Concealed-Carry Myths
Many new concealed-carry permit holders subscribe to a variety of myths that could have potentially deadly consequences. Here are five of the most common.
By
Paul Markel (RSS)
December 15, 2011
It’s been said all the best stories begin with either “Once upon a time” or “There I was.” There are other tales that begin with “I was talking to my buddy and he said…” Over the years, I’ve developed a reflexive cringe from all the times I’ve heard someone begin a conversation with such verbiage.
If we are talking about venison recipes or the best way to get red wine stains out of your dress shirt, opinions vary and it’s not that big a deal if the advice doesn’t quite pan out. However, when we are talking about the most important activity you can undertake—protecting your life and the lives of your family members—bad advice can have dire consequences.
In the United States today, there is little doubt concealed carry is one of the hottest topics, at least for gun owners. Sales figures for compact, concealable handguns bear out this argument. Furthermore, at last count, there was a grand total of one state that had absolutely no provision to allow their citizens to carry a concealed handgun. In the other states, the majority have shall-issue laws on the books.
Obtaining a lawful permit or permission to carry a concealed handgun is only one part of the equation. I’ve encountered dozens of citizens who obtained a permit but don’t carry because they do not feel comfortable or capable of actually using a gun for personal protection. The reasons vary, but they generally boil down to a lack of training and/or misunderstanding what it means to be an armed citizen.
Carry Only When Needed
I am certain my face shows distress when I hear someone say they have a CCW permit but they “…only carry it when I think I might need it.” My patent answer to that statement is, “If you think you are going to need a gun, don’t go there.” Or more aptly, “If you know you need a gun you should take a rifle or a shotgun, not a concealed handgun.”
The Smith & Wesson J-frame is easy to carry and extremely reliable, but requires dedicated effort to master.
If I knew I was going to a fight I’d prefer to take the USS Missouri, but battleships are tough to conceal.
Carrying only once in a while, when you think you might need it, is akin to purchasing car insurance that only covers you on Friday nights from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. and every other Saturday. Certainly, you wouldn’t buy an insurance policy that only covered you on random dates or occasions.
When you obtain a carry permit, you are essentially purchasing life assurance—life insurance only kicks in once you are at room temperature. When you’ve decided to arm yourself against unknown, unanticipated threats, you need to do it as often as humanly possible.
Empty Chambers are Happy Chambers
In an effort to seem reasonable or extra safe, some permit holders will carry their semi-automatic pistols with a loaded magazine in place and the chamber empty. Not on the nightstand mind you, but in their holsters. I’ve also encountered double-action revolver owners who will deliberately prestage an empty chamber so the first hammer strike falls on nothing.
Good training is key before you carry. Regular practice afterward not only sharpens your skills, but provides the kind of confidence it will take Good training is key before you carry. Regular practice afterward not only sharpens your skills, but provides the kind of confidence it will take to defend your life.
The reason for this thinking is typically little or no training and a bit of insecurity. In an effort to be “extra safe” by keeping the chamber empty, the gun owner is assuming they will always have the time and ability to draw their pistol and charge a round before they need to fire.
In both the semi-automatic and revolver scenarios, the shooter is purposely reducing his round count and increasing the amount of time it will take to get the gun in the fight. Should you be attacked with deadly force, time is likely not something you will have on your side and you may need every round you have.
One of the most dangerous aspects of this practice is you wind up playing the “Is my gun loaded or not?” game. It also leads to “It’s alright, the chamber is empty,” type of thinking. Loaded guns are safe guns because people treat them with respect. I once had a pistol fired into the ground 2 feet from me because the shooter thought the chamber was empty, so it would be safe to dry-fire.
Women Should Only Shoot .22s
While .22 LR handguns are fantastic training tools and excellent ways to learn the basics of marksmanship, they are not the best fight stoppers in the world. It is true, as my friend Walt Rauch once advised, “No one wants to leak, not even bad guys.” However, there is no reason a healthy adult woman cannot carry and employ a centerfire handgun.
