Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Add my voice to those who say that half-cocked is not a safety position which is intended for carry. Ever hear the phrase, " don't go off half cocked..."? Military manual of arms didn't use the half cock position that way, afaik, although military use and self-defense use are different, since the military use of the pistol was as a secondary or even tertiary weapon system and you know when you are in a combat zone. For a civilian it is probably your primary or only weapon system.

That said, you may want to consider your holster as part of the carry system. There are holsters (the DeSantis Inner Piece model 098 WITH the thumb break) that are designed to carry the 1911 cocked and locked, and the thumb break COVERS the firing pin and would prevent the hammer from striking it even IF every other safety were to be defeated and the trigger pulled. Bianchi Black Widow holsters also have a thumb break designed for cocked and locked, I believe.

Some folks change the firing pin on 70 series (no firing pin safety) 1911's to a light titanium pin with an extra strength spring, to prevent inertial forces from bringing the firing pin into contact with the primer if the gun were to be dropped.

Cheers!

Since I won't be dropping my 1911's on a hard surface from 8 or 10 ft. in the air I don't worry about the firing pin hitting the primer and setting one off.

I've carried cocked and locked since I got my first 1911 in 1978. I finally decided it would be a good idea to get a concealed carry permit about 10 years ago.

My favorite concealed carry holster is old Roger's pancake holster worn sort of over my right kidney to the rear. The thumb break strap covers the back of the slide until I pop the snap so I have the grip safety, the thumb safety and the leather strap safety.

Maybe I have small hands or something but I've never had an issue getting that grip safety down when I grap a 1911.

If you're going to carry a handgun (or any gun) make sure you practice drawing it, taking it off safe, lining up the sights on the intended target and pulling the trigger (you can do this dry firing at the house several times a week - just be sure - double/triple check - its unloaded before you do this). Practice putting it back on safe and putting it in the holster and securing it there (just another part of dry firing).

Practice dropping and inserting magazines, practice getting that spare magazine out of the pouch, pocket, or where ever you will be carrying it. Carry more than one spare magazine. If you carry it in your car/truck carry a box or ammo so you can reload empty magazines. Carrying ammo you don't use is not an issue, needing ammo you don't have sucks.

When I first started carrying my 1911, I carried it cocked and locked, but on an empty chamber. Like you, condition 1 still made me a bit nervous. After practicing with it more, I've gotten comfortable, and carry it cocked, locked, and loaded.

When I'm OCing, I carry it in a holster with a thumb break - which would keep the hammer away from the firing pin should someone (including me) manage to depress the grip safety, release the thumb safety, and pull the trigger. Probably a false sense of security, but I like having it there. I am very cautious when I am CCing it in a belly band or IWB holster, though.

Cocked and locked in condition 1 since I started carrying over a decade ago. No issues, no worries. Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 IWB has served me well all that time, having good retention, excellent workmanship, and very comfortable. For deeper cover, I've used Smart Carry over that period and have been very happy with them as well.

M1A4ME wrote:Since I won't be dropping my 1911's on a hard surface from 8 or 10 ft. in the air I don't worry about the firing pin hitting the primer and setting one off.

Yeah, I don't PLAN to drop my firearm from any distance, either. I also don't plan to ever fall, to ever be in a car crash, to ever get pushed, to ever walk into an unseen obstacle, or to ever experience any other impact while carrying, either!

Well, if you're going to go way out there why not start tossing it up in the air while standing on concrete or asphalt?

Do you realize how many years 1911's were carried by millions of men (in uniform and out of uniform) before some jack ass started looking for ways to "test" guns that would make them fail so a different gun would be chosen?

Sorry for the first sentence, but since we weren't being serious anyway I figured I'd post some silly stuff, too.

M1A4ME wrote:Do you realize how many years 1911's were carried by millions of men (in uniform and out of uniform) before some jack ass started looking for ways to "test" guns that would make them fail so a different gun would be chosen?

Yes, I do. I also believe the military specified carry in Condition 3 unless in an active combat zone, which is a slightly different animal than the OP posed. Since the OP was asking about safety of the 1911 platform in general, and it is still a fact that SOME people choose to go with a light titanium pin and a stronger firing pin spring if they have a 70 series without a firing pin safety, I thought it was worth mentioning... at least in passing. Other people cannot wait to get rid of their firing pin safeties on models thus equipped.

Whether you do or not, I couldn't care less.

M1A4ME wrote:Sorry for the first sentence, but since we weren't being serious anyway I figured I'd post some silly stuff, too.

I have seen a 1911 discharge when dropped... I'm glad you haven't. Save your apology for someone who believes your sincerity.

To clarify my last post, I don't know why the 1911 discharged when it fell from table height and I don't know whether the hammer was cocked or was resting on a round in the chamber. The firing pin spring may have been old and weak, the hammer sear may have failed, or the guy that dropped it may have tried to catch it... didn't see the events leading up to the actual discharge, just saw the pants full of poop and the scared expression. No one hurt, thankfully.

I did recall Assad Mayoob (sp?) writing about inertial firing pin discharges and searched on that and found this article... read to the bottom of the article

http://www.tactical-life.com/online/com ... discharge/

I carry a 1911 in Condition 1, with a holster that uses a thumb break covering the pin. My 1911 is an 80 series with a firing pin safety. I have a couple of 70 series 1911s and I CHOSE to add a light pin/stronger (new) firing pin spring to both of them for my own peace of mind. Be safe out there.

Cheers!

This topic should be taken out back and beaten like the copier from "Office Space".

wylde007 wrote:This topic should be taken out back and beaten like the copier from "Office Space".

Yeah... I think you're right!