I would chamber a round but put the gun on safety. Always. But luckily I will never, since we don't have guns here in The Netherlands. At least, the civilians doesn't. And I like that.
I don’t think you can be to a fault when it comes to gun safety. So if you’re extremely careful I wouldn’t judge you if you are now extremely extremely careful.
@@BG-bx4ey Thank you, I agree. By your definition, if you carry with one in the pipe, you need to remove the round every time the pistol is off your person. For example, taking a shower, swimming, sleeping, etc. You do that, right?
@@BeefT-Sq I disagree with him too. If he advocates carrying with a round chambered. In Georgia about a decade ago within a short time span, over 3 police officers were shot dead in training playing with chambered rounds, one highly publicized incident where a police woman accidentally shot an innocent man by quickly drawing her gun and her overreaction was accommodated by a chambered round, then there was the accidental shooting on the movie set.....I could go on and on. Why it helps to treat all guns as if they are loaded at all times. Carrying a chambered round is like riding a motorcycle without a helmet, and there are plenty of them out there that do not believe in helmets, I don't like to hang out with them either, exercising such poor judgement. No fun watching such suicidal behavior.
@gsp49 Hickok's advice is sound. the operative word you used to describe what those 3 Officers did.."playing" how often do you hear of SEAL'S, Army, Navy or any of the armed forces shooting themselves? basically all accidental shootings are due to not following the basic rules of firearms safety. Peace
I’ve found this to be true at every stage of my life. I try and avoid overconfident idiots as best I can. As related to guns, I’ve turned down hunting trips because of who would be there.
@@Dan.50 I don’t like indoor ranges. I go to a private outdoor range, and I almost always shoot on weekdays during the day. Aside from one or two other people,I’m usually alone. It’s a large property so aside from the distant sound of a few shots, you don’t even see anyone.
The biggest cringe for me is people not using a holster. Just a naked handgun in their belt line or glove box. Far more dangerous than having a round in the chamber is having an uncovered trigger rattling around your bag with you keys and chapstick.
A State Trooper pulled me over when I was 18 years old and saw that I had a semi-auto in the glove box... he told me to hand him the gun... I did, and he dropped the mag and cleared the chamber, but the chamber was empty. So he says, "Why's the chamber empty?" and I said it was for saftey reasons. He laughed and said, "Sonnyboy, leave this thing at home before you get yourself killed. A gun fight usually happens at less than 3 feet in less than 3 seconds. If you aren't ready for that you're dead." ... I took that to heart at 18 years old and I carry ready all the time. You should treat every gun like its loaded and ready to go whether it is or not.
Trooper did you a bug favor in berating your round chambered squeamishness 😁😎. Cool guy and i wish they were all like that Not sure as to that scenarios specifics, but theres no way in hell id open a glove box that had a gun in it prior to verbally telling an officer what was in there. Great way to get drawn on and maybe shot. Not saying you did that, just musing
@@keithrange4457 Mind you this was in 1989... there was no internet or open forums like we have today... Thank God Almighty I was smart enough at the time to let the Trooper know that my license and registration was in my glovebox and that there was a pistol in the glove box as well. He said, "No Problem, just reach in there and hand me the pistol then get your documents." I slowly and gently handed him the pistol. I held it by the barrel and offered him the grip. Its an amazingly vivid memory for me in so many ways. Thanks for your comment and giving me an opportunity to elaborate.
@ozgott1415 If you ever need to convey to youngsters of the day just how old you are, tell them "I was born before Google. I was even born before the internet!". Their eyes get big and they can't comprehend how we lived 🤣
When I was a military police officer in the California Army National Guard in 1979, they made us carry our 45 automatics in the holster without a magazine in it. And only one mag in the double mag pouch. Absolutely insane.
On forgotten weapons Ian once reviewed an old 6-shot police revolver from somewhere in Europe. He said the police were required to have the first chamber empty, the second chamber was a blank, the third chamber was something else non-lethal (possibly a smoke charge), and only the final 3 chambers were loaded with live ammo. Imagine remembering that in an emergency!
When I was a MP in the guard they gave us our Berettas with 3, yes 3, rounds in the magazine and an empty chamber. This was during a state activation in an urban city.
For the most part, with a good holster, you should be confident in carrying a firearm with a round in the chamber! Never carry a firearm on you person w/o a holster.
The problem is with these weird people thinking that every person of color is a threat. That being said there are a lot of people of color who are law abiding and also pro 2a who have the same rights and are of higher status than them and also more trained. Your ego ego and superiority complex wouldn’t allow you to believe that though. The problem is when you start causing problems with those people thinking they’re a threat, and that’s when you get in big trouble that you would’ve wished you were never apart of. Also another issue is when u come on Hickok’s channel spewing your bigotry not realizing that Hickok also has followers who are people of color and follow him religiously taking away great points from him and incorporating them in their everyday life. Yeah keep, keeping America separated buddy
I’d like to hear you talk more about finances, retirement, life goals, and other life skills. You are more than just a gun guy to us! Very excited to hear more from you.
Don't forget exchanging clever and witty dialogue (in complete sentences, no less) in order to have ironic repeats of dialogue that took place earlier in the movie/episode.
"bayricker," "Racking a round . . . movies - added drama . . . " Like in everything from top-drawer, 4 star-rated movie and TV westerns down to ordinary, middle of the road, then the B-grade and / or Italian clones where OVER and OVER we see the individual with a Winchester lever a round multiple times within the hour or two hours because of the drama, the thrill of the visual and accompanying sound effect. When in fact it's UTTERLY STUPID. Especially when we know many of the performers were / are 'up-to-speed' with guns off-screen; WHY didn't they tell the director* "Hey, hold on: That's NOT how it's done and while to you it might come off as 'cool,' it actually is an erroneous, TOTALLY STUPID move because a round is ALREADY in the chamber with the hammer at half-cock, which in the old days was the equivalent of 'safety." SO levering the gun is ejecting a perfectly good, LIVE round and NEEDLESSLY replacing it from one in the tube / magazine." *(from New York City perhaps and didn't know any better; OR more likely, because THAT'S how he's / she's seen it done in all 'those' movies and shows of years' past). Once again, "Gracias, 'Hickok 45 Talks.'"
Good point, Hickok. One thing taught in most police academies is this. Never assume because you have a gun and the criminal has a gun, that you're on level ground. Unless you're psychic you can't read that criminals mind. What ever you do with your firearm is in response to what the criminal has already done. Ergo, the criminal is always one step ahead of you.
Nowadays, they can’t even get physical on a level playing field. They’re essentially fighting with suspects with one hand tied behind their backs. There’s no winning on that job anymore. Can’t believe people still go into that profession.
@@rcstl8815But hold on, haven’t you heard the enlightened opinion of the FUDD who thinks all you need to get out of any situation is the proper training, just like their grandpappy had, and anybody who prefers to be more prepared is compensating for their own inadequacies? You know, the “my grandad could reload his 1911 twice while tied to train tracks underwater and fending off steam-powered sharks in the same time it takes you to unholster your Glock on a good day,” guy?
Oh you are sooo smart! Would have never thought that! Like the man said, IT'S EACH PERSON'S OWN DECISION. And actually, it's if it ain't chambered, it doesn't fire. And you chamber it when you need it.
His advice is 10x better than I would have said, which would have been always carry hot, but not until you are comfortable and confident with doing so.
a safety is just another useless mechanical device that can fail, and that can get in the way of being able to use the firearm in a life or death situation where fractions of a second matter. round in the chamber 100% of the time. "i can rack a round pretty quick" sure you can, assuming you use the proper technique, but many times in high intense situations people will limp wrist the rack, or not pull back far enough. stovepipes and failure to load a round by manually racking are SIGNIFICANTLY more likely than a round loading after being fired. and with a round in the chamber you are 100% guaranteed to at least have one round loaded and able to be fired.
More gun accidents happen with rounds in the chamber. All guns are loaded. After 23 years in the Infantry we were locked and loaded when contact was imminent. Civilians? They overthink a situation where they might need to defend themselves in a split second. How often does that happen? Every bullet has a story to tell.
I get your point, but I still can't get past your first sentence. :-) Most car accidents happen with gas in the tank and a driver behind the wheel. Sorry, couldn't resist. :-)
@@Hickok45Talks Good point Hickok.....but Crazy Drivers are not covered by the 2nd Amendment and THAT is paramount too stress GUN SAFETY if we want to keep the 2nd.!
