Why it is safe to carry a round in the chamber of your handgun

[DougC]

Here is a discussion why modern firearms properly handled can be safely carried (concealed or open carry) with a round in the chamber.

While the gun can be mechanically safe the gun owner is the only true safety control means. If you are not sure of safe handling procedures with a firearm here are some starting rules from the NRA and NSSF to begin your education. And take firearms training sessions.

 

[seeker_two]

Not only do I carry a round in the chamber of my handgun, I carry a round in ALL the chambers of my handgun....

....revolvers FTW!

 

[tonelar]

it’s good they covered different types of revolvers, my saa colt is carried hammer down on an empty chamber

most modern wheel guns do not contact the primer of the round under the hammer

 

[EZ-E]

An unloaded gun is nothing but an expensive bat.

 

[majormadmax]

Is there anyone on here that doesn't already know this?!?

 

[skfullgun]

I suppose some of the younger and less-experienced crowd may not know. I suppose there was a time early in my familiarity with firearms that I did not know the difference in SA revolvers, transfer bars, etc.

 

[BigTexasOne]

Because, if you don't take out your weapon, point it at someone and then put your booger picker on the bang switch, nothing will ever happen. A loaded gun is completely harmless until a human does something with it.

 

[Glenn B]

Is there anyone on here that doesn't already know this?!?

While a few folks may may admit their ignorance, there probably are some long time shooters who have no clue but who will not admit it. When I have explained the difference between my Ruger Single Six & Ruger New Model Single Six to various folks, all shooters, I often have been amazed at how many have been clueless as to what is a transfer bar and about the reason they are used in recent manufacture revolvers.

 

[Glenn B]

Because, if you don't take out your weapon, point it at someone and then put your booger picker on the bang switch, nothing will ever happen. A loaded gun is completely harmless until a human does something with it.

Or maybe until an earthquake knocks a revolver off the shelf and it has one in the chamber and is an old time model without a transfer bar. Stranger things have fired guns.

 

[kyletxria1911a1]

Is there anyone on here that doesn't already know this?!?

 

[TexasFire316]

Of course it is safe for the person holding the gun,
It is me and everyone else that is worried.

 

[leVieux]

Decisions involve RELATIVE risks.

 

[Axxe55]

I think is always much safer for everyone if everyone that carries a gun, carries an empty gun.

s/.

 

[Axxe55]

 

[Coyote9]

Here is a discussion why modern firearms properly handled can be safely carried (concealed or open carry) with a round in the chamber.

While the gun can be mechanically safe the gun owner is the only true safety control means. If you are not sure of safe handling procedures with a firearm here are some starting rules from the NRA and NSSF to begin your education. And take firearms training sessions.

LIKE all aspects of life, a loaded chamber is a risk vs safety balance or "trade off" and is situation dependent. I am old school, for example : I clear the weapon chamber when crossing obstacles and prior to entering high hunter density camps or parking areas. I carry for self defense when traveling to cities or events because I want to be prepared= to me that means an easily accesable weapon ready to fire , my P320 has no safety, my 1911 is cocked and locked .. both have a round in the chamber.
DougC is right on target! properly handled- though training, practice and ever aware that complacent behavior KILLS.

 

[Coyote9]

I think is always much safer for everyone if everyone that carries a gun, carries an empty gun.

s/.

Certainly safer for me if everyone else carries an empty firearm

 

[DougC]

Here is a discussion why modern firearms properly handled can be safely carried (concealed or open carry) with a round in the chamber.

While the gun can be mechanically safe the gun owner is the only true safety control means. If you are not sure of safe handling procedures with a firearm here are some starting rules from the NRA and NSSF to begin your education. And take firearms training sessions.

Here are two more commentaries on loaded vs empty chamber from Paul Harrell and Armed & Styled

They offer similar comments as mentioned here by others and a few I haven't considered.

 

[DougC]

Here are two more commentaries on loaded vs empty chamber from Paul Harrell and Armed & Styled

They offer similar comments as mentioned here by others and a few I haven't considered.

And to continue the discussion here are two more commentaries on loaded vs empty chamber from Geauga Firearms Academy and Hegshots87.

 

[seeker_two]

Of course it is safe for the person holding the gun,
It is me and everyone else that is worried.

Paging Jon-Erik Hexum......

 

[Fletcherjl]

Carrying without a round in the chamber is a poor decision. I can't believe this is still something being discussed....