Perception is reality

[Timezoneguy]

I saw my (adult) son at a family function the other day. I carry my 1911 like 1911's are designed to be carried, cocked and locked. He happened by in the kitchen and said wow, you got the hammer back and I bet you have one in the pipe. I replied yes I do. My son is a gun nut like me. I was surprised at his alarm. Here is my point. If you carry a glock ( I like glocks) or any other auto that is ready to go somewhere in or on that gun is a hammer or what ever you call it under spring tension waiting for the mechanical permission ( trigger pull) to strike the primer. His perception that the hammer was back would not have been an issue had I been carrying a glock or similar type weapon because you cant see the hammer/striker. Always remember that perception is more important than reality.

People open carrying a chrome .44 mag are more shocking than grandma and her .22 derringer. Why is that?

PS. I make exception for DAO pistols.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[lordofwyr]

Technically the Glock striker is at a half cock state when the slide has been racked, and there is a drop pin blocking it from going forward until the trigger is pulled, at which time the striker goes to full cock, is released, the blocker pin is out of the way from the pulled trigger and the striker can move full forward, striking the primer.

That said, a modern 1911 cocked and locked the way I once carried, with a thumb break between the hammer and the firing pin (or even without unless you pull the trigger) is as safe as an unloaded weapon. I have never heard of one failing to the point of discharge by mechanical means without a LOT of help.

Nice little article here on that:

Is Cocked and Locked Dangerous?

[Elk Hunter]

I had to make the same point to my son a few days ago prior to the purchase of his handgun. During the discussion the guy behind the counter offered that you could carry the 1911 with the hammer down. I just wanted to slap him. I explained to my son how to get the hammer down and that you would have to cock it before using it. The light came on and he had no desire to carry a 1911 with the hammer down. He did look at a few other guns which allowed me to explain the use of a de-cocker.

[retsupt99]

Some people are walking encyclopedias...they know everything!
It can be difficult giving them 'experienced advice'.OMO

[nedrgr21]

Great, you've got my eye twitching. I cannot stand that particular saying/attitude. It is the acceptance of another person's ignorance or the justification of lying to others. Just b/c someone perceives something as being true, does not make their belief true. Just b/c the audience perceives a woman is cut in half, doesn't mean she is half the person she used to be. The first time I heard it was a sales manager justifying the lies and omissions he told to sales staff and he and the staff told to customers. It's right up there with political correctness in the list of what's screwed up in this country.

Glad you straightened him out.

[adric22]

His perception that the hammer was back would not have been an issue had I been carrying a glock or similar type weapon because you cant see the hammer/striker. Always remember that perception is more important than reality.

You know, I never actually thought about it before. But you are definitely right. Seeing two people carrying chambered, holstered weapons where one is a 1911 and the other is a Glock, there is a definite perception difference. The irony is that the 1911 (if it has the safety turned on) might actually be less likely to be accidentally discharged than the Glock.

Still, you'd have to be somewhat familiar with pistols in general to really even notice the hammer on a 1911 and know what it does. So I'd say for the average anti-gun sheeple, they would probably not be impacted one way or another. All they see is a gun, and of course all guns are evil killing machines whether they are cocked or not.

[claude clay]

as you said in the opening--Perception trumps reality

the mayor of Hartford recently had his picture taken on the streets --standing next to a bled out youth and
his statement was to the effect that--These things do not happen in my city. im basically ncespeechless as he is standing with the evidence and saying it does not happen-- and the news organizations go along with it--reporting as he says rather than what the picture shows.

in all fairness, he and the mayor before him were both gang captains 20 years ago on the same streets.