Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I know this isn't really a cc/oc question but I thought this would be a good spot for the question. Anyways, this may be a dumb question, is there anything that says you can't carry with one round chambered? anyone recommend against it? Thanks for any input.

I always have one in the chamber, always.

GS78 wrote:I always have one in the chamber, always.

If you suddenly find out you absolutely have to chamber a round - it's already too late....

CCFan wrote: If you suddenly find out you absolutely have to chamber a round - it's already too late....

you made up my mind for me

CCFan wrote:

GS78 wrote:I always have one in the chamber, always.

If you suddenly find out you absolutely have to chamber a round - it's already too late....

+1

To answer your question - no - there is nothing in VA law that says you cannot carry with one in the chamber.

With that, a pistol without one ready to fire makes for a fine paperweight or club...

As I said I'm convinced and since I bought it I have kept one in the chamber but I don't have my CHP yet so I haven't really carried it outside the house except to the range and obviously it was in it's case unloaded for the time being. Thanks for the your input.

I think I heard this here, a Texas Ranger always carried his 1911 cocked and locked. A civilian noticed the fully cocked hammer on the Rangers' sidearm and asked. "Isn't that dangerous?" to which the Ranger replied
"I wouldn't carry the damn thing if it wasn't dangerous."
Carrying an automatic with one in the chamber is as dangerous as carrying a fully loaded six shot revolver, it's the shooter that makes it safe or unsafe.

GS78 wrote:I always have one in the chamber, always.

+1

coltman wrote:I think I heard this here, a Texas Ranger always carried his 1911 cocked and locked. A civilian noticed the fully cocked hammer on the Rangers' sidearm and asked. "Isn't that dangerous?" to which the Ranger replied
"I wouldn't carry the damn thing if it wasn't dangerous."
Carrying an automatic with one in the chamber is as dangerous as carrying a fully loaded six shot revolver, it's the shooter that makes it safe or unsafe.

"fully cocked hammer " I doubt that.

GS78 wrote:

coltman wrote:I think I heard this here, a Texas Ranger always carried his 1911 cocked and locked. A civilian noticed the fully cocked hammer on the Rangers' sidearm and asked. "Isn't that dangerous?" to which the Ranger replied
"I wouldn't carry the damn thing if it wasn't dangerous."
Carrying an automatic with one in the chamber is as dangerous as carrying a fully loaded six shot revolver, it's the shooter that makes it safe or unsafe.

"fully cocked hammer " I doubt that.

The old shooters always carried the 1911 fully cocked and locked - most without exception. Most of them also had nice big thumb safeties installed so they could flick draw squeeze in one motion.

zephyp wrote:

GS78 wrote:

coltman wrote:I think I heard this here, a Texas Ranger always carried his 1911 cocked and locked. A civilian noticed the fully cocked hammer on the Rangers' sidearm and asked. "Isn't that dangerous?" to which the Ranger replied
"I wouldn't carry the damn thing if it wasn't dangerous."
Carrying an automatic with one in the chamber is as dangerous as carrying a fully loaded six shot revolver, it's the shooter that makes it safe or unsafe.

"fully cocked hammer " I doubt that.

The old shooters always carried the 1911 fully cocked and locked - most without exception. Most of them also had nice big thumb safeties installed so they could flick draw squeeze in one motion.

A fully cocked hammer on a revolver with one under the hammer is dangerous depending on the weapon. As far as the fully loaded revolver in a holster or whatever in the old day's all single action revolvers were carried with only 5 rounds in them and nothing under the hammer as they did not have a hammer block safety and ANY type of blow to the hammer would make it fire if a round was under the hammer.

A lot of Dumb Cowboy's were called 9 toe's
Bill

coltman wrote:Carrying an automatic with one in the chamber is as dangerous as carrying a fully loaded six shot revolver, it's the shooter that makes it safe or unsafe.

I dont think so. For 1911s cocked and locked it takes 3 willful acts for the pistol to fire - 1 flick off the safety - 2 a proper grip - 3 pull the trigger...unless your pistol is faulty a 1911 wont fire any other way...at least AFAIK. For other autos (DA) unless they are ancient the pistol must be unsafed and the trigger pulled.

I thought cocked and locked was the only way to carry a 1911

Vahunter wrote:I thought cocked and locked was the only way to carry a 1911

The only time I carry mine any other way is if I'm putting it back in the safe...

I even keep mine cocked and locked in the gun safe next to my bed.

As overwhelming as the response is to carry with one in the chamber... I normally don't carry it chambered on my hip. I do realize I will probably get rebuked twenty times over and told to lay down and be a good victim, but I just don't.

I have not been carrying that long, as I've always been more of a long gun guy and just recently purchased a Sig P239 as my carry weapon. This gun does have a de-cocker, but no safety.

Since my job is moving heavy equipment, I have a lot of things tearing at my belt / clothing all day and wouldn't want a snag to tear my gun from the holster and the gun to fire from impact which however remote of a possibility....

As I continue to carry, I may change guns, or change how I carry but as of right now this is how it goes for me.

To carry with an empty chamber is called "Isreali Style" and can be used fairly well if practiced.In my oppinion, when seconds count keep it simple. No matter how anyone chooses to carry they must practice exactly how they intend to carry. Muscle memory will prevail in high pressure situations. There are several ways to carry several different firearms and it can come down to personal preference. The key is to use what makes the carrier most comfortable and confident with their chosen weapon and in being able to use it properly when needed. The most important aspect is PRACTICE. IMHO.

Username wrote:...Since my job is moving heavy equipment, I have a lot of things tearing at my belt / clothing all day and wouldn't want a snag to tear my gun from the holster and the gun to fire from impact which however remote of a possibility....

That's why God made M&P's and Glocks No pesky hammers to get in the way.

Seriously, though, you'd have to have a situation where the pistol was pulled from the holster (isn't it secured in your holster?), safety clicked off, and trigger pulled before the unthinkable happens. I think you are more likely to be struck by lightning.

All that being said, and my comment to the OP is, YOU have to be confident and comfortable with carrying condition one. No-one can decide for you or bully you into it. The transition isn't as mind-bending as you might think, however. The biggest thing you have to realize, is that you DON'T have to handle the gun nearly as much if carrying this way, simply because you don't have to clear a gun which you know is ready to fire. You will pretty much leave it in the holster at all times. In some ways, it's actually safer.

guitarpicva wrote:Seriously, though, you'd have to have a situation where the pistol was pulled from the holster (isn't it secured in your holster?), safety clicked off, and trigger pulled before the unthinkable happens. I think you are more likely to be struck by lightning.

This is basically what I was thinking, I feel comfortable with one chambered cause with the safety on on the P95 it disengages the trigger and I don't have the hammer cocked and without it cocked the first shot would be a double action with single action after that one.