Why Carrying On A Loaded Chamber Is Safer Than You Think

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/ hegshot87 Carrying on a loaded vs empty chamber is a debate amongst gun owners and in this video I will explain why carrying on a loaded chamber is safer than you think and how to become comfortable with it.
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[@anthonys9513]

Before I received my CCW license I trained myself to grab everything with my trigger finger extended. Pushing the grocery cart, trigger finger extended, carrying my briefcase, trigger finger extended. I even would pull up my pants with my finger extended. It helped big time. By the time I actually bought a firearm I naturally grabbed it the correct way. But always worried what would happen in the heat of the moment. The day came where I was in a crazy situation with a "bad guy" and had to draw, run, duck, draw again and then fire and realized many hours later when I finally had a chance to sit and think that wow, I did all that holding the firearm correctly until I made the decision to fire.

[@deucedeuce1572]

Yeah, most people don't go through that much trouble, but still hole the gun correctly, because they made it a habit whenever they handled guns. I still don't think that's a bad thing though if you think it helped. Nothing wrong with taking extra steps for safety, especially when dealing with a very small, but potentially lethal mistake. Just like the cop that got charged for shooting Alonzo Bagley, He never intended to shoot him and it happened in an instant. I think he had his finger on his trigger and fired the moment he flinched. On the other hand though, there is a "guntuber" that tried to shoot an armed assailant one time and he pulled his trigger several times and it wouldn't fire... only to realize after the incident that he never had his finger on the trigger. It was still straight and up and against the frame and he was trying to bend his finger to fire, but it wouldn't bend of course, because it was still against the frame.

[@onefifthtoofifthwedfifthbr5371]

I guess I’m just a piece of crap

[@frisc0strangler207]

Good job brother, proud of ya! Since I was trained with pistols by my SOF grandpa since age 8 I’ve never even thought about the possibility that I may grab a pistol improperly, I never would. But super interesting thinking about how an adult who wasn’t exposed and instructed thoroughly as a child would train to never do that. Cheers

[@srsatlaf4730]

Muscle Memory

[@leothel10n96]

I dont have a gun yet and do this all the time. Thought I was the only one

[@jays9211]

When I first got my CCW I was nervous to carry with one in the chamber. After watching a bunch of active self protection videos i soon learned that you must carry with one in the chamber when your life depends on that weapon

[@Master_Yoda1990]

Same here, the more I carried with one in the chamber the more comfortable I got with it.

[@CramcrumBrewbringer]

@@Master_Yoda1990 Yep! I started carrying without one in the chamber as I was new and slightly uncomfortable with the idea, but quickly switched over. I think that's okay to do what you're comfortable with at first though!

[@BriceTooNice]

na if you watched them you would see 99% of the times you would be perfectly fine not carrying one in the chamber "must"! my ass. check stats on the amount of negligent discharges

[@rigel2112]

How many of those stats you are making up show they were caused by one in the chamber and not some goober playing with a gun? @@BriceTooNice

[@BriceTooNice]

@@rigel2112 check how many trained police officers have negligent discharges? 99% of gun owners aren't as trained as them. and those "goobers" are kids that some how got ahold of their parents gun half the time

[@MF-Rell]

I just saw a video of the aggressor jumping out of a vehicle without one in the chamber, and the target got the drop on him. There is no way in the world I would carry without one in the chamber. Great video.

[@ralan350]

Carrying a semi auto without a round in the chamber thinking you will have time to chamber a round if you need it is like not wearing a seatbelt thinking you will have to put it on if you need it

[@user-tm3nv9hj6w]

Please find a better comparison for this is old has no significance and makes me scared you have a gun

[@Rellimyeroc]

Honestly I’m new to carrying. Even though I know there’s really no way it will go off it’s holster… it’s a terrifying thought

[@bendabutcha]

I felt the same way for a very long time. Eventually it became a mindset of when the firearm is in the holster it may as well be in a safe sitting by itself

[@thetommydanger]

Kudos to hegshot87 for not calling people who do not carry one in the chamber Crazy, stupid, or idiots like I've heard other gun'tubers say. Why would you want to encourage someone who is crazy or stupid to put a round in the chamber. Also, I myself do not always carry one in the chamber because i work all day in the hot sun lifting heavy, bulky trees that brush up against my firearm regularly. I use a soft holster because the plastic ones dig into my leg to much and over time that can cause some serious issues. I understand the argument for carrying with a chambered round and sometimes do, but not at work. So my opinion on this topic is, consider your lifestyle, know your weapon, and decide for yourself how to carry.

[@bradhertzler4451]

A well thought out and articulate point.

[@gregred78]

I use a hybrid leather and kydex crossbreed holster. It's very comfortable and I don't have to worry about it brushing against things with the hard plastic kydex on the outer part of the holster. The supertuck is one of the most comfortable I've ever used. If you can afford the founder edition I highly recommend it. The horse hide is a smother surface than cow leather. Just wanted to give you the information for you to use as you wish.

[@thetommydanger]

@@gregred78 Thanks! I will look into it

[@Miles-yl7cg]

At the end of the day it comes down to risk assessment. Are you more likely to have the firearm discharge into you while handling trees or be attacked in the woods? Smart choice and honestly I don’t carry when I’m working and sweating but if I’m in public it stays in red status. You’re more dedicated than I am.

