Condition 3 carry refers to carrying a handgun with a loaded magazine but no bullet in the chamber. Condition 3 carry is usually seen with new concealed carry users who are not yet comfortable carrying a loaded firearm.

There is a lot of controversy over the combination of safety/practicality. While it's obliviously safer in terms of reducing a negligent discharge, the practicality of a dry chambered gun for self defense is low if any. The chances of having available time in a life-threatening situation to chamber a round is highly unlikely.


Consider the fact that nobody who carries a gun for a living (LEO/MIL) is carrying in condition 3. That alone should be enough to deter you from doing so if you are considering it.