Is it smart to conceal carry with one in the chamber?
soneill1986 asked:
Just like to get an idea of what other people do. I have a Springfield XD40 that has an internal hammer. I was curious about whether it would be a good idea to conceal carry with a round in the chamber considering there's no way to lower the hammer. I currently carry with a belt holster but will eventually buy some cargo pants and use a pocket holster(to make it a bit easier to sit down).
Just like to get an idea of what other people do. I have a Springfield XD40 that has an internal hammer. I was curious about whether it would be a good idea to conceal carry with a round in the chamber considering there's no way to lower the hammer. I currently carry with a belt holster but will eventually buy some cargo pants and use a pocket holster(to make it a bit easier to sit down).
Is it dangerous to do this, I don't want to accidentally put a round in my thigh.
 |
 Ultrafire 119 LED Flashlight Torch Cover Black color Nylon Torch Holster Pouch  US $2.69
|
August 11th, 2009 at 4:52 am
noway dude the best way to carry it is hanging around your neck with the barrel up
August 14th, 2009 at 10:06 am
If your going to carry I think It should be loaded. You dont have time when something goes bad to load a gun. Or god forbid start to panic and pull it out having forgotten to load it. Mine always has a round in the chamber!!
August 14th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
It just depends on what you are comfortable with. Your gun is definitely safer to do that with than others. It isn’t that much more time to chamber a round, but you never know. As long as your gun is mechanically sound and you have it safely secured, do what you feel is best for you. It just depends on the person. Be safe and good luck!
August 17th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I have carried both the XD and a 1911. I would say you are Ok, here is why, Like the 1911, the XD has a grip saftey, so if your not holding it properly, in theory you should be safe. Along with all the other safeties on the gun, you’re ok.
The bad guys won’t stop as you ask, “hey wait let me load my gun”. So go hot all the time. Just remeber basic gun safety and hopefully you will not harm yourself or others.
Before investing in new pants and another rig, maybe you should try a longer shirt, or try a IWB holster, or even a shoulder holster. I wear cargo pants a lot, IMO, I would not feel comfortable having my gun in a pocket down there. It would get snagged and stuck. I carry my fullsize 1911 in a BlackHawk Paddle serpa holster. I just wear larger shirts or sweatshirts. I also have the option to open carry, you may want to look into this, to avoid having to buy a new wardrobe. Just make sure you have some sort of retention device.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
You better carry with one in the pipe. If you need to pull that in an emergency you don’t wanna take time to have to rack the slide. Besides, there are Police Forces that use the Springfield and you can guarandamntee that they have one chambered.
The XD has integrated safeties which require that the weapon be gripped when discharged. It not only has the trigger safety that will not allow the firing pin to engage unless the trigger is being squeezed, it also has one on the backstrap.
Carry with confidence with one in the chamber.
August 22nd, 2009 at 10:17 pm
I do if you are in trouble the criminal isn’t going to give you time to get a round in your gun I carry a Taurus 9mm with a 12 round clip and 1 in the chamber and usually an extra clip in the leg pocket if I am wearing carpenter jeans in your case carrying a revolver without a hammer it would seem safer than one with a hammer I know some people who carry revolver with one round removed placed where the hammer is so that when they pull the hammer back the next round is in place this seems safe but without an external hammer I don’t see how this would be possible the main rule when carrying a gun is to be safe as possible if your gun is in good condition you should be able to trust it not to go off on its own but better safe than sorry just remember if the time ever comes the criminal is not going to give you time to chamber a round
August 26th, 2009 at 3:57 am
Is it in a holster of some sort? Then it should have a round chambered. If your just carrying it on your belt than it better have a saftey as I may have second thoughts. If it is a single/double action then I would think it’s ok.
August 28th, 2009 at 2:25 am
I have carried concealed in Boston, Portland Maine and Alaska for over 20 years – and have taught concealed carry classe for many years.
The issue of one in the chamber or not depends on three things.
1. Is the pistol design safe? If your pistol can accidentally discharge when dropped in any way or fashion – then it is not a good idea.
2. How are you strapping and un-strapping? When you arrive home you remove the holster with the loaded pistol still inserted and it goes into the safe. In the morning it comes out of the safe holster and all and onto your belt – and the loaded pistol never leaves the holster. This is ok.
However, if you are removing the pistol from the holster and unloading – remove the mag and clear the chambered round – before going into the safe – this is the where accidents happen! This is not ok.
3. Who might accidentally handle the pistol? If you have children living with you under the age of 18 – then never carry one in the pipe. If you wife is not handy with guns – you never carry one in the pipe.
Your XD has both a visual and tactile (touch) indicator that a round is in the chamber and a separate indicator for the hammer being ready. This is a huge help to preventing accidental discharges.
Your XD is also tested to not have an accidental discharge even when dropped from a 7 floor building’s roof. I do not know why they choose 7th floor – manybe the pistol bursts into pieces when dropped from the 8th?