[@TecnamTwin]

My question is, what makes you concerned that the trigger in a soft holster could get pulled? After all, it is a holster with durable, non-stretchy material covering the trigger. I'm not sure I understand your concern as there's a near 0% chance of an inadvertent trigger pull esp. if your weapon has a frame, trigger, and/or grip safety.

[@r.f.richardsonjr5691]

Several years ago, I purchased my first handgun. The Taurus G2C, which has the frame safety. I put in a lot of hours training myself to sweep the safety bar with my thumb when I draw the pistols from my IWB holster. About 6 months of training, I noticed I was sweeping the safety off without even thinking about doing it. It became instinct.

[@Hegshot87]

That’s what it takes man. Repetition

[@pimpontheline]

i did the exact same with the g2 i bought it because of the safety, but i started carrying with the safety off anyways and when i bought my upgrade, i went a different route and it didnt have any safety at all.

[@stevenzembriski6761]

An unloaded gun is useless , if you can’t carry a loaded weapon you should be carrying a claw hammer on your side.

[@joshuacoomer4955]

Yeah just got mine a few days ago and can say for me I was hesitant as well especially being a dad and kids etc. But I always maintain trigger discipline and indoors at home never have one in the chamber and kept safely away from anyone else. However as a CCW being out and about yeah prefer to have it ready to go in case the need arises. Living in an area where ya never know always makes me more aware now of any given thing if said event arises I am comfortable in the situation.

[@HalfCrazy520]

*If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready* However... your best tool is SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, so pay attention to your surroundings and don't get caught off guard... And have your pistol ready to fire, because under stress there's a good chance you'll fumble the motion to chamber a round.

[@bdsjohndoeski9861]

I was taught as a kid you keep one in the barrel and keep your finger away from the trigger until you are off safety and ready to shoot. That was as a 12 year old kid. Now 20+ years later I still do this and are now teaching my kids the safety and love for guns.

[@JORLANDO93]

Most important gun safety / second nature instinct (for me) Never put your finger on the trigger unless you are ready to let one go.

[@cosmicabyss7358]

Exactly I was always trained this way and from the beginning.

[@haywoodyoudome]

I stopped carrying unloaded when the local gun shop owner said "Why the hell are you carrying a pistol if it's not loaded? The bad guy is already cocked, locked and has you in his sites."

[@njpme]

Sights?

[@rc391995]

Now there you go realistically how are you going to defeat that ?

[@MrRaverion]

I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH YOU. I once was an advocate of not having a round in the chamber but when I thought to practice 5 safety rules of gun safety, I realized that having a round in the chamber is safe. Again, everyone in my family must be DISCIPLINED to adhere to these 5 gun safety rules. If I have friends I want to share or show my firearms, I always go over with them these 5 safety rules and have them recite the rules back to me. I annually test my family what the 5 Gun Safety rules to make sure we are DISCIPLINED to practice them. They are: 1) ALWAYS CHECK IF THE GUN HAS A ROUND IN THE CHAMBER. 2) ALWAYS TREAT ANY GUN AS LOADED AND CHAMBERED WITH A LIVE ROUND BY NEVER EVER INSERTING YOUR FINGER IN THE TRIGGER RING. 3) NEVER EVER AIM OR POINT A GUN AT ANYONE OR ANY UNINTENDED TARGET. 4) ALWAYS BE AWARE OF WHAT YOUR BACKSTOP IS IF THE GUN IS DISCHARGED. 5) NEVER EVER LEAVE A GUN UNATTENDED AND ALWAYS STORE IT AWAY AT AN UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS LOCATION. If you memorize and actively PRACTICE these 5 rules of Gun Safety, you will never have a discharge harming the innocent or property. So if any of my family members handles a gun, the first thing they do with rule 1 is unload the round out of the chamber. From that point, they are disciplined in following the following 4 rules. Absolutely no accident can happen once you discharge the round out of the chamber and adhere to the following 4 rules.

[@michaelyoshino9124]

Excellent content, as a relatively new firearm owner, May 2022, I have taken the appropriate steps in learning how to shoot, learn, and above all safely handling any firearm at all times. For me, carrying concealed started with just carrying the glock empty for a couple of weeks to get acclimated to having it at my side, from there I progressed to carrying with a loaded mag, and then ultimately to one in the chamber. Knowledge is key as well as experienced instructors giving you confidence.

[@TexasTuareg]

I am still on the journey to trusting the Glock safe action system. From an engineering perspective it makes perfect sense.. For me, it is a matter of developing that trust with the system.. This is where track record makes a big difference. The most popular gun in the world does not have a track record for firing when the trigger is no pulled. It is the opposite, it will always go boom when the trigger is pulled.

[@BurninatorTheTrogdor]

My wife didn't grow up with firearms in Chicago. When I took her to the range and ran her through everything the way she would pick up and handle the pistol was like it was going to go off at anytime. It won't! Now she shoots a G26 like a pro and I feel much safer knowing she can pick it up and fire without the worry or training needed with a safety. It's really like anything else, become very familiar with your firearm. And yeah, there's always a chambered round for home defense and CCW.

