Glenn, carrying w/o one in chamber is what I prefer, all because of safety. Is my paranoia going back a long time ago. I realize should a situation ever occur that those extra seconds to "rack and load" could mean a difference, that I'm willing to take that chance.I guess carrying without one in the chamber but with a fully loaded magazine inserted (or a cylinder with 5 loaded instead of six) is better than not carrying at all but the only way you'd catch me doing that is if I was dead and if I carried that way chances are that is how I'd wind up if I got into a self defense situation.