@@jakejudson8578No, the safety is on the gun. My safety is on as I wear my gun everyday from the time I get up to when I go to bed. That means when I'm doing any type of lawn maintence, branch trimming ect where something might work its way into the trigger guard and fire a safety less firearm. I'm not ready to punch any needless holes in my own body.
@@jakejudson8578I learned with pistols that has a safety. It’s become natural for me to thumb the safety down when I draw from holster. When I first shot a Glock I was thumbing the non existent safety 😂
Gunsmiths taught me that a safety is a mechanical device that is prone to failure. Don't leave those chambered rounds in a blued gun in the hot July sunshine, on a black wrought iron picnic table, they will still shoot without the firing pin being activated regardless of what position your safety is set on. And if you insist on carrying chambered, stay away from campfires while doing so, by the time you bend over with a stick to get your gun out of the coals you may be deceased. It only takes a second, safety's don't prevent accidents from happening, and sometimes they contribute to the accident. I rest my case.
My thoughts: 1) I do carry with a round in the chamber because I don't think the crisis situation is going to allow me the time to chamber a round. 2) You should NEVER carry a firearm in a way that makes you uncomfortable. The first safety is between your ears and if that is distracted by something like this then you are going to increase your chances for an accident.
In my opinion Condition 4 is the only way you absolutely shouldn’t carry. You can carry in any other condition as long as you train for it! Situational Awareness is as important as firearms training
Best advice I have heard! With the amount of accidents in the world, I prefer not to carry a round in the chamber. The guys who strong advocate a round in the chamber have so much more experience than I have and I believe they are projecting their preferences too widely.
As a police officer starting back in the late eighties, we carried double-action revolvers and DA/SA semiautos, and there was NEVER any discussion of whether or not to carry a round in the chamber, because the long, heavy double-action trigger made the gun very safe. It wasn't until the introduction of Glocks that folks became obsessed with shorter, lighter, crisper triggers for that faster first shot. This has culminated in guns like the Sig P320, which has a trigger so light, short and crisp that, according to some people, the trigger doesn't even have to be pulled for the gun to fire. So I understand how some folks, especially those new to guns, and who don't have one of those "old guy guns," might want to carry with an empty chamber. Having said that, when I carry a striker-fired gun, I ALWAYS carry with a round in the chamber, but I also prefer a relatively heavy (but smooth) trigger, combined with a good holster. And I NEVER appendix carry.
Very insightful and true. We have a situation today where what should be professional firearms are in the hands of amateurs. As a retired MP who started in 84 @ Ft. Knox am a staunch supporter of the original intent of 2A and respecting the privilege it affords. One of my fav. revolvers is a Colt Trooper Mk III. ( one of, lol ) Best to you -
Your way more likely to have an nd using any holster besides an appendix holster. An appendix holster you can easily look the gun safely into the holster. You don’t need to holster quickly. Do it slowly and safely. It’s only the draw that counts for speed. My experience? 19 years of daily appendix carry in kydex. I still have a bunch of dale fricke archangel holsters.
@@LatchkeyKidX Dale is a good dude. I had a Gideon way way back when it was the only decent thin holster I could find for a USP9. I personally don’t like appendix carry because I don’t think it conceals well for me but other than that it has a lot of advantages.
Agreed on individual decision, as a Police Officer I did & department policy. As a civilian I don’t & rely on muscle memory to charmer when needed. I don’t have them chambered at home due to grandkids
@@ericschneider8524 and why is "today's America like that do you suppose? And when was America ever a place where one didn't need to potentially defend themselves?
Total sense for those who end up shooting themselfs or others. Should the gun go off you can be charged with Endangerment! A lot of new-bees are getting guns with no training and too much bad advice of others who need proper training themselfs.
@@oldjarhead386 And knowlegable as to what firearm is best suited for them. Experiance Gunners start off small like a 22cal bench shooting then work their way up. SAFETY is drilled into them before they even pick up a gun.
Trusting your ammo and firearm is a big factor in carrying ready. It helped me ease into it, knowing it WONT go off when I don’t want, and WILL go off when I do
I only carry an 8-shot revolver so yes, always. Not having a round ready to go is like locking your gun in a safe and somebody kicks their way into your house. There are no "time-outs." Always appreciate your perspectives Hickok!
One more consideration concerning carrying a round in chamber. There could be a situation whereby ‘racking a round’ could give your position away to ‘bad guy’.
I'm going on 2 years carrying concealed. Just lately, I began carrying with a loaded chamber. After more than 60 years being around and using firearms. It's a responsibility I take as seriously as any other, that involves people's lives!
BEST Answer i have Seen on this Question !! Most have this have this Macho attitude and totally ignoring things like a negligent discharge in some states is a felony and instant loss of your right to even carry. There are a lot of Excuses and What if's every time this subject is bought up, and sure the bad guy could be a retired navy seal marksman and he has already shot off your racking arm or you have a bag a groceries in the racking arm..........PLEASE just Excuses !! i was trained by a navy NCO who Trained in Israel and he was one of the finest shooters i have ever seen, and he carried condition 3 (Empty Chamber) and had a long list of reasons enough so that 40 years after my Navy time i still carry condition 3 and when i practice i practice with that in mind and if you use a proper Israeli Draw you will actually get a faster sight picture, and yes i need two hands, and i'm praying my bad guy isn't a marksman, and if my life is on the line.......I'll drop the Groceries LOL
I've always been taught don't point at what you do not intend to destroy, people carrying appendix one in the chamber is a level of confidence I don't think I'll ever achieve. If i carry 1 in chamber holster will be at my 8:00 position. worst case scenario i blow my butt cheek off, and earn the title nickname Johnny halfass
What they say: “I don’t carry a round in the chamber, I’ll be able to chamber one if I need to” What I hear: “I don’t drive with my seatbelt on, I’ll just put it on if I’m going to crash!”
@@geniusmarcsays2434 I don't carry a weapon with a manual thumb safety. Striker fired pistols (Glocks, M&Ps, etc) Have 3 built in safeties (A trigger safety, a drop safety, and a firing pin block). Trigger is covered by the correct holster designed for the exact gun. So you just draw and fire. Nothing else to remember to do. No racking, swtiching, or otherwise futzing with your gun. Just draw, point/aim, shoot. Just have good trigger finger discipline, use the proper holster, don't be a dumbass and its safe to carry it that way.
i remember hearing someone say to be in control of your emotions rather than focus too much on shooting because its easier to shoot a gun than to control your emotions
your gun should be the last thing you reach for in modern life.. not your first thought therefore you have more time than you think.. I personally would rather get beat up than go to prison for murder
Sage advice from respected old timer. Every where you look, read, listen these days people are talking about the need to be armed. Consider that as Hickock said, the odds are you will never need the gun. Now that will invite howls of protest but keep thinking about these following criteria. In the past several years gun ownership and the attitude of needing to be armed has skyrocketed. That means a lot of newbies and for my way of thinking I would personally expect that a large measure of them are NOT competent with handling a gun much less are they adequately prepared to stage a self defense shooting in public with the problem of collateral damage. And a lot of the wanna be armed titans have no clue how they will react psychologically in determining a threat, deciding to use the gun, assessing the conditions of the shooting field and the very real thought of deciding to kill another person. I am 75, I am of the opinion that to carry and use a gun in self defense is purely a risky roll of the dice, likely as not you will screw up, the authorities will prosecute you and or your attacker will remain to be a threat to you for ever more. The very best you can do for yourself is to be vigilant, a constant state of situational awareness and seeking to steer clear of trouble whether out in public or at home.
I retired from law enforcement in 2013 with 27 plus years. Started with revolvers then autos. Even now when I carry I will have a round chambered. The fact is if you don't you're unarmed.
@@bri13wvu1 While you're trying to rack your weapon, the other guy is already pulling the trigger. You'll have to be the one who decides whether that' fact or opinion.
I retired in 2016 after 27+ years in law enforcement. It was never a topic of discussion when I went through the Academy. You always would have a round chambered. I agree, why carry a pistol if you’re carrying it without a chambered round? To me this isn’t a topic of discussion. Any people who do it are stupid. I couldn’t imagine being in a split second life or death situation and you pull out your gun and have to chamber around. FYI, I was in the first Academy class with the 9 mm having transitioned from 38 revolvers.
