SHOULD YOU CARRY WITH A ROUND IN THE CHAMBER?? | Let's talk about it...

[@reesewhitt5495]

It’s normal to start carrying without a chambered round due to inexperience and how scary it can be at the beginning. But it is important to carry chambered and ready. I started unchambered and as I got better, more familiar I went to chambered, so I understand the hesitation. Practice and get familiar and good so that you can be chambered. The point of carrying is to be ready to protect yourself quickly. Thanks for addressing this. Good points. Good luck everyone.

[@SplashOfOrange]

Same. I carried un-chambered for about a month. That month was essentially real-world training through which I built confidence in myself, my awareness, and my equipment -- and once that all settled in I switched to carrying chambered with absolute confidence. No one can do that for you -- Each person needs to build that confidence in themselves, their environment, and their equipment on their own. Conceal and Carry on!

[@ItsAMbutyoutubechangedmyname]

Same here it took a bit to feel comfortable with it now I always carry one in the chambered

[@jgeph2.4]

I have DA/SA with a Manuel safety . I still carried around the house unloaded to get used to it , and even cocked it to SA safety off unloaded and attempted to get it to go off holstered to ease my mind .

[@SplashOfOrange]

@@jgeph2.4 DA/SA makes for a great first EDC for the wary. I carried a DA/SA PX4 Compact for a while, that hammer for safety was awesome.

[@jayllogan]

I started carrying with a round in the chamber. Then I got a very physical job where I also watch machines and parts fail and break over and over again day after day. Now I don't trust my gun's safeties or my holster, even though they're brands trusted for their high quality.

[@TravariusTomaz]

Great holsters are the key to being comfortable with carry with a round in the chamber.

[@RepublicFREEman]

Or if you pocket carry get a pocket gun with a safety trigger that is known to be reliable and do not have anything else in that pocket.

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

@@RepublicFREEman I would like to know WHO in their right mind would put anything else in the same pocket as their gun ???? OMG why am i asking this question ..... I really keep forgetting that we have STUPID people walking amoung us.

[@RLN1972]

VNSH HOLSTERS!!

[@Heartwing37]

💯💯💯 especially when you carry a Glock!

[@Dale-y8w2n]

I have a good friend who was a lieutenant on the sheriff's department and he told me when I ask him about carrying on an empty chamber hie response was " by the time you pull your weapon and take time to rack the slide and aim to shoot your dead already.

[@jbuggy21]

Great video. I like what you said about carefully going to the holster. I was out on the range yesterday and my instructor said, "No one ever won a gunfight because they were fast getting back into the holster...intentionally and carefully holster your weapon."

[@jeffbrund]

We all do it differently….I carry one in the chamber but I’ve always had and use a thumb safety. It is automatic for my thumb to sweep the safety when I draw. Even at the range with a pistol that doesn’t have a thumb safety my thumb automatically sweeps even though there is nothing there. A lot of people carried a 1911 so have gotten used to a thumb safety. 👍

[@cozyafloatisme]

YES! A muscle-memory sweep of the safety to off is a simple, one handed safety solution! If you're lazy and don't want to work on muscle-memory habits, then carry with the safety off. Your choice, but I prefer the extra level of "smart, vs luck."

[@jeffbrund]

@ Agreed 👍

[@travisjohnson9432]

When I first started carrying, I was not comfortable carrying a round in the chamber. But once I learned the internal function of my firearm, I felt a lot comfortable carrying with a round in the chamber. And keep your finger off the trigger.

[@tahoe_1353]

Yep. I was the same the way....and I was familiar with firearms beforehand, but the thought can be slightly intimidating. I did see a video, and of course I can't find it now....of a gentleman getting into a fight with someone else and he had BARELY enough time to pull his gun, rack his slide and fire before the other guy pulled his and fired. It was pretty intense and that convinced me to always carry it ready to go. Ya just never know.

[@gsp49]

@@travisjohnson9432 I keep an empty cylinder below the hammer of my revolver. I'm not taking any chances. I've seen too many accidents.

[@uconnapharm]

I am reminded of that old saying : " carrying with an empty chamber , is like driving without a seat belt on and telling yourself you will have time to put the seat belt on before you wreck "

[@ShastaBean]

It's NOTHING like that. Easily most cringe argument that is ever seen in these discussions. And by a lot.

[@ShastaBean]

When is the last time you heard about a 2 yr old climbing out of their car seat, pressing the button on mom's BF's seatbelt and then Mom is gone forever the moment it's pressed?

[@glenhar1225]

@@uconnapharm A car accident is not a decision being made. Pulling a weapon to fire it upon another is. Two completely polar opposite events. Hopefully more thought is put into firing a weapon than that of fastening a seat belt.

[@jagen304]

the seatbelt metaphor would be accurate if its carrying versus not carrying.

[@ShastaBean]

@@jagen304 aside from a car suddenly bursting into flames, or abruptly flying into a river - wearing a seatbelt is virtually zero risk to yourself and it's actually zero risk to other people. The same cannot be said for carrying a gun, chambered. And putting on a seatbelt if you get tail-gated or break-checked doesn't get people arrested for brandishing a passive-restraint system.

[@fpsoftdev]

More importantly than round in the chamber or not is your situational awareness. That is your first line of defense and that can make a difference minutes or hours before you have to draw your weapon.

[@SplashOfOrange]

Underrated comment -- awareness is absolutely your #1 tool. Awareness buys you time, time buys you options, options buys you increased chance of avoidance -- and the only gunfight you know you'll walk away from is the one you avoid. Awareness and discretion aren't cowardice.

[@michaelotto8696]

Amen! This is your first line of defense.