[@christinadarling23]

Whenever I hand anyone my weapon, I clear it and lock the slide back when I hand it to them. At Christmas my cousins wanted to see my new present and this just made it fool proof. Even though I know the first person I handed it to has been handling firearms since before I was born, it just gives me that added peace of mind. Also, it can be a teachable moment for anyone who isn't familiar. It's a win all the way around.

[@Mannie_Sanchez92]

That's the only way imo! Thanks for reminding the public

[@tomarmstrong4761]

And when someone hands me a gun, I assume it's loaded (even if I just watched them clear it), and clear it myself before doing anything else with it (and, of course, never point it at anybody).

[@bendabutcha]

Mechanical check, physical check and visual check any time I'm making sure it's safe

[@cosmicabyss7358]

I clear the chamber and drop the mag but I don't keep the slide open because someone that doesn't know anything about guns could easily accidentally drop the slide down on their hand/finger.

[@cosmicabyss7358]

​@@tomarmstrong4761 Then I'm not handing you my gun because I don't need my gun getting double racked for no reason. Lol

[@nikkiidol22]

I was unsure if I wanted to carry loaded in the chamber but after doing research I have decided to carry loaded. It is better to be prepared than to not be prepared, because the bad guys are always ready.

[@Renaudio]

I have a Sig P229 elite. It’s also a dual action. It has the flag showing it’s loaded. You are correct about the safety. I like mine so much!👍

[@frankfields6283]

Excellent video for everyone!!! .... Very Important details! I am Retired NYPD Detective 21 years...Would not carry any other way other then one in the chamber. In my view the weapon is 70% less effective without a chambered round but following your guidelines in this video is an ABSOLUTE MUST in my view... Many of these important points are never covered. THANK YOU!

[@hondasaurusrex6998]

Solid video Hegster! Fantastic that you showed how the innards of a gun work as far as the safeties. Some people need to have it in their face because they are to lazy to search it out on their own. ...and keep working on hitting the penial target!

[@stephenmartini5890]

What quickly schooled me to keeping my trigger finger off the trigger was accidentally, removing my pistol from the holster and sending a live round through my kitchen floor, shocked the hell out of me! I had to redo the floor, expensive lesson. Thankfully, the round exited and hit the cement wall missing the washer by inches. Have never made that mistake again, in over 11 years.

[@porteneur1]

Well illustrated. your so spot on. thanks

[@porteneur1]

Love your teaching brother. Much thanks.

[@richardmillender3490]

I've carried a pistol for 6 years now and I have carried from day one with One in the chamber because there's always that split-second that you may not have time to draw your firearm and rack the slide

[@owensleigh4218]

Awesome video, very cool to see the guns and safety’s actually broken down and explained as a novice

[@Renaudio]

It’s because you are correct sir😊 Thank you for these lessons. 👍😃👍

[@frisc0strangler207]

9:25 you absolutely nailed it. Thankfully I’ve never handed a newbie a loaded firearm, but I’ve seen that ALMOST every single time that I handed them a safe gun. Good on ya buddy like the content!

[@LeinaVance]

The answer to this question is ALWAYS, carry the way you're most comfortable with and the way you've trained to carry.

[@micemr76]

Great video. Especially with so many new gun owners/carriers. All this did for me was make me really want that FN

[@jamesmills1261]

I always carry sig P365 with a round in the chamber with manual safety. I carry appendix and always train to sweep safety off after I clear my holster. Repetition creates muscle memory

[@onemanarmy36]

I'm not sold on appendix carry being a good idea, but if someone does, they absolutely should keep the safety on.

[@bendabutcha]

I carry the same gun in the same way. I chamber with safety on, holster with safety on but once in the holster I removed the safety. I can't think of anything besides having a straight finger when pulling out of the holster and then pulling the trigger. In a high stress situation where milliseconds matter I can't be fiddling with a safety. I do however love being able to chamber and holster with the safety on

[@johnlacasse8893]

Great video, as always. I agree with you. I will add that an unloaded defense gun is an unsafe gun... It is kind of like a computer without internal memory... Useless if you need it quickly.

[@kenth.832]

Videos are great… Learning a lot from your videos. Thanks

[@Hegshot87]

🤘🏻🙏🏻

[@amr-50]

Great informative video

[@thinkingabout19]

He’s absolutely right I did the math and you absolutely need to have one in the chamber to properly respond to a threat I personally prefer a manual safety

[@ruskyrosco1054]

I made my beretta decock only because the d/a trigger is a heavy safety. If I ever need my pistol, I want it ready to run as soon as it leaves the holster. To each their own though, I'd rather the next guy carry an empty chamber than not carry if it makes them feel better. Great points and video, thank you.

[@holdensanders2858]

Thank you. This is much more helpful than other videos that just say carrying without a round in the chamber is dumb.

[@rue883]

The issue is more about the gun than about training, with regards to concealed carry. Unless you holster the gun off of your body and then conceal, you cannot know definitively if there is not obstruction that can pull the trigger. There are videos showing this. For CCW, it is safest to have a firearm where you have a tactile way to validate that it is safe before holstering.

[@Fifthimagez]

Another great video 💯

[@Hegshot87]

👊🏻

[@Banc2008]

Great video, I wish I found this when I was first starting.

