ROUND #2

[sharp]

I wanted to see if this is happening to anyone else and what you all think about it.....

Every night after coming home from work, getting ready for bed etc., I remove R9 (and holster) from my pocket.  I eject the magazine and then cycle the slide to remove the round from the chamber.  It rests for the night in this condition.  The following morning upon arising and getting dressed for work, I take the R9, insert the magazine and chamber a round.  Then I drop the magazine to top it off with the round that was in the chamber yesterday.  Before loading this round in the magazine, I have noticed that the top round in the magazine at this time has a dent in it.  I noticed this quite awhile back and have been monitoring this round, or round #2 in the magazine.  It has become increasingly damaged for lack of a better word and it has reached the point that I'd be a little nervous about shooting it.  The case is dented in at the precise location of the base end of the bullet.  Evidently, the act of the round above it being chambered is causing this as the slide pushes round #1 forward and into the chamber.  Any thoughts on this?  I know quite a few of you are quite a bit "longer in the tooth" than I and perhaps you can enlighten me.  The R9S is the first gun I've ever carried with a round chambered.  Up until a few months ago when I made the decision, I'd always carried my gun(s) with an empty chamber so loading and unloading each and every morning/night is new to me.  
Thanks!

[DDGator]

Sharp,

I haven't noticed this specifically -- although I will watch for it.  I am generally hesitant to keep chambering and ejecting the same round.  I wouldn't shoot one with visible damage either...

My question is why do you unload it every night?  Why not drop it in the safe as is?  In the morning you can do a "weapons check" -- drop the mag and press check the chamber.

I only "unload" my gun if I have a reason I need to make it safe -- or by pulling the trigger 7 times!  

[Rocnerd]

I agree with DD.  My glock, kel-tec, and sig all stay loaded unless I have some reason to unload.  They go from holster to handgunsafe to holster.

[sharp]

Well, I have five kids ages 5-13............and I don't have a safe at home.  My kids have been taught well about gun safety but I won't take a chance of leaving it and having something happen.  I currently keep all my handguns not being carried in a small safe at my office.  Hopefully I'll soon be able to purchase a large safe that will hold all my firearms at home.  Until then maybe I should invest in a small 1-2 handgun safe for on or under the night stand.

[Rocnerd]

Understood.  I have a small safe in the night stand for my carry guns.  Check these out.   http://www.handgunsafe.com/index.htm

[BillinPittsburgh]

Cannon makes inexpensive, purely mechanical fast opening safes using simplex 5-button combination locks.  Less expensive than electronic safes, just as secure, and no batteries to die when you need the lock functioning.

[TW]

>>I share Sharp's and concerns and although I have a big safe for the bulk of my weapons - I also have one of those quick access handgun safes at the head of the bed.  Mine uses a four point touch pad so I can literally reach over my head in the dark and have an action ready pistol in hand before I even open my eyes.  

In my case I use a Glock 17 (9mm) with a 17 round mag of hollow points with one in the tube.  And just in case there are more than 18 BGs I keep an extra filled Hi cap (Standard cap) mag in there.  One of these days I will get extensions for these mags which will allow 19 shots per.  I also keep a light attached to the gun...however - realistically by the time I shoot half a dozen rounds I will probably be able to see the BGs clearly from the flash...!  But then we were talking about gun safes, huh...

Yep...having a loaded weapon ready to go with easy access...yet knowing only I will be able to access...is the way to go.  And all for a hundred bucks or so.  Makes me feel good about life, ya know...?...lol...!...TW<<

[rooster]

I only chamber a round a few times before shooting it.  The reason is bullet setback, after the round hits the feed ramp a few times the bullet will be forced into the case further.  You may now have a chance of much higher pressures when you do shoot it and this could lead to an unsafe condition.  You can check for yourself by measuring o.a.l. with a pair of dial calipers.  Measure  a new round and then chamber a few times and check again.  

[Richard S]

Sharp:

Rooster is absolutely on the mark.  

Rooster:

Welcome to the Forum.

RS

[Rocnerd]

I have the 4811 handgunsafe and am really happy with it.  It has a mechanical lock, so no need to worry about plugging in or battery.  The lock gives over 2000 combinations and comes with all the hardware for bolting it down.  Heavy gauge steel and spring loaded door.  $150-170 bucks for piece of mind.   Damn, I sound like a salesman, but it is a good safe and I would recommend it.

[sharp]

Thanks for all your advice and recommendations!  

[DDGator]

Jumping back in -- I do think having a small safe would solve the problem.  I have seen these things come down drastically in price lately.  Electronic ones can be had for under $100.

I have kids too, and my gun is either on me or in the safe.   A lot of electronic safes have "tamper alarms" too -- so when you open it, it will beep to tell you that bad codes had been entered previously -- i.e. that someone was trying to guess the code.

[rbonin]

I highly recommend using the small safes.  I have two "Gun Vault" brand safes located in different parts of my home.  I use these to safely store my loaded carry pieces.  They have programmable, electronic combination finger pads which are extremely easy to open quickly in the dark.  I change the batteries out yearly.  There is a key override which can also be used to open the safe, should your batteries be drained.   The safes can be bolted down in your home or vehicle.   I would not store a loaded weapon in any other manner in my house.

[Fud]

I like dealing with V-Line -- they make strongboxes with a Simplex lock in all sizes which can be bolted down out of sight. I have one of these strongboxes bolted down and hidden from sight in just about every room of the house with a loaded firearm inside. If I ever need a gun, I don't have to run to my safe or to my bedroom; I just grab the gun that is in the room that I am in. This can be especially useful if somebody breaks in and is standing between you and your firearm. With a gun in just about every room of the house, the chance of something like that happening is less likely.

[BillinPittsburgh]

I used to use a Gun Vault safe.  The stated battery life was one year, but I found the actual battery life to be a few months (removing the gun about once per week).

Do not depend on electronic locks.  Stick with mechanical ones.