Cocked & Locked Open Carry

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Springfeildkid585

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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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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 ;)
 
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.
 
bp231986 said:
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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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.
 
Springfeildkid585 said:
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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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. :)
 
Open carry makes people uncomfortable as it stands, but cocked & locked makes more people uncomfortable,
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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
 
Bob R said:
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
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Sounds about right to me. Good advice. C&L is the way you carry a 1911.
 
Condition 1, always.

If they anybody tells you it looks dangerous with the hammer back, tell Them "Only to the bad guy"
 
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.
 
Springfeildkid585 said:
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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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.
 
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.

CommanderMagPouch014.jpg






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

Para-Ordance.jpg


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
 
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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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.
 
poordevil said:
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.
Click to expand...

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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