[@joelhunter984]

Carrying with an empty chamber is a death sentence in a real gunfight.

[@billtaylor1656]

Love your videos

[@Hegshot87]

Thanks brother 🤘🏻

[@chrischrist7982]

Excellent thanks 👍

[@furnacefighter]

I always carry with one in the chamber, thumb safety in fire position. My carry gun also has a grip safety which will make you purist cringe but is an added level of protection from negligence discharge. In CCW confidence is power.

[@truno7]

Pure quality content thank you.

[@Hegshot87]

🤘🏻🙏🏻

[@JD-cb4fr]

Liked and subscribed after your first sentence

[@LKaramazov]

I appreciate the video!

[@Hegshot87]

Np brother

[@erics2091]

I tend to have manual safeties on all my guns, except my 2 Glocks. I carry with one in the chamber, with the safety on. I practice swiping the safety every time I put a new mag in the gun at the range. Draw, swipe safety off as I pull it out, point, move my finger on the trigger and shoot. I have a very well made holster designed for my pistol and light, that protects the trigger and secured the pistol from moving. I have a young son and two dogs, so that manual safety gives me that extra piece of mind. P.S. just saw Hegshot Rides (I believe) I was looking to buy a Rebel 500 for my first bike and guess who had just posted a review, Hegshot. If you’re into motorcycles check out his reviews. He doesn’t talk about his other channel that much, but just as thorough as his gun videos.

[@treydaypnw]

Luv it when you make these kinds of videos! sweet t-shirt and Hat 💪🏽

[@Hegshot87]

🤘🏻

[@Heasd_O7]

I'm from Austria 🇦🇹 where gun laws are very strict and extremely few people carry a gun...when I carry a gun it's ALWAYS chambered because it can make all the difference in a defensive situation!

[@BrianHealy]

One in the chamber with a manual safety all day. I've seen youtube tough guys blast those of us who like having a safety on our CCW. Training for all weapons is a must and I've heard of way more people shooting themselves by accident then getting killed because they forgot to disengage the safety when their life depended on it.

[@imad96123fly]

Started off with Cz P07 for a year, Because I felt more comfortable with a double action single action trigger with a bullet in the chamber. Worked on my finger placement when drawing. Then got a canik TP9 subcompact carried that for a bit then got a MP shield plus because it was slimmer. Now I'm super Comfortable with a loaded chamber but had to go thru some steps.

[@raygonzales8244]

You are absolutely correct about carrying one in the tube.

[@Cow_boy_up48]

I feel confident keeping a round in the chamber when I carry

[@joemama69448]

A modern weapon can not fire until the trigger is pulled. If the weapon is in its holster, the trigger is protected. The weapon 'lives' in the holster until it is time to be fired. All you need to carry with a loaded chamber is a good holster and good trigger discipline, no manual "safety" necessary.

[@Valorius]

There are actual videos online of people dying in gunfights because they were carrying chamber empty.

[@jeffhudson2346]

Keeping a round chambered is safer due to the time saved when drawing. It is also safer to eliminate unnecessary gun handling. Personally I load my firearm put it In the holster and that is where it stays until I store it, I also keep it in the holster when I put it in a security box so I'm not fumbling around with extra gun handling. I do this to simplify things, by doing that I have built the expectation that if a firearm is not in storage it is loaded, BTW I don't do press checks, as long as you know how to inspect your magazines it is unnecessary (sorry tactibros), as an older shooter (mid 50's) outside of a bad magazine or bad ammunition any modern handgun will reliably feed ammunition. Good discussion hegshot.

[@Darjan_Spasojevic]

Carry how you feel you need to, just carry. Consistently...

[@jamesdelong6401]

I 💯 agree on EDC loaded chamber. But! I think like myself when I decided to become a concealed carrier in December, you work your way up to getting comfortable having a round in the chamber. I started I just was getting used to my OWB and IWB dry fire training unloaded just getting used to walking around my house and doing my yard work and so on. Then after a month of that, then started working on live fire training with my OWB and IWB holster. IWB: Tier 1 Agis, OWB: Cytac R-Defender. Once I did 2 weeks of that, and walking around the house with a mag in my pistol and one in the chamber and extra mag doing house work so on around the house, about a week. Then, I started to concealed carry outside my house. The MAIN thing is to 💯 ALWAYS 💯. One: REMEMBER that your gun is loaded. 2nd: when you get home take your EDC pistol and pull mag out and rack it to eject that round out look to see if a round Is in the chamber. Do that. OUTSIDE your home of course. I now have two pistol. My EDC, My home defense pistol

[@keysersoze1537]

It took me a while to get comfortable with my self before I kept one in the pipe actually it took some holsters for me to find that wonderful kydex click you get when you feel that trigger guard get hugged that made me feel so much better ,I’d say the first step is back to basics like treat all firearms as if it’s loaded and be mindful of where you point that muzzle.

[@mandapalque]

Full mag, one in the chamber, no manual safeties, powerfully round, powerful bullets. You are dealing with PEOPLE TRYING TO HARM YKU AND YOUR LOVED ONES. Mercy is something they will NOT have with you. These criminals DO NOT respect nor value themselves. Therefore, they can not value nor respect you.

