Firearms without External Safety, etc.

preachertim · January 11th, 2009, 10:30 PM

One of my first pistols was a Phoenix 22. That thing had more safeties that if I ever had to use it I would have been in trouble. After Owning that Gun it seemed that every Gun I looked at that I wanted to be able to see a switch that showed me that the Gun was safe. I was mislead by my own ignorance.An inanimate object was not going to get me hurt but my own ignorance. Take time to learn about your firearms, especially the ones you will carry. Read about them and ask Questions. These guys on here are some of the smartest around.Pm one of them and you will find out. However The reason I am writing this is so that any newbies out there are concerned about external safeties on there firearm and CCW I would like to give you some encouragement. Be Patient, Be Prepared and Be Safe.This is one area when i first started carrying realized that I was not Comfortable. I wanted to carry a firearm but seemed unprepared. I now carry a KahrCW40 that has no external safety and that has taken alot of personal growth and learning about firearms and safety. The most important safety is not on the gun!
Godspeed & Be Safe

jfl · January 11th, 2009, 10:39 PM

Absolutely !!!

"From the time an individual picks up a firearm, that person becomes a part of a system over which he has complete control. He is the only part of the system that can make a gun safe - or unsafe. "
from the Mossberg manual

Or as I say it: "The only safety is between your ears"

C9H13NO3 · January 11th, 2009, 10:44 PM

Also, external safeties can fail. It's a mechanical device.

My P229 DAK has an internal safety (trigger activated firing pin block) so if by some wierd way the hammer drops without the trigger being pulled (maybe a worn sear?) it will not discharge. Barring that, I know that the only way my pistol is going to fire, is if I put my finger on that trigger and pull it (which of course, will only happen when I fully intend to fire, thanks to my following the safety rules).

concealed · January 11th, 2009, 10:46 PM

I agree. My holster is another safety and one some people do not count. A good holster, and DO NOT take gun out of holster except to use, or to place in storage when not CC.

Seems like common sense to most of us, but I know some that treat it like a picture of a family member.

cwblanco · January 11th, 2009, 11:08 PM

I wish to offer one caveat about carrying a firearm without a safety. Do not carry in a pocket without a holster. Do not carry IWB without a holster. In fact do not carry without a holster period -- unless using a case or a briefcase [and even then it may be advisable to have it in a holster].

As to a safety -- Even a manual safety can fail or unknowingly be turned off. Thus, one must never become over reliant on the presence of a manual safety.

I love Glocks and similarly made pistols. However, I must admit that the addition of the grip safety on my XD gives me an additional feeling of safety. Further, we all should be mindful of the ever present "laws of Murphy." There are many good careful shooters whose lives were unexpectedly upset by the the law of Murphy.

frankmako · January 11th, 2009, 11:17 PM

the best safety is to keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire. safety or no safety, training is what counts when it comes to your carry gun.

Ram Rod · January 11th, 2009, 11:23 PM

BJC · January 11th, 2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by preachertim

This is one area when i first started carrying realized that I was not Comfortable. I wanted to carry a firearm but seemed unprepared.

+1. When I first got my pistol (XD40 cubcompact), I would wear it around the house in a holster awaiting my permit. At first, it was a little uncomfortable - and the gun wasn't even loaded. After a few weeks of carrying an unloaded firearm, going over the operation everyday, and researching others' comments it became natural to shoot/clean/carry. Understanding the operations and being well practiced in them will aid greatly in reducing the awkwardness of it.

BJ

Klaatu · February 22nd, 2009, 08:31 PM

I would not trade any of my Sig DA/SA pistols for any other variety. I know the pros and cons and make my choices.

IMO, the most important safety factors are the training and mindset of the person, situational awareness and a good holster. If one has those covered, what is actually in the holster is a matter of personal preference.

Papabri · March 8th, 2009, 02:08 PM

I started carrying a year ago - a Bersa .380 CC IWB, because it concealed well and has a visible, tactile external safety.

I have been encouraged to carry my GL 22, and a friend loaned me a really nice Galco SIL228 with a thumb snap. I was amazed at how comfortable, and light it feels, even with a heavier weapon.

I'll be using that for my first tactical course next week, but admit I'm still uneasy about the no-safety thing.

