To chamber or not on M&P without safety

[gestu1]

Have an M&P 45 without a thumb saftey. Not sure if I should chamber a round when I carry it.
I carry it in a Blackhawk retention holster. Am I being over cautious by not chambering?

[AZSATT]

Many modern guns have no mechanical safety. Among some of the most popular, Glocks, XD's, and Sigs.

While it's good be cautious, I'm a big fan/supporter of training. Train so you can quickly, smoothly, effeciently and safely draw and present your gun without getting on your trigger too soon... like in and out of your holster for instance.

Also, consider the speed and level of violence involved with many up close and personal confrontations that justify the use of deadly force to protect yourself. It's likely going to happen very, very quickly. While you can develop speed and proficiency in sling-shot'ing that first round into the chamber, it takes time no matter how good you get at it.

God help you if you carry WITHOUT one chambered, and when the fan begins to get covered with fecal matter, you find yourself with only one hand to draw and present. Chambering is tough (but not impossible) with only one hand. At the Intermediate or Tactical level, I train shooters from the ground or kneeling position to use the "heel of their boot" to activate their slide with one hand, while fighting defensively with the other. This generally includes muzzle contact shooting as well. (Up close and personal, and with a level of violence that's tough to train for.) If you're not close to the heel of your boot, you're probably going to find yourself in an "awww $#!&!" situation quickly.

I'm in the camp where CC guns are loaded, including "one in the pipe." Home defense guns, that's different usually. IMHO.

[KimberRB]

I have two M&Ps and I agree with AZ. I have no problem carry with one in the chamber

[bigspurr]

Originally Posted by gestu1

Have an M&P 45 without a thumb saftey. Not sure if I should chamber a round when I carry it.
I carry it in a Blackhawk retention holster. Am I being over cautious by not chambering?

I had the same question when I started to carry and someone gave me this advice, try carrying with it not loaded and chambered (dry fire mode) and at the end of the day pull the trigger if you get the click then you didn't shoot your foot or someone by mistake. I done it that way for two weeks and had no miss fire and now I carry a round in the chamber ready to fire with my M&P 45 .I use a crossbreed super tuck holster.

[wolfhunter]

If you don't feel safe with a round in the chamber, get a gun that you can carry ready to use. A gun with no round in the chamber is little better than a gun in your car trunk.

[DarrellM5]

If you feel unsafe carrying a chambered pistol without a thumb safety, you should buy one that has a thumb safety. The odds are that if you ever have to use your pistol, it will be in a defensive situation in which the bad guy already has the jump on you. You'll start the battle behind the power curve. You might not have time to draw your weapon, let alone chamber a round.

You can be totally safe without a thumb safety. Get some training and practice. Always holster your pistol slowly. Noone ever won a gun fight with a "speed reholster".

[HK4U]

It is a DBL action. One in the chamber.

[fuhr52]

How fast can you chamber a round under stress?

[Glock Fan]

Originally Posted by gestu1

Have an M&P 45 without a thumb saftey. Not sure if I should chamber a round when I carry it.
I carry it in a Blackhawk retention holster. Am I being over cautious by not chambering?

Did you read the instruction manual that came with the gun?



gf

[gestu1]

Sure did!