keeping a handgun loaded

Question
I just started carrying a handgun.  I always keep it loaded and chambered, not only when I'm carrying, but pretty much all the time 24/7.  I wanted to know if this is a good idea or not.  I'm concerned if it will wear the firing spring out, or maybe cause a mechanical failure and discharge the gun.  Any advice would be very much appreciated.  Thanks

Answer
Hi Erid.

This issue is frequently debated among firearm owners and professionals in the firearms industry.  Some people will present their opinions strongly and others will claim to have the facts but the true answer is that nobody can say with 100% certainty that any particular method of carry is perfectly safe and reliable.

There are just too many variables involved for anyone to be sure, such as the following which are only some of the more common factors:  temperature and humidity ranges, holster material, various types of metals used to make the firearm parts, location and degree of stress or exposure for various parts, type of ammunition, number of cartridges used, frequency of use and cleaning, vibration, risk of being dropped or damaged, etc.

With more than 30 years of first-hand experience and dozens of books, articles, classes, etc. under my belt I have certainly developed an informed opinion, but it is just my personal opinion for my own situation so it may not be relevant to your situation.  Here is my current practice:

If carrying or storing a firearm for self defense or home defense, I choose to keep it loaded and ready to use at all times.  For this purpose I only use the best quality firearms available, models that have a long track record for high reliability under a wide variety of conditions.

If the firearm is a revolver and it has a modern action with a hammer block safety mechanism then I will keep the cylinder fully loaded.  For older revolvers that have seen a lot of use or that don't have the hammer block safety then I may keep an empty chamber under the hammer just in case it is dropped or a part breaks.

With semi-automatic pistols I only use the original capacity magazines made by the firearm manufacturer, and I keep them fully loaded with one round in the chamber however I don't replace the first round in the magazine which goes into the chamber during the initial loading.  I generally rotate the magazines once every few months keeping the one which was most recently removed from the pistol empty until the next rotation.

With all handguns that I use for defense, I make it a point to practice with them as often as possible, making sure to use the same ammunition and magazines that I use for defense.  After extended use then I will replace the magazines or other replaceable parts and only use the old parts for target practice in the future.  If a firearm shows any signs of a defect or reliability issue then I do not use it for defense until it has been thoroughly stripped, inspected, tested, cleaned, and certified for duty again.

Some firearms owners will argue that this practice is extreme, unnecessary, and not practical for the average person. I actually agree with some of their points, however this is a subjective issue which can't be proven 100% one way or the other, so I prefer to err on the side of caution when lives are at stake.  Plus the frequent practice, parts rotation, handling, and cleaning will build your skills anyway so why not?  Sure, it takes a little more time and it might cost you a little more each year for new parts or ammunition but I believe that the benefits far outweigh the costs, especially if you ever have to call on your firearm for a true defensive need.

One word of caution: some headstrong individuals will insist that certain firearms are completely safe and can be carried for extended periods, fully loaded, without rotation, without cleaning, no new parts, etc.  No matter how much evidence or opinion they toss on the table, I guarantee you that the manufacturer of the firearm would not endorse this practice.  If the manufacturer doesn't want to take the minimal risk of a lawsuit or financial penalty to make such a claim, then why would you bet your life on the same argument?

Regardless of what I or others tell you, I highly recommend that you get as much training, practice, reading, and experience as you possibly can. Then you can decide for yourself just as I have done.

Good luck, shoot strait, and stay safe!

Bob