Incident Last Night: How'd I do?

[etex]

What caliber is your KT,.40,9mm,.380 or .32? You handled the situation well.
Also I feel very comfortable with a round chambered in my KT .32 at all times as long as it is in the pocket holster with the trigger protected.

 

[Cosmoline]

I'm not sure what the big deal is about chambering a round upon presentation. It's a standard practice in parts of the world where they consider Americans insane for running around with rounds in the chamber. It takes no more time to cycle a little semi than it does to engage or disengage a safety. Indeed a very strong argument could be made that for single action pistols at least the safety should be ignored for defense purposes. When ready to present, cycle a round on the upswing and you'll never have to worry about forgetting to release the safety catch.

Keltecs are DAO, however, which makes them less troublesome with a round chambered than a single action. Still--it's a personal choice. I would suggest though that if a loaded semi bugs you like it bugs me, you should consider a more potent revolver for around-the-house carry backed with a nearby carbine or shotgun.

 

[abaddon]

Indeed a very strong argument could be made that for single action pistols at least the safety should be ignored for defense purposes.

I'm not sure what you mean by that. Do you mean to keep the safety disengaged at all times? Please clarify.

 

[KriegHund]

Dang! Chamber the gun and have it in hand when you check the door?

Oh well, whatever works. I dont live where you do, i am not you, so i cant viably pretend to be you.

Glad everything went allright.

 

[Cosmoline]

Do you mean to keep the safety disengaged at all times? Please clarify

For single action pistols, in any case, I've always refused to keep them cocked and locked. To my mind their safety catches should be ignored except after the fact, when you engage them to ensure no ND after the threat is cleared. I remember seeing a video of a man with a 1911 in a sudden gunfight with a robber in his store. The man just flat-out forgot to click the safety off, and they interviewed him six bullet holes later in a wheelchair. Some folks seem just fine with remembering to flick the safety off, but I don't trust myself For people like me there's the so-called "Israeli Presentation" where the pistol is cycled as it is drawn. This also eliminates any doubt as to whether or not there's a round in it.

 

[abaddon]

Okay, that's more clear. But if I believed as you do about SA pistols I think I'd carry a DA/SA or DAO. I'd want to have the option of using the gun with one hand. I know you can rack it on your body but I think that would be slow. Myself, I carry a Makarov with the safety off. If I have time I can cock the hammer back but if I forget it'll still fire okay in DA.