Carrying With One In The Chamber: Pros And Cons

Firearms are majorly meant for self-defense. But carrying a firearm with or without one in the chamber is debatable. However, the size, type of weapon, and holster play equal roles in safely securing a gun on a user’s body. When dealing with emergencies, time becomes the most crucial factor. The time consumed in loading and firing a weapon might just be the difference between staying alive or getting killed. Here we try to measure the pros and cons of carrying a concealed firearm with one round chambered. 

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Weapon Conditions

Any firearm we consider can be in 4 different conditions that are numbered for ease of identification. Condition 4 refers to a weapon that has been cleared. It means the weapon has neither a magazine inserted nor any round in the chamber. Next comes condition 3, where a weapon is inserted with a magazine without loading the chamber. This condition is preferred by many as a safer way to conceal-carry a weapon, conforming to legality.

Things get a little serious with a round in the chamber for a concealed gun. When a round is loaded into the chamber with the gun hammer decocked, it refers to condition 2 for a firearm. A decocked hammer eradicates the risk of striking the firing pin from accidental falls. However, one needs to know the proper way of lowering the hammer while compressing the trigger with care. And finally, when there is one in the chamber with all external safeties engaged, a firearm is said to be condition 1. This is the condition for debate in this article, basically. 

And when a firearm is ready to be used, it is pretty much similar to condition 1, except that all the safeties are disengaged. There will be an inserted magazine in the gun, with a round in the chamber. This is condition 0 or ready-to-fire condition. 

Pro: Using the Gun Becomes Faster

It is not on normal days anyone requires to draw their gun while carrying concealed weapons. But when the need arises, one must expect to use the firearm once they pull it out. Having one in the chamber can save crucial time in such a situation by just allowing one to disengage the safeties and pull the trigger. With an empty chamber, racking the slide to load a round might consume valuable time during life-threatening circumstances.

Pro: Increases Ammunition Capacity

Having one in the chamber allows a magazine to be refilled to capacity with bullets. As such, a user can carry a full magazine plus one at any point in time. When a round is chambered, a bullet is slid out of the magazine and into the chamber. So it leaves a blank space for an additional bullet in the magazine, technically.

Con: Might Feel Less Safe

Novice users might feel unsafe carrying a firearm in the chamber, even with all safeties engaged. The fear of an accidental discharge is their major concern. Such accidents can prove fatal for someone around or the users themselves. But all external safeties are engaged for a gun in condition 1 and technically quite safe for concealed carry.

Con: Acting Too Quick

Some believe that cocking a gun might give them some extra time to evaluate a situation before actually using the weapon. Novice firearm owners might be prone to hastily pull the trigger of a loaded gun in an emergency. With a round in the chamber, people might make rash decisions that they repent after firing. However, individuals with such reservations can opt for necessary training to carry a concealed weapon more comfortably. After all, not being able to cock a gun in time might fail the whole purpose of carrying a weapon along.

Legality For Carrying With One In The Chamber

Reviewing respective state laws is vital when carrying a concealed weapon with one round in the chamber. Although most states do not forbid carrying a gun with one loaded in the chamber for those with valid permits, it is always better to evaluate yourself first. Moreover, the definition of a loaded weapon differs from state to state. While condition 1 might be permitted for a state, another state might permit a gun with an inserted magazine alone, without one in the chamber. So it is safer to know the rules and carry concealed weapons without becoming an offender.


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