Congrats on P9. Whatever makes you feel comfortable with the firearm is fine in reference to not carrying it with one in the pipe. But as the other guys mentioned, it will not go boom with a round in the chamber till the trigger is pulled. I would suggest practicing alot if you are not going to carry with a round in. Keep in mind that it is wasted time to chamber a round in a defensive situation where the blood is flowing and anxiety kicks in.