Do you keep a round in the chamber?

[tdhanses]

I find this to be a weird idea. How many carry their self-defense firearm without a round in the chamber? What about chukar, rabbit, grouse, pheasant, dove, squirrel, duck, partridge, turkey hunting?
I'm hearing a lot of people saying it is unsafe, but what makes it more unsafe than the previously mentioned endeavors? If you are following firearm safety rules why is there even an assumption that it is unsafe?
To the OP, sorry about the hijack I am truly curious. I can start another thread if you like?

Do you walk around with an arrow always nocked?

To me it just isn’t need when big game hunting, bird hunting or small game is just different style of hunting.

Either way proper safety should always be taken loaded or not.

 

[gbflyer]

No. I’ve become clumsy post back surgery. Isn’t worth it.

 

[jt4]

Since I started hunting with my kids I've gone to empty camber because it's truly safer and a better way to learn.

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

100% disagree with this statement. Assuming that a gun is empty is just asking for a negligent or accidental discharge. Treat the gun as if it’s loaded until you’ve proven 3 times it isn’t, then it’s safe.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Beendare]

OP, you might be interested in this discussion
One in the Chamber

 

[Trr15]

I find this to be a weird idea. How many carry their self-defense firearm without a round in the chamber? What about chukar, rabbit, grouse, pheasant, dove, squirrel, duck, partridge, turkey hunting?
I'm hearing a lot of people saying it is unsafe, but what makes it more unsafe than the previously mentioned endeavors? If you are following firearm safety rules why is there even an assumption that it is unsafe?
To the OP, sorry about the hijack I am truly curious. I can start another thread if you like?

No apology or new thread needed. This is actually why I started this thread. Just trying to get some different perspectives on the topic. Similar to tthompson4, growing up in PA, I never heard of anyone carrying a rifle without one in the chamber. Also never heard of anyone being accidentally shot who wasn't mistaken for game or getting into/out of a tree stand. I knew there was some strong opposition though and wanted to get that perspective.

 

[realunlucky]

100% disagree with this statement. Assuming that a gun is empty is just asking for a negligent or accidental discharge. Treat the gun as if it’s loaded until you’ve proven 3 times it isn’t, then it’s safe.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Treat every gun as if it's loaded and never point the muzzle of a gun at something you don't intend to kill or destroy are the golden rules of gun safety. They are the standard taught at every hunter safety class. It's you that assumes we take those rules for granted because the chamber is empty.

No matter what happens when there is no bullets the gun will not fire that's not a guess that is a fact.

 

[Trr15]

OP, you might be interested in this discussion
One in the Chamber

Thanks, I'll check it out. I really did search before posting this and for some reason didn't turn up this thread. Appreciate the link.

 

[Mosby]

Like many things...it depends. It is loaded while I am hunting. If I am climbing up or down anything difficult or thick, I unload it. I do not climb in or out of a treestand loaded. If I am hunting with someone and they are in front of me and I have to take it off my shoulder....I unload it. I will give the guy in front the first shot. I am very conscious of safety. We normally split up at the truck, so most of the time I am hunting/walking by myself, so the biggest risk is to myself. I like myself a lot so I try to be careful.

 

[hunterjmj]

I don't hunt with a round in the chamber. I don't trust safety's and a safety can be easily flipped to fire, especially on a Remington 700. It really only takes seconds to chamber a round so I'm not concerned about a missed opportunity. Like others have said, you can't take back an accident.

 

[dtrkyman]

The only hunting I do with a firearm is for turkey, always one chambered, if I was guiding someone I would carry the gun of stay behind them while moving!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[*zap*]

I have seen a few nd's up close and personal.….hate being near the gun counter at cabelas or other similar stores where people sweep/point guns at others. Hunting I keep the chamber loaded and unload when necessary for safety...non hunting hours while afield the chamber is empty. Carry handguns are always carried with one in the pipe. Safety rules have been mentioned already, please follow them.

 

[tthompson4]

No apology or new thread needed. This is actually why I started this thread. Just trying to get some different perspectives on the topic. Similar to tthompson4, growing up in PA, I never heard of anyone carrying a rifle without one in the chamber. Also never heard of anyone being accidentally shot who wasn't mistaken for game or getting into/out of a tree stand. I knew there was some strong opposition though and wanted to get that perspective.

Maybe an East vs West thing? We did a mock deer drive in my hunters safety class with rounds in the chamber.

That being said the MeatEater guys recently talked about this and they are from Michigan.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Murphy]

Realunlucky they are called accidents. If you think you can control the direction of your muzzle in a simple trip and fall you are mistaken. Which is exactly why I don't have a round in the chamber. And why I won't be around people that do. Just not worth it.

 

[realunlucky]

Realunlucky they are called accidents. If you think you can control the direction of your muzzle in a simple trip and fall you are mistaken. Which is exactly why I don't have a round in the chamber. And why I won't be around people that do. Just not worth it.

If that's what it takes for you to be safe you should definitely continue.

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

 

[Dinger]

If you think you can control the direction of your muzzle in a simple trip and fall you are mistaken.

This the number one reason to hunt on an empty chamber for me.....sitting in a blind, sure I'll 'make it dangerous'. On the move however whether flatlands or loaded in the hills, it's a empty chamber for me. This wasn't always the case, age and experience have changed my outlook. If a deer gets the drop on me then so be it, I'll lift my hunting game up for the next time.

 

[tthompson4]

Realunlucky they are called accidents. If you think you can control the direction of your muzzle in a simple trip and fall you are mistaken. Which is exactly why I don't have a round in the chamber. And why I won't be around people that do. Just not worth it.

I believe I can control the muzzle. If I was somewhere where falling was a high probability, cliffs, loose rocks on the side of a hill, getting in and out of a tree stand I can agree, unload. Slow walk through flat hardwoods and swamp, loaded and ready to go.

Won’t be around? That is a pretty strong statement. Don’t like cops or soldiers much. Then either?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DenverCountryBoy]

Depends. Still hunting with the rifle in my hands, yes, thumb on the safety. I purposefully have a heavy trigger.

On my shoulder or pack, chamber is cleared.

My side arms also have heavy triggers and carried with one in the chamber, safeties on.

Muzzleloader is carried in my hands loaded, both safeties on. Primer is pulled if it goes on my pack.

 

[Akwoodchuck]

possibly a spoof...kinda funny though....

 

[FLAK]

Absolutely one in the chamber.
Here in the S.E., when one shows up at 30 yards,
you better have one in or your SOL.

 

[Idahomnts]

Unloaded until closing in, or still hunting, or before coming into predator stand,usually strapped to pack during big game , and load one as dog goes on point , although a lucky jump shot at a huge buck or a covey of chukar would be cool, I’d rather enjoy the full process of stalk/point shoot, and a little more safety never hurt , chukar country can be unforgiving , and it’s a lil peace of mind as your scrambling through rocks and such, especially with others around

Then again I’ve never had my firearm discharge incidently, but have noticed my safety off before just hiking along , which made me think more about it,