[@johnmcconnell7052]

Here's my argument to unloaded and loaded. If I have a gut feeling where I may have to fire my weapon based on instinct I keep it loaded. If I just carry I keep it unloaded so for example walking around a firing range I'm loaded and have either two safeties, meanwhile if I'm out in public I'm unloaded it also gives a warning to threats when they hear a gun cock back yes this can cause them to attack me before I am ready to fire but also gives the oh shit someone's about to start firing. But that's just my take. I'm glad you brought up a lot in the video.

[@Carlos-ux7gv]

I have a Taurus TH9, similar to that first gun you showed. I only became confortable with a round in the chamber when I did the "BIC Test". Without pressing the trigger, even if you release the hammer manually, the gun won't go off. I just load the gun when needed, release the hammer and lock the safety.

[@hendodiaz]

Love it! Always practice concealed carry with no safety and one in the chamber. Practice, practice, practice! I’ve had my permit for a few years now and that’s how I carry each and every day. It’s never felt unsafe. Just practice handling your weapon often.

[@user-tb5fq3qx9g]

I have changed did not carry chambered before but I do now for 2 reasons. My Taurus spectrum jams for first bullet of the clip so felt it would fail when I really needed it, 2nd reason it has a long trigger pull so I feel it is safe. I don't touch the trigger handling it at all like this guy says.

[@frikkiesmit327]

Some older guns where better with safety features. Some new ones like in video also have few external safetys also. My dads old fn pistol that was used in belgium army as side arm. That pistol had thumb safety, grip safety and even if you had round in chamber if the magazine was out that gun would not shoot you can pull that trigger it wont move it would remain solid in place. Many years later i saw that exact fn pistol in gunshop. Memories coming back i asked if i may handle it. So i make sure to remove mag and cock gun to make sure it safe. When i pulled trigger to reset gun nothing happend. I was like oh my what now. Then remeberd the mag must be in. Put mag in and click.

[@alhorn2664]

I have carried for 50 years, always with a loaded chamber, and have yet to have a negligent discharge.

[@LeinaVance]

Knock on wood

[@phlipfluegel5612]

Always one in the pipe. Everyday

[@kastooMcFry]

Thanks - very good advice. Carrying without one in the chamber was illustrated this way to me: It is like driving without a seatbelt, believing can strap yourself in within a half second before getting into an accident. That drove it home for me. It did take some getting used to, tho.

[@John_Malloy]

Not a great analogy. It's backwards. Wearing a seatbelt is safer, no question, and so is carrying without a round in the chamber. There is no debating that. The "accidents" happen when you have a round IN the chamber. Both ways of carrying are viable. It is all about risk assessment.

[@tjdefelice8228]

@@John_Malloy yeah lol a seatbelt cant shoot my balls off if a spring fails. (not that that's likely).

[@michaelc8606]

For anyone (like me) who's never been comfortable with IWB, I've been VERY pleased with the Tulster Contour OWB.

[@bobbyguzman3058]

I’ve had my firearm for about a week. First few days it stayed in the box in my daily go-bag, unloaded until i had a holster. Then i got the holster and started carrying unloaded. Next day after watching vids and being reassured a negligent discharge is unlikely I just started carrying one in the chamber. Havent really walked around town with it, really just left it in my car while i work then keep it on me when i run my errands before and after.

[@BriceTooNice]

its not unlikely happens all the time with the most pros of all people. check how many police have negligent discharges. now add your toddler to that mix.

[@jasonclifford6714]

Your right brother and I say that because, like yourself, I was brought up by a gun loving family. Military family. One Grandpa was a sniper through 3 tours in V. NAM Other grandpa was on a destroyer have a son who is a combat engineer. Now my whole family always had guns within reach. My family didn't unload guns or put guns up. They taught kids not to mess with guns when they were not supposed to but that only works well if they make the time to show you so they know it kills. And I love what you're trying to do. But you do have to realize some people just will not learn how to handle a gun properly. It's not in their blood their parents didn't do it, and that's us American people's faults for not carrying on that tradition. Everyone should think about that for a minute. As fewer people take the time and initiative to show somebody else the fun things and the dangerous things and the purpose for guns, they'll succeed. And when I say they, I mean the tyrants taking our guns away, and no one will really say anything about it because they've never really been taught anything about them but they fear them due to the media B.S. There's proof their numbers get increasing, and people like us, will soon be forgotten if we don't act.

[@dahorseyguy1]

I only carry on a loaded chamber. My little Hellcat holds 15+1.

[@cosmicabyss7358]

I have the Hellcat but in Washington you can only carry 10+1 and that really sucks. Especially because the larger mag makes the grip feel a lot better. 10 rounder with pinky extension is still fine for my hands though and I got the Handleit grips today excited to see how they make the grip feel.

[@thephotoviper]

As long as you keep your buger picker off the bang switch until you need to destroy something, one in the pipe is the safest way...

[@bradhertzler4451]

THIS!!!!! This is the main thing people need to understand!!!!!