Yeah I agree!!! I EDC a S&W M&P 2.0 with an external safety. I will not carry any pistol in condition 1 without an external safety period. I really cringe at the folks that appendix carry condition 1 with no external safety!! To me that’s complete insanity!!!!
I like the 1911 style. I carry cocked and locked. I prefer not to carry a Glock hot tho. I would carry a DA like an sig p229 and decock it. Love your videos buddy!
I live in fairly safe state but the unknown is everywhere. When I first started carrying I did so empty. As in the whole firearm. Say what you want. Then it wasn't chambered. Now I carry how I want. Nobody can tell me what to do. I never never EVER want to pull on anyone and I pray nobody will on me. Be safe no matter what if you carry or not.
Be safe and ready, your own success or failure is in fact due to you being prepared. You should carry your firearm so that it is ready to be used at a moments notice or train more with it so you feel comfortable with it.
My S&W J-frame is always loaded of course. I do not keep a +1 on any Semi-auto that I carry ever. I am competent and confident in myself about that. I have been shot at, and I have been the victim of an armed robbery with a gun to my head, and several other situations including law enforcement. In none of those situations would being a quick draw or having my firearm in a less than safe state have benefited me. I have been in situations where I was armed that it would never occur to me to rely on my gun. I am not insecure. My Father taught me never to draw a weapon unless I intend to use it! I love guns but hope never to be in a situation as such to where I felt I needed to kill someone. Once again, I have been in all types of situations that people today would think warrant that. Wrong. Now try to break into my house? LOL! No questions asked.
Appreciate the almost uniformly civil dialogue on what is a passionate topic. One point I will add is don’t forget there are a lot of relatively new handgun owners, and carrying one (along with your training and confidence level) is not static; it’s a journey. Let’s not intimidate people into not carrying at all by preaching that the only answer is a loaded chamber combined with some idealistic level of “training”. In the real world, abilities, budgets, and confidence levels vary. I carry with one chambered today, but I admit I didn’t start that way. And I have taken several concealed carry courses and regularly practice drawing and reholstering, both live and dry. And, I insist on a thumb safety for my strikers, unless I carry a DA/SA. That may not be ideal, but it worked for me.
Carrying is a responsibility. If you choose to do so you have to devote a little extra brain power and be aware that you are doing so. I’m condition 1 every time. It takes an extra second to chamber a round. You can’t ask the freak threatening you to stand by while you prep your firearm.
Not even in the military did we carry a round chambered, vietnam was diffrent i always carried a round in the chamber of the big 90mm and a shotgun round 4th div B co. ARMOR
You are not just carrying to protect yourself, but all those around you. Bad things happen in a fraction of a second. If you stay armed, thank you. Odds are the police won't be there when needed, it's true. Fund your police.
I live in a rural area with extremely low rates of violent crime. In my judgment the risk of a negligent discharge is higher than being attacked...so my p365 is usually unchambered but on my person. BTW congrats to all who have trained so much they are immune to NDs...truly impressive.
So you have never been jumped by a pit? They don't paws (pause) for you to rack. ND occurs when the trigger is unguarded. Not when it is tucked into a holster.
@@skyblue1122 How are you discharging it in the holster? You need a different holster if that’s possible. One where the trigger guard is entirely covered when holstered.
If you treat every weapon like it’s loaded it might as well be! If you can’t treat every weapon like it’s loaded you shouldn’t have it. They aren’t decorations or fashion statements.
I have two revolvers and now a semi auto. I am working the semi auto into my capabilities. The revolver is more of a reaction weapon. The semi is more like an assault weapon. I hear you are NOT supposed to carry a round in the chamber for the AR.
Thank You for Your take on these subjects. Your knowledge, skill and experience is priceless ! Because it takes MANY years (decades) to learn lessons the hard way and pass that knowledge on for free. Best to You and Yours. Please keep posting content.
@@gsp49 Perhaps you misunderstood "Daddy," because IF he chose to carry he 1) wisely chose 'concealed' so as not to draw attention to himself or frighten the general public; 2) kept his gun CLEAN to ensure it is in working order 100% of the time; in a moment of crisis only 100% reliability and speed, skill and spot-on aiming will do; 3) "one in the chamber' with the safety on that you've trained to click from on to off in a fraction of a second, 'second-nature' style, when drawing in circumstances where SHTF; 4) "Avoid bad situations" is using good, wise judgment . . . that WILL eliminate 90% of the scenarios where there's possibilities one might need to either draw or actually fire. "Drew-tj8gz" shared a COMMON, father-daughter / father-son words of wisdom session because of the elder's responsibility as an adult, responsibility as a loving parent and responsibility as a RESPONSIBLE, aware gun owner instilling the FACTS on his beloved children. Compared to all that, your two sentences come off as a holier-than-though, my-way-or-the-highway, "maybe I SHOULD just carry it unloaded with three rounds in my 17-round magazine 'cause 'Daddy' would be so proud that I took his advice and corrupted it to the extreme." And since you come off pretty much as an A-hole, friend or foe most people wouldn't want to be around you, whatever the circumstances.
I carry a 1911 cocked and locked. It can't fire until the safety is dropped, which takes a 10th of a second and can be done with one hand. There's no time to rack a slide in a real situation, forget it. Just carry something safe enough to keep chambered. Problem solved. Oh, capacity problems... Go 2011 double stack. It still has a manual safety. Carry cocked and locked. Safe as can be.
I don’t remember this being a big deal when most people carried either revolvers or automatics with frame or slide mounted safeties. Since all the popular carry guns now are striker fired with no safety and light triggers… it’s understandable some people don’t want to carry them with one in the chamber. The answer isn’t just train more or don’t be a wimp. The answer might be get a different gun. I’ve never heard of anyone afraid of carrying a loaded revolver. Even Barney Fife would have carried a loaded revolver if Andy had let him.
In a revolver if the trigger gets pulled fully the round in the cylinder lined up with the barrel is not the round that is going to be fired, it will be the next rotating round that is fired.
@@Darazazazadisadvantage is the only time I needed mine there was no time. Safety off with thumb as gun coming up. I probably wouldn't be here if I had to rack a round.
Hickok, I saw your video introducing this channel this morning where your son said this had become your livelihood. Have you ever thought about starting a Hickok 45 shooting range ? With 7.7 million viewers, it might work. You could set up four or five shooting areas that duplicate your range. You could also put several paper target pistol ranges. People could rent and shoot some of your guns. Maybe you could build a little stage with wooden benches, and show up for a one hour relaxed discussion a few times a week? Nashville is already a vacation destination, I would come up to shoot at Hickok 45’s “range”. It would be fun to have a few tries at the gong or buy and shoot a few $5 2 liter bottles. Maybe spend $5 a round to shoot a Henry or some unusual historic rifle. In the big city, all we get is paper to shoot at. It’s something that might give you and John and income for several years.
Many of you folks want so badly to have a reason to carry and to have one in the chamber. Despite what you've seen on mainstream media, daily society in America has been one of the most peaceful moments in the ENTIRE human history. I have a CCW, M&P shield, and guess what, I forget to take it with me ALL THE TIME! Civilian life in America is a blessing. Stop trying to create artificial drama and pretend a non-existent threat is there. "You never know" is the kind of catalyst someone battling with severe paranoia needs to do something bad. Don't do this!
You are partially correct; generally, we're pretty safe in this country. Even when the chances of an event are fairly remote, there's still something to be said for being prepared. I rarely ever have flat tires or lose houses to fire, but I'm probably going to keep that spare tire aired up and fire extinguishers handy in my house, as well as insurance paid up. I'm so "paranoid," I even check traffic before I change lanes, not fully trusting the technology of my car's sensors. Terribly paranoid! For experienced firearms handlers, having a firearm is no different from having a wallet. A firearm is just insurance in case the highly unlikely, but possibly horrific, comes to dinner. No doubt most of the innocent folks yesterday who were murdered, raped, or otherwise seriously assaulted thought the day was going to go much differently. It didn't.
Check your revolver and make sure it can be carried with all cylinders loaded, with certain safety features it is safe to carry with all the cylinders loaded.
