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Another thread got me to thinking and reminded me of a couple of things.

When you first prepare to leave the house for the day, and you put your weapon on, what is your procedure or ritual?

Do you always face a safe direction, maintain muzzle control, inspect the gun, etc?

I did a bodyguard detail last year with a jeweler. He wanted me to meet him at a show, and just be there while he packed up and drove back to his office. (he does not have a showroom, and works mostly by appointment).

Considering the possibility of a thief using vehicles to ram or box him in, I decided I wanted something a little further reaching than the old .45. So I took my AR. and fitted it in the car in such a manner that I could deploy it quickly, but it was still secure from moving about in the vehlcle.

All went well, and when I returned home I cleared the AR to put it up, and The chamber was empty.

I press check my 1911 every day before put it on, but failed to do so with the AR.

Same ritual every day. Again I say thank you to you guys here because you are the ones that started my home carry. Pants go on. Belt started on, two loops & the mag carrier, rest of the loops, and buckle. Holster on. Press check, muzzel to the wall away from bed. (Bride of 37 yr still asleep) . Holster. Mags off dresser & into carrier. Pepper next to mags. Cell next to Pepper. It is the breaking of habit as you did w/ the AR that makes us either stop & think every step or chance a mistake. You young guys starting out have a lot on your mind w/ family, job, & this responsibility. We commend you.

I usually put a revolver in my center console while taking an extended trip in the car...out of town, etc. This is in addition to the weapon I have holstered. I got home the other day from a ride and went to unload my 686 and return it to the safe....the only problem is that I never loaded it to begin with

The only saving grace is that the 686 is so heavy that I could have used it as a baton for a couple of seconds

It was a good wake up call for me. I do check my carry weapon every morning and every night before placing it in my night stand.

I can't help but think that accidents like this are an unfortunate part of carrying a weapon becoming second nature. Hopefully the close calls will save our lives!
Jason

OK so I have carried a unloaded Ultra half a day after changing clothes and gun's at noon recently.

txinvestigator wrote:When you first prepare to leave the house for the day, and you put your weapon on, what is your procedure or ritual?

If I’m headed to a presumed safe location, I remove the P-32 or P-3AT from my front pocket and strap a P-11 and extra magazine to my waist. If I’m headed to a more questionable location, the mousegun also remains in my pocket. If I’m headed for a very bad location I’ll strap a Glock 17 & extra magazine to my waste and carry an inconspicuous soft-sided case containing a PLR-16 (.223 pistol) and two extra 30 round magazines.

We keep every gun in my home chambered 24/7 including the ones under our pillows and a pistol goes in my pocket when I put on my pants. Should there be a home break-in I don’t want some home-invader to be between my guns and me.

I always do the exact same thing when I am ready to go.

Check belt, check snaps on holster, check cylinder of bug and chamber check primary, drop mag and do a count, reinsert mag, smack mag again, chamber check again, safety, holster, keys in offhand, out the door I go.

I have gotten into the habit of press-checking any time the weapon is off my person.

Pre-carry I take it from my nightstand drawer while facing away from the bed, (finger always off the trigger) check for safety-on and check the magazine. I do not allow the muzzle to cover me or anyone else. I then off-safe, press check, tap back of slide and re-safe. Gun is then holstered, where it stays unless I have a real need to un-holster.

At the end of carry, I un-holster, check for on-safe, take a slicone gun and reel cloth and wipe the exterior down. Maintaining muzzle control and finger discipline I then secure the weapon.

I also follow the 5 count draw to 3, anytime the weapon is holstered or removed. Muscle memory!!

Wilson wrote: If I’m headed for a very bad location I’ll strap a Glock 17 & extra magazine to my waste and carry an inconspicuous soft-sided case containing a PLR-16 (.223 pistol) and two extra 30 round magazines.

Is that a place you can just avoid going?

longtooth wrote:Same ritual every day. Again I say thank you to you guys here because you are the ones that started my home carry.. . .

This place is exactly why I started carrying in the home. I have always a gun planted here and there, but now I have one on right before bed time then she goes on the night stand with a flashlight. I also have an AK loaded and ready.

txinvestigator wrote:I have gotten into the habit of press-checking any time the weapon is off my person.

