One in the Pipe?

[XDs 4me]

Curious to see feedback on whether folks routinely carry semi-auto chambered during routine carry. I recognize there are issues that may or may not influence certain situations, such as considering the 1-2 seconds it would take to chamber in an encounter, as well as the issue of whether you even have a free hand to ratchet the slide, versus the 'hot' weapon at all times.

Just really pingin' for input here, because as I stated, I know there are so many unknown factors related to a possible situation, but the question relates to SAs that do not have the de-cocking capability. Hot at all times.

So, if you would please simply comment on your feelings about carrying hot vs the 1-2 seconds it would take to chamber.

Do you carry piped or not?

Thanks, and be safe!

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[jahwarrior72]

i always carry "hot", no matter the type of gun. i own and carry a S&W Sigma 9mm, a Keltec P3AT, and a Taurus PT1911. the first two are DAO, and have long trigger pulls; ADs are pretty much impossible with them. the 1911 has manual safeties, of course, and i think it's faster, and safer, to have one down the pipe and flick off the thumb safety, than to rack the slide if the need arises.

[ouch]

I figured if I had 2 seconds to rack I had 2 second to run.. If I pull my gun out of the holster, you need to be able to pull the trigger. every little bit of time counts if someone has a gun on you. Think your quick enough though? Have a buddy stand next to you at tthe range. have his ready and have yours not. count to three pull out and shoot, He beat you.

[deadeye72]

I carry as many in my gun as it will hold,so yes, I carry with a round chambered. Do a search on here and you will find that this has been discussed many times in the past month or two.

[zigziggityzo]

My every-day carry is my Glock 17. I carry it chambered.

[Dakota97]

If you are going to carry for self defense, keep on in the chamber.

[Uechi]

One or two seconds can make the difference between going home to your family or going to the morgue. In high stress situations motor skills deteriorate. Practice can improve them but do you want to rely on your ability to remember to jack the slide prior to shooting or just have to pull the trigger? If you have misgivings about carrying a semi auto with one in the chamber you will either have to learn to get use to it or carry a revolver. Manual safeties are nice, but it takes fine motor skills to disengage. Again, under stress you might forget to flip the safety off. Training can help remove this problem. I for one prefer to use my brain and my trigger finger.

[WC145]

Try searching the subject, this question is asked on every gun forum in existence at least once a week and the answers are always overwhelmingly in favor of carrying your gun fully loaded.

[Old Chief]

1911 cocked and locked. I may not have 2 seconds to waste in a confrontational situation.

[AllAmerican]

Always one in the pipe.

BTW, welcome to the forum!

[QKShooter]

2 seconds is an eternity when your life is in deadly peril.

That having been said...you should make up your own mind as to if you'll carry hot or not.

Only you know how good the brain is between your ears.

[Martial Archer]

Can't count on having a free hand to rack the slide.

The 1 - 2 seconds you'll need to work that slide could get you killed.

I always carry "hot"!

[mkh]

This comes up often.

I carry one in the pipe. If you don't then it's just a heavy paperweight on your belt.

[jfl]

Your weak hand may be busy fending off an attack, putting loved ones out of the way, wounded, etc.
It is possible to rack the slide on your belt, with your heel ... Try it.

A gun with no round in the chamber is an expensive rock

Then you stand the risk of the BG grabbing it

My Glocks have one in the pipe; my wife's SW .357 Scandium has a full cylinder.

[tns0038]

Think of it this way.

When you carry a revolver, is there a round in the next chamber so if you pull the trigger the gun will fire. In most modern firearms today, carrying a round in the pipe of a semi auto pistol is just as safe.

The way I see it is, my holster is the safety for my Glock. Even when I pocket carry, I carry my Glock 26 in a nemesis holster. If I draw my pistol, I’m ready for it to go bang.

I don’t want a safety, other than the one on the trigger, and I surly don’t want to have to rack the slide.

Another way to look at it is.
If you’re truly confronting a BG; the BG will already have his pistol pointed at you. The BG’s reaction time is about 2-seconds. Do you want to use that two seconds to put a bullet in is COM, or do you want to use it racking your slide.