Ruger’s LCP in .380 ACP and LCR in .38 Spl. are both wildly popular for concealed carry, but it is vital to train with these compact handguns despite the inherent difficulty in shooting a small pistol.
Not long ago, a woman told me when the subject of a defensive handgun came up, one of her male co-workers told her to buy a .22 and load it with dum-dum rounds. Yes, that was the exact term he used. Dum-dum rounds aside, the purpose of defensive shooting is to force the attacker to stop, not to bleed to death 20 minutes later.
A centerfire pistol or revolver with a bore diameter of .35 inch and up is a good place to start. Concealable handguns from .380 ACP up to .45 ACP abound and are readily available. The recoil impulse from the .45 ACP is generally less severe than that of a .40 S&W from the same-size handgun. I’ve encountered numerous women who could run a 1911 like no one’s business. The question was not the sex of the shooter or their size, but rather their level of training and their experience.
Practice Gun Zen
Another common trend I’ve come across is the carry gun versus the range gun. Folks will go out and purchase the latest, greatest compact or subcompact pistol. They’ll boast to their buddies about how easy it is to carry and conceal. They can carry it all day and forget it’s in their pocket. That covers step one—be armed.
When it comes time to hit the range, these very same guys pull out a pistol with a 5- or 6-inch barrel, target sights and meticulously tuned trigger. From 10 yards, they set about punching neat little holes in paper targets and call it training.
Don’t get me wrong, shooting should be enjoyable recreation. It can be a great way to spend an afternoon. However, if you bought a compact .380 ACP pistol for personal protection and still haven’t gotten through your first box of 50 rounds, you are kidding yourself if you think you’re ready for combat.
By their very design, compact, lightweight pistols and revolvers are easy to carry and difficult to shoot well. These guns demand you train and practice with them. You might be able to plink a soda can a 20 yards with a Ruger Mark III pistol, but that’s not likely to be the gun you’ll have on you when a bad guy shows up. Can you hit a soda can at 10 feet with your pocket pistol?
A compact Glock, such as a G19 or G23, can be carried concealed all day long with proper holster. Carrying a spare magazine is always a good idea.
This is an easy trap to fall into. Your shot groups don’t look as good with the pocket gun as they do with your larger target pistol. Park your ego at the door and practice with the pocket pistol. One day, you might be glad you did.
Hand Me Down That Gun
Many who decide to carry a gun are not gun people. They don’t subscribe to any gun magazines and don’t know or care about the history or nomenclature of firearms. All they know is they need a gun for personal protection. I’ve run into this many times during concealed-carry training courses and I’ve spoken to several trainers across the nation who agree this seems to be a trend.
Students, many of whom are women, will arrive at the class with gun handed down to them by great uncle Joe or grandpa Jim. Some have never put a single shot through the gun, but they load them up with the ammo uncle Joe gave them and keep them on the nightstand, the car or in their purses.
Far too many of these family heirlooms are in such poor condition, they can’t be relied upon to fire two rounds in succession. During one course, I had a lady show up with a double-action revolver given to her by her grandfather. The timing was so out of whack, it took her three to four trigger pulls to get a cartridge to fire.
At another course, a shooter arrived with a compact .22 LR semi-automatic pistol passed down by a relative. This person had it for two years and had never fired a round through the gun. When it came time for the live-fire portion, we discovered it was essentially a single-shot pistol. The gun this citizen had been keeping loaded, “just in case,” malfunctioned after the first shot and would not cycle or feed from the magazine.
The Winning Formula
The good news is when these folks show up for a training class, it becomes immediately, if not painfully, obvious they have been getting by on luck for a long time. Unfortunately, too many people feel owning a gun takes care of the personal-protection issue. To paraphrase Col. Jeff Cooper, owning a gun doesn’t make you any more an armed citizen than owning a guitar makes you a musician.
It really is not possible to train yourself. You can practice on your own, but unless you’ve had professional instruction you are likely just ingraining bad habits. A good training course will teach you what to practice and the best ways to do so.
Shooters will often leave a course amazed at how much they didn’t know when they arrived, and that is a positive thing. They are now on their way—they’ve become a student of the gun.