Pre-carry I take it from my nightstand drawer while facing away from the bed, (finger always off the trigger) check for safety-on and check the magazine. I do not allow the muzzle to cover me or anyone else. I then off-safe, press check, tap back of slide and re-safe. Gun is then holstered, where it stays unless I have a real need to un-holster.

At the end of carry, I un-holster, check for on-safe, take a slicone gun and reel cloth and wipe the exterior down. Maintaining muzzle control and finger discipline I then secure the weapon.

I also follow the 5 count draw to 3, anytime the weapon is holstered or removed. Muscle memory!!

We are nearly identical in this aspect! Only difference is I'm not sure what a 5 count draw to 3 is. I'd like to though...

I'll take a guess:

1. uncover, pull back cover garment

2. achieve battle grip/unsnap holster if applicaple

3. draw

4. safety off (if app)

5. BANG

I'm probably off but at least you got me thinking. How does it really go?

gigag04 wrote:

txinvestigator wrote:I have gotten into the habit of press-checking any time the weapon is off my person.

Pre-carry I take it from my nightstand drawer while facing away from the bed, (finger always off the trigger) check for safety-on and check the magazine. I do not allow the muzzle to cover me or anyone else. I then off-safe, press check, tap back of slide and re-safe. Gun is then holstered, where it stays unless I have a real need to un-holster.

At the end of carry, I un-holster, check for on-safe, take a slicone gun and reel cloth and wipe the exterior down. Maintaining muzzle control and finger discipline I then secure the weapon.

I also follow the 5 count draw to 3, anytime the weapon is holstered or removed. Muscle memory!!

We are nearly identical in this aspect! Only difference is I'm not sure what a 5 count draw to 3 is. I'd like to though...

I'll take a guess:

1. uncover, pull back cover garment

2. achieve battle grip/unsnap holster if applicaple

3. draw

4. safety off (if app)

5. BANG

I'm probably off but at least you got me thinking. How does it really go?

For a righty

1. Slap/Grip/unsnap. Your left hand slaps your belt buckle and presses inward (trains your left hand to stay clear of the muzzle) Your right hand gets a good, firm shooters grip on the weapon. You unsnap or defeat whatever retention device you have.

2. Clear leather/gun horizontal. The gun clears the holster and the muzzle immediately rotates horizontal. You can fire from here if needed.

3. Hands together/iso tension begins. The gun comes forward and you bring your hands together once the muzzle is forward of your left hand. You begin your isometric tension with your hands.

4. Sight alignment/picture.

5. Shoot/follow through.

The finger stays off of the trigger until you have achieved 4.

as you get the left hand to stay out of the way of the muzzle, you can alter where it goes. I currently blade my left hand and come to mid chest woth my thumb close to by body and palm to the right.

Grabbing the belt buckle can also assist with a smooth draw by stableizing the belt and pants.

Personally I don't chamber my AR-15 in a vehicle (unless I'm planning to shoot it from a vehicle... but fortunately have never gone there yet)

With the freefloating firing pin, I believe there is some small chance of a discharge. I've noticed that most of the SWAT guys tend to leave their ARs unchambered unless they know their going into action (ie raid).

I've heard of at least one patrol car, with a shotgun in a vertical rack... chambered... getting a hole in the roof after hitting a bump in the road.

This is what I do:

I have a select few guns that are ALWAYS kept loaded and chambered. There is no need for me to constantly press check. I put on my clothes, belt, blackberry, ankle holster for G26 or pocket carry a wheel gun/P32. Keys, wallet etc and hit the door.

I have a bright yellow cloth I keep on one of the shelfs of my safe. If a gun IS on that cloth, it IS certainly loaded. (Yes, they are all considered loaded until proven unloaded), but if its on the cloth, it is LOADED.

Paladin wrote:Personally I don't chamber my AR-15 in a vehicle (unless I'm planning to shoot it from a vehicle... but fortunately have never gone there yet)

With the freefloating firing pin, I believe there is some small chance of a discharge. I've noticed that most of the SWAT guys tend to leave their ARs unchambered unless they know their going into action (ie raid).

I've heard of at least one patrol car, with a shotgun in a vertical rack... chambered... getting a hole in the roof after hitting a bump in the road.

SWAT guys are not following a jeweler with a LOT of $$$ in jewels either. My concern was as I stated. If there were doing a high risk protective detail, it would be condition 1.