Yeah its mostly old guns where the hammer is the firing pin, I had an old rossi revolver like that so you couldn't really safely carry it with the hammer on a round
One critique: Carrying your firearm is not only at your risk, it’s at the risk of everyone around you. That is an obligation you have to take into consideration…not just your own tolerance for risk. You’re free to shoot your leg off with your Glock but you’re not free to shoot mine off.
Other gunowners may critique me for this, but this is exactly why I opted for a manual safety on my striker-fire pistol in addition to my kydex holster. Just one more barrier between me and a disastrous discharge, negligent or otherwise. And naturally, I don't skimp on training and knowledge work.
If you are a responsible firearm owner, there is no risk to the people around you. You’re really reaching with your comment and begging to start an argument. Get a life.
A gun with a loaded magazine but not chambered should be more than sufficient in most cases. Realistically, all you would have to do in an emergency is cock it, aim, and fire. More than anything, how you choose to carry your weapon is a very personal choice.
Also, a person's daily activities, place of employment, type of job, etc., has a lot to do with this subject. For example, if you're in some type of law enforcement, local, state, federal any of the above, armed security at prisons, government institutions, etc., it might be just the norm and Standard Operating Procedure to carry with a round chambered. However, if you're a truck driver, blue collar/white collar worker in no way associated with LE, maybe it's not as important and you have more freedom to decide, etc.., Whatever's comfortable.
The operative word here is "training". Either way, your effective response to a threat depends on how proficiently confident you are adding a lethal weapon into the conflict. I personally carry without one in the chamber. I have conditioned myself through training to rack, retrieve, and if necessary, fire in one motion. I have been licensed to carry for well over twenty-five years. I have also had to draw both my striker and hammer fired pistols in actual situations where a potential threat existed. When a round is carried chambered, that usually means the next event is the firing of the weapon. Whether intentional or not, once that occurs, there is no turning back. Odds are less likely you will find yourself in a situation where you have absolutely zero chance to charge your weapon to protect yourself from hurt, harm, or danger. Conversely, the likelihood of a shot gone bad from a rushed engagement carries a higher probability. For me, I want to be sure and in complete control (most importantly my wits included) when my gun goes off. The Rambo/Terminator/S.W.A.T/Sp.Ops. wannabes of the TH-cam gun world might disagree, but to each their own.
Hammer fired may take a split second longer to be fired but you can holster it and keep your hand on the hammer when it’s going in. Striker fired you mess up there’s a hole in your leg.
Situational awareness is 🔑. Never let someone get within the 21 foot rule without already having summed them up first and then u have plenty of time to rack a slide. I carry in holster, slopy jacket pocket, (which is easier to hide) and without one in the chamber. Unless u are a cop, there is no reason u as joe citizen will ever be within hand to hand combat distance of someone and have to fight them off with one hand if: you hsve good situationalawareness of your surroundings. Not to mention, half the time, just showing the firearm is enough to get anyone to stop advancing on u. I used to be a cop. I can carry with one in the chamber if I have to, but its just way easier to pocket carry because the slide has to fully battery to load it in so theres no accidental discharges which btw, happens 10x more often then a hand to hand combat
I'm extremely careful when reholstering. Maybe to a fault! 🤷♂️ But at 67 I still have both of my original hips. 👍
I haven’t heard a flex like that before 😂💀
One does not reholster like in the movies or the fat chick last Saturday.
I don't Holster a Cocked Revolver, A single action Pistol/Semi Auto Cocked/Locked wirth care, a Chambered Double auto hammer down, not an issue
I would chamber a round but put the gun on safety. Always. But luckily I will never, since we don't have guns here in The Netherlands. At least, the civilians doesn't. And I like that.
I don’t think you can be to a fault when it comes to gun safety. So if you’re extremely careful I wouldn’t judge you if you are now extremely extremely careful.
Speaking of traveling at our own risk.. We should be able to travel legally in all 50 states while armed.
Hickok is a gun control supporter so he probably wouldn’t agree with you.
I agree, our other Constitutional rights are valid in all 50 states, why is the 2A the only one that’s not.
@@Wild_Bill57. Good question, I’d like to know that too.
@@Wild_Bill57 Because some states like California (better known as Newsomland) are run by boneheads.
I would posit that good people should be able to travel armed world wide.
Do I carry with a loaded chamber? Hmmm. Let me check here. (Checks revolver). Yep, all the chambers are loaded.
Probably okay if you don't have little kids in your house.
I keep the charge holes loaded, I haven’t found the chambers yet (I’m joking).
@@widehotep9257"Carry" is a term which does happen to include, by definition, not leaving the item in question in reach of a toddler.
@@BG-bx4ey Thank you, I agree. By your definition, if you carry with one in the pipe, you need to remove the round every time the pistol is off your person. For example, taking a shower, swimming, sleeping, etc. You do that, right?
And Hickok's man bra is fully loaded , ready to pop out any second 😂!
Anyone else been watching this guy for 10+ years?
YUP!
Probably about 15
Yeah bought my first carry gun 13 years ago, glock 26, based on his advice. I still have it in my rotation.
Indeed
I wish
However you carry, train till your mind forgets, but your body remembers.
I couldn't agree more.
Stealing that for my quote book! 🙂
@@BeefT-Sq I disagree with him too. If he advocates carrying with a round chambered. In Georgia about a decade ago within a short time span, over 3 police officers were shot dead in training playing with chambered rounds, one highly publicized incident where a police woman accidentally shot an innocent man by quickly drawing her gun and her overreaction was accommodated by a chambered round, then there was the accidental shooting on the movie set.....I could go on and on. Why it helps to treat all guns as if they are loaded at all times. Carrying a chambered round is like riding a motorcycle without a helmet, and there are plenty of them out there that do not believe in helmets, I don't like to hang out with them either, exercising such poor judgement. No fun watching such suicidal behavior.
@gsp49 Hickok's advice is sound. the operative word you used to describe what those 3 Officers did.."playing" how often do you hear of SEAL'S, Army, Navy or any of the armed forces shooting themselves? basically all accidental shootings are due to not following the basic rules of firearms safety. Peace
@@gsp49that movie set murder was not an accident. He cocked that single action revolver and had his booger hooker on the trigger.
Such A Humble man very likable!
Reminds me so much of my Grandfather. Someone I grew up with and spent a lot of my days with shooting and learning about guns.
💯…..as I stated once before on one of these - I wish he were my neighbor.
Perfectly stated, “The least intelligent people often are the most confident.”
I’ve found this to be true at every stage of my life. I try and avoid overconfident idiots as best I can. As related to guns, I’ve turned down hunting trips because of who would be there.
@@mplslawnguy3389 That's why I don't like gun ranges.
@@Dan.50 I don’t like indoor ranges. I go to a private outdoor range, and I almost always shoot on weekdays during the day. Aside from one or two other people,I’m usually alone. It’s a large property so aside from the distant sound of a few shots, you don’t even see anyone.
The biggest cringe for me is people not using a holster. Just a naked handgun in their belt line or glove box. Far more dangerous than having a round in the chamber is having an uncovered trigger rattling around your bag with you keys and chapstick.
A State Trooper pulled me over when I was 18 years old and saw that I had a semi-auto in the glove box... he told me to hand him the gun... I did, and he dropped the mag and cleared the chamber, but the chamber was empty. So he says, "Why's the chamber empty?" and I said it was for saftey reasons. He laughed and said, "Sonnyboy, leave this thing at home before you get yourself killed. A gun fight usually happens at less than 3 feet in less than 3 seconds. If you aren't ready for that you're dead." ... I took that to heart at 18 years old and I carry ready all the time. You should treat every gun like its loaded and ready to go whether it is or not.
Cool trooper.
Trooper did you a bug favor in berating your round chambered squeamishness 😁😎. Cool guy and i wish they were all like that
Not sure as to that scenarios specifics, but theres no way in hell id open a glove box that had a gun in it prior to verbally telling an officer what was in there. Great way to get drawn on and maybe shot. Not saying you did that, just musing
@@keithrange4457 Mind you this was in 1989... there was no internet or open forums like we have today... Thank God Almighty I was smart enough at the time to let the Trooper know that my license and registration was in my glovebox and that there was a pistol in the glove box as well. He said, "No Problem, just reach in there and hand me the pistol then get your documents." I slowly and gently handed him the pistol. I held it by the barrel and offered him the grip. Its an amazingly vivid memory for me in so many ways. Thanks for your comment and giving me an opportunity to elaborate.
