TexasCHLforum.com

Question: How may pocket gun fans envoke the +1 rule and actually carry 1 in chamber on daily carry? 6+1 for Ruger LCP & likely many others... Of course, I think 7 rounds are much better than 6, but am a bit concerned about this little guy not having any trigger safety on it (other than long travel).

The LCP trigger does have a pretty long way to travel and of course, nothing should break plain of guard until weapon pointed in direction of something I intend to destroy. Since receiving my CHL at first of year, I've rarely carried with 1 in chamber - even on my Glock 26. I have started a trial period where I'll rack empty weapon (to ready trigger) and just slap a full mag in afterward... Wanted to go a few weeks of everyday carry just to see if that trigger would ever accidentally dry fire (snags, pulling weapon out to store, etc) for any reason. ALL but one of my holsters completely guard the trigger (impossible to fire), but the Blackhawk holster for LCP is soft nylon and I could see how it would be possible for an object to accidentally engage trigger in extremely rare occassions (all stars aligned, etc.).

So how about it? +1 pocket carry?

HMMM, I am not sure why anyone would want a carry piece not loaded.


George

We had a 4 page discussion on this about mid February:

http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic. ... ked+locked" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There are few reasons in carrying WITHOUT one in the chamber, but many reasons for carrying WITH one in the chamber.

I ordered an LCP specifically BECAUSE I wanted to carry with one in the chamber. I didn't feel safe carrying my old Beretta like that.

joe817 wrote:There are few reasons in carrying WITHOUT one in the chamber, but many reasons for carrying WITH one in the chamber.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record...
(records were round vinyl disks with a series of grooves that could be played on a phonograph to enjoy music)

....I always keep a round in the chamber.

gfmun wrote:HMMM, I am not sure why anyone would want a carry piece not loaded.


George

Thanks for responses!

I'll read up on original posting. +1 it is for LCP Carry... I've had this pretty much drilled in my head for traditional guns (even though I wasn't always following for G26), but was looking to see specific opinions on the pocket carries (since your hands would, among other objects, come in frequent contact throughout day w/gun)!

Mods, please close thread w/reference to above link...

As long as the holster covers the trigger and the gun is not one of those without a trigger guard it isn't an issue. I guess if the pocket is big enough the gun might slide out of the holster but I have never had mine do that. I also carry nothing else in a front pocket that I have my gun in so nothing will ever get into the trigger guard.

USA1 wrote:At the risk of sounding like a broken record...
(records were round vinyl disks with a series of grooves that could be played on a phonograph to enjoy music)

I think I have heard of those.

I have my LCP with a round in the chamber in the back pocket of my shorts as I type this. In the heat of the moment I don't think I would have the mental capacity to rack the slide before pulling the trigger, and would loose crutial time. Until BGs start carrying unchamber guns, I will keep mine fully loaded.

G26TR wrote:Thanks for responses!

I'll read up on original posting. +1 it is for LCP Carry... I've had this pretty much drilled in my head for traditional guns (even though I wasn't always following for G26), but was looking to see specific opinions on the pocket carries (since your hands would, among other objects, come in frequent contact throughout day w/gun)!

Mods, please close thread w/reference to above link...

nothing but holster and pocket cloth should ever come into contact with your pocket carried gun, except your hand. Never... repeat, NEVER, have any other objects in the same pocket with your gun.

just a safety reminder

surv

Carrying loaded (i.e., with a round chambered) and +1 are two different things. Carrying +1 means loading, then dropping the mag and topping it off before reinserting.

Absolutely yes - with # of rounds already significantly hampered, +1 to make 7 is a must if planning to carry chambered! 7 is much better than 6.

Actually brings me to a final question that I don't recall seeing specific mention to - and may be weapon specific... If carrying 24x7 and visiting range only every other week, are there concerns with LCP (or similar) being cocked for 2+ weeks at a time - with no release/down time in between (hopefully)?! Potential for wearing out trigger springs or components under pressure?!

Got some really good info (w/ of course) from the following thread on Elsie (site specific to LCP followers) forum!
http://elsiepeaforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=769.0

Still haven't seen much response to keeping pocket gun triggers under tension (cocked) for weeks at a time though.

Racking the slide for first shot is only acceptable in movies (as in making, not inside a theater). It is done for "effect". Sometimes they do it and then you see the guy/gal shooting and the slide never moves!

Anyway, best to never carry a defensive gun without a round in the chamber.