Just reading through the treads this am and again came across the one regarding carrying chambered or something like that.. Saw that there's 161 folks that are not comfortable with a chambered round.. To these folks I would simply say. Buy and carry a DAO pistol or revolver. The round won't go off without the trigger pull and you will more than Likely save yours or a loved ones life by dong so. I can attest to the simple fact that under most conditions you will not have the time, or presence of mind to rack the slide and make ready to defend off an attacker hell bent on doing you harm. We all like to think we have what it takes, but being someone that has had something similar happen on two occasions, one while carrying my G23 with no round chambered and once with a S&W revolver. The clear winner was the revolver. Keep this I'm mind. Regardless of round count, the first one to hit his target is probably gonna win the fight.:wink: Now if the G23 was loaded and ready for business, the Glock would be my go to choice every time; just thought I'd add that little tidbit.
just a touch of history behind the two times I had to draw a weapon. Both times were attempted home invasions, back when they were few and far between. Neither gained entry and I laugh at it now, but was not funny at the time. Each time I was startled outta my mind and when I reacted to the event I gave out a very loud shout as I readied my weapon. Why, I have no idea. It just happens. Both times it was simply the word "hey" but it is loud and in anger.. My wife said it scared the pooh outta her. The first time was with my G23 and I carried it not chambered. I used to carry it around the house and set it on the end table or somewhere close depending where I was at.
One evening someone tried to kick in the front door. It sounded so loud and with so much force that I almost fell outta my chair. Luckily I have always made an effort to keep the doors deadbolt on when we are inside regardless of time of day; just a habit from apartment living. Anyway, the door held and I was able to gather my wits and grab the Glock and rack the slide and while all that was taking place out comes the banshee yell! Lol.. Now I can't be sure what made the person or persons leave, the racking of the slide, the door holding from such a hard kick, or my audible alert, but there was not another kick on the door and the police were called and on their way. After reflection on the situation it was clear to me, that if whoever kicked the door had of gained entry on that first kick, I would have been dead meat if they wanted to shoot me, and my wife would then have been at their mercy. Needless to say, that just will not do. From that day forward I decided to revamp my defensive situation and started keeping all my guns loaded and ready for action. I also started carrying on my person all the time, especially at home.
The second time I pulled a firearm was when I saw a guy in my back yard through the sliding glass door. Obviously up to no good and looking for a entry spot. This one wasn't such a startle, but t was enough to get the adrenal glands to pumping and out comes the yell and revolver at the same time. It was loud enough that the guy heard me through the glass and off he went like a jack rabbit.. That rascle was pretty fast, so the ole foot chase was outta the question, but the police were called and a description was taken.. One noticeable difference between the two events for me was instantaneous. My confidence level was greatly enhanced knowing that I was ready for the fight should it come to it. It's kinda hard to explane, but subconsciously I knew all I had to do was draw and make ready and that made a world of difference after the ordeal. Because I was alert and ready, he was at my mercy instead of the other way around. I know not every situation will be the same obviously, but having to take the extra second or two to ready the firearm is not the way to win a possible life or death battle. Some folks will have to experience the situation just like I did before they understand, that you are not ten foot tall and bullet proof. I truly hope you come outta it safe and sound as I did.
In closing I hope that those folks on the fence regarding the chambered or not chambered query, will take some advice from just an average Joe. Even though I call myself an average guy, I was a in my prime and very athletic all the way through my youth and into my late 30's and early 40's. These events happened several years apart and in between that time period, so physical condition has very little to do with the success rate IMO. I equate it to more along the lines of who has the high ground there and being a round down and the additional time to ready the weapon will surly cost ya.