January 11th, 2009, 10:30 PM	#1
preachertim Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 597	Firearms without External Safety, etc. One of my first pistols was a Phoenix 22. That thing had more safeties that if I ever had to use it I would have been in trouble. After Owning that Gun it seemed that every Gun I looked at that I wanted to be able to see a switch that showed me that the Gun was safe. I was mislead by my own ignorance.An inanimate object was not going to get me hurt but my own ignorance. Take time to learn about your firearms, especially the ones you will carry. Read about them and ask Questions. These guys on here are some of the smartest around.Pm one of them and you will find out. However The reason I am writing this is so that any newbies out there are concerned about external safeties on there firearm and CCW I would like to give you some encouragement. Be Patient, Be Prepared and Be Safe.This is one area when i first started carrying realized that I was not Comfortable. I wanted to carry a firearm but seemed unprepared. I now carry a KahrCW40 that has no external safety and that has taken alot of personal growth and learning about firearms and safety. The most important safety is not on the gun! Godspeed & Be Safe __________________ Why Would A Preacher ever need a Gun? Its Not for the Sheep , its for the Wolves! Springfield Armory Service XD 40 Taurus PT 1911 45 acp Ruger 22/45 Ruger P95 9mm, Ruger SR9 Kahr CW 40, Heritage 22, Rossi 38 special

January 11th, 2009, 10:39 PM	#2
jfl Distinguished Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Palm Beach County, FL Posts: 1,344	Absolutely !!! "From the time an individual picks up a firearm, that person becomes a part of a system over which he has complete control. He is the only part of the system that can make a gun safe - or unsafe. " from the Mossberg manual Or as I say it: "The only safety is between your ears" __________________ The first rule of a gunfight: "Don't be there !" jfl (NRA Life Member/Instructor - GOA - IDPA - GSSF - ex-IHMSA)

January 11th, 2009, 10:44 PM	#3
C9H13NO3 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,153	Also, external safeties can fail. It's a mechanical device. My P229 DAK has an internal safety (trigger activated firing pin block) so if by some wierd way the hammer drops without the trigger being pulled (maybe a worn sear?) it will not discharge. Barring that, I know that the only way my pistol is going to fire, is if I put my finger on that trigger and pull it (which of course, will only happen when I fully intend to fire, thanks to my following the safety rules). __________________ -Ryan All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

January 11th, 2009, 11:17 PM	#6
frankmako VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 2,482	the best safety is to keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire. safety or no safety, training is what counts when it comes to your carry gun. __________________ An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject. Red State State of Mind

January 11th, 2009, 11:23 PM	#7
Ram Rod VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: crawford county, arkansas Posts: 8,637	__________________ RamRod-----sans remords live, eat, breathe, sleep Glock

January 11th, 2009, 10:46 PM	#4
concealed Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 468	I agree. My holster is another safety and one some people do not count. A good holster, and DO NOT take gun out of holster except to use, or to place in storage when not CC. Seems like common sense to most of us, but I know some that treat it like a picture of a family member.

January 11th, 2009, 11:08 PM	#5
cwblanco Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Amarillo, Texas Posts: 686	I wish to offer one caveat about carrying a firearm without a safety. Do not carry in a pocket without a holster. Do not carry IWB without a holster. In fact do not carry without a holster period -- unless using a case or a briefcase [and even then it may be advisable to have it in a holster]. As to a safety -- Even a manual safety can fail or unknowingly be turned off. Thus, one must never become over reliant on the presence of a manual safety. I love Glocks and similarly made pistols. However, I must admit that the addition of the grip safety on my XD gives me an additional feeling of safety. Further, we all should be mindful of the ever present "laws of Murphy." There are many good careful shooters whose lives were unexpectedly upset by the the law of Murphy.

February 22nd, 2009, 08:31 PM	#9
Klaatu Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 153	I would not trade any of my Sig DA/SA pistols for any other variety. I know the pros and cons and make my choices. IMO, the most important safety factors are the training and mindset of the person, situational awareness and a good holster. If one has those covered, what is actually in the holster is a matter of personal preference.

March 8th, 2009, 02:08 PM	#10
Papabri New Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 8	I started carrying a year ago - a Bersa .380 CC IWB, because it concealed well and has a visible, tactile external safety. I have been encouraged to carry my GL 22, and a friend loaned me a really nice Galco SIL228 with a thumb snap. I was amazed at how comfortable, and light it feels, even with a heavier weapon. I'll be using that for my first tactical course next week, but admit I'm still uneasy about the no-safety thing. __________________ "The most foolish mistake we could make would be to allow the subject peoples to possess arms. So let's not have any talk about native militias." -Adolph Hitler

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