Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Another Good Reason Never To Carry With Empty Chamber

Are we still talking about 'hot chambers'?

Due to both the environment and terrain that I hunt (high desert to alpine transitional range), I rarely have a round in the chamber. The majority of my shots are extended, and not "quick/snap shots".

I also hunt in often very steep, mountainous, with snow and ice, scree fields, etc. slips, falls, and tumbles are not unusual. A rifle without a round in the chamber is a smart move as far as I am concerned.

If I am slipping through the northside timber, that is another story, but for the most part, I don't chamber a round until I am ready to shoot.

I must be as incompetent as Steelhead.

I think it makes sense that terrain and personal limitations/feelings would dictate hor or cold rifle carry.

probably if I was hunting similar terrain as you I wouldn't have a round chambered either.


and Cooper 57 is an idiot

So in short, you're not worried in the least about someone shooting you or you shooting someone.

Speaking of shots, shame your mom didn't catch you down her throat.

I hunt hot, and safety on until there is a shot worth taking. And I still practice muzzle discipline. climbing in or out of treestands, gun is unloaded.
I have open carried while delivering pizzas, but I am new to a CCW. currently I use a revolver with one cold chamber under the hammer.

I don't care if you approve. there's a speed loader and another 50 rounds in a bag in the truck.

I agree with you but why can he get away with it and you question me when I am hunting in Pac NW rain forest?

As for Cooper 57, it is not because I am afraid of anything, be it hunting with a hot chamber or carrying a 30 round magazine. I just choose to be safe. My choice, no one else.

Well said, You do what works for you.

If I hunted tree stands I would go hot in the stand. I do not hunt in blinds or tree stands.

Not usually. I have been accosted by deer while walking to my hunting area, and had not enough time to chamber a round - but its shot missed and didn't kill me. Damn stupid deer can't hit the broad side of a barn. I didn't die of starvation either. Went back to camp and cooked a hamburger.

This thread gets dumber every time I look at it.

Holsters don't stop bullets, but a proper one guards the trigger from being pressed. I challenge you to give one documented example of a properly holstered handgun in working condition that fired while in the holster.

My approval certainly means nothing. But I am curious as to what your reasoning is for the need of a cold chamber in a modern DA revolver.

M700.... Hmmm. 'Nuff said right thar...





When it comes to the specific area I usually hunt in, damn straight.. As soon as I'm at the legal distance off the road from the truck the bolt goes up and a round goes in.. NH M70. With a proper trigger.

Got a nice 6-pt buck one year within 5 mns of getting on the trail.. Taking the time (and dealing with the noise) of jacking a round into the chamber woulda had that deer another 400 yards into the woods.. As it was, a quick peek through the scope to ensure there was horns, drop down to the shoulder and he went down in his tracks.. About 150 yards, give/take..

I haven't ever used a "stand" as such - just slow walk, listen, know the area well enough as to about where deer's gonna cross; then find a spot 75-100+ yards down wind and settle in.

One finger pull will advance and fire the first bullet, but if dropped on the hammer, it can not fire. I am new to CCW, and could make a stupid mistake like that. Good guns and good holsters make mistakes harder. Too bad I can't afford them yet. Currently, I have one pistol. (RG-39 Rohm). They don't have a great reputation, though this one works well. The manufacturer is out of business, and there is no testing data on a dropped gun, that I am aware of.
Nor do I have a concealment holster yet. When I have carried in the past, it was always open carry. That one cold chamber allows for an untested gun, and a possible mistake on my part. It is not a natural method of carry for me yet.

Exactly what type of revolver are we talking about? I'm assuming it's not a single action.

As described above. Rohm RG-39 .38 special, double action. Accurate, probably purchased a year or two before they went out of business.
Edit: https://s3.amazonaws.com/mgm-conten...1_rg_rohm_gmbh_38_special_revolv_640.jpg
Not an exact match, but close. 4" barrel.

L

Looks like maybe it does have a hammer safety of some kind,but yeah, given the unknown quality of the gun (by what I read so far of its reputation),I'd probably carry that one with empty under the hammer too....if I carried it at all.

When I started deer hunting in the early 50's here in Michigan, almost everyone used lever action Winchesters and Marlins. The were carried hot with the hammer on half cock. I still use that kind of rifle today and wouldn't think of going into the woods with an empty chamber.

Watching some of the Alaska shows on TV and noticed they chambered a round AFTER they see an animal...BULL CRAP!, I've hunted Alaska and you DO NOT walk around in Bear country with an empty chamber...that's TV editing.

As for empty chamber on a hand gun?....you'd better have your Will made out and your Life Insurance paid up.

Maybe OK for a Revolver, But to have to monkey around working the slide on a Semi-auto, is asking for trouble. You risk a short action, thereby not getting the round in the chamber and you lose time. Both could do you in. I carry a 9MM Semi-auto hot with a thumb safety (Ambidextrious).
Can flick the safety off in a flash. Twice as quickly as working the slide and getting in the shooting position. Think about it.

So would I, with a semi-auto. Use of a safety on a hot gun has been ingrained since childhood, at least in long guns. Pistols were for target shooting. I hunt with slingshot, but never tried hunting with a pistol.
Good thing I can trust BLM, flash mobs, burglars, muggers, those playing the "knock out game" or the "Penguin game ", to wait while I outfit myself with the very best gear. I'm sure the machete attacker in my local restaurant, and the recent car and knife attacker at my local college, would have no problem planning thier attacks when I am better prepared. (Sarcasm).
I'll adapt as I can, but in the meantime, I'll have to use what I have.

Hunting is one thing. Getting attacked by some nut is another. You need to be instantly prepared to keep from getting killed. Any time spent between drawing, and aiming is critical. Walking around with a cold chamber is no better than walking around with an empty gun. By the time you get a round in the chamber and re-position your slide operating hand for firing, it may be too late. Handguns without a safety are fine for lying on your Nightstand, but if you are walking around with a CC in a holster or in your pocket, use a gun with a safety. It's only common sense.

safeties on defensive handguns are dumb...1911s are best owned as range pistols