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What do you all think about carrying with one in the chamber? I always said I would, but... Makes me nervous. Thoughts? I carry a glock 43, it would be almost impossible to engage the safety without meaning to, what about if you tripped or something and landed right on the gun?

Your glock will not fire unless someone squeezes the trigger. I think no one here carries without one in the chamber. If for some reason you have to draw your pistol and fire immediately, having to rack the slide will not help you. That being said, carry how you feel comfortable. You should eventually get over this feeling.

It took me about six months to be comfortable enough to carry with one in the chamber and safety off.

Javier730 wrote:Your glock will not fire unless someone squeezes the trigger. I think no one here carries without one in the chamber. If for some reason you have to draw your pistol and fire immediately, having to rack the slide will not help you. That being said, carry how you feel comfortable. You should eventually get over this feeling.

Well, not exactly.

The gun won't fire unless something depresses the trigger. That could be a wad of clothing that gets caught in the trigger guard, or an object in a pocket if the gun is not in a holster.

However, if the gun is encased in a good quality holster, it won't discharge unless it is removed and the trigger is depressed, even if you fall on it. Glocks have been dropped from helicopters and landed without discharging - and without anything more than cosmetic damage.

Where did the popcorn smilie go??

There is no way I wouldn't carry a gun without a round in the chamber. I just don't see the purpose of having to rack the slide when seconds could be the difference between life and death.

I agree, I dont see a point in carrying without one in the chamber, what really made me wonder if I was the minority that felt this way was a movie I was watching last night. In this scene a secret service officer draws out of his holster... then racks the slide... and I was thinking "huh?" Do most people not carry with one in the chamber? I was wondering if I was considering doing something dangerous.

Dr.Wayne wrote:What do you all think about carrying with one in the chamber? I always said I would, but... Makes me nervous. Thoughts? I carry a glock 43, it would be almost impossible to engage the safety without meaning to, what about if you tripped or something and landed right on the gun?

First of all, welcome to the Forum. To answer your question, yes I carry with one in the chamber.
At first I had the same concerns as you.
For 30 years I was always taught to keep ammunition stored in a locked container away from the firearm.
When I was at the shooting range I would put the magazine in the gun, with the safety on only when on the firing line and ready to shoot.

Of course this is not practical nor desirable for CHL/self defense purposes.
After getting my CHL, about 10 years ago, I started to carry with a round in the chamber, and my safety off.
At first I was a bit nervous, but it didn't take more than a few weeks to get used to the idea.
My EDC a Beretta PX-4 SC has a safety, but I never use it. In fact, I wish it didn't have a safety.
As others have stated, carry the gun in a good holster and keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

Excaliber wrote:

Javier730 wrote:Your glock will not fire unless someone squeezes the trigger. I think no one here carries without one in the chamber. If for some reason you have to draw your pistol and fire immediately, having to rack the slide will not help you. That being said, carry how you feel comfortable. You should eventually get over this feeling.

Well, not exactly.

The gun won't fire unless something depresses the trigger. That could be a wad of clothing that gets caught in the trigger guard, or an object in a pocket if the gun is not in a holster.

but I say someone because other than someone forcibly taking your firearm and firing it, anything depressing the trigger whether it be clothing or object in a pocket with a pistol not in a proper holster, will be a negligent discharge caused by the person carrying.

If the trigger is properly covered and does not get depressed, a glock will not discharge if you trip and land on it. I should of worded it a little different.

Double Post

Dr.Wayne wrote:I agree, I dont see a point in carrying without one in the chamber, what really made me wonder if I was the minority that felt this way was a movie I was watching last night. In this scene a secret service officer draws out of his holster... then racks the slide... and I was thinking "huh?" Do most people not carry with one in the chamber? I was wondering if I was considering doing something dangerous.

Racking the slide makes for a good visual and foley effect - in the movies. This is real life.

Every law enforcement officer in America is required to carry with one in the chamber. That should tell you something.

I didn't carry with one in the chamber for the first few weeks, mainly so I could get used to the idea of carrying a weapon on me at all times (when not prohibited by law... ahem) Now, when I carry, one is in the chamber. I'm one of the guys that still leaves the safety on though, that might wear off after some more time though...

I intentionally selected a DAO pistol without a safety, and keep it in a holster where the trigger cannot accidentally get caught on something, so I would feel comfortable carrying chambered. It also helps to practice to get comfortable with your choice of carry.

I don't have one racked, I have small kids and while they've never gotten their hands on one of my guns without my permission. It's just a chance I don't choose to take. Now if I'm out without the kids then I'm locked and loaded.