[@ft4612]

Absolutely 100%… situational awareness is the key…

[@briand5083]

One of the best reason's she gave is because people don't think well under stress. Most of the time, a person without a round in the chamber will forget in the heat of the moment to chamber a round and not realize this until the gun doesn't go boom. If you choose to carry this way, it is imperative that you are at the range on a regular basis drawing from the holster and chambering a round, every time. You need to build that muscle memory. However, the more you do this, the more confident you will become and will get over that fear of carrying with a round in the chamber. A good holster is key. Guns don't accidentally go boom, they go boom because someone or something pulled the trigger. This is impossible if you have it in an actual holster and not just hanging loose in your pocket or purse. I've been carrying with a round in the chamber for 20 years. My gun has never fired while in the holster.

[@kirkboswell2575]

Loaded chamber or unloaded chamber - that is the question. The simple answer is the loaded chamber. HOWEVER, there are a myriad of reasons to keep the chamber empty. As a couple of commenters have said, when they first started to carry, an empty chamber was better for their peace of mind. That's valid. As you said, Stav, if that choice is made, then it becomes mandatory to spend extra time on practicing the movements required to present a functional firearm. I, too, have thought about this a lot. My conclusion was that it makes a difference depending upon the action type. A single action 1911? I wouldn't be comfortable carrying "cocked and locked." Yes, I know it was designed to be carried that way, and it has redundant safeties to ensure said safety. However, I don't think I could ever get comfortable carrying one that way. At the same time, the idea of a double action revolver doesn't cause that kind of discomfort. Conclusion? A double action semiautomatic with a hammer drop safety makes the idea of a loaded chamber equate well with a double action revolver. Once that choice is made, what's left is "practice, practice, practice." Good discussion.

[@cacinaz8802]

Most experienced EDCers in this thread are saying mostly the same thing - carry with a round in the chamber as long as the holster covers the trigger. I prefer a DAO pistol (like the S&W Bodyguard 380) but also like DA/SA semi-autos because the double action pull is a safety factor. I recently switched to the S&W Bodyguard 2.0 which is striker fired, but I engage the manual safety and always carry either weapon in a holster. With practice it becomes automatic to disengage the safety and the newer Bodyguard has a 3.5 lb pull weight.

[@steveusn6852]

You "normally" carry with a round in the chamber. It's personal choice whether to carry chambered or not but best advice is to pick one and stay with it. Don't switch back and forth

[@whelmo14]

When I started to carry, I carried with an empty chamber but for a different reason. I was in my 50s and had been around guns since I was 18 so I was comfortable with them. My reason was that I had my daughter and her 4 year old son living with us. I was afraid that I would take the holster off, put it down and forget it there. Until I got in the habit of putting the gun in the safe as soon as I got home I never carried with one in the chamber.

[@GM8101PHX]

Very smart and your grandson will be better off not knowing about your firearm until his parents and you decide it is time!!! I commend you sir!

[@whelmo14]

@@GM8101PHX My Grandson is well aware that I own and carry weapons. From the very beginning he was taught that if he sees a gun in my home or anywhere , that he is not to touch it and if he is with a friend they shouldnt touch it either. He has been taught to leave the gun and find an adult. I have tested him by making positive that a gun wasnt loaded and leaving it where he woukd see it. The gun was always left where I could see it. He never failed the test.

[@edwardcook7673]

Ruger LCP carried in cargo shorts pocket. Concern is that when I am seated, where is the muzzle pointed? Thus I carry without a round in the chamber. I would rather loose my life than inadvertently take the life of an innocent. I am an old Navy guy who used to carry 1911 in condition 3. Situation awareness is always essential. Difficult decisions come with responsibility. We are all accountable for our actions. Best to all.

[@fpsoftdev]

I agree with this personally. There are scenarios we can dream up for everything where we need to act in .5 milliseconds but reality is most of your reaction time will come from situational awareness.

[@edwardcook7673]

@ The LCP holster came with the LCP from Ruger. Thanks.

[@ShastaBean]

@@nathanbailey9153 that's because he neglects the tremendous risk that comes with it chambered. He's a complete nincompoop. "If they show you their ear, and you have 1.5 second draw...." as if peripheral vision doesn't exist. I wonder how many lives he's cost.

[@ShastaBean]

Yes, and now as of Friday, Jessinya Mina's BF is going to be facing significant jail time, and her 2 year old daughter a lifetime of pain & agony. I picture him as one of these commenters that insist we "always have one in the pipe". Being chambered requires perhaps multiple times per day to not do something stupid. And if kids around in the picture, goofing up just once can be extremely severe outcome.

[@bigtuna9529]

There is absolutely no reason not to carry a round in the chamber! Obviously nobody should choose a firearm like the 1911 to carry concealed either!

[@Luvly975]

I carry with a chambered round and the safety off. I trust my holster and am mindful that I have it chambered. I'm not gonna waste a single second trying to remember if I have to rack the firearm. I make sure I have those extra moments to handle business if needed

[@JosephMullin]

Yes most holsters have a trigger guard to prevent accidental discharge. Plus if you have finger off the trigger memory you won't accidental fire it while drawing.

[@winstonsmiths2449]

Training will eliminate the concern of trying to remember to rack the slide. 99.99% of all CC will never rapid draw and fire. Your odds are higher that you will accidentally shoot yourself before you have to draw and fire in an emergency.

[@bobmorgan1575]

I keep the safety on, but I've practiced drawing enough that I can thumb the safety off as I draw.

[@bjdog42]

If your gun has a manual safety you need to develop the "muscle memory" to take it off every time you draw even if you don't actually carry with it on. Murphy's law says it will accidentally be on the one time you need it not on & if you haven't practiced thumbing it off you'll waste valuable time processing what needs to be done in a probable panic moment.

[@winstonsmiths2449]

@@bjdog42 Murphy's law also states that you will eventually pull that trigger when holstering or on the draw before presenting to the target.

[@aerodicus]

I don’t generally carry with a chambered round, and I’d never rely on quickness of my draw to save myself from a life or death confrontation, with the exception of bow hunting in wooded terrain with bear and cougar near by. In public It’s far more important to be fully aware of your surroundings and who is traversing them, giving yourself plenty of time to calculate your defensive options.

