Home Carrry & dummy round Question

[warthog1984]

Looking at possible home carry (and someday, when the Constitution comes to the PRK, regular carry).

I'm wondering- will blanks and/or snap caps cycle the slide? I'm looking primarily at Condition 3 carry (mainly in case of accidents like dropping a gun on something placed *just so*) and was wondering if it's possible to carry in a fakie Condition 1 using blanks? The goal would be guarding against even astronomically unlikely unintended shootings while being able to cycle through to actual rounds in case of need.

[Mr310]

Snap caps do nothing and I wouldn't bank on a blank to cycle the slide.


Just keep one in the chamber.

[unusedusername]

If you don't feel confortable with a round in the chamber, then carry with an empty chamber until you learn enough to carry with a round.

If you have not already taken one, look into a "personal protection in the home" course from your local firearms instructors.

[BoJackUSMC]

You might want to take some lessons so you will feel comfortable enough to carry condition 1 and 3.

[Chief-7700]

Time for some training on being comfortable with a loaded gun.

[89 Vision]

No need for Snap Caps. Condition 1 or condition 3 for me. Any modern quality pistol can be left condition 1 with no problems. Just remember trigger discipline and condition 1 is perfectly fine.

[Quiet]

Normally a blank cartridge will not cycle the slide of a semi-auto pistol.

Prop masters modify semi-auto pistols in order from them to work with blank cartridges.

Modifications range from lightening recoil springs to installing a blank firing adapter inside the barrel (most common). Installation of a BFA is often done by threading the inside of the barrel (muzzle end) and screwing the BFA into the barrel. This process permanently damages the barrel and use with live ammo will cause it to catastrophically fail.

Side note:
During the CHP Academy, recruits have a blank cartridge chambered in their sidearm at all times. Negligent discharges result in disciplinary action and/or termination from the CHP.

[warthog1984]

That was a bunch of helpful replies...

Again, I'm primarily looking at Condition 3 (Mag in, Chamber Empty). The only issue I have with Condition 1/2 (Loaded Chamber) is possible snags, drops, or fumbling where that 1:1000000000 chance happens and something depresses a DA trigger through a holster or somehow a trigger AND grip safety both get squeezed at that same time during a holster-drawing fall.

I know most people will say "it'd never happen", but considering how many times I've seen the "impossible" happen even with careful, well-meaning, intelligent people- I'm not willing to risk it. All it'd take is one high-speed bullet to ruin my day. Hence the "free" first round question.

[Chief-7700]

Ok! What brand of hand gun are your using?
Striker fired
1911
Wheel gun

[Fate]

That was a bunch of helpful replies...

Again, I'm primarily looking at Condition 3 (Mag in, Chamber Empty). The only issue I have with Condition 1/2 (Loaded Chamber) is possible snags, drops, or fumbling where that 1:1000000000 chance happens and something depresses a DA trigger through a holster or somehow a trigger AND grip safety both get squeezed at that same time during a holster-drawing fall.

I know most people will say "it'd never happen", but considering how many times I've seen the "impossible" happen even with careful, well-meaning, intelligent people- I'm not willing to risk it. All it'd take is one high-speed bullet to ruin my day. Hence the "free" first round question.

You don't carry a fire extinguisher with you 24/7 in case you spontaneously combust do you? No, that'd be silly and overly paranoid.

I understand that it's not always automatic to feel comfortable with a loaded firearm on your person if you've not done it much. But the more you do it, the more comfortable you become. Even carrying with an empty chamber for awhile and never having it drop the hammer/striker will help you realize that it's not going to go off on its own.

If you are carrying a modern, well made gun, in a holster and not being careless, there's little danger. I do hope you work past the fear of things that really have no chance of happening .

People have died because they carried with an empty chamber. There's a liveleak video of a jewelry robbery that's been posted here where the victim was shot several times while trying to rack a round. He died unable to defend himself.

[Tiberius]

I have a better idea than a snap cap: a safety lever. 1911s, Beretta 92s, M&P Shields, Ruger SR9s, and many others have a mechanical safety.

Many folks on here hate safeties. Others insist on them. If you have concerns about things like a pen, coin, or bent piece of holster getting into the trigger guard and firing a Glock or Glock style pistol, consider a gun with a safety.

You have to practice so that taking the safety off is part of your draw. Otherwise, you have a paperweight. But this is doable. And flicking off a safety is quicker and easier than hoping a blank will cycle the slide, or racking the slide.

Also, if you have a safety, you don't have to use it. Some folks put the safety on while re-holstering, then flick it off once the gun is in the holster.

Training, and a good holster, are your friends.

T

[Packy14]

i personally prefer condition 3 for my home guns. But that's just me.

[M. D. Van Norman]

[InGrAM]

You need to acclimate yourself to having a loaded firearm on you. Simple as that. More training, hands on experience will do that in a short time.

[SacTown]

People have died because they carried with an empty chamber. There's a liveleak video of a jewelry robbery that's been posted here where the victim was shot several times while trying to rack a round. He died unable to defend himself.

Just curious if you can post or PM me the link for that, or if anyone else can. Would be a good video to show to those who think carrying without one in the pipe is a wise choice. Thanks.