If you are truly serious about defending yourself with a firearm and carrying one on a regular basis, there are several steps you should take. Apply for your CCW permit, purchase a quality firearm, get some training and then practice often.
It’s really not all that complex of a formula, but I’m dismayed by how many folks stop after the first step. When all is said and done, it’s your life on the line—the choice is up to you.
Tags: concealed carry, tips
Pingback: This Shooting Illustrated CCW piece is right on target... - XDTalk Forums - Your XD/XD(m) Information Source!
Great Article, good advice
Pingback: SayUncle » Concealed Carry Myths
Excellent article, right on the money! Remember the Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared!
Pingback: Concealed-Carry Myths | Shooting Illustrated « Nate's Blog
Pingback: Concealed-Carry Myths ~ Shooting Illustrated « Zero Points Down
Guns also need to be cleaned. Get to know how your gun comes apart as well as goes together. Some people keep a gun for so long in their night stand that it needs to be cleaned even if they haven’t shot it for some time.
On carrying with an empty chamber: It isn’t only a TIME issue, but more an issue of having two hands available to prepare your sidearm for the fight. I almost always have something or someone in one of my hands; it would be difficult at best to rack the slide and chamber a round.
I can’t make myself carry w/ chambered. My big hangup is when I get home and have to (at least think I have to) tear it down. I don’t like leaving the gun out of site chambered, and I don’t like popping the bullet out – and then dry-fire.
Pingback: People who carry: Keep a round chambered at all times or chamber empty?
I don’t carry with an empty chamber, but it is a good idea to practice working the slide one handed. In a pinch you can use most any hard surface, or even your thigh (dummy rounds are probably in order then.)
You never know when your off hand might be unavailable.
Great article and advice! I especially like the .22′s are the best carry for women, what a crock!
Another would be ‘military experience doesn’t necessarily translate to civilian experience.’ The engagement, preparation, and environment are different for the two. I can’ t tell you how many times I’ve heard an Solider giving advice to a civilian that was only relevant on the battlefield.
Very Good article from the voice of experience!
I can teach anyone to shoot if the person is motivated to learn. I can’t teach someone WHEN to shoot! As Robin Williams once said, “Reality… what a Concept”! The reality of that split second decision to shoot or not to shoot will affect you for the rest of your life (even if it is only a few seconds)!
Also, don’t take a knife to a Gun Fight!
Finally, an article on concealed carry that makes sense. The part directed at women was especially important; I’ve been in plenty of gunshops where the person behind the counter tried to pressure women into buying a small .22 derringer or similar item, as a primary weapon. As a man, the thought of someone in a gunshop being condescending to my wife, daughter, or mother really pisses me off.
Besides, everyone knows that women love 1911s.
Yeah, they do. They won”t if that’s the gun they fire for the first time. I don’t even want to think about how many times I’ve seen Manly Men haul their wife, gf, sister, etc. out to the range, hand them the BFG, and say “Just squeeze the trigger.” BLAMMM!
Followed by the sound of the range door closing as the New Shooter leaves with the firm resolve to Never Do That Again.
Start them off with a .22. Let them see that they can do this. My Ruger 22/45 is always in my range bag just so I can tactfully say, “Excuse me, why not try this one.” All the reward I need is for the smile to break out when they realize this is something they can do, especially after a BFG experience.
This isn’t limited to women, but they seem to have that issue more.
Wonderful advice. I am very fortunate to have a husband who thinks rationally and realistically, like you. He did some research, made some suggestions, and let ME choose my first gun. It was a Ruger SP101– simple to understand, easy to clean, not difficult to carry. I TRUSTED that gun, and my ability to handle it. It took practice to achieve “central body mass” accuracy with a snub-nose – but that meant he got lots of range time with his 1911. A few months later, I wanted a .22 just to “plink” with — and he gave me a Beretta Neos. What a sweet little gun! Certainly NOT a CCW, but loads of fun to shoot. By then I had my CC permit, and was looking for something with more than five shots. I was comfortable with a semi-auto, thanks to the Beretta. We went shopping, and I chose the Kahr CW9, with a rubber sleeve on the grip, an extra mag, and the simplest “pocket holster” I could find. With a full mag and one in the chamber, I have 8 rounds in the gun, with seven in the extra mag. The Kahr is a double-action, so I am not the least bit uncomfortable carrying with a round in the chamber. That’s still my carry-gun — and I routinely practice drawing it from a CC handbag, or from the holster clipped to slacks/jeans in center front or back, as well as running a couple of hundred rounds through it at the range on a regular basis.
