It amazes me that this would even be a topic of conversation. Empty handguns really make lousy clubs. And if the chamber is empty the firearm must be loaded before use.
New guy, asking an honest question. Not amazing at all. Most that have been around for a while understand that an unloaded gun is a great paperweight, but someone new is asking for information not criticism.It amazes me that this would even be a topic of conversation. Empty handguns really make lousy clubs. And if the chamber is empty the firearm must be loaded before use.
Should have made myself clear. I wasn't questioning Fredo. But I was questioning any knowledgeable handgunner that would carry condition three.New guy, asking an honest question. Not amazing at all. Most that have been around for a while understand that an unloaded gun is a great paperweight, but someone new is asking for information not criticism.
If I am carrying a pistol there is a round in the chamber. I have never had to use a firearm to defend myself but I believe if I do I will most likely be trying to catch up to what is going on. Even if I suspect someone doesn't look right & is up to something I can not act until the trouble starts. I will have to be watching (observing), orient myself to what is going on, make a decision about what is necessary & act. I don't know that I will have time to chamber a round.
During my time on this rock, I've noticed that the probability of bad things happening is inversely proportional to my level of preparedness.I understand not wanting to shoot when it is not justified, but carrying a gun that needs to be drawn, safety flipped off, slide pulled back before it can be fired can easily result in you being stabbed or shot with that almost ready to fire gun in your hand. You might want to consider pocket carry, and possibly switch to a revolver. As you are assessing the possible danger around you, you can have your hand in your pocket and gripping the gun, making it possible to draw and fire much more quickly if needed as compared to how you currently carry.
Observe your cat. It is difficult to surprise him. Why? Naturally his superior hearing is part of the answer, but not all of it. He moves well, using his senses fully. He is not preoccupied with irrelevancies. He's not thinking about his job or his image or his income tax. He is putting first things first, principally his physical security. Do likewise.
That may be a good theory, and it may work well for professionals and people that practice it a lot, but I'm not sure that most people have the ability to draw their weapon with one hand, rack the slide with the other hand on the way up, keep an eye on the threat while at the same time maintaining their cool in a very stressful situation. That takes an awful lot of practice and I don't think most people are going to go to that extreme. Just my thought anyway.Properly practiced "Israeli Carry" adds about 1/10-1/5 of a second to first round. I believe it originated around Single Action semi autos and carrying Cocked and Locked which is it's own can of worms. Depending on your level of disciplined carry it's probably still a good option.
Observe your cat. It is difficult to surprise him. Why? Naturally his superior hearing is part of the answer, but not all of it. He moves well, using his senses fully. He is not preoccupied with irrelevancies. He's not thinking about his job or his image or his income tax. He is putting first things first, principally his physical security. Do likewise.
A lot of folks preach 'situational awareness', but few are able to define it as well as Jeff did.Never read this bit from Jeff Cooper before.
It is golden
That's the problem with 90+% of gun owners. They buy a gun and a box of ammo and they think they're John Wick. Practice is everything. Without muscle memory a gun is useless in the dark. Jam clearance drills etc. Practicing Dry and Live fire as well as drawing from however you carry is essential to effectively using any arm you find yourself with. I much prefer condition 2 for safe carry but not every gun has that option. I think Condition 3 is far safer for most without the training, experience and discipline to safely carry a firearm. Many of the new striker guns have really good triggers which makes them like a 1911 with the safety off and the grip safety taped down for people to carry.That may be a good theory, and it may work well for professionals and people that practice it a lot, but I'm not sure that most people have the ability to draw their weapon with one hand, rack the slide with the other hand on the way up, keep an eye on the threat while at the same time maintaining their cool in a very stressful situation. That takes an awful lot of practice and I don't think most people are going to go to that extreme. Just my thought anyway.
Heck, if you want to do that just buy a pistol with a magazine disconnect.It also allows you to just drop the mag to make safe.
Nothing wrong with that and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Better that than to leave it at home. Time and increased confidence will allow you to eventually go condition 1. The most important thing is situational awareness regardless of whether you carry condition 1 or condition 2.Thanks. I'm in Arizona so concealed carry is not an issue. I'm brand new to firearms and aside from taking the CCW course I also took a course in basic pistol fundamentals. I'm 72 and I'm taking things in steps. I want to just get used to carrying before I move to one in the chamber
Tell that to tens of thousands in Israel. They are constantly in a state of readiness, as compared to any civilian in this forum.Chambered
IMO if one is not willing to carry chambered they are not ready to carry.