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Tangle - for me mechanical safeties are ''might-be's". :smile:
By that I mean I have NEVER placed total trust in them - handgun or rifle. Arguably, a safety like on an Enfield rifle - is perhaps about as trustworthy as they get - seeing as how it locks the mechanism so totally.
With 1911 of course we have main safety and the grip safety - a very good combination IMO for condition #1 carry. When I carried my BHP C&L however - I was less happy than had it been a 1911 - only reason I did actually do it was cos the safety on my BHP Practical (an ambi) has a very positive detent and so it is very much on or off.
I do feel myself that the brain is a major safety device - in as much as even on a bad day - if we religiously follow the four rules then there should be no mishaps. Needless to say as we know - alcohol/drugs and guns do not mix - and there the brain safety can (could) be compromized.
That said I still consider that with enough attention to the four rules - even if we are overtired, perhaps a tad sluggish from a coupla late day beers at home - ''rule instinct'' should still apply. I may have said before when we discussed intoxication or tiredness - I personally find I still have my ''voice of reason'' - even if I am physically slowed. It is the ability to rationalize and analyze even when less than fully compos mentis.
Thus - for me anyways I follow the ''gun is always loaded'' route - and pay greatest attention to rule #2 ..... such that if I did screw up at least a discharge will go safe in direction.
One thing I find quite a drawback at times is, when dry firing I have to remember that I can use the trigger!!! This after numerous checks for empty. I am so imbued with ''finger off trigger'' - I just hope in extremeis I get to use it fast :biggrin:. No - I jest - because I manage perfectly alright in IDPA!
Perhaps the best is exploitation of all safety avenues - the gun and the mind - both together.
By that I mean I have NEVER placed total trust in them - handgun or rifle. Arguably, a safety like on an Enfield rifle - is perhaps about as trustworthy as they get - seeing as how it locks the mechanism so totally.
With 1911 of course we have main safety and the grip safety - a very good combination IMO for condition #1 carry. When I carried my BHP C&L however - I was less happy than had it been a 1911 - only reason I did actually do it was cos the safety on my BHP Practical (an ambi) has a very positive detent and so it is very much on or off.
I do feel myself that the brain is a major safety device - in as much as even on a bad day - if we religiously follow the four rules then there should be no mishaps. Needless to say as we know - alcohol/drugs and guns do not mix - and there the brain safety can (could) be compromized.
That said I still consider that with enough attention to the four rules - even if we are overtired, perhaps a tad sluggish from a coupla late day beers at home - ''rule instinct'' should still apply. I may have said before when we discussed intoxication or tiredness - I personally find I still have my ''voice of reason'' - even if I am physically slowed. It is the ability to rationalize and analyze even when less than fully compos mentis.
Thus - for me anyways I follow the ''gun is always loaded'' route - and pay greatest attention to rule #2 ..... such that if I did screw up at least a discharge will go safe in direction.
One thing I find quite a drawback at times is, when dry firing I have to remember that I can use the trigger!!! This after numerous checks for empty. I am so imbued with ''finger off trigger'' - I just hope in extremeis I get to use it fast :biggrin:. No - I jest - because I manage perfectly alright in IDPA!
Perhaps the best is exploitation of all safety avenues - the gun and the mind - both together.
