I practice most often with my 320 which came with its skeletonized flat trigger. So consistency is exactly why I installed Sig’s flat trigger on my 365.
I like a manual safety on my EDC, as I’m very active, it does give me a little more confidence, so that I can carry with one in the chamber.
Mr. Michalowski in this main subject post/video (above) makes a compelling point. What if though, you already own or want to own, a semi-auto with a manual (thumb) type safety?
Two differing views on using the external safety are presented videos below. They reminded me about carrying one in the chamber or not. As someone else mentioned, to not carry one in the chamber is not wrong, as it’s better than not carrying at all.
So those who have thumb safety levers, do you keep them on or off when carrying? When and why?
Not using a thumb safety…
Using a thumb safety…
Unless you get killed because of the time it takes to chamber a round or get killed because you experience a malfunction while chambering the round
Same with a safety.
It’s fine as long as
you don’t forget to switch it off under stress or you don’t slow yourself down to the point of losing the fight
Whatever safety feature is applied it won’t be a problem if you train and practice to disengage it on time.
Nothing more, nothing less…
It’s not that I’m too old to learn, but I don’t have time for the endless debate on manual safeties. From my point of view, it’s perpetuated by people trying to sell things. “Oh, your firearm has a thumb safety? You’ll probably die. Glocks are on sale, this week.”
I know how to use my firearm. If I want to rig it up so that I have to prime the pump and hold it upside-down to fire it, that’s my business and no one else’s.
No real preference, I do as well with or without. For instance I prefer to carry my 1911 Condition 1. LCP condition 1 also . But It functions just as well with out the safety. To me its preference. Finger placement and following firearms safety protacol.
Many years of manual safety caused me to think long and hard before I bought a gun without one. Comfortable either way now!
Does your car or truck have a parking brake?
In 1960 (or there about’s) when my father taught me to drive he taught that itwas a useless nuisance that would freeze up in the winter. Don’t touch it!
Not all Manuel safeties are equal. Some are designed well, but many are just after thoughts thrown on a gun to attract a wider base.
I wish I had one without a safety how tbh . I was happy with having a safety while learning how to holster with one in the pipe!
I started hating the safety when I started moving my thumb over to my other hand (I was experiencing failures to lock back with the Shield 45). I could tell it was over complicating a simple process.
draw, knock off safety, move thumb
Now it’s
draw, thumb goes to the side right away
Probably wouldn’t be a big deal in a real scenario, but I’m constantly evolving my set up for me .
I think safeties you can ride awork well (1911 or M&P 2.0 not shield safety).
I still think there’s value in a little extra safety with holstering, but everything comes with a trade off. There’s a better chance your shoot yourself reholstering than actually needing the gun in a fight.
BUT if I ever have to carry my shield, I’ll probably just leave the safety off. I use Kydex holsters and I know it’ll stay put (I think @45IPAC recommended that awhile back.). I don’t carry it often and I’m not going to drop hundreds of dollars to get a non safety model.
I am curious about that Glock “Gadget though”. I like how it’s passive and makes reholstering a little safer.
I’m not a SME, but I believe the value of a manual safety is actually so you don’t shoot your buddy when you’re working in teams. There may be situations where a team member needs to cross my line of fire. Putting my firearm on safe allows me to keep my muzzle pointed the right general direction without accidentally shooting the good guys who are on the move. We practice this… All. The. Time. To the point where flicking the safety lever is an unconscious step in pulling the trigger.
You might never be in this situation, and maybe a manual safety doesn’t matter. But I’ve been trained this way, and I don’t see any value in trying to erase decades of muscle memory. So to repeat what everyone keeps saying, carry what you’re comfortable carrying.
EDIT: There’s some concern that I think it’s ok to point firearms at each other so long as you have a safety. That was not my intent. I’m merely addressing the purpose of the manual safety. It’s not merely a re-holstering lever, it’s to prevent accidents. In complex, high stress situations, that one extra feature could help avoid fratricide.
Upon shooting my 1911 .45 acp I have shot several rounds down range and low and behold the trigger would not fire. I slapped the magazine then went to pull back the slide and it was a no go situation. I realize then that my thumb pushed the safety on while shooting. This was performed quickly and had me thinking about it. This probably had to deal with my grip being improper and moving on me while I was shooting. Now that I have that information I can work on paying more attention while training to have a regular systematic grip. I know I tend to relax after shooting for a while and this is not good! Practice and train! and have a great day!
I like my Glocks (stiker fire, no safety). But you’ve gotta train well with them! For CC, I don’t want a safety mechanism getting in my way, my finger is my safety! Otherwise, anything goes!
I just used loctite to lock the thumb safety on my Shield in the off position. Has stayed locked down through lots of rounds.
Hey former service members, you know what has a manual safety on it, these days? The M2. No fooling. No more sticking a round under the butterfly trigger to keep Gomer from shooting deer, there’s a genuine safety on the thing after 100 years of faithful service.
Also, no headspace and timing. Just switch barrels and keep shooting. It’s the weirdest thing.
I have some with and without. My carry gun does not. Long ago I would have said it was crazy to not have one but I guess I have evolved like our weapons have.