[@DavidNJ1]

The issue isn't just a round in the chamber. It is a round in the chamber and cocked. The solution is a double-action/single-action hammer-fired pistol. This requires a heavier but not excessive pull on the first round to cock the hammer before firing and makes it much less likely to accidentally fire inside or outside the holster. The second alternative is to have a pistol with a safety. Unfortunately, most current pistols, especially compact pistols, are striker-fired, so they are always cocked, and many have no safety at all, including the popular P365. There are also level 2 and level 3 holsters. It is possible for clothing or other items to hook the weapon and overcome the friction of a level 1 holster. Level 2 and Level 3 holsters are required in some jobs that require the person to be armed. Even in states with open carry, actually using the weapon carries significant civil and criminal legal liabilities. Having a holster and safeties that prevent accidental discharge reduces the chance of that happening. A DA/SA pistol's higher trigger force on the first round also reduces the chance of accidental discharge.

[@BillMeyer-l4q]

When I carry my .45, it’s always locked & cocked with the safety on and have never had a problem yet.

[@DavidNJ1]

@BillMeyer-l4q and how many times have you had to use the weapon? It doesn't misfire on everyone, but it does it enough to make it an issue.

[@appalachianpatriot1796]

Children change everything. On me, yes but off? No. I can’t 100% guarantee that one of the little ones won’t find it and het curious. That moment between body and safe can always be interrupted too, leaving an opportunity.

[@nadia562010]

Facts!

[@ShastaBean]

Yes, it's situational & nuanced. Having to load & clear means increasing risk exponentially with the added administrative handling. But when my kids were young, I'd have been out-of-my-mind to ever be chambered unless I needed to shoot it. Once they became old enough (strong enough) to rack the slide, then it was time to educate & train them

[@greggpurviance7252]

With children, on you or in a safe. Chambered makes no difference.

[@ShastaBean]

@@greggpurviance7252 Ask Jessinya Mina if it does? Oh, wait - you can't...because as of Friday, she no longer exists.

[@brettyoung1659]

Yep

[@SDMacMan]

Nice touch not ridiculing your questioner for calling the round (cartridge) a bullet. A show of class. 👍😎

[@deebee4575]

We have the rest of the community to do that for us 🤣

[@SDMacMan]

@@deebee4575 yeah, that's what I was afraid of. We want to encourage more people into the 2A community not discourage them by nitpicking every little term they get wrong.

[@deanhoward4128]

I agree with you 100% however there are some guns made in foreign countries that are not as safe as the S&W Shield & other American made guns, and some people are not as familiar with handguns as you & I ; and you are a great resource of information for those individuals that are less familiar or trained! Great video as always & keep up the great work!

[@johngreydanus2033]

If the drinking game was every time she said "ROUND" nobody would be sober by the end of the video. Honest question from a noob, so there is no round in the chamber, you draw and pull the trigger, what happens? I guess nothing? Only the firing makes the slide work? I will go watch the recommended video, thanks.

[@memetoemtudo]

I don’t carry with a round in the chamber, and here’s why: I’ve conditioned myself to chamber a round when unholstering my firearm (I carry it in front of my belly). Since my pistol has a mechanism where the firing pin is always active when a round is chambered, I feel uneasy relying solely on mechanical safeties, as they can fail-after all, it’s a machine. This isn’t about a lack of experience; it’s simply an additional safety measure I’ve chosen to follow.

[@tnsquire3195]

And you chamber that round when your off hand/arm is being held back or injured how?

[@demetriushudson1712]

​@@tnsquire3195 using the sights to rack on belt, shoe, wall, table, pants leg pretty much anything

[@memetoemtudo]

@tnsquire3195 pushing tge slide against the back of my foot sole like I was tought when I served.

[@tnsquire3195]

@@memetoemtudo ahhhhh - so you’re a moron. Everything makes sense now - thanks for clarify I g.

[@MotoMortal]

​@tnsquire3195 What if both hands are held back or injured?

[@paulsciria8921]

From what I’ve seen a lot of accidents happen when people don’t think they have a round in the chamber or think they have an unloaded gun altogether.

[@greggpurviance7252]

Once revolvers went DA, almost everyone carried with a "round in the chamber" the Simi Auto came along, the question started all over again

[@DTAMFT]

Have always loved your channel Stav. You make CC more approachable, especially for women. I appreciate you.

[@jeremymo4095]

Seconds and moments matter when your life is on the line! Just practice with a dummy round and get use to the round being chambered. If you are afraid of carrying with a pistol that don't have a safety then find a gun that has a safety. Just keep in mind, you still have a live round chambered and always practice good safety protocols especially around children.

[@LilYeshua]

There was a video of a guy who didn't carry a round in the chamber who was in a checkout line and the guy in front of him decided to rob the cashier. It took him one and a half seconds to rack a round into the chamber and then he took care of business. There's do's and don't that one has to set in their mind and carry habits to accommodate having a round in the chamber especially being mindful of not letting clothing get caught up inside the trigger guard. Alien Gear offered their version of a sticky holster with a belt clip for the Ruger LCP Max. A friend of mine had a sticky holster but they were in a grocery store and the sticky holstered gun slipped out and fell on the floor right in front of a mom and her kids. After that he sewed a belt clip on it. Also,to keep the sticky holster stay sticky it has to be periodically cleaned

[@yakk13]

I have a thumb safety and practice using it while I’m watching videos. I practice my draw, hitting thumb safety, and firing all one handed at the range to be ready for any attack. That safety is probably just to give me the confidence to carry everyday. I know it can’t misfire in my purse.

[@GoBlueB1G]

Thank you for mentioning something about a safety. Why is this is not part of the talk here is beyond me.

