[tech141]

That guy was all the way across the parking lot and decided it wasn't a good idea to go up against a guy with a rifle at such a distance. He completely made the right call.

If you were inside that IHOP, however, you had little time. Interviews with those who escaped said it was all very sudden. All of the interviews I read revealed that those inside didn't know what had happened outside (and remember, there were experienced soldiers inside and they didn't react either). Once it all started going down inside there was very little time to react.

I looked at the GoogleEarth view of that IHOP. The nearest restaurant (besides the McDonalds...) is a good 200+ feet away from the IHOP. That's a mighty long shot for a CC weapon. I'd be willing definitely say the guy did the right thing by withholding fire.

 

[sumo61]

I carry a Para LDA 1911 with one in the tube and safety on. With the LDA trgger system the hammer is lowered while on safety, which is different than most 1911s. I don't want to have to rack the slide to put one in the chamber if I have to pull it. Time matters if a life or death situation.

 

[one73maro]

I always carry with a full mag and one in the chamber. I also carry an extra mag on my opposite hip and another one in the car. I would carry 2 extra mags but I only have the single mag holder right now. Haven't got around to getting a double mag holder yet.

 

[mongo]

This is why I am getting a revolver for CC, my star .380 (basically a 1911 copy in .380) has a rather difficult for me trigger safety- so cocked and locked in my pocket isn't much better than empty chamber.

 

[phatnogin5877]

Why would I carry an unloaded gun?

+1 unless its ready to shoot, whats the point?

 

[hudson69]

I have four kids and there is no safety on my handgun. I don't keep one in the chamber. If I am in an area that I don't feel good about I will chamber my weapon. Other than that I try to keep it unchambered.

I have two kids and I carry with a loaded chamber but I understand why you do what you do (I think). I have a Glock, no safeties, but I carry in a pancake holster and have a gun safe. The gun doesn't leave the holster unless I want it too (hopefully) and under controlled circumstances. At night it goes in the wall safe, still in the holster.

My thing is that I have always trained with a round already in the chamber so to carry one without might cause me to go through an immediate action drill that eats up time; seconds only but time, in a dynamic situation.

Is it right? It seems to work for me but again I can see the reasoning behind doing what you do.

 

[Grevlin]

I have two kids and I carry with a loaded chamber but I understand why you do what you do (I think). I have a Glock, no safeties, but I carry in a pancake holster and have a gun safe. The gun doesn't leave the holster unless I want it too (hopefully) and under controlled circumstances. At night it goes in the wall safe, still in the holster.

My thing is that I have always trained with a round already in the chamber so to carry one without might cause me to go through an immediate action drill that eats up time; seconds only but time, in a dynamic situation.

Is it right? It seems to work for me but again I can see the reasoning behind doing what you do.

It has three - but I'm thinking you mean "manual safeties"

 

[Boost Addicted]

Chamber unloaded.

Really, how long does it take to rack a round? If you're within 21 feet of an assailant with a knife, you're done for anyway because even if you ARE loaded, he's gonna get to you before you can draw a sight picture.

The argument can be made that it takes the same amount of time to rack a round to the chamber as it does to remove the safety. So why not keep the safety off without a round in the chamber? Safer in my mind... And barely slower.

 

[fire65]

Chamber unloaded.

Really, how long does it take to rack a round? If you're within 21 feet of an assailant with a knife, you're done for anyway because even if you ARE loaded, he's gonna get to you before you can draw a sight picture.

The argument can be made that it takes the same amount of time to rack a round to the chamber as it does to remove the safety. So why not keep the safety off without a round in the chamber? Safer in my mind... And barely slower.

What if you only have one hand available to do it? It can be done, but you better be practicing at it.
I had a buddy who was attacked through the window of his car. While trying to fight back with his left hand he grabbed his pistol with his right. To bad it was unloaded, been telling this forever. He now carries a loaded weapon. It did make a good club.

 

[Deadmeat99]

The argument can be made that it takes the same amount of time to rack a round to the chamber as it does to remove the safety.

They still sell guns with a safety? Who knew?:

 

[AtticusFinch]

I looked at the GoogleEarth view of that IHOP. The nearest restaurant (besides the McDonalds...) is a good 200+ feet away from the IHOP. That's a mighty long shot for a CC weapon. I'd be willing definitely say the guy did the right thing by withholding fire.

I have been to that IHOP many, many times. I used to work in Carson City a few years ago.

Anyway, you are right. For the average shooter to engage an AK-weilding gunman with his concealed carry pistol from across that parking lot would have probably not ended well for the pistolero.

I went through training on this type of situation. I remember it well. In fact, I can still see the real life dash video of something similar from when a police officer had pulled over a guy who proceded to pull out and load an M1 carbine and get into a shootout with the officer. The officer was killed.

Ultimately, in that situation, you have to either run away zig zagging and saying a prayer, or close the distance with the shooter. Across that parking lot, it would have been difficult for the guy to do that. And, considering that the guy didn't have the training or experience, well, there is a good chance that his name would have been added to the victims list if he had tried.

 

[LokitheScot]

Maybe it's just the endless firearms courses in the BSA rubbing off on me, but if you're carrying an automatic, a full mag but not cocked should be sufficient for most scenarios. If you're in a suspicious situation, or are going through a shady neighborhood, then find a quiet corner and cock the pistol. But as a general rule in a friendly area, empty chamber....

 

[AtticusFinch]

Back to chambered or not....

It depends. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. It depends a lot on what pistol I am carrying and how, and where I am going. Ultimately, I would like to always have one in the pipe, but there is a safety trade off. Last year, a guy here dropped his pistol in a restaurant and wounded a woman sitting at another table, almost killing her.

With that said, I would carry my XD or my Sig M2 chambered with little worries in town. But even with those very safe pistols, when I am carrying out hunting, bouncing around on an ATV, I don't keep one in the chamber.

 

[Boost Addicted]

What if you only have one hand available to do it? It can be done, but you better be practicing at it.
I had a buddy who was attacked through the window of his car. While trying to fight back with his left hand he grabbed his pistol with his right. To bad it was unloaded, been telling this forever. He now carries a loaded weapon. It did make a good club.

You make a valid point...

 

[62284]

You might not have the drop on the bad guy and if he fires first and wings you, you suddenly wind up with a whole new set of problems. Don't carry a weapon you don't have 100% confidence in and always carry in a proper holster. For pocket carry without a holster, no sane person should have a weapon without a manual safety loaded and chambered.
I have a Glock and a KelTec P32. Both are carried with a hot tube, otherwise I just have a piece of plastic in my pocket.
For those uncomfortable with the prospect, get some proper training or buy a revolver or both. Honestly, you'll probably never have the opportunity to prove me wrong, but if you do, you don't want to be fumbling around racking a slide in the heat of the moment. That's precisely when Mr Murphy decides to stovepipe your weapon.

 

[phatnogin5877]

What if you only have one hand available to do it? It can be done, but you better be practicing at it.
I had a buddy who was attacked through the window of his car. While trying to fight back with his left hand he grabbed his pistol with his right. To bad it was unloaded, been telling this forever. He now carries a loaded weapon. It did make a good club.

you beat me to saying this! And "how long does it take to rack a gun?".....TOO LONG! Less than 1 second can mean life or death. Personally I carry with a loaded chamber and safety off. My pistol is SA/DA and has internal safety mechanisms that prevent it from discharging unless the trigger is actually pulled. This prevents and accidental discharge if for example I was wrestling with an attacker and the hammer got pulled back and released.

 

[Grevlin]

Seems like folks are concrete in their choice either way...


Have fun in the thread - I'm off.