My personal preferance with my P99AS is loaded chamber and decocked. With my 1911 its condition 1. I carry this way because I feel that my guns are safe to be carried in this way, becuase I feel that I am safe to carry this way, becuase I feel that it offers an advantage in a grappling situation and most importantly because I train this way. The safety systems on most modern handguns are more than sufficient to eliminate the possibility of an AD. If you train regularly anf follow the 4 rules you minimize the chances of an ND. As far as tactical advantage goes; I feel it wise to be able to draw and fire one handed. While I like to think I dont live in condition white, I also am not naive enough to think that someone wont be able to sneak up on me and try to take advantage of the situation. In those situations or where the other hand is occupied, as in holding your wife's hand, pushing her to the ground in a SHTF situation or even carrying your infant, it would be nice to be able to draw and fire with a single hand.
zeevbi,
The threats that we prepare for, but pray we never have to face, are very real. There are people out there who will kill you for your shoes or simply for the fun of it. To ignore that fact is stupidity at its best. There is a saying that goes: Prepare for the worst and pray for the best (or something like that). The best thing is to not be in a situation where lethal force, or force for that matter is an issue. After that its having the time to disengage and make calm and collected decisions from behind cover. The worst is being surprised by a criminal and needing to immediately draw and engage them or be faced with the death of your wife, kids and yourself. If you only prepare yourself for the better situations i.e. being able to scream and run away to safety while ignoring the worst case scenario's youre doing yourself a disservice. If youre ready for the worst, you will always be able to handle the best, the reverse in NOT true. The only time a loaded chamber is a potential safety issue, aside from any mechanical issues with the gun itself, is when the operator has a brain fart. Having a loaded chamber does not mean that you have to use it. Level thinking and an ability to make good decisions is a prerequisite. But then loaded or unloaded, if you cant stay relatively calm in a bad situation, youre going to get yourself into trouble.