My husband pointed out that since his 1911 was our “nightstand gun” I needed to be comfortable using it. I was intimidated by the sheer “presence” of that gun…. elegant but lethal. But I was also fascinated by the accuracy he achieved with it. The first time I shot it, I know I closed my eyes and flinched — but I still managed to hit the target. It soon became obvious that if he wanted to shoot his 1911, he was going to have to get me one of my own. So I now have four guns in my bag and love shooting all of them — because my husband was smart enough to let me chose guns I was comfortable with and could trust, find my confidence, and build my skills. If he had simply handed me a BFG and said “This is it…..” ? — I would have been outta there in three seconds flat and never willingly picked up a handgun again.
My suggestions for beginning shooters — Get decent ear protection. If possible, rent or borrow noise-cancelling earphones. At the least, use plugs AND ear covers. Don’t laugh when she flinches at the noise.
Find a really, really good range with a good selection of guns for rental, safe and adequate shooting bays, good lighting and good ventilation.
If it’s outdoors, go on a pretty day — not one that will challenge her weather tolerance. It’s hard to concentrate on what you’re doing, or enjoy it, if you’re physically misrable.
Set her up for success. Take time to explain safety and the basics of accuracy (stance, grip, aim, breathing) and walk her thru the process with an unloaded gun until she’s comfortable. Give her easy targets, set close, and gradually move them out as her confidence and accuracy improves.
All beginners have grip/firing issues that can have a seriously negative effect on accuracy. Find a Pistol Shooters Problem Solver chart online that explains what causes carefully aimed shots to miss. It’s like tuning up your golf swing with a pro.
Be safe!….. Have fun!
Your post was right on except for the carrying of your gun in your purse. It can be way too easy for someone to snatch your purse and then the have your gun also. Please carry your weapon on your person only
I would generally agree with that. However, I carry with a cross-body security bag, which has steel cable in the strap and steel mesh in the body of the bag- it is slash-proof and no one can grab a cross-body bag from you.
If you have any questions regarding the CWP law or training contact http://www.e2c.us or 1-866-371-6111 and the Instructors at Equip 2 Conceal will be happy to help you.
Pingback: Concealed-Carry Myths | Front Sight Productions | Scoop.it
Pingback: Shooting The Breeze Podcast: Episode 20 | Walt in PA
Good information, only one quibble: the “spare magazine” meme is overkill for most people. Statistics show that most non-LEOs end an encounter well within five rounds. If you carry a gun with a 10-17 round mag, having an extra on hand can be too easily painted by prosecutors as “going out looking for trouble.” Yes, mags can fail, but a mag carried in a gun is more protected from damage than one carried in a pouch.
Excellent article.
Every CCW instructor I have had has recommended carrying one or more spare magazines for an auto-pistol since almost all auto-pistol stoppages are magazine-related… assuming the pistol is reliable in the first place.
And you don’t need a featherweight gun to carry it comfortably. This pocket pistol fad is just that.
Statistics huh? LOL. I agree with you about not carrying ‘a’ spare mag. You should carry two at least IMO. Never heard anyone say they had too much ammo. What if there is more than one attacker? Statistics also show that most engagements are at around 7 yards. Do you only pratice at that range? If so you might be better off just leaving your gun at home. Telling people not to carry a spare mag is terrible advice. Its not going to make any difference in court. Besides get past the first hurdle first…winning the gunfight. The last cartridge in that spare mag might be the one that saves your life.
