Conceled carry advice

[wdk535]

Yeah, but DA revolvers have a much stronger trigger pull (approx. 12 lb). Practically impossible to get accidental discharge.

 

[wdk535]

I had a model 10 for years & traded it in on 9c (no safety). The trigger pull is about half of the 10 so I'm still trying to get my courage up to carry it with one in the chamber.

Besides I saw a guy on a cop show that carried it that way so it's got to be okay, right?

 

[Rastoff]

No, not asking if it is legal, just wanted advice. I guess I just wanted to have someone tell me that I'm not stupid for doing it.

You are not stupid for asking this question or for carrying an M&P without a safety.

Where do you live? I have a full size M&P .45 with a thumb safety that you are welcome to come and shoot. It might give you some perspective.

As far as the CCW application goes; just submit it. You can always change the gun(s) later. It only costs a few dollars.

 

[ca survivor]

millions of CCed Glocks with out thumb safety, having said that the MPs I buy have to have a thumb safety, but I'm used to carry 1911s is just a personal thing, just buy a good holster that covers the trigger area.

 

[Venenoindy]

The only safety you ever need is between your ears .

 

[Rpg]

I'm real old fashioned.

What makes the most difference is knowing the manual of arms with your handgun. This means LOTS of hands on repetition. Thousands of repetitions presenting your handgun from the leather. 99% of this can be done dry in your living room. Likewise thousands of rounds of dry fire.

I prefer Colt 1911's. The thumb safety is part of my muscle memory : how I grip, where my thumb goes (and stays: on top of the thumb safety), where my index finger goes, and when.

I think the biggest problem is finding a shooting location where you can actually shoot from the leather: few ranges allow it, so most folks don't get to actually practice shooting from the leather. And most folks won't do the homework (thousands of presentations from the leather) at home.

The safety less firearms scare me - in the hands of the incompetent. Unfortunately, few folks put in the time to develop the skills necessary to become competent.

In my experience, ND's are much more common with safety less handguns than with 1911 style handguns. Not only are garden variety NDs more common with non safety handguns, they are more likely to inflict injury on the gun owner: I know of ten NDs holstering a weapon using a polymer, striker fired non safety pistol for every similar ND with a 1911 type. I admit this isn't a scientific survey: just represents ND's I know about over the last 35 years


I think folks would do better putting in the time to learn the thumb safety than try to do without it

Just my opinion, of course.

 

[mcmar]

I agree with everyone...I have a9c w/o a thumb safety and I CC all the time. Fee very comfortable. But my question is why do you need to id your CC firemarn on your CC application? I know allot of CCers that carry many different guns, depending on many different reasons.

 

[Neumann]

The M&P has at least two safeties which operate passively.

There is a latch in the trigger which locks the trigger unless depressed. The main purpose of this safety is to prevent the trigger from moving if the pistol is dropped.

Secondly, the firing pin is positively blocked unless the trigger is pulled. The pin is unlocked in the short travel distance of the trigger before the sear is disengaged.

A possible third safety is that the firing pin is not fully cocked until the trigger is pulled.

Some pistols have a thumb safety, which generally locks the trigger and sear when engaged. Some have a grip safety which must be depressed by your hand in order to fire.

Either design is relatively safe (a completely safe firearm would be one which doesn't shoot), when used with due diligence.

Many people carry a 1911 style pistol, which is carried cocked and loaded, with both a thumb and grip safety to lock the hammer. You must remember to release the safety, and put it back on when re-holstering. That's part of the manual of arms, easily learned with training and practice. You must be thoroughly familiar with any weapon you carry for self defense (or any other purpose).

 

[Worshipbass12]

No, not asking if it is legal, just wanted advice. I guess I just wanted to have someone tell me that I'm not stupid for doing it.

You're not stupid for doing it


Sent from my SCH-S738C using Tapatalk

 

[Rastoff]

A possible third safety is that the firing pin is not fully cocked until the trigger is pulled.

This is incorrect. The striker on an M&P is fully cocked once you rack the slide. It may move another .00001" as you pull the trigger, but if the sear were to simply fall on its own, which it won't, the striker would have enough force to fire the round (assuming the striker block miraculously moved out of the way, which it wouldn't).