@ozgott1415 If you ever need to convey to youngsters of the day just how old you are, tell them "I was born before Google. I was even born before the internet!". Their eyes get big and they can't comprehend how we lived 🤣
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I'll take something that never happened for $1000 Alex
When I was a military police officer in the California Army National Guard in 1979, they made us carry our 45 automatics in the holster without a magazine in it. And only one mag in the double mag pouch. Absolutely insane.
Dear Lord, they were leftards in 1979.
On forgotten weapons Ian once reviewed an old 6-shot police revolver from somewhere in Europe. He said the police were required to have the first chamber empty, the second chamber was a blank, the third chamber was something else non-lethal (possibly a smoke charge), and only the final 3 chambers were loaded with live ammo. Imagine remembering that in an emergency!
@@frebnewman6403 Its been that way for a while!
When I was a MP in the guard they gave us our Berettas with 3, yes 3, rounds in the magazine and an empty chamber. This was during a state activation in an urban city.
That's Commiefornia for ya.
For the most part, with a good holster, you should be confident in carrying a firearm with a round in the chamber! Never carry a firearm on you person w/o a holster.
Right. Just because it fits in your pocket doesn't mean you should.
"For the most part" lmao 😂
@@almightymachine9930 A child using an emoji to tell us nothing. Did you get a donut?
@@rcstl8815 ... what?
Such a welcome, mature and gentlemanly response. Kudos Sir!
This guy has been sitting on the fence all of his life.
You're a National treasure!!! We love too hear your thoughts!!! 💯
Common man! A national treasure???
I like the format of this channel. I can sit and listen to Hickok45 talk about watching paint dry and still be interested.👍
My CCW instructor said, “Avoid the dark side of town and your need for a firearm goes down by 90%.”
Sometimes the shady side of town finds its way to the greener side though so that percentage can drop at any given time.
Boy, you do realize that there are plenty of black gun owners who protect our nation and our communities?
The problem is with these weird people thinking that every person of color is a threat. That being said there are a lot of people of color who are law abiding and also pro 2a who have the same rights and are of higher status than them and also more trained. Your ego ego and superiority complex wouldn’t allow you to believe that though. The problem is when you start causing problems with those people thinking they’re a threat, and that’s when you get in big trouble that you would’ve wished you were never apart of. Also another issue is when u come on Hickok’s channel spewing your bigotry not realizing that Hickok also has followers who are people of color and follow him religiously taking away great points from him and incorporating them in their everyday life. Yeah keep, keeping America separated buddy
The dark side of town is creeping into the light side of town thanks to Biden Administration and Democrat run cities
@@purdysanchezhe said “dark”, not “black”. Meaning where bad people congregate. Don’t be so fragile…
Greetings from Caracas - Venezuela, the city where good people cannot carry weapons but bandits can...
Come live here! Bring some hot 2 hot Venezuelan women and you cross the border for free.
move lol
We’ll soon be like this if we lose the next election
Sounds like Chicago and NYC.
@@ScottJenkins-dt2jw don’t cry when he comes here
Should the absence (or presence) of a manual thumb safety have a bearing on your decision to carry with a round in the chamber?
It very well COULD be a factor for you, depending on your level of competence and confidence.
Great channel idea,
Do you think you would do a live stream,
It doesn't for me but an exposed hammer does make me use the manual safety where it doesn't on my pistols that have a manual safety.
From the black hawk down movie " this is my safety ☝️"
Such a wonderful human being, we love ya. Blessings
It’s like trying to put your seatbelt on quick before your car hits that tree!
Seatbelt can’t kill you though. A gun without a bullet in the chamber is better than a gun left in the safe
I've never seen a tree rob a person before...
@@BG-bx4eyyou lack critical thinking skills
Try driving smarter and avoid the tree.
Good quote
I’d like to hear you talk more about finances, retirement, life goals, and other life skills. You are more than just a gun guy to us! Very excited to hear more from you.
If you ever need to use your firearm in self defense, every second counts,by the time you have to rack your firearm it could be too late.
Every nanosecond counts!
It can also be too late when that chambered round is involved in an accident and SHOOTS,, can't take it back. Too late afterwards.
gay ass excuse, train more
@@gsp49 just get a good holster and belt
@@gsp49no such thing.
Racking a round in a bad situation is best left to the movies - added drama not needed in a real self defense situation.
Don't forget exchanging clever and witty dialogue (in complete sentences, no less) in order to have ironic repeats of dialogue that took place earlier in the movie/episode.
For the average dimwit with no situational awareness, I would tend to agree with you since they'd probably forget or fumble it...
"bayricker," "Racking a round . . . movies - added drama . . . " Like in everything from top-drawer, 4 star-rated movie and TV westerns down to ordinary, middle of the road, then the B-grade and / or Italian clones where OVER and OVER we see the individual with a Winchester lever a round multiple times within the hour or two hours because of the drama, the thrill of the visual and accompanying sound effect. When in fact it's UTTERLY STUPID. Especially when we know many of the performers were / are 'up-to-speed' with guns off-screen; WHY didn't they tell the director* "Hey, hold on: That's NOT how it's done and while to you it might come off as 'cool,' it actually is an erroneous, TOTALLY STUPID move because a round is ALREADY in the chamber with the hammer at half-cock, which in the old days was the equivalent of 'safety." SO levering the gun is ejecting a perfectly good, LIVE round and NEEDLESSLY replacing it from one in the tube / magazine."
*(from New York City perhaps and didn't know any better; OR more likely, because THAT'S how he's / she's seen it done in all 'those' movies and shows of years' past).
Once again, "Gracias, 'Hickok 45 Talks.'"
Good point, Hickok. One thing taught in most police academies is this. Never assume because you have a gun and the criminal has a gun, that you're on level ground. Unless you're psychic you can't read that criminals mind. What ever you do with your firearm is in response to what the criminal has already done. Ergo, the criminal is always one step ahead of you.
Lots of Training!
That's why I have a tremendous respect for the police! They're always at a big disadvantage.
very true
Nowadays, they can’t even get physical on a level playing field. They’re essentially fighting with suspects with one hand tied behind their backs. There’s no winning on that job anymore. Can’t believe people still go into that profession.
Love the new channel idea!!!
Revolvers make the most sense unless you're sent to war. In personal defense stories, you never hear there were re-loads performed.
It's not just 2 legged critters. It's hard to rack the slide when one of your hands is crushed in the Jaws of a Pitbull
This is too true, I experienced this!
@@rcstl8815But hold on, haven’t you heard the enlightened opinion of the FUDD who thinks all you need to get out of any situation is the proper training, just like their grandpappy had, and anybody who prefers to be more prepared is compensating for their own inadequacies?
You know, the “my grandad could reload his 1911 twice while tied to train tracks underwater and fending off steam-powered sharks in the same time it takes you to unholster your Glock on a good day,” guy?
If it ain't loaded - it don't fire.
Oh you are sooo smart! Would have never thought that! Like the man said, IT'S EACH PERSON'S OWN DECISION. And actually, it's if it ain't chambered, it doesn't fire. And you chamber it when you need it.
@@neostephens8980 People tend to judge too quickly and project their own viewpoints as if its law. I like Hickok's balanced perspective on this.
If you carry a revolver, it doesn't matter!
Yep. Always ready.
In some older revolvers it does matter if you fall on the hammer or drop the gun.
@@littleteethkeith Try not to do that.
@@littleteethkeith"Awktually...."🤡
& you leave no evidence.
Slamfire is a good cat. 🐈⬛ I’ve had a few that were really good animals.
His advice is 10x better than I would have said, which would have been always carry hot, but not until you are comfortable and confident with doing so.
a safety is just another useless mechanical device that can fail, and that can get in the way of being able to use the firearm in a life or death situation where fractions of a second matter. round in the chamber 100% of the time.
"i can rack a round pretty quick"
sure you can, assuming you use the proper technique, but many times in high intense situations people will limp wrist the rack, or not pull back far enough.
stovepipes and failure to load a round by manually racking are SIGNIFICANTLY more likely than a round loading after being fired. and with a round in the chamber you are 100% guaranteed to at least have one round loaded and able to be fired.