The FBI keeps statistics on all shootings. They report that 80% are within 11 FEET. They are over in about three seconds with 3 rounds fired. The BG fires first.
Would you fly in a plane if 20% of the planes crashed? I don’t want to be in a gunfight 20% of the time unprepared for any eventuality that might present itself whether it is multiple assailants or a faulty magazine.
I carry a PF9 (7+1) is far to close to the “5 round” encounter. I wouldn’t even think of stepping out without a second magazine.
I carry a Ruger LCR all day, everyday. No empty chamber, so I have five rounds. By your logic, I shouldn’t NEED anymore ammo “Statistics show that most non-LEOs end an encounter well within five rounds.”
I also carry two speed loaders and have two ammo wallets in my truck. I’ve carried for over 31 years and have ALWAYS had extra ammo. I have NEVER looked for trouble and I have only drawn my weapon a couple of time (off-duty).
larry said “having an extra on hand can be too easily painted by prosecutors as “going out looking for trouble.”
You can play that game all you want. I have read that any thing you do can be painted against you.
The purpose of CC is to stay safe and keep your family safe. Let your lawyer worry about the paint.
Robert
One thing I wish he would have addressed is that more women ought to carry ON THEIR person as opposed to in the purse which may end up anywhere. Great article, awesome points.
I agree completely! Thugs are gonna go for your purse or handbag (where your valuables are) first, and then there goes your gun…AND any chance of defending yourself!
I am so glad I read this! I have had a gun for a couple of years now and have never fired it. Time I learn how to use it, and be trained on it properly.
Thanks,
Danny
Fantastic article.
In response to Larry “having an extra on hand can be too easily painted by prosecutors as “going out looking for trouble.” I respectfully disagree with that. The prosecutor could as just as easily use the fact you had defensive rounds loaded as looking for trouble. Let your lawyer worry about that. In fact, if you ever unfortunately find yourself in that situation your lawyer will have a firearms instructor on the stand as an expert to refute such a claim. I’d rather escape a robbery attempt by using two magazines than being a statistic because I only had one.
Pingback: Good Article on EHOWA.COM: Top 5 CC Myths - INGunOwners
I work on an Air Force Base, and therefore, cannot carry any weapon onto the base property, at any time. This condition forces me to be a part-time CCW…
Pingback: Loaded & Chambered or just loaded? - XDTalk Forums - Your XD/XD(m) Information Source!
I plan on getting the CCW permits for myself and wife this year…our resolution. She doesn’t yet understand the importance of this freedom….but she will someday and will feel empowered to be able to go anywhere safely. God Bless the USA and our freedom…that includes against crime!
Excellent article. Training with a professional is essential. Before buying a gun to carry, think carefully about the issue of defending your life and the lives of those that may be with you. Are you seriously & totally committed to saving your your life even if means taking the life of another human being? If you can answer in the affirmative, without reservation, you are ready to learn to save your life. This article is a great place to start.
When the gentalman was speaking about “dum dum rounds” he was refering to a hollow point round. That is how the Brits refer to them. Just thought you should know.
And they were called “dum dum” because that was the name of the Dum Dum Arsenal, near Calcutta, India
Excellent article. Sent it to myself and some friends.
This article was very well reasoned. The point behind a handgun is to be able to fight your way back to the shotgun in the trunk. The purpose behind a CCW is to have SOMETHING on the off chance that something happens you weren’t planning on. As was said, if you think life will suddenly get interesting, don’t go there.
Just like packing (no pun intended) for a trip–”I’d rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.”
Great article. However, please allow that those of us who carry in Condition 3 (full magazine, but chamber empty). Yes, it requires that I cycle the slide before the firearm is fully ready and yes that takes both hands, and yes that takes time. However, I want discharging the firearm to be a deliberate act, a very deliberate act. And I want to have to take more than one deliberate motion to make that happen.
It is not that I feel safer about the firearm itself. It is that I want to do these steps for my own mental commitment to the will and necessity about having to pull the trigger because because when that I do so I will not be able to undo what happens next to both myself and the person I must use deadly force against.
