Single-handed manipulations, under-stress, are considerably less certain than their two-handed counterparts.
Anyone who has seriously trained/practiced single-handed manipulations or have been required to execute them under pressure as a part of a training or competition scenario will be able to confirm this observation, as well as the fact that in some cases, not only does the intended manipulation fail to be properly executed, but that this primary failure induces a further stoppage that can potentially be catastrophic.
Similarly, being able to execute the necessary techniques static is one thing; being pressured by a live Force-on-Force actor or, worse-yet, physical combatives training partner - or even just the beep of the shot timer - all while dynamically moving can make such actions very challenging, even for those who are well-practiced.
Additionally, not only should these techniques be practiced dry/safe with dummy-rounds, they also need to (where context allows, of-course: i.e. live-fire would not mix well with Force-on-Force!) be practiced using one's selected defensive ammo. Towards this consideration, we're reminded that not all reciprocating-slide autopistols respond to all manipulations equally: the Kahr PM9/CM9 are known for being difficult to chamber via either the "overhand powerstroke" or the "Y-pinch," mis-feeding that top round, whereas dropping the slide via the slide-stop/release virtually insures proper chambering - such a weapon would thus be ill-suited for "Condition 3 carry."
Finally, be sure you practice in-context of your daily life. Here in NE-Ohio, a few days'/weeks' worth of summer's worst heat and humidity alternates with seemingly the same period of frostbite-inducing cold in the winter. There have been several past threads regarding the use of gloves and how that may change one's interactions with the gun during manipulations, but the same goes for sweaty fingers and palms (or wet from just haivng grabbed that cold water bottle that's got condensation all over it) in the summer. With the latter,
adric22 of DefensiveCarry.com wrote the following:
adric22 of DefensiveCarry.com wrote:
As most know, I've been involved in many arguments on here about chambered vs. unchambered. There have been many valid points brought up in the past which suggest chambering may be the right way to go. But so far have not been sufficient to change my mind. However, something happened today which nobody has ever mentioned and I had never thought of before. My wife and I went to the range today and I decided to shoot my little Taurus TCP 738. I actually rarely shoot that gun, because it is not fun to shoot. But with the hot weather lately, I've been carrying it more and more because it is much easier to conceal when wearing shorts and a t-shirt. So I figured if I carry this thing, I should put some rounds through it. Well, as many know it has been quite hot around here lately. It was 102 degrees outside today. When I first got into the range, I was still sweating from being outside. I was unable to chamber a round in that TCP because the slide is so small, has such a strong spring, and my hands were sweaty. My hand would literally just slide right off the slide like it was coated in vaseline or something. My wife tried and also was unable to do it. After I rubbed my hands on my shorts to dry them off a bit, I was finally able to do it. I could just see myself trying to chamber a round with sweaty hands while the BG is trying to kill me.
Personally, I don't care if someone wants to carry with a round in the chamber or without - that's their decision to make, and it's up to them to justify it in their minds. However, regardless of that justification, one must understand the limitations and compromises that their chosen method demands, and realistically examine such limitations and practice - realistically - to overcome them.
That all said:
Kenosis, I think that your unique situation puts forward valid and reasonable arguments for not carrying chambered.
One thing that I would ask for you to consider, though, is whether if you can (and be willing to) chamber the weapon discretely - draw the slide back and ease it forward, making sure that the slide reaches battery by subsequently giving the rear of it a firm tap forward.
This still will not obviate the need to rotate out the chambered rounds, however, as even with less force imparted to the action, the possibility of bullet setback cannot be ignored. Depending on how many times you must disarm/re-arm per day, the need to set aside that chambered round may span anywhere from being simply a good and steady supply of practice-use defensive rounds to being completely non-viable due to cost.