[@raymondlewis7538]

Great advice. The only thing I would add is if someone prefers to carry without having a round chambered, you can also lose the element of surprise when you chamber a round. The sound of a round being chambered into a firearm makes a very distinct sound that most people familiar with firearms know when they hear it. You never want to baby the slide when you chamber a round, so the chambered round is going to make some noise. I always give the example of an intruder in your home in the middle of the night. You hear someone in your home and have to chamber a round, the sound of the round being chambered may tip the intruder off that you are up and armed. You now may have lost an important tactical advantage, the element of surprise.

[@SplashOfOrange]

"Should" you? Yes. I'm not a fan however of those who are uber-dogmatic about it. Carrying chambered is natural for some but for others carrying un-chambered for a time is an important step in their training. For me it was about a month while I developed for myself exactly how much of a disadvantage I was placing on myself, and those I love, by not carrying chambered. In that month I also built confidence that my holster was materially and functionally protecting the trigger as it should. It was short time but an important time. Kind of like owning your own Faith, I needed that time to own my reasons for confidently carrying chambered... and have ever since. Just like The Gospel, give people the information and then give them grace and space to process it; ultimately they have to "get it" themselves.

[@DickCheneyXX]

It depends on the type of pistol but in a modern striker fired pistol there's no argument against.

[@leewitte4700]

Great point!

[@coreycoughanowr240]

I know this toppic is always hot for debate and ill start by stating that i support everyones decision to carry with a round in the chamber. Its just not for me Ive been carrying daily for probably comming up on 8 yrs, and praying daily that i dont ever need it. I practice at the range some times as often as twice a week and never go longer than a month without a trip to the range. I carry on body concealed and ever chamber a round until i draw, which happens to be very fast. I probably go from casual to 2 shots center mass in 3-4s because of regular practice. The odd .0001 chance that ill need to draw in self defense vs the, i dont know, 3% chance people carrying 1 in the chamber face of negligent discharge makes all the dif in the world to me. I also have a young daughter who is my world and wouldnt do anything to endanger

[@yodo6414]

This question is, its a personal choice, stop asking this..

[@tnsquire3195]

Of course it’s a personal choice. Carrying without one in the chamber is just a dumb one.

[@doobiedoo7623]

A little food for thought while you are deciding, Bad guys always carry with one in the chamber.

[@Andre-rc7lp]

That statement should end any debate

[@BillMeyer-l4q]

I have always carried a firearm with a round in the chamber since 1983, even now that I’m retired I still do whenever I’m out, saves me from having to remember if it’s ready to go or not.

[@WardDorrity]

I always, always carry with a round up. In a well designed holster of course.

[@04658IFH]

My choice is a DA/SA hammer fired semi auto with safety off and round in the chamber. The first trigger pull is so heavy that it's almost impossible to go off when it has some form of a trigger guard. When I was new to pistols, I carried without a round in the chamber, but as I gained confidence and knowledge, I got comfortable with it. I'm still not comfortable with striker fired or single action hammer fired pistols with no safety.

[@_Mentat]

Yes, give me a hammer and de-cocker lever.

[@PrimalInstinct0704]

@@brianf5190 Ive got the PX4 SC, carry chambered, with the hammer in the half cocked position to keep it off the firing pin. BTW, most striker fired handguns have trigger safeties as well. Do SA handguns have a half cocked position for the hammer?

[@mensaswede4028]

This is exactly what I do. Round in chamber, but hammer not cocked so the full DA trigger pull is required to fire the first round.

[@PrimalInstinct0704]

@@mensaswede4028 One downside of that is that the hammer still rest on the firing pin. I would check to see if yours has a half cocked position. Its not really half on mine at least.

[@JSBowling2011]

Get Video!!! For me though I never carry a Round in the chamber, never have. There have been too many instances of people shooting their foot or thigh or hip and you should be able to Rack a round quickly. As I'm pulling my gun out of my concealed holster I'm racking at the same time with my left hand and finger is not on the trigger at that time but ready to go.. The CYA holster in my opinion is one of the best and easiest to unholster your gun. Your Sticky Holster sounds really great also

[@Whitpusmc]

You must learn to carry with a round chambered. But this requires a good quality holster that prevents access to the trigger guard while holstered and allows a full firing grip while holstered. If you are uncomfortable, start carrying without one for a few weeks and then move to carrying with a round chambered. The recommendation to watch the ASP channel is an excellent one. You will not have time to load your firearm when you need it, that’s not the way these encounters work unfortunately. Get some training, practice drawing and firing dry fire, but move to carrying with a round chambered. Otherwise you are less prepared than you think.

[@allthingsmotherhood3206]

Awesome topic! Thank you for making this video. I’ve been caring for a few months and you have really helped me to get my confidence up. I now carry with one in the chamber. It took me a while to work up to it, but now I do it every time I carry. I’m glad you brought up the sticky holster! That’s what I have and I use their belly band for an appendix carry. I had someone tell me once that the only way to safely carry was in a Kydex holster and so it’s encouraging to hear you talk about the sticky holster. It’s super comfy and I absolutely love it. Anyway, I pray God blesses you and thank you for the awesome content! ❤

[@jodylivengood4061]

I think if you carry on your body you need a round in the chamber. Home defense gun or something like that it's no big deal i guess. Maybe a look at guns that use double action triggers and/or have manual safeties. Here is the thing with manual safeties. Once you're good enough to disengage them fast and certain everytime you're probably no longer uncomfortable with a round in the chamber. A handgun being carried on you for self defense is going to be a reactionary tool. A empty chamber on your shotgun or rifle isnt as big a deal since you have already spotted a threat coming with some time on your side if you're going to one. But this lady in the video is spot on. Good holsters, lots of practice with unloaded guns, all that is really the best balance between safety and readiness.

[@jadeddragon4254]

A large percentage of people carrying chambered either have never fired their chosen ammo in their edc or they do not practice whatsoever. Let's address that too.