More gun accidents happen with rounds in the chamber. All guns are loaded. After 23 years in the Infantry we were locked and loaded when contact was imminent. Civilians? They overthink a situation where they might need to defend themselves in a split second. How often does that happen? Every bullet has a story to tell.
I get your point, but I still can't get past your first sentence. :-)
Most car accidents happen with gas in the tank and a driver behind the wheel. Sorry, couldn't resist. :-)
@@Hickok45Talks Good point Hickok.....but Crazy Drivers are not covered by the 2nd Amendment and THAT is paramount too stress GUN SAFETY if we want to keep the 2nd.!
For me, yes.
I always carry with one in the chamber. I also have the safety on and practiced hitting that switch as I draw.
The safety is between your ears! Sorry I'm a Glock guy, I worry about my magazine falling out I'm always checking it.
@@jakejudson8578No, the safety is on the gun. My safety is on as I wear my gun everyday from the time I get up to when I go to bed. That means when I'm doing any type of lawn maintence, branch trimming ect where something might work its way into the trigger guard and fire a safety less firearm.
I'm not ready to punch any needless holes in my own body.
@@kennethcurtis1856 that's a Hickok saying " the safety is between your ears". Different strokes for different folks, I get it, cheers!
@@jakejudson8578I learned with pistols that has a safety. It’s become natural for me to thumb the safety down when I draw from holster.
When I first shot a Glock I was thumbing the non existent safety 😂
Gunsmiths taught me that a safety is a mechanical device that is prone to failure. Don't leave those chambered rounds in a blued gun in the hot July sunshine, on a black wrought iron picnic table, they will still shoot without the firing pin being activated regardless of what position your safety is set on. And if you insist on carrying chambered, stay away from campfires while doing so, by the time you bend over with a stick to get your gun out of the coals you may be deceased. It only takes a second, safety's don't prevent accidents from happening, and sometimes they contribute to the accident. I rest my case.
Thank you for always bringing this humbleness to your conversations! It is really refreshing and important!
My thoughts: 1) I do carry with a round in the chamber because I don't think the crisis situation is going to allow me the time to chamber a round. 2) You should NEVER carry a firearm in a way that makes you uncomfortable. The first safety is between your ears and if that is distracted by something like this then you are going to increase your chances for an accident.
In my opinion Condition 4 is the only way you absolutely shouldn’t carry. You can carry in any other condition as long as you train for it! Situational Awareness is as important as firearms training
Best advice I have heard! With the amount of accidents in the world, I prefer not to carry a round in the chamber. The guys who strong advocate a round in the chamber have so much more experience than I have and I believe they are projecting their preferences too widely.
But do you carry a cat named slamfire?
He said SF doesnt like to be carried. lol
Slamfire can go right off on you.
There's realistically time when you don't need it to be chambered and times when you do. Knowing the difference is more important than which one.
As a police officer starting back in the late eighties, we carried double-action revolvers and DA/SA semiautos, and there was NEVER any discussion of whether or not to carry a round in the chamber, because the long, heavy double-action trigger made the gun very safe. It wasn't until the introduction of Glocks that folks became obsessed with shorter, lighter, crisper triggers for that faster first shot. This has culminated in guns like the Sig P320, which has a trigger so light, short and crisp that, according to some people, the trigger doesn't even have to be pulled for the gun to fire. So I understand how some folks, especially those new to guns, and who don't have one of those "old guy guns," might want to carry with an empty chamber. Having said that, when I carry a striker-fired gun, I ALWAYS carry with a round in the chamber, but I also prefer a relatively heavy (but smooth) trigger, combined with a good holster. And I NEVER appendix carry.
Very insightful and true. We have a situation today where what should be professional firearms are in the hands of amateurs. As a retired MP who started in 84 @ Ft. Knox am a staunch supporter of the original intent of 2A and respecting the privilege it affords. One of my fav. revolvers is a Colt Trooper Mk III. ( one of, lol ) Best to you -
@@sandspar “Staunch 2A supporter” who thinks that certain guns shouldn’t be in the hands of people?
Ok…
Your way more likely to have an nd using any holster besides an appendix holster. An appendix holster you can easily look the gun safely into the holster. You don’t need to holster quickly. Do it slowly and safely. It’s only the draw that counts for speed. My experience? 19 years of daily appendix carry in kydex. I still have a bunch of dale fricke archangel holsters.
@@LatchkeyKidX Dale is a good dude. I had a Gideon way way back when it was the only decent thin holster I could find for a USP9.
I personally don’t like appendix carry because I don’t think it conceals well for me but other than that it has a lot of advantages.
@@sandspar we found the fudd
Agreed on individual decision, as a Police Officer I did & department policy. As a civilian I don’t & rely on muscle memory to charmer when needed. I don’t have them chambered at home due to grandkids
In today's America only a fool leaves the house not ready to defend himself.
@@ericschneider8524 and why is "today's America like that do you suppose? And when was America ever a place where one didn't need to potentially defend themselves?
@@jayns69 It's all just racist dogwhistles.
Why carry an unloaded weapon? It simply doesn't make sense.
No it sure doesn’t.
Exactly. 👍🏻
Total sense for those who end up shooting themselfs or others.
Should the gun go off you can be charged with Endangerment!
A lot of new-bees are getting guns with no training and too much bad advice of others who need proper training themselfs.
@@markwarnberg9504 Then they shouldn’t carry until they are trained and competent.
@@oldjarhead386 And knowlegable as to what firearm is best suited for them. Experiance Gunners start off small like a 22cal bench shooting then work their way up. SAFETY is drilled into them before they even pick up a gun.
Trusting your ammo and firearm is a big factor in carrying ready. It helped me ease into it, knowing it WONT go off when I don’t want, and WILL go off when I do
I only carry an 8-shot revolver so yes, always. Not having a round ready to go is like locking your gun in a safe and somebody kicks their way into your house. There are no "time-outs." Always appreciate your perspectives Hickok!
One more consideration concerning carrying a round in chamber. There could be a situation whereby ‘racking a round’ could give your position away to ‘bad guy’.
I’ve said that so many times!
I'm going on 2 years carrying concealed. Just lately, I began carrying with a loaded chamber. After more than 60 years being around and using firearms. It's a responsibility I take as seriously as any other, that involves people's lives!
Or it could deter the perp and make him run. .
Im just going to post YES you do before I watch.
BEST Answer i have Seen on this Question !! Most have this have this Macho attitude and totally ignoring things like a negligent discharge in some states is a felony and instant loss of your right to even carry. There are a lot of Excuses and What if's every time this subject is bought up, and sure the bad guy could be a retired navy seal marksman and he has already shot off your racking arm or you have a bag a groceries in the racking arm..........PLEASE just Excuses !! i was trained by a navy NCO who Trained in Israel and he was one of the finest shooters i have ever seen, and he carried condition 3 (Empty Chamber) and had a long list of reasons enough so that 40 years after my Navy time i still carry condition 3 and when i practice i practice with that in mind and if you use a proper Israeli Draw you will actually get a faster sight picture, and yes i need two hands, and i'm praying my bad guy isn't a marksman, and if my life is on the line.......I'll drop the Groceries LOL
and this boys and girls is why the first to hit the beach are the Marines!
You do you, sir. I completely disagree, but I respect that you carry and you are ready and comfortable with the way you do it.
I've always been taught don't point at what you do not intend to destroy, people carrying appendix one in the chamber is a level of confidence I don't think I'll ever achieve. If i carry 1 in chamber holster will be at my 8:00 position. worst case scenario i blow my butt cheek off, and earn the title nickname Johnny halfass
What they say: “I don’t carry a round in the chamber, I’ll be able to chamber one if I need to”
What I hear: “I don’t drive with my seatbelt on, I’ll just put it on if I’m going to crash!”
you have safety on or not?
@@geniusmarcsays2434 I don't carry a weapon with a manual thumb safety. Striker fired pistols (Glocks, M&Ps, etc) Have 3 built in safeties (A trigger safety, a drop safety, and a firing pin block).
Trigger is covered by the correct holster designed for the exact gun. So you just draw and fire. Nothing else to remember to do. No racking, swtiching, or otherwise futzing with your gun. Just draw, point/aim, shoot.