[@deucedeuce1572]

True. People often shoot themselves by not pulling the trigger with their finger though, but my a t-shirt, a string hanging from their jacket, etc... and even from doing things like modifying their holsters (or using a crappy holster). The one lady suing SIG modified a holster for a different gun to carry her P320... and the modification caused the holster to pull the trigger 90%, which disabled the striker safety and left the striker on the very, very edge of the sear (like 0.003"). All it took was one bump to set the gun off. Of course, then people say the gun went off in the holster "all by itself" and blame the gun (without any common sense or research). They assume they're bad guns, because SIG is being sued, but they ignore the 100 lawsuits against Glock for every 1 lawsuit against SIG (the P320). SIG has had a total of 30 lawsuits against them (for the P320) while Glock has has well over 1000. Of course, we don't believe Glocks just go off without the trigger being pulled, even though the term "Glock Leg" exists. Forgive the rant. Just tough to hear people spreading lies as fact (not you of course.... so I'm ranting entirely to the wrong person here. lol.

[@alwyndippenaar1643]

I agree 100%with you

[@jamisonbernhardt3310]

I got a 38 smith and Wesson humpback with a nice heavy trigger pull for my first carry gun. No chance of accidental discharge. The price was a lil high but it's a steel frame.🔥

[@GunsNGames248]

good video. my gun stays out and with me everywhere I go around the house.

[@tomarmstrong4761]

I worked as a carpenter for a number of years, and have a lot of reps pulling tools from my tool belt (I've had this set of tool pouches for over thirty years now, and am on my second belt holding them). I put some importance on grabbing the right tool without having to look away from my work, AND being able to "reholster" the tool when I needed a different tool from the pouch. Not surprisingly, that has helped me a BUNCH when it came time to learn to draw from a strong-side holster (and it's part of why strong side works better for me that appendix carry). Of course, each tool needed a different grip, so when I started practicing my draw, it wasn't hard for me to keep my trigger finger extended as a starting point to building that slightly different muscle memory. Will all this work when the chips are down? I hope I never have to find out. Anyway, I've only been carrying for a couple years, and when I started, I was over-cautious and carried "Israeli style." It wasn't until I started carrying a DA/SA gun that I was more mentally comfortable with carrying with one in the pipe. Yes, I know that lots of folks carry striker guns without incident. I'm practicing good habits so that I can carry my DA/SA gun without incident.

[@moonbyul873]

I never even considered, and it surprises me that some people do, having an unchambered round. I have 3 variants of pistols, but I keep them all loaded. First, and probably my favorite safety-wise is a DA/SA Baby Eagle 2 in 9mm. Always one in the pipe, manual safety off, and the hammer de-cocked so the safety on it is the something like a 14lb trigger pull. It's not going to shoot unless you mean it to. Second pistol, which is my all around favorite feeling, is a 1911. Cocked and locked, it's not going to shoot until the thumb safety is off. Never mind all the other safety's. My least favorite, as far as safety goes since I LOVE the gun itself, is a Canik Mete TP9sfx. It's not that it's blatantly unsafe, but with a round in the chamber, the only thing preventing it from going "bang" is that thin little piece of plastic in the middle of the trigger. I have no qualms with unholstering it, or similar guns like glocks, but I definitely take extra caustion while holstering. Your t-shirt, or a holster strap gets snagged in the trigger guard and bad things can happen. Fortunately, if you're re-holstering, then things aren't quite as intense so you can dedicate attention to the action.

[@bendabutcha]

Feel the same about my canik. I prefer my p365 I can chamber and put into the holster on safe and then click it off once in the holster

[@nathanielerskine1875]

I have been convinced to carry with the chamber loaded. My piece has no mechanical safety but I use an appropriate holster and I know my personal defense weapon will do what its made to do. BTW, I have accidently dropped my gun, it was loaded and directed towards my chest, and in my heart I knew it was not going to "Go Off" even though I'll still never forget it. Carry with one in the chamber.

[@BBaldwin]

Better to NOT have a manual safety. That’s just one more step to execute in a high stress confrontation. Your finger and proper holster are the safety! You are doing it correctly.

[@1theheightofparadise]

@@BBaldwin ironically I play airsoft and one day I played a pistol only match, I snuck around everyone and then finally had the opportunity to make a well placed shot. as soon as I pulled the trigger I realized I somehow put it on safe and then I immediately got shot and eliminated. that taught me a lot on its own lol, thankfully it was with airsoft guns and not a real life or death situation.

[@dgiotopulos]

Hi. I like your videos. Which gun did you demonstrate the draw which? Is that the S&W Shield?

[@bradwhite4827]

I agree 100 percent my good man! A good rock solid holster is very important when carrying loaded in the chamber! And I would be afraid if I didn't carry with one in the chamber I would not have time to rack one if ever I needed to use my firearm. Better to have and not need than to need and not have. A good gun with a good holster and some training and common sense goes a long way. I carry with one in the chamber but I respect everybody that chooses not too. Its all up to personal preference.

[@infinity3jif]

I just started carrying with one chambered after 5 months of carrying. I just had to get used to handling and carrying a firearm in general.