[@KSCummins6.7L]

I can agree to this for sure but in my own case being a 14 yr army veteran with 3 combat tours, I for one feel chambered is more a norm and comfort thing for myself. My best friend carry's unchambered because of his children which is totally understandable, and without proper training and knowledge of your carry weapon and its ammo, I agree, stay empty, but myself I know all my carry weapons and I do know chambered is the only way I will carry.

[@oxigenarian9763]

I struggled with this, too. My EDC pistol is a trigger safety type but I still carry it with a round in the chamber in a very secure holster. One suggestion I can make and a feature my next EDC firearm will have, is to buy a SA/DA pistol. If you carry it with the hammer down, you'll feel a lot more confident about negligent discharges even if you carry it with the safety off. Oh yes, some will say those are awkward because the first pull is hard. Regular practice will help settle that issue...

[@kristenburkett4274]

SA/DA ?

[@JohnPublic-dk7zd]

Single action/double action...let's start with the revolver example: if the revolver has a hammer that you can manually cock, you are then in single action, and normally a lighter pull of the trigger will fire the gun...if the same revolver will fire without manually cocking the hammer, then the pull of the trigger both cocks the hammer and releases it, firing the gun (typically a heavier pull of the trigger required)...revolvers come in single action only, double action only, and single/double action...the principle is basically the same in pistols, with the one exception double action/single action pistols, where the pistol has a round in the chamber, then is decocked (typically a switch on the slide or frame is moved to accomplish this)...the end result is a heavy double action pull of the trigger to fire the first round, but the recoiling slide thereafter automatically cocks the hammer resulting in a lighter single action trigger pull for all subsequent rounds in the magazine...such a pistol, in a decent holster, is a very safe method to carry a firearm, safety off, relying on that heavy trigger pull for the first round as the safety feature...

[@oxigenarian9763]

@@kristenburkett4274 Single Action / Double Action. These pistols allow you to drop the hammer down and require a harder trigger pull to re-cock the hammer and fire the gun. IMO, this gives a little extra protection from a negligent discharge because the re-cocking takes considerably more effort than the subsequent trigger pulls. I do not set the safety when carrying. Time is of the essence if, God forbid, you are required to protect yourself with your sidearm. :)

[@ironhorse127]

NEVER CARRY with an Empty Chamber. Period!

[@lou704]

If it's a double action one in the pipe is the way to go. If it's a single action, it's also good but safety consciousness needs to be heightened. Good luck.

[@firestarter8202]

Yes. All semi automatics are designed to operate that way. The only exception I can think of is the 1911 which can be seriously dangerous with a round in the chamber with an inexperienced operator. I never have like the 1911. I prefer the old double/single and in my case the Sig 226.

[@ralphgreenjr.2466]

Carried a 1911a1 in the Army for most of my 30 year career. ALWAYS carried in condition one, cocked, locked, and one in the pipe. If you need to use it, racking the slide under pressure can cost you. I prefer, drop the safety and pull the trigger. I have a CCW and yes I carry my Sig Sauer 938 in condition one.

[@lanep4322]

Great info, especially testing soft sided holsters. Carrying empty chamber is a disaster waiting to happen and the only people that think that's appropriate unrealistically believe they will have plenty of time (and both hands) to chamber in a split second, life or death situation.

[@loquat4440]

Your advice is scary at least from the part that I watched. Many gun designs are not safe to carry with a round in the Chamber and I am guilty of doing it. The common striker fired guns like the glock 19 that I carry do not have a positive safety that locks the trigger. Many police have had accidental discharges with them by holstering with their finger on the trigger. Don't do that and be very careful when holstering. For safety I have gone to the CZ P-09C nocturne. It is a SA/DA trigger and is safer than a glock to carry round in the chamber and hammer down on safety notch (1/4 cock). For the newbies a ruger revolver with transfer bar is a very safe pistol.

[@bonniebethel1234]

I agree with you, Stav. I hoping to get a sticky holster for Christmas. I have wanted one since you did the video with your sister, and she had one.

[@itsheresy]

I got over this by going with a Double Action, the slightly longer pull put my mind at ease with something catching in the trigger slightly causing an accidental discharge. 92FS for the win!

[@tomarmstrong4761]

Yep. I'm a CZ PCR guy myself, though.

[@joan8178]

Merry Christmas, Stavroula. Thanks for these informative vids!

[@davidforsberg5675]

Yes if uncomfortable carry a p226. It's been my choice for 26 years. Never when off without trigger pull.

[@Mark-et8vh]

Steph - you give such sound advice. I’m forever pointing the women in my life to your page. Give my best to Ana…

[@mikefarmer4748]

Probably most people start with the chambered round concern. Due mostly to inexperience. A couple ways to gain knowledge and confidence are, take a class, at a minimum, defensive pistol 1, gont some IDPA matches. You can shoot your first three matches without being a member. Either of these and other training will help you and should continue for a lifetime.

[@rainysunday6186]

In Oklahoma we can carry without a concealed carry license however, there’s one caveat there cannot be around in the chamber while carrying in your car or on your person.

[@mgriff5819]

Many of You also have to take into consideration the legal aspect of quickly wanting to have a round in the chamber and using it. A few things very quickly must be determined especially for those of Us that are prior military. 1. Is your life in danger and is the threat causing you physical harm to cause you fear? 2. Some-1 robbing the cashier, is that your fight, or will you leave it to the LEO's to do their job. In the court of law especially military unlike civilians are held to different standard because of prior training. Many carry a round like they're set to go on the offensive operations to take action. Trust me you're not. One in the chamber for me as a prior military is a personal choice not to at all times. Situational awareness and scanning your sectors is a no.1 MUST DO constantly. The threat is out there. If you see a threat and are able to remove yourself, make the choice. If not, and we are threatened and with physical harm, neutralizing the threat chambering around and taking action is a muscle memory for Us. Again personal choice imo.

