[Quintin]

ski_freak sez...

My grandfather always preached to me "****ed and locked", but I too never felt very comfortable with that. I keep a fully loaded magazine and the chamber empty. It doesn't take long to chamber a round.

It doesn't take long for a hostile attacker to close in on you either...not preaching, just saying...

I forget what the exact measurement was, but it takes something like 7 seconds for a determined, violent attacker to close 21 feet on you. During a violent attack, gross motor skills go south, adrenaline is pumping, you're probably scared poopless, racking the slide and lining the sights up ain't gonna be easy. The Israelis advocate empty chamber carry, but they probably practice, practice, practice, and practice every day at racking the slide and getting the weapon hot for the time when they'll really need it. I carry a 1911 from time to time, with one in the tube, the hammer back, and the safety on. Just food for thought.