[@felsinferguson1125]

Been carrying a SA/DA wheelgun (S&W Model 15 and S&W Model 19 pretty evenly split) with all 6 holes filled as standard practice for years upon years. When I'm not packing one of those, I'll most likely have a Glock 17 Gen 5 with one in the pipe on my hip. I have yet to experience any of them going off without me intentionally pulling the trigger. Anybody else is welcome to do as they deem proper, but that's how things work in MY world - where a gun that can't be fired immediately (or at worst, immediately after the "flip the lever" or "push the button" safety is disengaged, assuming it has one) is a gun that ain't considered very useful for protection. Better than no gun at all, granted, but still not real useful.

[@TheAxe4Ever]

Why? Why? Why would anyone carry with an empty chamber? Simply put, out of fear. I know this from experience. I carried for about 6 months on an empty chamber because I was afraid of it “just going off”. But then I realized I wasn’t Alec Baldwin! “The gun just went off! I didn’t pull the trigger.” Just kidding. I’ve been carrying for years. But when I started I had that fear since I carry appendix. But if you have a good holster covering the trigger guard, AND AS LONG AS YOU TRAIN, you’ll be fine.

[@Hegshot87]

Alec called for Gun reform after that too 🤦🏻‍♂️. Hollywood is a joke

[@TheAxe4Ever]

@@Hegshot87 Hollywood isn’t even close to reality based. It’s full of plastic people with no clue about the struggles and the reality of the average American. And they have their own armed bodyguards all while crying about “gun control”. I have really good “gun control”. I make it to the range weekly and dry fire every day. 😂

[@kc0lif]

you're right. i always check finger off trigger.

[@oneisnone7350]

I have learned to have everything with a round in the chamber. It makes me be extra careful, and check every time. I also tend to short stroke the slide sometimes, which could also be a problem in an emergency. I’m also confident that I’m always ready to go if, God forbid, I needed it.

[@paulis7319]

I’m relatively new to carrying (November 2022) and have practiced both with and without a loaded chamber. It is, without a doubt, much safer (and faster) to keep it loaded and ready.

[@joekrushinskie1222]

Been carrying a gun for probably 20 years. Started with a 1911 and now carry a much more comfortable poly frame only because of weight and capacity. But over the years I have taken many training classes and have heard reasons for both sides of this. But the ones that said not to carry cooked and locked have never been able to tell me how to get it racked when someone is holding me or on top of me. If you habe any common sense of what will happen if you get attacked by surprise I don't think that criminal is going to let u go so you habe two arms to rack the slide... that is why I carry on a loaded chamber. And I can tell you over many years of a gun pointing at my junk loaded. I still have my junk. :)

[@jackdaniel.2546]

That’s why I carry a double action CZ 75 compact.

[@CrazyCajun42]

A round in the chamber is a MUST! People who do not carry with one in the chamber lack confidence in themselves or they are not comfortable with their EDC, or both. haha Keep up the good work brother.

[@MF-Rell]

Maybe, maybe not.

[@aliceakosota797]

I mean have you seen what sigs do these days?

[@deucedeuce1572]

@@aliceakosota797 SIGs are safer than most other guns. It's a complete lie that they fire without the trigger being pulled. Glocks have more lawsuits against them for "firing by themselves" than the P320 by a 100 times over. You just don't hear about them, because people Assume they're safe after they've been proven to be safe. With the P320 though, even if 100% of accusations were true, it would be 1 per 100,000... but we KNOW that 90% of them were the fault of the owner/operator, which brings it to 1 in a Million... and that's if we ASSUME that the 10% are all the fault of the gun or its design, which has not been proven with a Single One of them. I did extensive research on this and I could not find a single verified source that a single SIG P320 ever fired without the trigger being pulled. That's not to say it never happened, but to assume it did is only to assume without proof. (That's called an "allegation". It is not based on fact.)

[@bradhertzler4451]

​@@aliceakosota797 reasons not to carry a Sig......

[@CrazyCajun42]

@@deucedeuce1572 I agree!

[@King-ci8sk]

I am fairly new to all of this. Been carrying about 2 weeks now. I carry with one loaded in the chamber myself. I figure. It's gonna take a hell of a lot less time to pull and disengage my manual safety than it will take to pull and rack a round. Not to mention the possible risk of jamming involved with racking a round with the gun in forward position, because my gun has done that to me on more than one occasion so I'm aware of that. That's not ideal for any situation in which I've decided I have to pull my pistol. After enough practice I've pretty much got the drawing and disengaging that safety all in one fluid motion. But I will continue to practice that constantly. Now. If I could only stop being fidgety with my shirt and overly paranoid about if I'm showing or not. Be safe every one!

[@fozzywxman]

If you have a manual thumb safety, you'll be fine. Good choice.

[@bendabutcha]

I've never felt fast enough disengaging the safety when pulling. Adds at least .25 seconds to getting it in action and some times more.

[@ronnelguira718]

Ever since i got my issued glock 17 pistol i always make sure that it has one load in the chamber everytime i went outside my house or even when im at the station, I've been doing it for almost 9 yrs, you just have to be extra careful when handling your gun to prevent accidental firing, especially glock pistol which doesn't have safety like that of a cal. 45 pistol.