[@jesse9816]

Is not a lack of education, is the lack of respect for the Constitution of the USA, thanks for ur video.👍

[@kenneth3753]

If you carry with one in the chamber, I think, one of the most important things is a holster with good retention. I've had 2 bad experiences myself with sticky holsters. I don't trust them except in my pocket. Now one experience was probably because I'm a big guy. The point is good retention and the gun not slipping out or come out in any situation other than when you need it to. Spend the extra money on a good holster.

[@dattape2828]

Let’s just leave the decision to individuals - most of us don’t live in high crime neighborhoods or do dangerous jobs - old age and forgetfulness will get you sooner or later - this isn’t high noon. Most of the time you’ll still be able to rack the slide.

[@3gunshooter60]

Except the time you can't. You want to bet your life on that?

[@ranchodeluxe1]

Except when it FTF and you are left with an unwieldy club.

[@necummins8696]

I Carry both my firearms with one in the chamber. Canik TP9 SFX an my cross draw Taurus G3C. Always loaded

[@tonyn152]

Great video and great information. After getting my CCL, I first carried with an empty chamber for about 4 months or so, until I got more comfortable with the whole process. Then I started to put a round in the chamber and have been carrying that way for the past 2 years, and I am very comfortable doing so now. My primary CCW is a Shield Plus with an external safety. I train with that safety, and now it's become automatic muscle memory for it to be disengaged after the draw and on the press out. The key is to practice, practice, practice with whatever guns you are going to carry, and always remember safety first.

[@coyote520]

Magazine capacity limits are UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

[@mt-nv4jd]

Nope. There is nothing in the Constitution that limits magazine capacity. The Constitution does authorize the states to make laws reguarding anything not covered in the Constitution. For instance, traffic laws. Your concern is valid, but should be directed to your state legislature.

[@jesseww]

​@@mt-nv4jdThey wrote shall not be infringed. Any rule that restricts bearing of arms Is infringement. They have made you comfortable with your right being restricted. When you reach the bottom of your slippery slope there will be a government worker with a pile of paperwork for you to check out your single bullet, cleared and given next week to protect your family yesterday. Good luck to you Sir. May God have mercy on your soul.

[@pabuffa]

Your reply is markedly vague. Tge 2nd does protect gun owners from such limiting factors. States make their own laws that impede on gun owner rights Infringe, look it up

[@coyote520]

@pabuffa No government, Federal, state or local, can violate the Constitution. If they do, the unconstitutional laws are invalid. Says so right in the document.

[@NoiosoBearsArms]

@@pabuffa According to article 6 in the Constitution a state cannot legally violate the Constitution, this is why we have SCOTUS.

[@JdilpkleRS]

Just keep your fingers off the boom switch. If you’re not confident enough to do that, wait till you are.

[@tvc184]

Underrated comment…

[@JJVPYOU]

You should not be afraid to carry one in the chamber, nor to have an exterior safety. All my handguns have external safeties. As soon as the gun goes into the holster, the safety comes off. I also in the habit to flip the safety on and off once I reach my destination to double check that the safety is off. Once I get home and am ready to put my firearm away, I put the safety on, remove the firearm from the holster, remove the holster from the belt, re-holster the gun, and turn the safety off again before putting my gun into my nightstand, where it resides until the next time I leave the house.

[@happyrecluse2849]

So, it is chambered at all times.......Ain't gonna work here in Canastan.

[@donbasta2475]

Good lessons and practice is VERY IMPORTANT!

[@Roqjoru]

Good to see you watch John from "Active Self- Protection" from Arizona, with his awareness and break down of real scenerios (to learn a mindset). Good choice. For the question the it's important to learn the safety rules and the most important is "straight trigger finger when drawing" (as you pull the firearm "FA" from its position). Even if you point the FA at the threat "straight trigger finger" until you are ready to fire. The safety rule to avoid undesired "discharge". If uncomfortable of position in the body move to small bag w/ compartments and have nothing else in that compartment except a spare "magazine" or "speedloader" for revolver. Find the best way to carry for you and carry that way working out the bugs... (snags, "magazine dump", inaccessibility while driving, etc) ... remember "straight trigger finger." Other rules, "Never point in direction you do not intent to destroy." Also "know your back stop" Always assumed your FA is loaded until you confirm it's empty. Never grab a FA buy the "muzzle" (specially rifles, trigger might snap and discharge). I do recommend "dummy rounds" for familiarization and training. Former Reserve SO/ MAA (MP) RSO (Range Safety Officer)/ Instructor USN/ USA/ AZ DPS CCW INST/ I do welcome questions... to help the channel. I also review predator (bears, wolves, mtn lions, wild boar, animal attack) case studies. Currently in the NE the biggest threat are the hybrid wolf (coy wolf) migrating from C^nada

[@MoparOrNoCar-vm5ul]

Sig p365x no safety, secure kydex iwb holster, round in chamber always 👍🏼

[@halverde6373]

I carry a 1911 .45 custom combat commander. My go to first is wasp/hornet spray, especially where a gun isn't allowed. I say I'm allergic to bee stings.

[@inerlogic]

not allowed? "concealed" means concealed

[@michael-mg3xo]

Always make sure you have a holster that covers the trigger until the gun is drawn

[@ToeTag1968]

Should you leave your gas tank empty until you need to go somewhere? Should your fridge have no food in it until you get hungry? Yes, keep your self defense weapon locked and loaded. You can practice drawing/holstering with an unloaded weapon, of course. Good trigger discipline is an important factor loaded or unloaded.

[@jamesyoung4545]

Don't refer to yourself as a run of the mill civilian, keep in mind many military, policing agencies are less trained than you are and other civilians that train regularly, I can say this as I served in the military, USAF and firearms training is not daily, and in other branches firearm use is based on ones assigned job or MOS, not everyone is in a combat roll. Great video educating especially those that are anti-gun or new gun owners.