I agree with “theBuckWheat”. I carry an empty chamber because I am well trained and educated on the use and tactics of firearms and emergency situations. Nothing is ever 100%, so the “cocked and locked” carry is about the only point I do find myself at odds with in the article (secondary, but minor is the spare mag… I always have at least one spare mag and a BUG as well).
For the average joe, cocked and locked carry may be fine, but the one time I had to draw my weapon, I racked one in the chamber and it gave me time to make sure of MY actions, as well as giving the assailant and his friend time to think about THEIR actions. How bad did they really want to continue their action? Another thing I employed at that very same time is my words. I informed him that I am armed, well trained, and that I have more than enough stopping power for him and his buddy should they wish to continue. The situation was almost immediately de-escalated with me racking a round in the chamber and completely diffused when I suggested that he call the cops immediately. I called them myself and once the situation was laid out in complete detail with every bit of minutia that 3rd party scrutiny deserves, I was cleared to proceed on my way.
I took an introductory class at local range to make sure I was ready. Will apply for permit soon. Will return to same instructor for training and practice. Great advice.
Ouch, ouch. Guilty of #1 and #2. However, training is scheduled and I’m looking forward to fixing those mistakes. Great article.
Great article. Good advice.
Best stats I can find indicate that an attacker will flee 93% of the time if the victim produces a firearm. They want an easy victim, not a fair fight. OTOH, 60% of victims who offer no resistance end up injured.
Possible additional thought: Make up your mind well in advance that you will kill if necessary to protect yourself and your family. If you are attacked, things are going to be a little too busy to calmly reflect on the question.
My (female) partner and I run a lot of women’s intro to handgun courses and have had hundreds of ladies go through.
During the part where we ask about the intentions of the attendee, something like three-quarters of them say personal protection is the top motivation, Since we’re the non-carry state, it’s usually said to be for home protection.
The number of them that arrive with tiny guns sold to them by well-intentioned gun store clerks is appalling. Rarely have they shot the snubs when they arrive, which is merciful. Those that have don’t understand why they’re such lousy shots.
Now, my partner is a lightly-built but athletic woman who’s a sponsored and fairly well-known USPSA shooter. Yes, she shoots .40 cal 1911s like a house afire or better. She can actually win club matches outright. So she stresses the fundamentals she’s learned from the masters who taught her (think Manny Bragg) and it works.
Our ladies leave both shooting really well, and smiling.
Here’s what she says about little guns: women who are apprehensive about handguns find the little guns appealing at first because they ARE small… and unintimidating for that reason.
Like they tend to handle the guns: softly, as if being gentle with them will make them less scary and barky.
Interestingly, on the range, she’s the hardass beating the ladies up and I’m the softie.
It really works.
We send them home telling them that for a house gun, a full-size service handgun in 9mm is their best choice (The M&PL and G34 produce by far the best actual results).
But… when I leave this benighted state and it’s warmer weather, it’s a Detective Special for ballast for me. I tell the ladies a hundred rounds a month of full-power practice is the minimum and that’s what I do. At the very least.
So, who knows.
I’m starting to think a 22LR with a laser might be a really good carry piece. I have not shot a 22 in 20 years, and I note the other day someone mentioned the reliability of rim-fire ammo is much less than center-fire.
Any comments?
@theBuckWheat You said, “And I want to have to take more than one deliberate motion to make that happen.”
Well, then, to be really safe, go to the gun store and pick out a gun, but don’t buy it yet. Wait until you’re sure you need it, then go to the store, pay for it, wait through the back ground check/waiting period, go pick it up from the store, use it. What could be more safe than that??
Regarding the revolver with the empty chamber under the hammer: One need not cycle the firearm before use when this is the case. Whether the weapon is fired in single or double-action mode the cylinder rotates to the next (loaded) location in the cylinder before it fires, so no — there is no extra step necessary before firing the weapon. That being said, you still lose that last fifth or sixth shot in your supply of rounds. So I wouldn’t do it.
