One in the pipe???

[Trin Tragula]

I carry a Bersa Thunder .45 UC. I am very comfortable with the safety and decocker on that model. when it goes in the holster, I turn the safety off. It's a DA pistol, so all I have to do to deploy is unholster and pull the trigger.

Less movements = quicker reaction time.

Originally Posted by HumanDirt

Hey all, I wanted your inputs into my question here about chambering a round. I do carry with one in the pipe, but a few people I know don't. I'll ask why they don't and the answer I get is that they don't feel comfortable with one in and if they do need to use it in a situation, they can rack one in at that time.

I chamber one in because when that time comes, my mind will be running super fast that I probably won't even have time to think if I have a round in, not alone rack one in. I'll just want to click and bang.

My question to all is, how do you all feel about chambering a round in or not?

[5knives]

FWIW, Springfields, 1911a1's cocked and locked with one chambered. Only problem I'v had in about 55 years was when I installed ambi safties, found the outside safeties wiped off a couple of times, replaced them with original, no more problem.

It isn't really all that difficult to take a safety off with your left hand.

Israeli's taught condition 3 carry, draw, cock and fire with a ghetto twist, as a kind of military/civilian method anyone can learn, don't know if they still do or not. I DO know that in the U.S non-LEO shootings occur at FAR closer distances than LEO shootings, feet instead of yards. Last I heard LE shootings were now about 6-7 yards, non-LEO shootings were at 5-6 feet. Can't say those are current numbers, but even 7 yards isn't much time. 6 feet is no time.

Even if the safety wipes off, you still got the grip safety and the disconnect going for you and if you keep your booger picker out of the trigger guard, your still safe.

You CAN chamber a round and cock it on the draw with a 1911, works best with an original GI holster, need that little pad they have, but it takes a LOT of practice to get fast, comfortable and safe doing that. Jeff Cooper and his 'leather Slapping" buddies used to demonstrate that when he was a mere Captain, some guys who tried to emulate that with loaded 1911's developed permanent limps. I could do it once (practice with empty gun) but I wouldn't dream of trying it today, with a loaded weapon so why practice it?

Personally, I don't trust any firearm that does not have an external manual safety, but then I'm old, crotchety and pretty set in my ways.

Good information and suggestions posted above, if the OP can stand one more suggestion, cock the firearm, put on the safety, wear it as you plan to, even if just around the house, and see how often the safety drops off and you notice a click.

That'll pretty much decide things for you!

As always JMHO, YMMV.

Regards,
...

[1911]

The arguments for/against obviously revolve around scenarios and mechanics(safeties). Worst case scenarios are a probability issue. Mechanics are what they are. Things don't always work as intented, wear, break, eventually fail - simple entropy. Both scenarios and manual interactions with the weapon are tempered with imperfect human affect, liable to memory, mistakes and of course, plain old negligence. One immutable fact applies to this issue as to most any other in life: Murphy's Law. Things can and do go wrong.

As they say, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."

Accept the responsibility and do whatever you feel comfortable with, but don't judge another's choice in this regard one way or the other. Old timers haven't managed to stick around by being stupid.

Originally Posted by Zundfolge

Carrying with an empty chamber is basically "old timer superstitious hogwash" ...

[tkarter]

All the old timers I know figure every gun is loaded therefore why not have one in the pipe ready to go. Treat it like a loaded weapon.

You won't need a mechanical safety if the one between your ears works.

tk

[e2cTrainer]

Well I think this falls into "depending on the situation" so I'll still throw my two cents in the pot. Most of those situations I'll say 1 in the chamber! I feel comfortable without it if im just sitting at my Desk, but If i'm out and about and I for some reason had to pull it, I'd want it ready to go. I prefer a no safety either