it is more of a confidence thing and experience thing for me.
As others have mentioned, carrying with one in the chamber is fairly standard practice - reason being if the situation is so dire you need to actually draw (and potentially fire) a handgun, it's unlikely you'll have the luxury of time to chamber a round.doghouse wrote:Thanks for all the replies. I do plan on getting further training as suggested by my instructor. I have not reached that section of the forum(progession classes) but in time I'm sure I'll make it there(lots of great info in here). I will be carrying my XD 40 when my plastic gets here. I think it is more of a confidence thing and experience thing for me.
I second the further training recommendation, and it sounds like you're already on that path..
Also, you're heading the right direction by looking at CompTac holsters. Their CTAC model offers good retention, at least they have with the pistol I've used that model with (Kahr PM9). The pistol "snaps" into the holster due to the tight kydex fit, and won't even come out when upside down (whatever holster you chose, test for these types of things with the pistol UNLOADED). Their MTAC model does retain the pistol quite as well, but does offer good retention, and is more comfortable, in my opinion.
There are plenty of places you can check out the Comp-Tac line - check their site at http://www.comp-tac.com/catalog/dealers.php for the list.
Welcome to the forum!
Some technical points to ease your mind:
In order for a weapon to fire, the firing pin has to strike the primer with enough force to ignite it. In revolvers and most pistols, that means the hammer must be pulled back, compressing the mainspring, and then released.
Hammerless pistols like the Glock have an internal mechanism that accomplishes the same thing.
In pistols that are carried cocked, like the 1911, the hammer is blocked by a manual safety that must be released before the pistol will fire.
All other types (double-action) require the spring to be compressed by pulling the trigger before they will fire.
Furthermore, most modern handguns have a connector or disconnector (both terms are used) that prevents the hammer from hitting the firing pin unless the trigger is held back.
I personally am confident that the chance of a holstered handgun "going off" is less than a wheel falling off a vehicle or the brakes going out while driving.
- Jim
In order for a weapon to fire, the firing pin has to strike the primer with enough force to ignite it. In revolvers and most pistols, that means the hammer must be pulled back, compressing the mainspring, and then released.
Hammerless pistols like the Glock have an internal mechanism that accomplishes the same thing.
In pistols that are carried cocked, like the 1911, the hammer is blocked by a manual safety that must be released before the pistol will fire.
All other types (double-action) require the spring to be compressed by pulling the trigger before they will fire.
Furthermore, most modern handguns have a connector or disconnector (both terms are used) that prevents the hammer from hitting the firing pin unless the trigger is held back.
I personally am confident that the chance of a holstered handgun "going off" is less than a wheel falling off a vehicle or the brakes going out while driving.
- Jim
Thanks for the info velocity. IMO i can't see how anyone can feel comforatble carrying if they have not had any experience with doing such or have not taken any classes past the CHL. I know I will be asking more than my fair share of questions if i can't find them here. From what i've seen this is a great forum and i wish i would have found it sooner.
What you can do is carry an unloaded weapon and see if the trigger gets pulled.doghouse wrote:IMO i can't see how anyone can feel comforatble carrying if they have not had any experience with doing such ...
If you carry an unloaded double-action revolver or pistol, and the trigger is pulled, you'll know because the hammer drops.
- Jim
This really sounds like a confidence issue. That means you need some experience. Go get a holster and carry your XD around the house loaded and ready to go, but with a snap cap in the chamber. If it ever "fires" it will just hit the snap cap and nothing will happen. But it will give you the confidence that you are safe carrying in condition ready. And then you can do your wally walk as soon as the plastic arrives.
For me, range time answered this question for me. I have 2 different pistols, with different modes of operation.
My first carry gun was an FEG PA-63, which is a Walther PPK copy. It has a DA/SA action. Other than the DA pull being notably heavy (around 20 lbs.), it also has a safety/decocker which needs to be disabled in order to fire. My main carry weapon now is a Hi-Power, which operates just like a 1911. The only useful way to carry a SA pistol for self defense is in condition 1 (round chambered, hammer cocked, safety on - "cocked and locked").
What resolved the question for me was to test how the safeties worked at the range. Once I found that it was impossible to get the gun to fire with the safety engaged, my concerns about carrying in condition 1 were alleviated. Furthermore, if you are carrying in a proper holster, there is no way for the trigger to get pulled while carrying.
Once you get past all of the things mentioned above, there is only one legitimate issue to be concerned about: proper gun handling. Unless a gun has been mechanically compromised, the only way it's going to fire is if the person handling it pulls the trigger. In contrast to what the movies tell us, modern handguns do not go off when dropped on their hammers, or when dropped any other way. Your main focus with concerns of accidental discharge should be yourself. Make sure you develop good gun handling habits. Never put your finger on the trigger unless you are either going to fire the gun or have absolutely verified the gun empty for purposes of testing trigger pull/practicing drawing/etc. Remaining vigilant about proper gun handling will ensure that your gun does not accidentally discharge. Remember the 4 rules, and adhere to them.
Once you are sure of yourself and your gun, you should be comfortable carrying with one in the chamber and ready to go.
My first carry gun was an FEG PA-63, which is a Walther PPK copy. It has a DA/SA action. Other than the DA pull being notably heavy (around 20 lbs.), it also has a safety/decocker which needs to be disabled in order to fire. My main carry weapon now is a Hi-Power, which operates just like a 1911. The only useful way to carry a SA pistol for self defense is in condition 1 (round chambered, hammer cocked, safety on - "cocked and locked").
What resolved the question for me was to test how the safeties worked at the range. Once I found that it was impossible to get the gun to fire with the safety engaged, my concerns about carrying in condition 1 were alleviated. Furthermore, if you are carrying in a proper holster, there is no way for the trigger to get pulled while carrying.
Once you get past all of the things mentioned above, there is only one legitimate issue to be concerned about: proper gun handling. Unless a gun has been mechanically compromised, the only way it's going to fire is if the person handling it pulls the trigger. In contrast to what the movies tell us, modern handguns do not go off when dropped on their hammers, or when dropped any other way. Your main focus with concerns of accidental discharge should be yourself. Make sure you develop good gun handling habits. Never put your finger on the trigger unless you are either going to fire the gun or have absolutely verified the gun empty for purposes of testing trigger pull/practicing drawing/etc. Remaining vigilant about proper gun handling will ensure that your gun does not accidentally discharge. Remember the 4 rules, and adhere to them.
Once you are sure of yourself and your gun, you should be comfortable carrying with one in the chamber and ready to go.
-
Charles L. Cotton
- Site Admin
- Posts: 17788
- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:31 pm
- Location: Friendswood, TX
- Contact:
Re: Newbie here with a few questions
I live in Friendswood and shoot at PSC. I have a lot of Comp-Tac holsters and you are welcome to meet me at the range and try some different models.doghouse wrote:I realise i have a lot to learne on here and i've already started the reading. But one question that i am curious about is when carrying is your gun loaded as in one in the chamber ready to go? I worry about a misfire which is probably just from being a newbie and never having carried on my person. I also worry about the kids around me when carrying if loaded like explained. I have not seen a question like this asked but it seems important enough to me to ask it.
Also where is the closest place to try out some comp-tac IWB holsters in the Houston area. I live in the League City area and am currently waiting for the plastic just sent the paperwork today.
I'm also scheduling an NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home Course, as well as an NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home Course you may be interested in taking.
Chas.
-
jbirds1210
- Senior Member
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2005 5:36 pm
- Location: Texas City, Texas