One in the chamber...

[XD40coyote]

It took me a little while to feel comfy carrying an XD with 1 chambered, but I have been doing it and it didn't take very long for me to get used to it. I even carry a .22 revolver ( dbl action) hammer down and loaded when walking to check traps. Holstered properly of course.
I am very anal about gun safety, so I had in drummed in me for years that you only load it before firing it, keep it stored unloaded and etc. The hunters safety class teaches it that way I think ( for one since you can't have it loaded in or on your vehicle- excepting PA ltcf with revolver you use for carry and hunting - I guess you can do that? My brain is not working too well right now from lack of sleep).Defensive carry is a whole different thing from hunting and target shooting.

[Pa. Patriot]

Originally Posted by gunga

Fair enough, but I have taken a number of different classes over the past decade, including:

- basic firearms training
- nra personal protection outside the home
- New York 'on the job' firearms training course (47 hours!)
- and some other non-pistol related courses

I'm very comfortable with the weapon, shooting it, cleaning it, loading it, etc. Just some crazy paranoia about carrying it with one in the chamber.

If there are other courses that you might recommend, I would appreciate it.

Hmm, so you're saying that you may have some sort of irrational type fear of one in the pipe? I can see that, I believe I used to have that as well. The training you mention, I would not consider the first two to be anything other than "introductory". In the sense that I do not think they are enough to put your competancy beyond "basic".
The third, "New York 'on the job' firearms training course (47 hours!)" I am unsure exactly what the course involves, but sounds like that's a bit more detailed.

If your in bucks co I would recommend checking out ATSA study group in Harrisburg. They are "the" role playing force on force institution. Often copied but never duplicated They host the National Tactical Invitational (NTI)
They have a great study group. Lecture, followed by FOF and life fire drills.
They have study group 3rd Sat of each month.
More in this thread about ATSA:
http://forum.pafoa.org/concealed-ope...atational.html (My visit to the home of the National Tactical Invatational)

[Emptymag]

If you are carrying in a holster, with the trigger guard covered, your balls, and even your feet, can friggin' relax already.

If it really is that hard for you to overcome these thoughts, then you could always get a handgun with an external safety.

I worried about the same thing(except for my balls, I never carry in my pocket)at first, but I stopped worrying about it because I realized it's a non-issue.

Carrying w/o one in the chamber? Now that's a scary thought.

[gunga]

Originally Posted by Emptymag

your balls, and even your feet, can friggin' relax already.

haha... I know, it's a crazy paranoia.

[gunga]

Originally Posted by Pa. Patriot

Hmm, so you're saying that you may have some sort of irrational type fear of one in the pipe? I can see that, I believe I used to have that as well. The training you mention, I would not consider the first two to be anything other than "introductory". In the sense that I do not think they are enough to put your competancy beyond "basic".
The third, "New York 'on the job' firearms training course (47 hours!)" I am unsure exactly what the course involves, but sounds like that's a bit more detailed.

If your in bucks co I would recommend checking out ATSA study group in Harrisburg. They are "the" role playing force on force institution. Often copied but never duplicated They host the National Tactical Invitational (NTI)
They have a great study group. Lecture, followed by FOF and life fire drills.
They have study group 3rd Sat of each month.
More in this thread about ATSA:
http://forum.pafoa.org/concealed-ope...atational.html (My visit to the home of the National Tactical Invatational)

Good stuff, thanks!

[d90king]

Learn your "register" position for that pistol....... it will only shoot you if you pull the trigger. Practice , practice, practice. Remember most gunfights happen up close and personal, chances are you wont have time to draw, chamber and shoot.

[Swarner793]

Funny, I carried my 3AT condition 3 for about two (2) months. I had no discharges on the empty chamber,so, I figured good to go. I have carried it 16-18 hrs a day in a leather pocket holster, right rear pocket for 3 (or more) years now. I assure you, if you stay off the bang switch, it will not discharge..cross my heart, hope to die

Be safe (and protect your balls, eyes and otherwise).

Scott

[TaurusGuy]

When I first started carrying, I couldn't bring myself to have one in the chamber...too worried that it may go off. At some point I realized that is not going to happen. It's all a question of being comfortable with it. The gun will not go off on its own...now you just need to convince yourself of that too.

[dc dalton]

Originally Posted by gunga

So... I've been cc'ing for a long time, and still can't bring myself to put one in the chamber.

I can see your face cringe right now as you read this, and I don't like it either. I'm just always worried that I'm going to shoot myself in the balls or foot by accident.

For the past couple of years I've been primarily carrying a Kel-Tec P3AT .380 - small, light, and easy to conceal with an in-pocket uncle mikes. Sometimes I carry a glock 17 with a paddle holster if I'm going somewhere that I think might put me in a situation to really need it. (read: germantown at 3am)

Anyway, either way, I can't bring myself to put one in the chamber, and it's time I got over my fear.

Advice?

Well when you are new to it it may seem 'scary' but remember this:

If your finger isn't on the trigger the gun wont go off .. its a simple as that. Proper 'finger discipline' makes for a safe weapon.

[gf45acp]

gunga, you remind me of a friend of mine who, after working as a Housing cop and a Sherriff's deputy did not carry with one in the chamber working as an armed security officer.
I actually had lunch with him today.
If it is of any help, the first handgun I bought when I moved to Pa is my #1 p3at. I carry it or my #2 p3at very often (average 16 hours a day) in a Desantis pocket holster.
I always carry an auto with one in the chamber.
For a pocket holster make sure that the holster covers the trigger guard, and do not carry anything else in that pocket.
gunga, it can not go off if the trigger is not pulled. You just have to take that first step. Try it around the house for a short time, then work up to a short trip, to anytime you have your pants on.
The first auto I carried a lot (for work) was a cocked and locked Colt Combat Commander. That never went off either.
As a quote, "keep the bugger picker off of the bang switch" and it don't go off.
Good luck.