Can you open carry with an empty mag in the gun?

[Applehaus21st]

Damn question... Can you open carry a shotgun if its in a holster? Hehe

[SamsDX]

Also, bad guys don't know that your gun is unloaded if there is an empty magazine in the magazine well. But they DO know it if they can see a big, empty hole at the bottom of the grip. Plus, an empty mag keeps debris from possibly entering the mag well. It would suck to have to defend yourself and when you go to place a round into battery, your full magazine will not seat because of an obstruction in the mag well.

I'm not sure I get this logic. Perhaps I'm giving a criminal too much credit, but if a BG sees your openly carried firearm in public, unless he himself suspects that you are a criminal, he can probably assume that you are unloaded-open-carrying. For purposes of deterring an attack, having an open magwell wouldn't seem to be that much of a disadvantage over a loading an empty magazine. In fact, I see it as a disadvantage, because after you draw, you have to press the mag release, unload the magazine, load full magazine, and chamber a round, all before pulling the trigger. If the slide is locked back and the magazine well is open, you would be able to bring the weapon into action a lot more quickly.

I do see what you're saying about a potential obstruction in the magwell, however.

[sweetcaddy]

edit: SamsDX beat me to it.

[kozumasbullitt]

Yes, go away open carry and bring on ccws.

[slik556]

A friend of mine open carried at Yosemite a few weeks back with no magazine in the gun and loaded mags in his pocket. When rangers had a chat with him on two separate occasions they told him they didn't "e" check him because there was no magazine in the gun.

Now, one could lambaste the rangers for flawed logic, but still, one data point.

I thought it was illegal to carry the loaded mags in your pocket if you open carry.Thought the mags must be exposed also!

[reidnez]

I'm not trying to sound dumb or sarcastic but what's the piont of carrying and displaying an unloaded hand gun?

It's more of a political statement than a practical decision...basically, since an average citizen in many California counties can not obtain a CCW by edict of the Sheriff, it's a protest statement. Something along the lines of, "if you don't want to see my gun, then let me hide it."

I can see the logic, but I think the attention is more likely to bring a statewide law banning OC than a statewide shall-issue law. Many prominent OC'ers have called for a moratorium on the practice in deference to critical pending legislation. We are probably better-served by putting the pressure on our sheriffs, and getting pro-CCW sheriffs elected in those counties (Orange, San Diego) which are conservative leaning, which means there's a chance. In those counties where there probably isn't a chance (San Francisco, LA), I'm not sure what the answer is. Then again, there are what, 43 shall-issue states now? Anything is possible.

[bigian]

It's more of a political statement than a practical decision...basically, since an average citizen in many California counties can not obtain a CCW by edict of the Sheriff, it's a protest statement. Something along the lines of, "if you don't want to see my gun, then let me hide it."

I can see the logic, but I think the attention is more likely to bring a statewide law banning OC than a statewide shall-issue law. Many prominent OC'ers have called for a moratorium on the practice in deference to critical pending legislation. We are probably better-served by putting the pressure on our sheriffs, and getting pro-CCW sheriffs elected in those counties (Orange, San Diego) which are conservative leaning, which means there's a chance. In those counties where there probably isn't a chance (San Francisco, LA), I'm not sure what the answer is. Then again, there are what, 43 shall-issue states now? Anything is possible.

Makes sense, thanks for the explanation....

[twotap]

If I were to open carry, it would be with an empty magwell, with the slide held open, but that's thinking as a law-abiding slave in a slave state.

Don't forget the zip strip! Do it for the children.

[sirgiles]

1. I'm not going to open carry

2. This is just a question, I know that it would cause more reason to be checked and drawed down on.

3. You don't have to tell me this is a bad idea and not to open carry, I'm just asking a question.



Can you open carry with a unloaded magazine in the firearm? No ammunition in or touching the mag or the gun?

[gotgunz]

Also, bad guys don't know that your gun is unloaded if there is an empty magazine in the magazine well. But they DO know it if they can see a big, empty hole at the bottom of the grip.

Bad guys watch the news and surf the internet too you know? If they see you walking around with an exposed handgun and no badge to compliment it they are indeed smart enough to realize you are unloaded.

[plan-b]

Bad guys watch the news and surf the internet too you know? If they see you walking around with an exposed handgun and no badge to compliment it they are indeed smart enough to realize you are unloaded.

They'll probably also realize that there's much easier prey somewhere else.

[pontiacpratt]

They'll probably also realize that there's much easier prey somewhere else.

Because you're carrying a brick on your hip? Because an unloaded gun is just that a brick

[sirgiles]

Because your carrying a brick on your hip?

exactly.

[cyclenut]

Because you're carrying a brick on your hip? Because an unloaded gun is just that a brick

Probelm solved? Just need to find the right holster.

Edit: And my Sig "Brick" would still be able to pistol whip the BG. Or make for a really expensive throwing weapon.

[plan-b]

Because you're carrying a brick on your hip? Because an unloaded gun is just that a brick

Because the rest of CA doesn't even have a brick. Why mess with someone who has a gun, loaded or not (but probably has loaded mags on the other hip) when you can mess with someone that doesn't have anything at all? Criminals aren't the brightest bulbs but even they'll do a cursory threat assessment.