Do you keep a round chambered in your self-defense weapons?

Discussion in 'Opinion POLLS' started by InWalkedBud, Jan 9, 2023.

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Do you keep a round chambered in your self-defense weapons?

This poll will close on Jan 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
  1. Yes

    19 vote(s)
    63.3%
  2. No

    11 vote(s)
    36.7%
  1. InWalkedBud

    InWalkedBud Well-Known Member

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    People have litanies of reasons to do one or the other. My self-defense weapons all have a round in the chamber. If the fit hits the shan, it’s likely to occur unexpectedly. The fewer hoops I have to jump thru to get the job done, the better. But that’s just me. Your mileage may vary.
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2023
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  2. ToddWB

    ToddWB Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    in the tube.. and it is very unlikely to accidently fire.
     
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  3. InWalkedBud

    InWalkedBud Well-Known Member

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    Back in the percussion cap & ball revolver days, it's understandable why cowboys kept the hammer over an empty chamber. Today not so much.
     
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  4. InWalkedBud

    InWalkedBud Well-Known Member

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    My dad was a cop sufficiently long ago that he carried a revolver, which was always fully loaded. Does anyone know if that's the case for today's law enforcement? I'm guessing yes.
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2023
  5. Turtledude

    Turtledude Well-Known Member Donor

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    depends on the gun-the SIG I carry yes. The MCX rifle in my office-no. two loaded mags are next to it. The pump shotgun in the closet behind my bedroom-tube is loaded, but not one in the chamber. same with the one in the basement. I grew up shooting skeet with a pump gun-racking one is second nature
     
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  6. Turtledude

    Turtledude Well-Known Member Donor

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    FBI, DEA, USMS, and SS carry Glocks-they are loaded.
     
  7. lemmiwinx

    lemmiwinx Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Both of my guns (one in the truck and on the bedside table) have a round in the chamber at all times. I don't want to miss the chance to smoke a bad guy.
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2023
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  8. vman12

    vman12 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    On my AR platform I use the fast rack system (think Hornady makes them). It's like a solid chamber flag that pulls back and naturally kind of ejects itself.

    That way you can keep a loaded mag in the weapon at the same time you have a visual flag of every weapon telling you they're safe.
     
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  9. vman12

    vman12 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Condition 1 is the only way to carry. Most self defense takes place at physical contact, or close to physical contact ranges.

    That means you're going to need your other hand to do other things. It's also why I have a green grip laser on my carry guns.
     
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  10. Melb_muser

    Melb_muser Well-Known Member Donor

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    Fortunately, don't need a gun where I am and probably never will.
     
  11. Buri

    Buri Well-Known Member

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    I always CC in C1, probably something from my LEO days I can't shake loose. I can't imagine having the luxury of thinking I had time to put my CC in battery if things go south.

    My PCC and other AR style weapons are C1 also, the range guns that do not see much time are empty.

    Speaking of, does anyone else to FTE and FTF exercises at the range? I also do off-hand shooting, off-hand reloads, and mozambique drill. I look at range time like mat time, if you just show up to punch paper that's fine but not having something to drill (unless you're doping glass or cycling break-in) is kind of a waste of time.
     
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  12. yabberefugee

    yabberefugee Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Cowboys always kept an empty chamber because if the weapon was dropped, or even jarred it could go off. Don't think that applies today and the time it takes to rechamber could cost you your life as far as self defense is concerned.
     
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  13. FreshAir

    FreshAir Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    same
     
  14. ToddWB

    ToddWB Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    and on those old double action pistols, you have to **** it to fire anyway. (roll the cylinder)
     
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  15. Grau

    Grau Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I agree completely.

    I keep a HK45 next to the bed with a round in the chamber. Since this pistol is double action for the first shot and then single action after that, all I have to do is grab the pistol and fire if absolutely necessary.

    I've had about 3 instances in which I've had to deploy a firearm in order to save me from individuals whose intentions did not include making me any happier, healthier or wealthier.

    As you said, one is rarely prepared when the "fit hits the shan" so the fewer things you have to do to be ready to defend yourself, the better.

    Thanks,
     
  16. Grau

    Grau Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I had to think for a minute what " **** " meant since the usual four letter words didn't make sense. (" **** " means: c-o-c-k- for those still wondering)

    That trusty obscenity checker never sleeps.

    Thanks,
     
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  17. ToddWB

    ToddWB Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    should a been "single action" too.
     
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  18. Bowerbird

    Bowerbird Well-Known Member

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    Ditto
     
  19. InWalkedBud

    InWalkedBud Well-Known Member

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    I just heard a gun safety PSA on the radio (paraphrasing from memory): "President Biden wants all Americans to be safe and secure. If you own guns, make sure they are unloaded and locked up separately from the ammunition..." At the end, POTUS weighs in with "This is Joe Biden. Jill and I want you and yours to stay safe. God bless."

    Sorry, Brandon. I own a dozen guns. The ones I don't regularly use are unloaded and locked up; some of the ammo is in the gun locker with the guns. The self defense weapons are unlocked, accessible, & loaded with a round in the chamber.
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2023
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  20. Pro_Line_FL

    Pro_Line_FL Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Revolver is an exception, where you can carry it with the hammer on an empty chamber, because the pull of the trigger will bring a loaded chamber under the hammer and it will fire with one pull. Semi-auto handguns would have to be racked if carried with empty chambers, so most carry them with one in the chamber.

    One SHOULD use common sense when storing loaded / chambered guns if there are kids in the house (living or visiting),
     
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  21. vman12

    vman12 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I like to mix in dummy rounds in random spots in a mag to train FTF. It's not perfect, but it was a good way to train my wife and daughter on firearm malfunctions.

    For your AR15 I'd really recommend this Hornady fast rack:

    opplanet-hornady-rapid-rack-safe-cycle-for-ar15.jpg

    You can keep a fully loaded mag in the firearm, with it being chamber flagged, and all you need to do is rip this to the rear to be ready to go.

    This thing will go flying out and letting the bolt travel forward loading the chamber.
     
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  22. FatBack

    FatBack Well-Known Member

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    Yes because I'm sure where you live crime never happens...
     
  23. yardmeat

    yardmeat Well-Known Member

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    I like hiding a single 357 round in my model 19 with the rest being 38 special, then take my partner/buddies to the range . . . that's more for hilarity than any legitimate training reasons.
     
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  24. FatBack

    FatBack Well-Known Member

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    The 1858 Remington New model army has a notch machined out of the back of the cylinder in between each chamber where the gun can be put on half **** and the hammer laid to rest on that notch so it isn't on a live percussion cap. A safety notch if you will that's still allows you to safely load and carry six rounds

    Edit.... Stupid profanity filter will not let me say the word for a male rooster
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2023
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  25. vman12

    vman12 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Yeah wheelguns can be fun that way, even just mixing power loads of the same caliber. But yeah that 357 will wake you up for sure.
     

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