I thought the same thing as you, BUT, I think the article was referring to people who carry with a round under the fallen hammer, but nothing in the next chamber, so if the trigger is pulled, it would be a dry fire, and so instead of rack/fire, it would be dryfire/fire. I may have read it wrong though
All you people who play with your guns admit what you are doing. A good gun does not need to be cleaned, or played with or anything else. Load it up and it is ready to shoot when you want it to. I’ve got 60 year old guns that shoot every time I pull the trigger.
“there was a grand total of one state that had absolutely no provision to allow their citizens to carry a concealed handgun.”
While NJ has a concealed carry license process, the applicant has to prove “need”, and for all intents and purposes, no judge accepts the “need” argument unless you’re an armored car guard or equivalent. NJ is effectively a total prohibition state, something which should be challenged in court as a Heller violation.
I have to respectfully disagree about the empty chamber in a semi-auto. Two reasons. First, racking the first round takes almost no time. Second, 99 percent of people carrying will never have to use their weapon in a shoot out, and having an empty chamber eliminates accidental discharges in every case. As for treating a gun as loaded, that’s the first thing you should have learned. Every gun must be treated as load, always, no exceptions.
Drop the safety and shoot takes even less time. Cycling a slide takes time, time you will not have if attacked. You don’t drive around with your seatbelt off, figureing you’ll have time to attach it before you crash; why do it with your gun?Violent criminals are very adept at hiding their true intentions; right up to when they initiate an attack. Carry ready to shoot or leave it home.
Pingback: Transterrestrial Musings - Concealed Carry
This guys opinion on carrying without a bullet in the chamber of semi-automatics is pure Horse&^%^.
The likelihood of someone being shot or killed by accident with their own gun is statistically higher than you being attacked and killed by someone else. This alone makes it much more sensible to carry a gun without a bullet in the chamber. I guarantee I can get that gun out of its holster and loaded by the time I am ready to point and pull the trigger. If this method is good enough for the Israelis then it is good enough for me.. One child getting a hold of a loaded gun and pulling the trigger makes it foolish to ever carry with a bullet in the chamber unless you are a member of the police force or someone who needs their gun in their line of work. The nice thing about a semiautomatic over a revolver is that many young children not only do not have the know how on loading a bullet into a chamber but also do not have the strength. Dont even use the argument that accidents only happen to foolish people. Accidents happen to everyone every single day. The Key is to minimize risk.If you doubt any of this just go to any gun show anywhere in America and begin asking the guys there if they have ever had an accident or a near miss. You will find at least 50% have had or seen an accidental discharge of a gun sometime in their life. Dont get me wrong I am not some antigun liberal nitwit. I am a gun toting everywhere I go second amendment advocate who believes strongly in my right to carry and own any and all types of firearms.
As a CHL instructor, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching and instructing for many years. I tell my students it is up to them on how they carry their weapon. As instructors we can only recommend. I personaly carry one chambered at all times and recommend that type of carry. Now let me address gun size. It does not matter what caliber you load so long as you can hit what your aiming for. I would much rather see a student be able to hit something with a 22 than miss with a 45. Please everybody remember shot placement is EVERYTHING….. PRACTICE-PRACTICE-PRACTICE…
I am not a trainer nor have I been through training. But I do shoot. I see a gap in most training for personal defense. Unfortunately to fill it will require trainees to forgo a safety step. Live fire, defense most commonly occurs in close and confined quarters. Handguns are loud little beasts but training always occurrs with hearing protection. The question arises whether a trainee can take the starlte from the noise of the report of the shot w/ hearing protection?
Doc jim,”I guarantee I can get that gun out of its holster and loaded by the time I am ready to point and pull the trigger.” I admire your resolve, I fear for your life. Ask a good friend to stand 10 feet from you, holster a clearly unloaded weapon and have him lunge at you as fast as he can. If you can unholster, rack the slide and pull the trigger on the clearly unloaded firearm before he’s on you you’re the fastest gun in the West. If you carry, carry prepared for THEIR worst not your idea of the worst.
New shooters, new to CCW go to a store and ask a clerk who may know nothing aside from what is in stock and how much it costs.