[@DerekJones1081962]

One thing that I am not seeing in the comments is that something that really should be rule is: know how your firearms safety features work and how to activate or deactivate them. Thus train, practice, and after cleaning or, etc, test your internal safety (striker fired safety plunger is intact) and functions properly with snap caps. As you demonstrated with your shield! Is working properly. At the range, practice with manual safety, decocker, and how to tell if it's disengaged without looking at the safety lever.

[@dsarchet]

Excellent advice. I carry my Glock 19X daily and always with a round in the chamber. Sorry you folks are limited to the number of rounds in your magazines. I live in Texas, where there is no limitation. You have a great channel.

[@GM8101PHX]

Wow, 10 rounds, here in Arizona I carry with one in chamber plus another 17 behind it, and two additional magazines on my belt.

[@jameskilby672]

I carry loaded to be ready to use. If you’re trained in the Australian style carry and draw. It’s slow, and you can’t fire on clearing holster.

[@john-pc2yv]

Situational Awareness is the key to prevention and protection regardless of whether you carry your weapon with a round chambered or not!!! STAY ALERT & PREPARED!!!

[@lescobrandon3047]

We were trained to rack the slide with a full magazine. Then to drop the magazine and replace the chambered round. Most of my career had been with a “six shooter”.

[@frederickneal4781]

Sometimes i think that even carrying a concealed handgun and also carrying a bullet in the chamber is fear and paranoia that something bad is going to happen to you. Now i could be wrong, but that's my thoughts on this. Anyone feel free to convince me if you want to that I'm wrong

[@tvc184]

If a person thinks something bad is not going to happen, why carry a firearm at all? The intent of carrying a self-defense weapon is in case something bad happens. We can call it fear or paranoia or whatever. If you never have a fear that something bad may happen, why carry a weapon in the first place?

[@4catsnow]

Yep. with the V3 version of the HK P30....Round in the chamber...decocked with the thumb safety engaged...draw gun,, disengage thumb safety, point and pull trigger (If I have to)...Safest gun I ever bought.

[@chuck121370]

Stav - you are an amazing communicator. Great job, as always.

[@22Jeffreyb]

This is the first time I viewed you channel. Thanks for the tips. I for one didn’t carry with a round in the chamber until I saw this video. Your explanation of checking if you can touch the trigger turned me around. I checked all my holsters and was not able to pull the trigger while holstered. Thanks again.

[@leewitte4700]

Great video on the basics of this topic. You covered a lot, so hesitant to suggest adding more and overwhelming those new to CC. People might look into the different actions after grasping this material. Some guns have safeties, some are Da/Sa, so have a heavier initial trigger pull. Some have both... There are options and trade offs. I'm a revolver and Da/Sa guy. Always a round in the chamber, no safety to have to remember to disengage, but a heavier1st trigger pull as a little extra insurance against accidental discharge.

[@Ken-h5d]

Always love your presentations, young lady. You made a point here that is rarely brought up. Holstering slowly. If you are in a situation where you had to use your firearm, the LAST thing you should be thinking about is putting it away. What if your aggressor had an accomplice coming to avenge his buddy's demise? If I have to use mine, it is staying in my hand until LE arrives. (I can visualize situations where that might not be the case, but that is a long discussion for another time.) Also, no gunfight was won by who could holster the fastest. I know of 2 people ventilating their own thigh, in a competition, (USPSA), due to fancy, high-speed re-holstering. Not fatal in these cases, but totally unnecessary.

[@timg7627]

Each to their own. However, a sticky holster or holster leggings would both be terrible choices for safety while carrying with a loaded chamber. A secure kydex holster or even a bare minimum kydex trigger guard is a much safer secure choice.

[@shellyTN07]

Always informative videos! Thank you!

[@petesheppard1709]

Very thoughtful! What I took away is to always, _always_ use a holster that covers the trigger! Thanks, BTW, for talking about the Sticky holster. I use one for pocket carrying my Sig P365 (with thumb safety 😉). I have also gotten into the habit of practicing my draw every morning when I get ready to go out; that way I keep the draw motions fresh.

[@FRMN8R_T4R]

If you have kids or are with an unarmed spouse/partner/etc. you should also consider you may need your weak/off hand to carry, manipulate or move them out of the way, guide them to safety or cover, etc. There may be zero opportunity to chamber a round, get a good firing grip, present the gun, or move/fight while shooting at the threat. You unfortunately don’t get to pick when you may need to defend yourself with your firearm. Give yourself every advantage - and TRAIN!

[@ShastaBean]

If you have kids like you just described...and keep chambered weapons around and haven't given VERY careful consideration to odds...then that's putting them at way more risk than these scenarios people imagine are waiting around every corner. There's risk, either way. It's not a 1-way street here. It's odds of an ND vs odds of an attack and that ~.75 seconds making the different. As for only having 1 hand...that can most definitely be accounted for with practice. I'll point you to a video if you need it.

[@stanthebamafan]

I think watching the active self protection video is a great suggestion. I would encourage anyone who is against carrying with a round in the chamber to watch that video where he goes over multiple incidents of people who died because they forgot to rack the slide, or didn’t have time. When you get out in a stressful situation, your brain will essentially shut off and you’ll be in autopilot, so like Stav says, you want to make things as easy as possible. Manual safeties and unloaded guns are going to slow you down when seconds count.

[@ShastaBean]

The same clown that claims if "they show their ear, and you have 1.5 second draw...blah blah"? That dope? Let's see if he covers what happened to Jessinya Mina.

[@finkmj53]

A million things can go wrong, about a million times a day, with a round in the chamber of any gun. There is a one in a million chance that you will ever need to quickly draw and fire your weapon for 99.9 percent of humans. Be prepared for reality not a gunfight. If you believe that you never know when there will be a gunfight then maybe you should stay home unless you don't know at home either then you should move.

