OPFOR

All that OT stuff aside...
This is a poor example - the M9, of course, cannot be carried cocked and locked. I've seen two NDs with the M9, and they both happened in SA mode. Both were being held more of less in a "master" grip, so a grip safety would not have prevented them.

All other things being equal, there is a greater chance of an ND with the safety off then with it on. Also, you are opening up one more avenue of attack for the prosecutor/civil liability lawer by intentionally disregarding a built-in safety devise. If I carried an SA pistol with an external safety, I'd use it. As always, YMMV.

__________________
"It makes no difference what men think of war, said the judge. War endures. As well ask men what they think of stone. War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner. That is the way it was and will be. That way and not some other way."

shooter1

I carry my 1911s "Cocked and Locked". My grip, with the shooting hand thumb on the safety disengages the safety without concious thought or effort. BUT:
Given the above XD, and the 1911 in question, both have a reasonable and equal pull weight, how would the XD be safer than the 1911 carried with the safety disengaged?
I know the 1911 has a shorter trigger travel, but your finger is off the trigger until the pistol is presented anyway, right?
With proper gun handling, any gun is safe, without proper handling, no mechanical safety can make a gun safe.
str1

Blackeagle

The XD's got the Glock style trigger safety, so even with the same trigger weight, it's less likely that some object inadvertently coming into contact with the trigger is going to cause an ND.

farronwolf

I do not carry my 1911 cocked and locked, or unlocked. I carry with one in the chamber and the hammer down. It doesn't take any more time realistically to pull a hammer back on the draw, or take the safety off on the draw than than just to draw. My 1911 has a 1.6 lb trigger pull, that is just too light to risk an accidental discharge.

My bersa, I carry with one in the chamber and the safety on, but not cocked. It has a double action first trigger pull, I guess that I could leave the safety off, but I choose to keep it on.

I have seen no good evidence that there will not be time for me to either cock the 1911, or take the safety off the Bersa in a real life situation.

Carry the way you feel comfortable, but keep the lead in the chamber until your on your intended target.

__________________
Just remember that shot placement is much more important with what you carry than how big a bang you get with each trigger pull.

bmwaddicted

I have recently started carrying a 1911. This is the first 1911 I've had, a colt mk iv series 80 officers. I love it and like the grip safety. I do not however like the thumb safety. I see it as a pointless option in my circumstance. I carry a glock 23 at work, and I love the fact that they don't have a external safety. In a self defense situation, I don't want to have to think about anything but drawing my weapon and firing. Despite how 'automatic' an action, such as flipping off a safety, is to you; under extreme stress you might forget. We all can't say for sure until, god forbid, we face that situation. I for one want to eliminate the possibility by not having to use a external safety. I have gone a step further in my G19 I carry off duty. I have drilled and taped a hole in the top of the trigger were it meets the frame. I put in a set screw that I could adjust so that my trigger only went out far enough to reset after each shot. With other modifications i have a G19 with a 3lb trigger, and no safeties. As with my 1911, I carry it cocked and unlocked on a regular basis and feel 100% safe doing so. I practice every week, no matter what. I know for a fact that my waepon is not going to be discharged unless I want it to be. The only safety I need is the one god gave me, my hands.

madengr

There seem to be lots of opinions on locked or unlocked. Does anyone have some hard numbers using a shot timer? I just bought one but I don't think it's going to take me any extra time to take the safety off.

I don't think it's a wise idea to run with a 1911 in hand with the safety off, especially when you are training with 10 other people on the firing line. Of course it's probably not any safer with a glock. I also like switching between the 1911 and AR-15 since the safety is in the same position. Again, it's muscle memory. I don't even have to think about safety on or off, saftey off when on target, saftey on and finger off trigger after finshed scan and asses.

I also think as a CCW holder my formost priority is safety. The odds of having to use my CCW are small; it's not like in a warzone or a LEO. So I'd rather put other's saftey above the small chance that I may forget the safety in an already small chance I need to use my sidearm.

ICTsnub

I also have a series 80 Officers, I think that would make me very uncomfortable holstering that way. What's the logic carrying differently off duty, than on?

sass20485

If you were concerned about Mr. Murphy coming along. Carrying cocked and NOT locked, would be sending an engraved invitation and a limo for him. Not a good idea. Use the safety.

Stetson

The 1911 safety is easy to manipulate.When I carry my Springfield
I carry it cocked and locked with safety on.It's easy to operate if
you are not comfortable do as Madengr says" glock makes a nice spare gun since it has no safety for 1911 shooters ."I agree with his assessment as I carry a glock 17 as my primary.

bmcgilvray

Carry cocked and locked. Give yourself some credit. You can manipulate the safety with a modicum of practice. It's not a bugaboo.