Ordnance Department
How you carry, hot or not? – Thought I would tackle a “HOT” firearm topic. I would like to debate some thoughts towards deciding how you carry. It’s our choice about how we carry. We know, sometimes safeties can fail. We know of people who pass concealed firearm classes with minimal firearm training. Often these people apply for their license and carry. It takes time and practice to develop a pistol skill set. I’d like to see everyone carrying their firearms safely and securely with or without a round in the chamber. My writing is to help decide the best way to carry and be ready for a defensive situation.
There are two types of concealed carry people. Those with round in chamber or empty chamber. I have discussed this subject with people. Will never tell anyone they are ‘dumb’ or ‘crazy’ for their carry method; “probably get beat up”. Some people feel strongly about this topic, almost like politics. Before writing this article, I watched some YouTube “experts”. When people asked questions or disagreed; they made folks feel stupid. Good gun safety dictates, one should take no chances regarding the possibility of an accidental or negligent discharge. Granted, this isn’t to say that a person can’t carry with a round chambered and be safe.
Ever since pistols have been carried, the carry methods varied over time. As technology of metals, primers and powders improved, so have we increased using pistols. Safety systems in 1860’s was empty chamber. Carrying a pistol with an empty chamber was a widespread practice among military and police for a very long time; W.E. Fairbairn (one of the toughest men to have lived) recommend police carry automatic pistols chamber empty. The 1940 U.S. Army field manual likewise advises to carry “chamber empty”, unless there’s a quick need for pistol use. During my Army time, the requirement was to carry all 1911’s cocked, safety on and chamber empty. This prevented inexperienced lieutenants, from shooting someone’s hand or a foot off.
Is carrying a pistol with an empty chamber, is the same as having a two pound rock? While there are situations where you do not have time to chamber a round, there are also situations where you would. Chambering a round requires about one second. Time is not guaranteed, and other issues come up. Many people use “deep” concealed carry. This makes it hard to see a firearm, with shirt tucked into trousers. Downside this requires about three to five seconds before presenting a firearm. Having a round in chamber would not matter, when using “deep” carry during a close confrontation. With deep carry, you must be aware of your surroundings or “situational awareness”.
Chamber loaded proponents caution, a criminal attack can come from very close. In stressful situations, you may not be able to “get ready” by racking the slide. Your body could fumble trying to work the slide. Or maybe drop your firearm in panic. This is a dangerous situation that you’d never want to find yourself in. Having that first round chambered will completely negate the need to “get ready “. If your firearm is ready to go, all you do is to draw your firearm. It may still be difficult, depending on how close a threat is. Another consideration, is having a double action revolver or automatic. These are a quick draw and fire weapon, often in a small caliber.
You Don’t Trust Yourself – Like anything else, start training. Developing the skill that you won’t touch the trigger of your firearm, is important. Do not like holster you’re using? Could you depress the trigger in it? Try wearing a pistol unloaded in it, for a while. Check if the trigger is ever depressed, while carrying. You will gain more confidence that pistol will not go ‘bang’ while in “hot” mode. Training gives confidence in yourself and your firearm. Practice how to safely use a pistol. Know your limits and consider attending training classes, plus compete in pistol matches. It’s better to learn playing situations, in your head; rather having an actual real situation. Once it happens, there’s no reset.
You Don’t Trust Your Firearm – If you simply don’t trust your firearm, because it makes you feel uneasy. Maybe the lack of external safeties or because you don’t trust the firearm’s mechanics? If you question the internal safeties of a firearm, like a Glock; educate yourself about its systems or find another carry pistol. Pistols which have only trigger safeties, must be carried in holsters that fully cover the trigger guard. A good holster prevents the trigger from being accidentally actuated. If one doesn’t have such a holster, carry with empty chamber would be the safest carry method.