Male or female, a new shooter is far better served by a .22 rimfire they can afford to shoot a lot. They need a lot of training and practice before they start to shoot their new 38, 9 mm or other 50 cent to a dollar a shot blaster.
There are conversion units or handguns, such as the new Riger SR22 or LCR .22 that shoud be bought and kept as a training understudy in safe gun handling skills.
Trying to learn with too much gun will cost you the $800 for the gun and $2,000 in ammo while you learn how to flunch.
Oncew you get the gun, get a good holster, that is designed for concealed carry and use it. Always keep it in the same place, always keep it loaded and ready for emergency use.
Don’t play with it. Unload it [[]double check] then practice your draw and presentation. Always take the opportunity to check it is unloaded before you re-holster.
Learn to read people, look for what the cops call ‘hinckey’ and leave the area if you can. If you’re at a political rally, watch the crowd for odd behavior and report it to security if there is some.
If there is no obvious security consider whether you will try to engage an odd person in a conversation to interrupt their stalking.
If you see trouble about to start, call 911 and report it, best to have the cavalry on the way before the ball drops.
Carry as close to 24/7 as you can, Learn to quietly watch people, you’re not a cop, profiling is perfectly legal for a private citizen to do, it might keep you alive.
Very Good Advice…
Lousy advice. Especially the part where he says “If there is no obvious security consider whether you will try to engage an odd person in a conversation to interrupt their stalking.” You need a gun with stopping power, so don’t try to sell anyone on the idea of carrying a 22 just because the gun and ammo is cheaper. That’s one of the worst reasons for a choice of guns. There are plenty of 9mm, 40 or 45 caliber guns that don’t cost much more that a 22 to purchase. Yes the ammo is more, but that’s part of the cost of protecting your life or the lives of others.
Right on the money. Don’t carry without training or a CCW. Consider if you really need a gun were you go and do you really need to be there.
To all you ladies that think a .22 is going to stop that Methed Up freak from getting your purse with $3.00 in its not! Anyone who tells you so is not looking out for your best interest or safety. My wife has her ccw permit, and carries either a .380 or her 9mm, these are no manual safety firearms and there better be a round in the chamber, she is 5′ 95lbs.
For those of you that think you have all the time in the world, most gun fights last less than 5 seconds at a range of less than 10 feet, so you are going to need every last second you have to pull, point and fire! You need to practice this everytime at the range.
Sure most of your shooting can be done with cheap bulk Ball or FMJs, But you need to run a mag or 2 of your defense ammo as well, just to be sure you know how it feels and your gun choice will feed and fire it.
Lastly, if you can not get 2 to the body and one to the head in 3 seconds from the holster, then you need to seek professional training, we are talking about the lives of you and yours here.
That is also good advice. Just remember a good shot with the 22 and enough of them will stop anyone or at least give you time to get away. Besides if you are aware of you surroundings it is helpful. Stay aware of the people around you and don’t allow yourself to be trapped, cornered or suprised. If you carry a gun and have had training that should have been covered. If not PLEASE get the additional training necessary to protect yourself and your loved ones.
doc jim, ive been to gunshows, i hang out often at the range and gunshops, and no one i have talked to has had a near miss, nor even been shot [outside military service in a warzone], now there are some less expensive semiautos out there that should be carried with an empty chamber for safety, but the majority are safe to carry with one in the chamber so long as the person is using safety common sense. if the gun is on your person, or unloaded in a lockbox, then kids most likely wont be playing with it. and many kids are strong enough to work the slide, and are smart enough to figure out how the gun works. so next time remember that it is better to be thought a fool then to open your mouth and prove that you are.
Consider this: http://youtu.be/syAReiTd9jg
Excellent article! So many good points. You’ve inspired me to check out some local firearms training programs. It’s been awhile since I’ve taken one and def need to make sure I haven’t developed any bad habits since then. Thanks!
Pingback: Beta Alpha Alpha » Blog Archive » viva el blog
Great article. Anybody know the name of the magazine pouch in the pic above?
Mag Pouch from Blackhawk
Thanks for the info, appreciate it