Jerry Miculek asks “Concealed Carry — Hot or Not?”
Russ Chastain 06.23.20
In this video, pro shooter Jerry Miculek talks about whether you should carry a firearm with a round chambered, or not.
This seems a bit out of his wheelhouse, and he agrees:
“I’m by no means an expert when it comes to concealed carry, but I do listen to soldiers and police officers and individuals who have used firearms for that purpose.”
To illustrate the difference between the two conditions (chambered or un-chambered), he fires a pair of shots. For both, his hand is on the grip of the pocketed pistol with his finger on the trigger guard. When his timer beeps to begin, he draws the pistol and fires the shot.
With a round chambered, it took him 1.06 seconds. When he chambered a round, it took him 1.62 seconds.
This may not sound like much difference, but Jerry is a professional shooter known for his speed. All of these motions are extremely familiar to him and deeply ingrained. He also knows what’s about to happen and he’s relaxed — two conditions which will NOT apply in a defensive shooting situation.
As he points out, six tenths of a second is long enough for him to put 4 or 5 holes into someone, and definitely plenty long enough for an assailant to fill you full of lead while you’re fumbling with your slide. And as Jerry says:
“This is one time in your life when it’s WAY better to give than it is to receive.”
Another good point he makes is that you may need to use your weak hand to protect your head from a knife or club while you are drawing your firearm. In that situation you are helpless with a gun in your hand if it’s not already chambered.
Check out what he has to say about that and a few other things, like making sure your finger is never on the trigger during the draw. Then let us know what you think of it in the comments below.
Personally, I believe you should carry chambered or not at all. Your opponent certainly will be fully stoked.