There are two unintended discharges. The “accidental discharges” happen, due to failure of the holster or firearm. A “negligent discharge” is fault of the shooter. This involves poor training with finger touching trigger while holstering. Maybe clothing or a belt catching the trigger. This is usually by inexperienced pistol owners. How does one prevent this from occurring? Not carrying with a round in the chamber certainly will do the trick. A quality gun belt will keep a pistol and a holster better retained on the waistband. A well maintained firearm should never fire without the trigger being pulled. But experience has proven, no user, safety or holster set up is perfectly fool proof.
****You May Endanger Others***** – This is my number one concern! Would you feel comfortable pointing a holstered loaded firearm at anyone? If we accept carrying a holstered loaded firearm as being safe. Observe your daily activities; we move, sit, stretch, bend over or lay down. Notice how a concealed firearm may be pointed at other people, pets or other objects. Bravely some people use the appendix carry. It is faster and has a less noticeable draw stroke. Would you feel comfortable with a loaded pistol pointed toward your groin? Ouch!
Shooting in matches for over twenty years, at every match or shooting event; clearing a firearm is number one safety protocol. If anyone negligently left a loaded firearm on the line, at a match. They would get a vocal reminder, disqualification and embarrassment. Why do firearm safety rules change, when we carry concealed?
Concealedcarry.com did a study of negligent discharges. This was a 24 month study from December 2014 to November 2016. They found 300 stories of people being injured or killed. This does not cover stories about discharges where no one was hurt. Many of these stories happened to good decent gun owners who made a mistake. It also happened to criminals, committing crimes. Stories covered police, parents, children even one story about a dog. Good news, firearm death rate related accidents, suicides and homicides have dropped over the last 50 years. Bad news, most firearm accidents injure an innocent bystander. That means “you and me.
I read, there’s almost a 5 out of 10 chance, of bystanders being injured by negligent discharges. We want to believe that these accidents are from people with less training or just stupid. Statistically, the more time you spend around firearms, the greater are the chances of having experienced a negligent or accidental discharge, simple logic. This is compounded by limited training or experience. Notice how we develop complacency around things we use a lot? Think about our cars, chain saws, power tools and firearms. I recall working furniture plants, older employees had missing fingers, or worse. Complacency develops when machines are used every day.
We all need to be vigilant for any small justification to violate firearm safety protocols. We all must observe who is next to us, maintaining “situational awareness” everywhere. Our lives are in another gun owner’s hands. Do we trust them carrying a loaded pistol concealed? Review your life style. Do you live alone, have a spouse, curious young people or neighbor hanging around? Do you believe everyone there is aware of firearm safety and handling protocol? Movies, TV and internet reflects, that most people know little about firearm safety. Particularly in our modern urban cities and neighborhoods, where shooting ranges are inconveniently, hours away.
**********Consider the “round in chamber” options like a bullseye target. ***************
X ring – Are law enforcement and security personnel. They must be prepared with round in chamber at all times while on duty.
10 ring – People who work in hazardous jobs. Convenience or liquor stores, bars, restaurants, fast foods, etc. They should consider “light concealment” with round in chamber. Prepared for any quick criminal attack.
9 ring – Those of us in less hazardous places. Not often exposed to potential confrontations. Consider light or deep concealed carry. Chambering a round, depends on possible threat areas traveled.
8 ring – Mostly at home or in areas that have locked door safety barriers. Empty chamber, plenty of time to rack slide in emergency. Protect firearm from children and unfamiliar people.
While I am not an expert, maintaining a mild approach when discussing concealed carry, is helpful. I never tell anyone that they’re making a stupid choice, when they decide to carry without or with a round in the chamber. It’s not my place to tell someone else, what they should feel comfortable with. Some believe is it safer to carry “hot than not “. Remember the consequences of concealed carry. Just in case a shooting nightmare happens, get firearm insurance from a quality organization. Always practice “trigger – finger – safety”. Have safe firearm storage, both at home, automobile or any overnight location. Have confidence in your safety and those around you at all times.
Next newsletter I am considering to start writing about interesting older firearms. May bring them to our matches for a month. I would welcome interested folks, look it over for inspection.
– Bob