I am traveling to Arizona in two weeks to visit some family. As per AZ law, I have to open carry as I am under 21 (I am 19 and licensed to carry in my home state of Indiana). I am used to hip carry of my 1911A1, and have done so in both condition one and condition two, but I always do so with a cover garment. I have decided to buy a nicer holster for this venture. I figure if it's going to been seen, I might as well make it look nice. The holster I'm looking at uses a thumb break and can be ordered for condition one or condition two. Open carry makes people uncomfortable as it stands, but cocked & locked makes more people uncomfortable, but cocked & locked is quicker if I have to use it. I'm not looking for trouble, I just want to protect my family and myself. Any advice from anyone more experienced with open carrying a 1911 is appreciated.

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Just the opinion of a kid

Dont know the laws in your area about carry and should not matter if its a 1911, glock, M&P or whatever it is a gun is a gun, As long as your abiding by the law, go on about your day as you usually do. And as far as any body giving you a dirty look because you carry, SMILE and say she's beautiful isnt she

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Aim small miss small

What we have here is a revolting development. We shoot how we practice. Contact the S.O. in the county where you will be and ask for their training officer for advice. He will know the department policy and can fill you in . Your age may be a problem.

The reason I mentioned it being a 1911 is due to the situation of "Cocked & Locked" or Condition One Carry, as there are not many single action semi-autos to my knowledge. The idea is in the hammer being back, many construe the hammer back as a threat or someone "looking for trouble", but it's a lot faster than cocking the hammer after drawing it. As it's not double action, when I pull the trigger with the hammer down, nothing happens. My concern is not in the law, it's in public dealings. She is quite beautiful indeed, imho it's tough to beat a 1911A1 with cocobolo grips as far as semi-autos go.

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Just the opinion of a kid

Then just carry it cocked and locked. I dont think its viewed as someone looking for trouble. Lots of my friends carry that way others carry and dont even have one in the pipe. Do what you feel is best in preparation for the very small chance that you will need to use your weapon.

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Aim small miss small

If OC does not make you uncomfortable, then it is not really your concern if others are uncomfortable. You are obeying the law and are doing nothing that is not done hundreds of times daily in AZ. BTW, most people won't notice the gun and they sure won't noticed if it is cocked. If any one happens to mention it, be polite, thank them and be on to whatever business you are doing. Don't try to explain the ins and outs of OC, cocked and locked, etc to people who may not understand. You could be there a while.

bob

Sounds about right to me. Good advice. C&L is the way you carry a 1911.

"Sounds about right to me. Good advice. C&L is the way you carry a 1911."

Agree 100%....

Condition 1, always.

If they anybody tells you it looks dangerous with the hammer back, tell Them "Only to the bad guy"

Carrying a 1911 in any condition other than C&L is a waste of time.

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner

And dangerous.
I suppose I could make an argument for anything other than condition 2.

Condition ONE my friend.

Emory

Condition One it is. Thank you all for your advice. I tend toward c&l as it is, just wanted to make sure I didn't look like some dumb kid trying to get in a gun fight or intimidate people. As I said, my preference is concealed carry, I feel better knowing the only people who know I have it, saw me put it on when we left the house. But as it stands, open carry is the law, and I respect the law where the law respects me.

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Just the opinion of a kid

You had the good sense to ask and truly listen to the advice, that makes you a young man in my book, not a kid. Kid's know it all. JMO.

Funny thing I've found about knowing it all; in order to know it all, you have to learn it all, in order to learn it all, you have to ask.

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Just the opinion of a kid

A long time ago I used to CCW a Colt Series 80 Gov't. Model. I would carry it with one in the chamber and the hammer down - perfectly safe with a Series 80 version.

Since the mid 80's I have carried a revolver, and I must admit that I for one was never a big fan of Cocked & Locked for civilian carry - an accident waiting to happen IMHO. If you are expecting immediate trouble, then yes I could see it, but even as a gun owner and CCW holder for 35 years, it does not appeal to me.

I realize I might be in the minority here, but this is just one reason that I carry a wheel gun. Be careful.

Chief38

Ranger Charlie Miller reportedly carried his Gov't model on half cock,
just shov'd inside his waist band...A range office at a qualification one time 'quired,
Mr. Miller isn't that dangerous?

Miller's retort, "Hell Son, if that damn'd old thing wasn't dangerous, I wouldn't be carryin' it."