[@petedurr1673]

Just completed viewing the video. THANKS for this and your other videos. Been carrying a loaded firearm with one in the chamber in a double action/single action pistol for about 18 months. While keeping your finger OFF the trigger until you have presented the firearm is sound advice, this causes some issues with double action trigger pulls as when you pull the trigger back to the wall at presentation, the sights are certainly going to move more than you would like for no other reason than the 10 to 12 pound DA pull to the wall. I have trained (and instructed by a certified trainer) to press the trigger back to the wall once I have reached "compressed ready" (firearm horizontal, pointed "down range" and 2 hands on the firearm). When I reach full presentation, the trigger is at the wall. This allows much less pistol movement when sighting the target. I have over 15,000 DA dry fire trigger practices and probably 2,000 live fire practices using this method so I wouldn't recommend it unless you commit to PRACTICE this finger discipline a lot. The finger position in your video obviously lessens any change of a negligent discharge.

[@scooter5940]

Of course glad this works for you, and also that you emphasized practice. I have a 229 Legion and a P30SK that came from Langdon. Both have great triggers, but neither has a distinct wall in DA mode.

[@Sherman62]

I hope this practice works for you but it seems sketchy. Of course the DA trigger pull does NOT produce maximum precision. It is not intended to. The purpose is to provide a high level of readiness with a margin for error when one is under a very immediate threat scenario. Ultimate precision is generally not needed in that situation. I think that the desire to print tight groups on paper has led many to carry single action semi-autos, fully cocked, often with no manual safety. IMO, the same desire has led you to actually pull through your DA trigger before your pistol is fully aimed, in the name of speed and (unneeded) precision. I realize that some LE agencies have trained this way in the past, but this has to compromise safety.... I would worry that in a stressed situation, I would not have the fine control needed to pre-stage the DA trigger safely. I would look for a hammer pistol with a lighter, smoother DA pull before I would pre-stage the trigger. There are some really nice ones out there. That said, I would never tell others how they need to carry/shoot. Only advise them to think about it because if it goes bad due to too much OR too little caution, they will be the ones to answer for it. Best of luck.

[@petemolenda4893]

16:11 A couple observations using Beretta PX4 or H&K P30 as examples: 1) da/sa also has trigger/drop safety to block fire pin, safety must be overcome by pulling trigger all the way back to fire position. 2) in addition to DA looong trigger pull, a hammer fire pistol user can block the hammer with his thumb to prevent trigger pull while holstering. Try pulling trigger with thumb on the back of the hammer to prevent rearward movement, can’t. Striker fired does not have this safety feature. 3) Users should never depend solely on a firearm safety. 4) Striker fired trigger safety and drop safety depend on the trigger not operating. DA/SA is same except, thumb can prevent the hammer from operating while holstering. Fingers aren’t the only thing that pulls triggers, anything that catches a striker fire trigger can fire the pistol. 5) try pulling a PX4 trigger halfway back and let it go, the hammer will not contact the fire pin. This is another safety feature. 6) with hammer fired pistol and a round in the chamber, the user can visually determine (hammer down) there is no potential energy that can release and allow hammer to strike the fire pin. Striker fired pistols are always in a state of charged potential energy when a round is in the chamber. 7) single action trigger operation is just as good or better then a striker fired trigger.

[@casperaudi7476]

To this day I don’t get any of your videos and I am subscribed I have to look for your videos 🤦‍♂️

[@Hegshot87]

I don’t get it bro. I assume notifications are turned on? Maybe try to unsub and resub back?

[@richardwinegar8331]

I worried about it when I first was looking into a striker fire. But, my holster and my correct handling technique are my manual safeties. Been comfortably carrying striker fire for a while now. I do take extra care with muzzle direction while holstering, so as not to shoot my posterior off. Also make sure there's no obstructions in the holster.

[@allenhooker2399]

I had family members that had a firearm in every room. All of my family were taught and raised to treat every firearm as if it were loaded. We keep all of our firearms loaded with one in the chamber.

[@dftdbs1010]

It depends on the gun. Some older guns will fire when bumped too hard and a lot of modern guns dont have an external safety, but yeah, over all, it's not really dangerous to carry loaded, it just comes down to your comfort level.

[@BLMacab]

so how do i keep my jewels and not put holes through my dash on a speedbump?

[@rodneyjones5274]

I know you are right, I'm training myself now to carry with 1 in the chamber, and I will get me some snap caps good idea

[@mikesp1]

the first day i carried i didn't have one in the chamber day 2 i put one in the chamber and have been that way since. i do train several days a week with the gun cleared and safe drawing and sweeping the safety

[@davidgearardo1788]

a lot of people just starting out carry with an empty chamber, and I mean a lot, I used to try to make counterpoints to it, but they just weren’t hearing it. Now ALL of them carry chambered. some people just need to build confidence in their firearms first, now I tell them I disagree with empty chambers but I don’t harp, they all come around. I have been carrying everyday for 27 years. chambered. even with that knowledge they still have to get past the mental hurdle. they will just get em to the range. they’ll come around.

[@scooter5940]

And that is a great way to approach it. Lots of new shooters out there, and their issue with a chambered round is both mental and a lack of self-confidence, which will usually improve with experience and training. In other words, carrying empty is usually a transitional, not a final, stage. It is counterproductive to try to shame people. Better to encourage them to carry as they are comfortable and point out why you feel as you do, rather than discouraging them or pushing them somewhere they are not yet ready to go.