I originally posted this article in 2020. I recently stumbled across the video ( https://youtu.be/0rXgXepJGDQ?si=dETCGgFItpDSyJYo ) by Colion Noir. His take is a little different than mine. But, we agree on the end result. nIts well worth the few minutes it takes to watch it.
A question I’m frequently asked is: “Should I carry with a round in the chamber?” While people hold very strong, and opposing, opinions about the answer to this question, I think it is a decision each individual must make for themselves. Personally, I believe in having a round in the chamber. The purposes of this article are to explain why I keep a round chambered and to address some of the common concerns about doing so. I hope that I will be able to help the reader make an informed decision.
I carry a firearm for self-defense, I think it should be ready for action. It’s a matter of preparedness. In the military, a firearm with no round in the chamber is sometimes referred to as a “dead man’s gun.” If you don’t have a live round in the chamber, it increases both the time required and the number of actions necessary to engage a threat. Those are handicaps I don’t need. In a deadly force situation, you are most probably reacting to a threat, and thus already at a disadvantage. Drawing your firearm takes some time no matter how fast you are. Adding another step, such as, racking the slide to chamber a round adds an eternity during the flash of a deadly force incident. It doesn’t matter how much you train, it is not possible to be as fast as if you don’t have to rack the slide. When split seconds count, I don’t want to add any delays or unnecessary acts. Under extreme stress, fine motor skills deteriorate rapidly. As a result, it may be difficult to get one’s gun ready for action before it’s too late. In a self-defense situation, you don’t want to be in second place.
Some people chose to carry on an empty chamber because they believe that by doing so, they are providing a margin of safety against making a bad decision in a critical situation. Essentially, they want a failsafe. I applaud their motivation. But, I think this approach puts them at a disadvantage in two ways. First, even if they chamber a round without difficulty (avoid jamming the pistol with a short cycle), it consumes valuable time. Second, I think this inserts a stutter in their OODA loop and raises a possibility that they will do nothing at all until it is too late. For a description of the OODA loop, please see the article, “The Marine Corps’ Secret Training Technique.”
Some people feel that having a round chambered creates a dangerous situation. They fear that they may have an accidental discharge and cause injury or death. The two most common causes of an unintentional discharge are: 1) Inadvertent activation of the trigger; and 2) A “drop-fire” where the firearm is dropped, and the impact causes the firing pin, or striker, to strike the primer of a round in the chamber. Of the two causes, an accidental activation of the trigger is far more common. To avoid such a discharge, your pistol should be carried in a quality holster designed specifically for your make and model of firearm. That holster must protect the trigger from anything being able to snag it or move it. Protecting the trigger safeguards against a negligent discharge because the trigger cannot be pulled accidentally. The holster should be made of a tough material that will not soften over time. It should be carried on a stout belt that has sufficient rigidity to support the firearm and hold it in place. You must also train yourself to concentrate on holstering your firearm carefully, not allowing clothing, etc. to catch the trigger. In an emergency it may be necessary to draw quickly. But, you usually have the rest of the day to holster your firearm safely. You still need a holster if you’re going to carry in a pocket. The pistol, in a holster, should be the only thing in that pocket. There are a number of well-made holsters available that are specifically designed to carry a pistol in a pocket and protect the trigger.
Unlike the classic western six shooter, modern firearms are carefully designed to absorb a fall without discharging. But, it is not impossible for one to fire if dropped. Buying a quality firearm, and properly maintaining it, will go a long way towards preventing a drop-fire. If you are concerned that your pistol may fall out of the holster, you may want to use a holster with a retention device.
I personally don’t like off-body carry such as carrying in a purse, briefcase or backpack. In addition to generally being slower to engage than on-body carry, it presents dangers of snagging the trigger, leading to an accidental discharge. It’s more vulnerable to discovery and manipulation by young hands. It’s also more susceptible to theft than on-body carry. If you carry your pistol off-body and someone steals the container (purse, briefcase, backpack, etc.), they also have your pistol. If you are going to carry off-body, make sure to get a container that is designed for concealed carry. It should have a way to mount a holster in a pocket dedicated to that purpose. Another danger of off-body carry is the increased possibility that the container may be dropped. If, for some reason, you cannot wear a belt and holster there are other alternatives besides off-body carry. Many people find that a belly band holster works well. It accomplishes the same goals as a belt and holster of holding the firearm securely and, for some people, makes concealment a bit easier.
Some people are concerned that some modern striker-fired guns lack an external safety and are thus unsafe with a round in the chamber. An external safety is a mechanical device designed to prevent a firearm from discharging unless the safety is deactivated. Striker-fired guns are double action, meaning the trigger must be pulled to cock and release the striker. They are designed so that they can only be fired if the trigger is pulled. If you have an external safety, you need to train to deactivate it before attempting to fire. I believe that if your pistol is securely carried on your body, in an appropriate holster, an external safety is not necessary. Having one adds another act you must do, to engage a threat.
Freak accidents do happen. They are highly unlikely, but they point to the need to always be careful in handling a firearm. The keys to reducing the likelihood of a negligent discharge are as follows:
- Always use a quality holster designed for your specific firearm and with trigger protection.
- Follow the universal rules of gun safety:
- All guns are always loaded.
- Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are aligned with the target; and
- Be sure of your target and what’s beyond.
- The NRA’s safety rules are worded slightly differently:
- Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot; and
- Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. (I’m often asked how this rule works in the context of concealed carry. The answer is a concealed carry firearm can (should) be ready to use at any time.)
- Train to draw and reholster your unloaded firearm until you can do both without looking. Then continue to practice.
- Know how your firearm functions and maintain it properly.
Stay safe. Train well.
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