Question on 1911 style or exposed hammer guns

[Adam_SDG]

*warning - NEWBIE question*

This is probably a dumb question. I've done my search but can't find anything on this topic. If you carry a 1911 style or similar pistol cocked - can the hammer be bumped forward and cause a discharge? Or can the gun only be fired by pulling the trigger?

I'm starting to fall in love with the p238 as a small pocket carry option but this has me worried. Figured I'd through it out to the experts. I know that you typically carry cocked AND locked (meaning safety on - I assume?) but this issue still concerns me.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[ghost tracker]

Single-action autoloading centerfire handguns are regularly & very safely carried in "Condition 1" (loaded chamber, hammer back, safety engaged). There are a LOT of firearms that are carried in the exactly same scenario, you just can't see the hammer. Don't let that freak you out.

[Adam_SDG]

Right - my question is - can the hammer be bumped forward and cause the gun to discharge? In other words if I had a round in the chamber and manually pulled the hammer back and then pushed it forward on purpose - would this fire a round?

[mulle46]

Not on a modern firearm in good working order.

[Devilsclaw]

Not on a 1911. Inertial firing pin. Plus the hammer has a safety catch (sometimes referred to as "half-cock") designed to catch the sear in the event the sear comes off the hammer at full cock. Series 80s also have a firing pin safety that locks the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled. The firing pin requires a full strike from the hammer to fire. It physically isn't long enough to protrude without inertial force.
That doesn't even consider the manual thumb safety and the grip safety. A 1911 is about as "safe" a pistol as you can get.

Most of the SA/DA models have some sort of trigger activated interlock. Modern DA revolvers have a hammer block so that even if the hammer slips off the sear, unless the trigger is pulled, the firing pin is blocked from being contacted by the hammer.

Bottom line, don't worry about it unless you start monkeying around with it, I suppose if a guy played around with it enough in front of the TV, you might get it to fire.

[OD*]

Right - my question is - can the hammer be bumped forward and cause the gun to discharge? In other words if I had a round in the chamber and manually pulled the hammer back and then pushed it forward on purpose - would this fire a round?

Only if you could push it forward hard enough to break the sear, and the odds of that are astronomical.

[SFury]

With newer firearms, they are designed with various safety measures, depending on the gun type, to prevent you from shooting a round off accidently. Assuming your firearm is maintained properly, there should be minimal risk.

[Thunder71]

What I don't like about the P238 (and P938) is that unlike a 1911, there is no grip safety - but there is a harder trigger pull along with the safety.

[Jesters Dead]

With a holster designed to carry the 228 or 938 and a good gun belt, you can carry with confidence. Even if you did flip the thumb safety off, the trigger is protected by the holster.

As long as you practice good gun safety procedures and don't go all DEA, you're good-to-go.

[dukalmighty]

I carry a 1911 daily,I got a better chance of catching Cooties from my wife ,than my hammer hitting the firing pin without me actually pulling the trigger after disengaging the thumb and grip safety

[archer51]

As long as you don't touch the trigger, there shouldn't be a problem. DO NOT attempt to pocket carry without a holster to cover the trigger.

[NMB]

There would have to be a massive mechanical failure. Keep your finger off the trigger, and guns wont go boom.

[Stevew]

I have a gun very simlar to the 238, a Colt Government Model 380. I do not use it for pocket carry. I like my LCP much better for pocket carry.

[joker1]

You need a GLOCK, no pesky hammers or manual safety.

[Adam_SDG]

You need a GLOCK, no pesky hammers or manual safety.

If Glock comes out with a pocket 380 I'll consider it. I have Ruger SR9c right now and have begun to carry it. But I want to have a smaller 380 as a BUG or when my dress is only suitable for pocket carry.