Just have good trigger finger discipline, use the proper holster, don't be a dumbass and its safe to carry it that way.
i remember hearing someone say to be in control of your emotions rather than focus too much on shooting because its easier to shoot a gun than to control your emotions
your gun should be the last thing you reach for in modern life.. not your first thought therefore you have more time than you think.. I personally would rather get beat up than go to prison for murder
Exactly. That's the reason guns shouldn't be allowed to be carried around by the general public!
Sage advice from respected old timer. Every where you look, read, listen these days people are talking about the need to be armed. Consider that as Hickock said, the odds are you will never need the gun. Now that will invite howls of protest but keep thinking about these following criteria. In the past several years gun ownership and the attitude of needing to be armed has skyrocketed. That means a lot of newbies and for my way of thinking I would personally expect that a large measure of them are NOT competent with handling a gun much less are they adequately prepared to stage a self defense shooting in public with the problem of collateral damage. And a lot of the wanna be armed titans have no clue how they will react psychologically in determining a threat, deciding to use the gun, assessing the conditions of the shooting field and the very real thought of deciding to kill another person. I am 75, I am of the opinion that to carry and use a gun in self defense is purely a risky roll of the dice, likely as not you will screw up, the authorities will prosecute you and or your attacker will remain to be a threat to you for ever more. The very best you can do for yourself is to be vigilant, a constant state of situational awareness and seeking to steer clear of trouble whether out in public or at home.
@@garymcmullin2292 I dont carry for self defense, I carry to protect others.
I retired from law enforcement in 2013 with 27 plus years. Started with revolvers then autos. Even now when I carry I will have a round chambered. The fact is if you don't you're unarmed.
I can draw from appendix and chamber a round and get a shot ON TARGET within 1.65 seconds. That is with only trying for 3 minutes to do it better.
That's great, but apparently in 27 years in law enforcement you didn't learn the difference between fact and opinion
I always pull the pin on my grenade, just incase. You tools are despicable and are on borrowed time.
@@bri13wvu1 While you're trying to rack your weapon, the other guy is already pulling the trigger. You'll have to be the one who decides whether that' fact or opinion.
I retired in 2016 after 27+ years in law enforcement. It was never a topic of discussion when I went through the Academy. You always would have a round chambered. I agree, why carry a pistol if you’re carrying it without a chambered round? To me this isn’t a topic of discussion. Any people who do it are stupid. I couldn’t imagine being in a split second life or death situation and you pull out your gun and have to chamber around. FYI, I was in the first Academy class with the 9 mm having transitioned from 38 revolvers.
i have a shield plus with a safety. so there is no problem.
Yeah I agree!!! I EDC a S&W M&P 2.0 with an external safety. I will not carry any pistol in condition 1 without an external safety period. I really cringe at the folks that appendix carry condition 1 with no external safety!! To me that’s complete insanity!!!!
I like the 1911 style. I carry cocked and locked. I prefer not to carry a Glock hot tho. I would carry a DA like an sig p229 and decock it. Love your videos buddy!
I live in fairly safe state but the unknown is everywhere. When I first started carrying I did so empty. As in the whole firearm. Say what you want. Then it wasn't chambered. Now I carry how I want. Nobody can tell me what to do. I never never EVER want to pull on anyone and I pray nobody will on me. Be safe no matter what if you carry or not.
Be safe and ready, your own success or failure is in fact due to you being prepared. You should carry your firearm so that it is ready to be used at a moments notice or train more with it so you feel comfortable with it.
@@stevengoldenberg5362 that is how I carry now. I'm just saying when I was getting used to carrying. I do need to practice more tho.
My S&W J-frame is always loaded of course. I do not keep a +1 on any Semi-auto that I carry ever. I am competent and confident in myself about that. I have been shot at, and I have been the victim of an armed robbery with a gun to my head, and several other situations including law enforcement. In none of those situations would being a quick draw or having my firearm in a less than safe state have benefited me. I have been in situations where I was armed that it would never occur to me to rely on my gun. I am not insecure. My Father taught me never to draw a weapon unless I intend to use it! I love guns but hope never to be in a situation as such to where I felt I needed to kill someone. Once again, I have been in all types of situations that people today would think warrant that. Wrong. Now try to break into my house? LOL! No questions asked.
Appreciate the almost uniformly civil dialogue on what is a passionate topic. One point I will add is don’t forget there are a lot of relatively new handgun owners, and carrying one (along with your training and confidence level) is not static; it’s a journey. Let’s not intimidate people into not carrying at all by preaching that the only answer is a loaded chamber combined with some idealistic level of “training”. In the real world, abilities, budgets, and confidence levels vary. I carry with one chambered today, but I admit I didn’t start that way. And I have taken several concealed carry courses and regularly practice drawing and reholstering, both live and dry. And, I insist on a thumb safety for my strikers, unless I carry a DA/SA. That may not be ideal, but it worked for me.
Carrying is a responsibility. If you choose to do so you have to devote a little extra brain power and be aware that you are doing so. I’m condition 1 every time. It takes an extra second to chamber a round. You can’t ask the freak threatening you to stand by while you prep your firearm.
Im a new shooter and just completed a cc course. Just wanted to say that i enjoy your channel and input. Well done brother.
Not even in the military did we carry a round chambered, vietnam was diffrent i always carried a round in the chamber of the big 90mm and a shotgun round 4th div B co. ARMOR
You are not just carrying to protect yourself, but all those around you. Bad things happen in a fraction of a second.
If you stay armed, thank you. Odds are the police won't be there when needed, it's true. Fund your police.
I live in a rural area with extremely low rates of violent crime. In my judgment the risk of a negligent discharge is higher than being attacked...so my p365 is usually unchambered but on my person.
BTW congrats to all who have trained so much they are immune to NDs...truly impressive.
Same here. My 365 is IWB every day, unchambered. Perhaps my 50 years of shooting hasn't provided enough experience yet.
So you have never been jumped by a pit? They don't paws (pause) for you to rack. ND occurs when the trigger is unguarded. Not when it is tucked into a holster.
@@dannyb9140 See my comment about pit bulls. You don't have a chance, they are fast.
No one can be fully immune to ND, you can only decrease the likelihood of it occurring with training.
@@skyblue1122
How are you discharging it in the holster? You need a different holster if that’s possible. One where the trigger guard is entirely covered when holstered.
If you treat every weapon like it’s loaded it might as well be! If you can’t treat every weapon like it’s loaded you shouldn’t have it. They aren’t decorations or fashion statements.
If you are scared of having a round in the chamber, buy a revolver😅
But then again, that is always a round in the chamber with a revolver! ;
With the hammer back yes I would consider that
I have two revolvers and now a semi auto. I am working the semi auto into my capabilities. The revolver is more of a reaction weapon. The semi is more like an assault weapon. I hear you are NOT supposed to carry a round in the chamber for the AR.
@@machivellisucstwogo7103 I don't until I'm ready but it's very easy to load
Walk around with one chamberd. 99% more likely you get shot or someone you use to know and be friends with gets shot. All ny accident
Thank You for Your take on these subjects. Your knowledge, skill and experience is priceless ! Because it takes MANY years (decades) to learn lessons the hard way and pass that knowledge on for free. Best to You and Yours. Please keep posting content.
My dad taught me to always keep Concealed. Clean . And one in the chamber. Avoid bad situations )
Being around you would be a bad situation for me. My daddy taught me gun safety.
@@gsp49 Perhaps you misunderstood "Daddy," because IF he chose to carry he 1) wisely chose 'concealed' so as not to draw attention to himself or frighten the general public; 2) kept his gun CLEAN to ensure it is in working order 100% of the time; in a moment of crisis only 100% reliability and speed, skill and spot-on aiming will do; 3) "one in the chamber' with the safety on that you've trained to click from on to off in a fraction of a second, 'second-nature' style, when drawing in circumstances where SHTF; 4) "Avoid bad situations" is using good, wise judgment . . . that WILL eliminate 90% of the scenarios where there's possibilities one might need to either draw or actually fire.
"Drew-tj8gz" shared a COMMON, father-daughter / father-son words of wisdom session because of the elder's responsibility as an adult, responsibility as a loving parent and responsibility as a RESPONSIBLE, aware gun owner instilling the FACTS on his beloved children.