What I do for general going to the store and around town I will strap on the XD and not have one in the chamber. On the few days a year I am carrying something of extremely high value out in the open – like a car load of firearms going to or from a class where some fool might see it and think it’s an easy take – I keep one in the pipe.
I live in Alaska and once you step off the road you are not entering the woods – you are entering the food chain. You bet I have one in the chamber on those days and trips and two mags on the other side of teh shoulder rig. A 45acp might not be the best caliber for a grizzly bear – but with 3 each 13 round mags I can shoot off all his claws, shoot out all his teeth – and the worse it can do is sit on me or gum me.
When you have one in the chamber – it needs to be secure to your body. That means a shoulder rig, or, a belt holster with a security strap that holds the pistol. A pocket holster aint going to cut the mustard with your XD – and – you will not want one in the chamber if you use one of these loose fitting gizmos.
Hope this helps
August 28th, 2009 at 11:00 am
I never carry one in the pipe. Think yer faster try me! I carry the 1911 and I carry it every day everywhere. Bad guys do not happen often enough to make it worth the risk of shooting myself. Not to mention if there was one in the pipe the saftey would be on so this is an “action” ….well ….so is putting one in the pipe. I feel quite safe…
August 30th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Back when I carried a concealed handgun, I never put one in the chamber.
If your a law enforcement officer, then fine. Those men and women run up against bad guys all the time. When bad things happen, they have to get to the “scene of the crime” fully prepared. As for the rest of us CIVILIANS, we are not expected to save the day…only save our own hides.
When I had my “permit” I rarely carried a gun with me. When I did carry one, I had the magazine loaded, but nothing in the chamber. Only maybe 2 or 3 times did I find myself in a situation where I felt that the threat level was increasing…and I found a private location to place a round in the chamber of my pistol to be ready.
And one more thing. This is why I prefer a snubnosed revolver to an automatic pistol. Internal firing mechanism? Give me a double-action revolver and I won’t worry as much. Oh…and when I carried a revolver for protection? There was always an empty chamber under the hammer. (Yeah yeah. I know. Modern day revolvers have hammer blocks. But, I trust NOTHING to be 100% reliable in terms of mechanical safeties on firearms.)
September 1st, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Put a round in your thigh? You’re carrying an XD, not a Glock!
Seriously though, prevention of negligent discharges is WHY the XD has a grip safety, a trigger safety, and a drop safety.
I have an XD-40 myself, and a 1911. I will and do carry either condition one, and you should, too.
Well, you could always practice the Israeli draw (rack while drawing from holster), and carry in condition 3, if you wanted….
September 4th, 2009 at 10:43 am
I have carried legally and illegally in nearly every state. You need to carry one in the chamber because for your application (CCW) you most likely will be using your firearm in some type of ambush and speed is essential. Criminals generally come in packs (more than one) and they will generally only attack when they feel the odds are in their favor.
Do not buy a pocket holster, continue to carry in a belt holster. Here is a test, make sure your gun is unloaded, have a friend wrestle with you on the ground, see how easy it is to access your firearm in fight with the pocket holster or the standard belt holster. The answer is the belt holster.
September 7th, 2009 at 5:58 am
An Empty chamber is useless if and when in an emergency you need to defend yourself from a threat that may Injure or Kill you.* Be Prepared by always having one in the chamber.* I do, no problem.*
September 9th, 2009 at 8:44 am
If you don’t feel safe carrying a round in the chamber of your pistol, then get one that you do. When trouble comes, you will probably only have about 2-3 seconds to recognize and assess the threat, make a decision and (if that is the decision) draw your weapon and engage the threat.
You don’t have time to chamber a round (at the same time risking a jam).
September 14th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Always, always, always carry one in the chamber. If you aren’t going to, you might as well keep the gun at home in the safe. Only in movies do they jack the slide back for effect.
This answer from someone who appears to have a lot of experience scares the **** out of me:
3. Who might accidentally handle the pistol? If you have children living with you under the age of 18 – then never carry one in the pipe. If you wife is not handy with guns – you never carry one in the pipe.
No one can ever ACCIDENTALLY handle your gun!!!! You either have to have it on your person, or secured at ALL TIMES!
Furthermore, the age of 18 has NOTHING to do with this. People don’t magically become competent with firearms on their 18th birthday. If you fear someone is going to handle your gun enough that you don’t have a round chambered, you have no business owning the gun.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:11 am
I always have a round in the chamber unless I enter areas where you have to clear your weapon. But it does have to do with your confidence in your weapon. If you don’t feel safe with it, then make sure you train that much harder to rack the slide before your engagement. And make sure you always train that you have a round in the chamber even when you don’t. Good way to prevent communication failures.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
When seconds count……
I like what Glacier said. The XD is a very safe gun when properly holstered and proper handgun safety and thought is exercised all the time.
September 19th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Check your owner’s manual and it will tell you if it is safe to carry it with a round chamnbered.
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:30 am
if your going to carry keep your side arm at the ready,I dont think a bad guy is going to wait for you to fumble around and chamber one. this is no time to bluff