Jude 2

If you conceal carry, should you carry your firearm with it cocked and locked or leave the chamber empty?

I have an 8 round revolver but I haven't got my carry permit yet (no I don't carry it). It has no safety so I would never have it cocked unless I intended to fire it. In Tennessee we need not conceal it.

Never cocked and locked. Actual condition depends on what I'm carrying.
Single action auto - chamber loaded, hammer down, safety on
Double action auto - hammer down, empty chamber

macgully,

I have a double action Taurus 9mm auto with no hammer and a decocker. When I carry it, which isn't often, I carry one in the chamber and keep the safety on.

I gained some insight into how I might respond in a stressful situation when I was deer hunting one time and forgot to take the safety off and tried to squeeze the trigger. It cost me a deer. BUT, if confronted with a real life stressful situation I think I would have enough time to recover from such a mistake but NOT enough time to chamber a round AND take the safety off.

So my carry posture is based on safety and how I think I might respond in a stressful situation.

FQ, I like that ya'll don't necessarily have to conceal it. According to the woman who issued my license, we supposedly have to keep it concealed by I doubt that she is right. I haven't been able to locate any brandishing laws on the books in Mississippi. I have heard of some who open carry and haven't been challenged.

Russell Roberts wrote:macgully,

I have a double action Taurus 9mm auto with no hammer and a decocker. When I carry it, which isn't often, I carry one in the chamber and keep the safety on.

I gained some insight into how I might respond in a stressful situation when I was deer hunting one time and forgot to take the safety off and tried to squeeze the trigger. It cost me a deer. BUT, if confronted with a real life stressful situation I think I would have enough time to recover from such a mistake but NOT enough time to chamber a round AND take the safety off.

So my carry posture is based on safety and how I think I might respond in a stressful situation.

m

Which model Taurus is that? I'm not aware of a striker-fired pistol with a decocker and safety.
I highly recommend that you find a gun club in your area that has IDPA competitions. I started last spring and although it's not overly competitive, it definitely adds a level of stress that will help you find and correct your weaknesses. I am much more familiar with my firearm now and I believe I will be better able to respond correctly should the worst case scenario ever arise.
Just at a glance, it looks like Magnolia Rifle & Pistol Club might be the closest to you. You should check it out.
Magnolia Rifle & Pistol Club, P.O. Box 6476, Jackson, MS 39282 (range located in Byram, MS, about 8 miles south of Jackson). Contact 601-362-7771 or e-mail John Saulters; jhsaultersaol.com.

Russell Roberts wrote:FQ, I like that ya'll don't necessarily have to conceal it. According to the woman who issued my license, we supposedly have to keep it concealed by I doubt that she is right. I haven't been able to locate any brandishing laws on the books in Mississippi. I have heard of some who open carry and haven't been challenged.

You can find some great info about state gun laws at USACarry.com. Here's the direct link for Mississippi. http://www.usacarry.com/mississippi_concealed_carry_permit_information.html

macgulley,

Thanks for the info brother. It's a Taurus 24/7 Mlllenium Pro DS (Decocker Safety). I live in the country so I can shoot to my hearts content out here beside my house. I shot about a case last year and have a couple of cases left. I got to where I was pretty good at 25 yards though I realize most self defense situations would be at a much closer range.

It is a lot of fun to shoot. It is the first 9 mm I have owned. I used to have a colt 45 automatic. I think it was a 1991 model based on the M1911 (which I sometimes carried as a sidearm in the military). I hated the 45 and ended up giving it to the pastor, Kent Yarbrough, who recently offered to beat the &^$% out of my brother and stomp the hell out of me. Great guy.

Anyhow, I love the 9mm but the dadgum ammo sure is getting expensive. Maybe I will get out this Spring and pop a few caps.

Plinking is great and I do that as often as possible but there's no substitute for the stress of being "under the clock" and having to make shoot/no shoot decisions. It's also a relatively inexpensive way to spend a Saturday. The range I go to charges $10 for members and $15 for non-members. A typical course is 6 stages and takes around 100 rounds. If you're ever in the Auburn/Opelika AL area on the second Saturday of the month, contact me and I'll pay your entry fee.
Back on the subject of plinking, I have al Ruger Mark I that's great for that. For a couple hundred bucks you can pick up a used one and shoot to your heart's content for just a little money.

macgulley,

Thanks for the offer brother! That would be fun although the chances of me being around there around then are pretty slim.

Still, you offer is generous. Thank you brother.

You can carry open view in Ky.

Florida is concealed though.

I'm all for open carry. Then again, there's nothing like the element of surprise!