[@ranchodeluxe1]

No. It can only go wrong if you let it.

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

Agree 100%

[@Eddievoneddie13]

What are you trying to say? Carry a semi-auto pistol with an empty chamber? How about a six-shot DA revolver? How should one carry that?

[@ranchodeluxe1]

@@Eddievoneddie13 Uhm. He will get back to ya on that.

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

@@Eddievoneddie13 There is a fine line between a semi auto and a revolver. A revolver IS chambered 24/7 but needs a 10+ lb trigger pull to fire. Most semi-auto's only need ~4 lbs to pull the trigger. Most semi auto's have the stiker or hammer already pulled and waiting for release after you chamber the round so it only needs 4 lbs of pull. Few semi autos need the 10+ lb trigger pulled because now (like the revolver) you have to pull the hammer or stiker BACK to charge it and release, kinda like a sling shot.

[@CaptainWillard830]

OG Tip: Avoid situations where you are going to be targeted. How? Stop looking at your cell phone, maintain situational awareness, and don’t appear weak.

[@Error-0x0194]

If they are not comfortable with a gun where the safety is the trigger they might consider something like a Beretta Model 92. There is a separate safety. Also the hammer can be un-cocked. To fire when the hammer is un-cocked is you use its double action, like with a revolver. Since you have to pull the trigger much harder and much further it will be really difficult to have an accidental firing. But your first shot may be inaccurate. Or, spend the extra time to cock the hammer.

[@phatstackmack152]

For me, it depends on the pistol. If it's a striker fire pistol, then I carry an empty chamber. If it's DA/SA, then I carry chambered. That's just what I do.

[@thomaskingsbury6560]

Tenicor makes a very good holster worth checking out. I didn’t carry fo a long as it was not possible with a lot of the holsters I tried. After the attempt on Trump a you tuber ran a video on the agent having difficulty holstering her weapon. It was revealed the holster was from Tenicor. The owner of Tenicor released a video showing the issues surrounding proper training and holstering a weapon under stress. I decided to try a holster offering from them the velo5 and the zero belt. Bought a Walther PDP. In a very short amount of time I was able to carry AIWB comfortably and without printing. On the job site I missed a step and took a tumble after recovering I assessed my equipment and everything was still in place and not exposed. As I now carry full time I also signed on with AOR. A law firm specializing in self defense coverage. I pray the need to defend my self or others never comes up. Should it, I now feel properly equipped and have the necessary legal protection for such a situation.

[@careymcwilliams3277]

Only carry chambered as you may not have two hands on the gun and none on the attacker to get ready. Time may also not be on your side. As far as safeties, I always engage a safety going in or out of a holster, but disengage it when secured and carrying. Just keep your booger hook off the trigger til ready and you will be fine, unless you bought a cheap piece of crap and then you get what you get. Carrying for 24 years like this so far with no issue.

[@nathanbailey9153]

Just watch a few dozen real life firearms self-defense videos on "Active Self Protection" and you will be convinced to carry a round in the chamber. Nearly every instance where a defender had to chamber a round first ends up with the defender being shot (and often killed). In fact, having a sub-2-second draw to effective fire is pretty necessary. Watching those real life incidents convinced me I was wrong about my opinion of "you don't need a fast draw in real life" - in fact, the faster you are while maintaining accuracy, the better off you will be. And not having a round in the chamber could very well cost you your life. Figure out what you need to do to get comfortable with it. Edit: And this is basically what Stav said in the video!

[@ShastaBean]

When is the last time you saw that clown discuss someone being accidently shot, or by a child getting their hands on a chambered weapon and pointing it at a sibling and yanking the trigger? What utube channel covers those? Because they happen. And they happen way more than what you just described. Especially if one scours the globe for events, like he does.

[@3gunshooter60]

​@ShastaBean yes that happens when people are careless. If you can't be responsible with your firearm, don't own one. No different than driving a car. Learn how properly and don't be careless. Responsibility is something more people need to learn.

[@ShastaBean]

@@3gunshooter60 Part of responsibility is understanding that ALL people make mistakes, get distracted, or simply didn't foresee something. The people that think they are flawless and above doing anything stupid are the really dangerous ones, that don't account for a slip-up & absolutely shouldn't own anything that could be dangerous. Most people can identify those types from a mile away.

[@_Mentat]

The other problem with no round in chamber is that racking makes a very characteristic sound - it makes you a target. If you're carrying while hiking no round in chamber is much less of a problem - animals aren't going to attack you because they hear racking, and animals attacks are generally slower than human attacks.

[@Moose_King_05]

carrying without a round in the chamber is like driving without the seatbelt. do you have time to put the seatbelt on before you crash?

[@r.tomrobison8307]

I'm a retired police officer. Everyday I carried with one in the chamber. If not you're unarmed. Before you carry with one in the chamber know a few things. When I started I carried a wheel gun. Back then some would go off falling on the hammer. Know your weapon, train with it. Make it part of you. Be trained on when to use it and how. Know what happens when you use it. Know the laws. Respect your weapon. Use common sense.

[@gmcenroe]

If you carry a gun such as a H&K P7M8 it is extremely safe to carry with a round in the chamber because of the squeeze cock firing requirement. With other arms practice and stay safe with a round in the chamber.

[@wheeler71]

Good job Stav, EDC since 1978 recently not carrying due to illness (still carry knife and depending on location OC) stay safe 👍🫡🗽🙏🔫🇺🇲

[@MP-tf7cc]

Another good video Stav. Does everyone know what "a round in the chamber" specifically means, as in the gun will fire if the trigger is squeezed? Was going to ask if you used a safety too, but you answered that. Btw doesn't Massachusetts require safeties on firearms? I'm in Mass too.

[@PhillipwRider]

Would never carry without one in the chamber!