Compared to all that, your two sentences come off as a holier-than-though, my-way-or-the-highway, "maybe I SHOULD just carry it unloaded with three rounds in my 17-round magazine 'cause 'Daddy' would be so proud that I took his advice and corrupted it to the extreme." And since you come off pretty much as an A-hole, friend or foe most people wouldn't want to be around you, whatever the circumstances.
@@gsp49 Another no nothing commenter. You are the problem.
@@rcstl8815 you mean, know nothing?
@@gsp49Did he teach you smug arrogance and believing in nonsense too?
“The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.” Yeats
What does Yeats have to say about experience?
I carry a 1911 cocked and locked. It can't fire until the safety is dropped, which takes a 10th of a second and can be done with one hand. There's no time to rack a slide in a real situation, forget it. Just carry something safe enough to keep chambered. Problem solved. Oh, capacity problems... Go 2011 double stack. It still has a manual safety. Carry cocked and locked. Safe as can be.
Condition one. Me too.....
@@johncitizen3927 Smart man!
Hickok, I absolutely love your measured, intelligent advice. Very thoughtful.
I was trained to always carry a round in the chamber. If not, should just carry a brick.
Like Barney fife I carry a round in my butted shirt pocket for emergency use.
Lol!
Barney Fife was the king of NDs 😂
seasoned, balanced, sober, intelligent, experienced, thoughtful advice.
I don’t remember this being a big deal when most people carried either revolvers or automatics with frame or slide mounted safeties. Since all the popular carry guns now are striker fired with no safety and light triggers… it’s understandable some people don’t want to carry them with one in the chamber. The answer isn’t just train more or don’t be a wimp. The answer might be get a different gun. I’ve never heard of anyone afraid of carrying a loaded revolver. Even Barney Fife would have carried a loaded revolver if Andy had let him.
A brown bear can close a 50 yard cap in seconds ...
Always carry hot, at least seven spare mags and 4 boxes of ammunition.
Be ready cause they are coming for you.
ps:
Lighten up Francis
Just saw the instagram post, love the new channel
How bout you all worry about yourselves and not other people none of your business how the other guy carries. but then you would not get feel superior
In a revolver if the trigger gets pulled fully the round in the cylinder lined up with the barrel is not the round that is going to be fired, it will be the next rotating round that is fired.
Worthless point.
Advantage is you can carry safely at the cost of -1 round or choose to load it fully
@@Darazazazadisadvantage is the only time I needed mine there was no time. Safety off with thumb as gun coming up. I probably wouldn't be here if I had to rack a round.
LMAOOOOOO why is one of your ads Kamala asking for money?
Hickok, I saw your video introducing this channel this morning where your son said this had become your livelihood. Have you ever thought about starting a Hickok 45 shooting range ? With 7.7 million viewers, it might work. You could set up four or five shooting areas that duplicate your range. You could also put several paper target pistol ranges. People could rent and shoot some of your guns. Maybe you could build a little stage with wooden benches, and show up for a one hour relaxed discussion a few times a week? Nashville is already a vacation destination, I would come up to shoot at Hickok 45’s “range”. It would be fun to have a few tries at the gong or buy and shoot a few $5 2 liter bottles. Maybe spend $5 a round to shoot a Henry or some unusual historic rifle. In the big city, all we get is paper to shoot at. It’s something that might give you and John and income for several years.
In your dreams!
Many of you folks want so badly to have a reason to carry and to have one in the chamber. Despite what you've seen on mainstream media, daily society in America has been one of the most peaceful moments in the ENTIRE human history. I have a CCW, M&P shield, and guess what, I forget to take it with me ALL THE TIME! Civilian life in America is a blessing. Stop trying to create artificial drama and pretend a non-existent threat is there. "You never know" is the kind of catalyst someone battling with severe paranoia needs to do something bad. Don't do this!
You are partially correct; generally, we're pretty safe in this country. Even when the chances of an event are fairly remote, there's still something to be said for being prepared. I rarely ever have flat tires or lose houses to fire, but I'm probably going to keep that spare tire aired up and fire extinguishers handy in my house, as well as insurance paid up. I'm so "paranoid," I even check traffic before I change lanes, not fully trusting the technology of my car's sensors. Terribly paranoid!
For experienced firearms handlers, having a firearm is no different from having a wallet. A firearm is just insurance in case the highly unlikely, but possibly horrific, comes to dinner.
No doubt most of the innocent folks yesterday who were murdered, raped, or otherwise seriously assaulted thought the day was going to go much differently. It didn't.
Check your revolver and make sure it can be carried with all cylinders loaded, with certain safety features it is safe to carry with all the cylinders loaded.
Yeah its mostly old guns where the hammer is the firing pin, I had an old rossi revolver like that so you couldn't really safely carry it with the hammer on a round
Transfer bar, load all.....
Does the person who would mug you carry with one in the chamber?
One critique: Carrying your firearm is not only at your risk, it’s at the risk of everyone around you. That is an obligation you have to take into consideration…not just your own tolerance for risk. You’re free to shoot your leg off with your Glock but you’re not free to shoot mine off.
Other gunowners may critique me for this, but this is exactly why I opted for a manual safety on my striker-fire pistol in addition to my kydex holster. Just one more barrier between me and a disastrous discharge, negligent or otherwise. And naturally, I don't skimp on training and knowledge work.
No safety. @@CFlandre
If you are a responsible firearm owner, there is no risk to the people around you. You’re really reaching with your comment and begging to start an argument. Get a life.
A gun with a loaded magazine but not chambered should be more than sufficient in most cases. Realistically, all you would have to do in an emergency is cock it, aim, and fire. More than anything, how you choose to carry your weapon is a very personal choice.
Who the hell asked this question and actually thought Hickok didn’t carry with a round in the chamber!? 🤦🏻♂️ 🤣
Camera and audio are on point. Good stuff
USA as a country ended up with people carrying loaded chamber as they are in a combat zone...tells a lot about degradation of life there.
Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not be allowed to have it….
If there isn’t a round in the pipe, then it’s only a small piece of pipe.
Also, a person's daily activities, place of employment, type of job, etc., has a lot to do with this subject. For example, if you're in some type of law enforcement, local, state, federal any of the above, armed security at prisons, government institutions, etc., it might be just the norm and Standard Operating Procedure to carry with a round chambered. However, if you're a truck driver, blue collar/white collar worker in no way associated with LE, maybe it's not as important and you have more freedom to decide, etc.., Whatever's comfortable.
Well said
I can’t believe this topic is still discussed these days in 2024. It’s gotten so absurd.
The operative word here is "training". Either way, your effective response to a threat depends on how proficiently confident you are adding a lethal weapon into the conflict.
I personally carry without one in the chamber. I have conditioned myself through training to rack, retrieve, and if necessary, fire in one motion. I have been licensed to carry for well over twenty-five years. I have also had to draw both my striker and hammer fired pistols in actual situations where a potential threat existed.
When a round is carried chambered, that usually means the next event is the firing of the weapon. Whether intentional or not, once that occurs, there is no turning back. Odds are less likely you will find yourself in a situation where you have absolutely zero chance to charge your weapon to protect yourself from hurt, harm, or danger. Conversely, the likelihood of a shot gone bad from a rushed engagement carries a higher probability.
For me, I want to be sure and in complete control (most importantly my wits included) when my gun goes off. The Rambo/Terminator/S.W.A.T/Sp.Ops. wannabes of the TH-cam gun world might disagree, but to each their own.
What are your most recent timed splits from concealment to first A zone hit without one in the pipe?
Hammer fired may take a split second longer to be fired but you can holster it and keep your hand on the hammer when it’s going in.
Striker fired you mess up there’s a hole in your leg.
Life is indeed good!
Congrats on NEW CHANNEL‼️Goodluck to you🏆🇺🇸
Situational awareness is 🔑. Never let someone get within the 21 foot rule without already having summed them up first and then u have plenty of time to rack a slide. I carry in holster, slopy jacket pocket, (which is easier to hide) and without one in the chamber. Unless u are a cop, there is no reason u as joe citizen will ever be within hand to hand combat distance of someone and have to fight them off with one hand if: you hsve good situationalawareness of your surroundings. Not to mention, half the time, just showing the firearm is enough to get anyone to stop advancing on u. I used to be a cop. I can carry with one in the chamber if I have to, but its just way easier to pocket carry because the slide has to fully battery to load it in so theres no accidental discharges which btw, happens 10x more often then a hand to hand combat