Mode of carry
All,
When it comes to actually carrying a firearm concealed, it all comes down to quality. I will break it down to three aspects: quality of mindset, quality of equipment and quality of training.
As for mindset, I focus on how it relates to realm of self-defense. For me, I carry for self-defense purposes because I refuse to be anyones victim, no matter if the predator hunts of two or four feet. When carrying for SD, you must resolve certain issues with yourself first. Are you willing to do what is necessary to defend yourself with lethal force and are you prepared to continue to defend yourself in the aftermath of such an encounter? Mindset is the most important aspect of SD, whether you carry a gun, pepper spray or just a stick. Without the proper mindset, you will likely fail.
Next, there is the quality of training. Without training, you are kidding yourself. Do not think that because you grew up hunting or were in the military or even law enforcement that you don't need training. You do. I was all of those thing... been hunting all my life, did 4 year in the Corps with extended stays in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and was a police officer for 3 years and I thought I had all the tools I needed. After my first real training class with Options for Personal Security and James Yeager, there was no doubt that I had been fooling myself all along.
Last, there is the quality of equipment. This includes the firearm, the holster, the mag pouches, the ammo choice, everything. If you carry a $1000 gun in a $5 holster, I'll call you an idiot to your face. If you carry a $100 gun in a $100 holster, yep... you're still an idiot. I've also met some people who carry a quality firearm in a quality holster, but they load it with really hot bullets. I ask them, can you control that thing shooting those bullets with the added recoil? When I get "No, I practice with Winchester White Box bullets from WalMart. I hate shooting these hot rounds throught the gun... it hurts my hand, it's loud and the recoil is really bad" To that guy.... here's your sign...
If you're carrying for SD, that means your trusting your life with it. Is your life worth a $???? gun but not a training class half that amount? Because it is your life, you should invest in the quality items I mentioned.
As for the topic of the thread, carry a round in the chamber. Not being comfortable with it is not a good enough excuse. That means you either lack the mindset, the training or the equipment... or a combination of the three.
Don't be a menace to armed society,
ken