I most certainly ain't no Charley Miller and I don't carry on half-cock.
But, I do carry my Gov't models in the manner that they were intended to be.







Or ya could go with one of the Para Ordnance LDA models that allows hammer down carry. (For dancin' and such)



I just wear my pistol like I wear my britches...Up where they belong and go on about my business.

Just obey the the statues and go 'bout your business.

Su Amigo,
Dave

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

That's some kinda good lookin' rig you got there Dave.

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Centennial Every Day

Springfeildkid585,

When you have time Google Cylinder and Slide or go to their website for their SAFETY FAST SHOOTING SYSTEM (SFS). This system allows you to push the hammer forward into the Hammer Down position BUT THE 1911 IS STILL ACTUALLY COCKED AND LOCKED.

When the safety is removed upon the drawing move, the hammer automatically jumps back into the rock and roll position.

This system was developed to put a VISUAL peace of mind to others looking at the firearm. The 1911 IS COCKED AND LOCKED, but it does not appear to be in that CONDITION 1 state as the hammer appears to be down.

The kit from Cylinder and Slide is a drop-in swap out parts deal. Many people I show it to are impressed, especially some Law Enforcement at my gun club..

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

Here in Yuma....which is in Arizona, there is a Black guy who open carries a large Stainless steel revolver ( maybe a 686). He wheres a cowboy hat, boots and a very large oval, colorful, Confederate Flag belt buckle. Nobody here gives him a second look...except me I guess.

All of AZ is gun friendly , except I have heard, but have no first hand knowledge, that Tucson is maybe a little less so.

A 1911 is meant to be carried cocked and locked. That right there should answer your delema.

Yuma is on my list of places, I plan on stopping in at Loot's Casino well I'm down. It's been too long since I've had their chili cheese dog.

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Just the opinion of a kid

I think anyone who would be bothered by someone open carrying a 1911 will be equally bothered no matter what condition it is carried.

Cocked & locked for sure. A 1911 carried any other way makes no sense to me. Examine your reasons for carrying. Then realizes if you ever need to draw, your time and/or ability to rack the slide could cost you your life (or someone else theirs). Being prepared with your carry condition is the smart way to go. Enjoy your trip and chili cheese dog.

It’s been a few years since I lived in AZ, and I am not an attorney so this is not legal advice, but…

As long as you were thoroughly aware of where you may or may not carry, hammer down or cocked and locked really didn't matter.

I lived in Sierra Vista, AZ (and traveled elsewhere around AZ) for several years both before and after AZ went "shall issue" CHL. OC was permitted, but only a relatively small part of the population seemed to do so. OC never seemed to bother anyone though (at least not noticeably) when they saw someone walking around town or into a Circle K (or whatever) with a gun on their hip. Not once was I ever questioned about how I carried my Colt Government Model (cocked and locked, by the way). My open carry was queried about once by a tourist, but in a positive way. I saw less OC in Tucson than I did in the smaller towns, but I did see it even there.

In my experience, if approached, just be cool about, be polite and say the minimum necessary, and then go about your own business.

Does anyone have a link to the exact Arizona laws surrounding open carry, I'm just trying to brush up to make sure I do so in a 100% legal manner. I have seen it before, but can't seem to find it anymore.

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Just the opinion of a kid

I was in Loutes just last Friday. By the way.....In AZ one can not carry in a place that serves Alcohol. If one forgets, and goes inside with your gun in your pocket, and no one knows, then ......... But if you wonder in with it on your hip in full view, then you may get in big trouble....Loutes serves Beer, so be careful.

P

The problem with hammer down carry is that frequently you're busy fighting off an attacker when you need to be cocking the hammer.

More parts to break...and all it gets you is maybe making other people more comfortable.

If they're that close, I'm not drawing my gun, I'm retaining it with my right hand and drawing my weak-side knife.

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Just the opinion of a kid

Only Problem with that is having to lower the hammer on a live round. That is when he ND happens most often.
And hammer down on a series 80 is no safer than on a non FP safety 1911. The only way the firing pin can hit the primer is being struck by the hammer. A 1911 Cocked and locked is a lot safer than a Glock IMHO and just as safe as any wheelgun.
But, if we all like the same things what fun would that be. I do know people who just can not bring them selves to carry a 1911 because they do not trust the cocked and locked. They love shooting a 1911, but carry something else.