 

[redrock]

As I understand it, the M&P 45 slide mounted safety was only added per the military contract they were competiting for. For me, the 1911 thumb safety is located perfectly, whereas the M&P safety is awkward is comparison. It doesn't feel positive in engagement either. Thought the natural choice for someone weaned on a 1911 would be an M&P with a safety. Didn't work as I had hoped and I've since abandoned the safety idea on the M&P. I would actually prefer the safety if it worked as well as the 1911 safety, but taint so. The grip safety on the 1911 has always been problematic for me and I find that I need to pin the grip safety to be sure something like a bungled presentation keeps it from going bang every time. Glock ain't perfect either I've seen aftermarket slide mounted safeties added for those who aren't comfortable with the factory setup.

 

[Rastoff]

As I understand it, the M&P 45 slide mounted safety was only added per the military contract they were competiting for.

Can you cite a source for this information?

For me, the 1911 thumb safety is located perfectly, whereas the M&P safety is awkward is comparison. It doesn't feel positive in engagement either.

The thumb safety on my M&P .45 feels quite positive to me. Different strokes...

The grip safety on the 1911 has always been problematic for me and I find that I need to pin the grip safety to be sure something like a bungled presentation keeps it from going bang every time.

This is a grip issue and not a grip safety issue. Pinning the grip safety on a 1911 is never a good idea. But, that's a discussion for another thread.

 

[redrock]

Can you cite a source for this information?

I've read this several places previously, but I'll leave you with a comment from our own authority, Fastbolt:

"When I originally asked about the thumb safety on a demo M&P 45, I was told that it had originally been developed because of an anticipated military bid spec for submission in some then-pending potential new military pistol testing (limited issue, not to replace the M9)."

From: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/167478-question-m-p-45-a.html#post135744002

The thumb safety on my M&P .45 feels quite positive to me. Different strokes...

If it worked as well as on the 1911 for me, I would have been fine with it. It doesn't, in both location and feel.

This is a grip issue and not a grip safety issue. Pinning the grip safety on a 1911 is never a good idea. But, that's a discussion for another thread.

It is a redundant safety that was born out a Calvary concern with horseback riders being able to safely reholster in hurry. Not everyone can reliably and consistently engage the 1911 grip safety, even with the best and most dedicated training. You can't train away a poor mechanical interface caused by unworkable hand proportions.

 

[Rastoff]

Not everyone can reliably and consistently engage the 1911 grip safety, even with the best and most dedicated training. You can't train away a poor mechanical interface caused by unworkable hand proportions.

While it may be true that some people just can't work a 1911, I haven't personally met one. I have met a few who have had the same feeling as you are telling us here. With a little work I was able to get all of them to reliably operate the 1911.

I'm not saying what you're telling us isn't true; I do believe that you've had trouble with the grip safety. However, I also believe that it can be overcome. Then again, some guns are just not for some people; that's just life.

When I first started with a 1911, I too had trouble with the grip safety. Through training and practice I haven't had a single issue with it in over 15,000 rounds. Now, when I look back, I wonder why I ever had trouble with it.

 

[Dvan34]

One suggestion is do not have your finger on the trigger as you pull the pistol out of the holster. In most situations today we don't have to be quick draw artists. We generally have time. Practice, practice, practice. If we react too quickly we may have to defend ourselves in a trial. More often than not it pays to delay your presentation until you are certain that your life is in danger or that of someone else. If possible get out of Dodge. When you do make your draw, insert your finger into the trigger guard as you focus on the target. If you had a safety that would be done by your thumb as you present the pistol on the target. I have a safety on my .40 MP Shield. It doesn't take me any time to deactivate it.

 

[TruckinThumper]

No, not asking if it is legal, just wanted advice. I guess I just wanted to have someone tell me that I'm not stupid for doing it.

A good holster with full trigger coverage and a well disciplined trigger finger, is your safety.

I would also take some self defense classes. What you think you know, is probably wrong, if you have no experience.

As a redneck, I say run what you brung

 

[markmiela]

I have a Shield 9 without a safety. Primarily because I am left handed and the safety can't be changed.

When I first started carrying I didn't chamber a round that was back in March. Took me a couple times out to get comfortable carrying and now carry with one in the chamber.

I just make sure that when I holster my gun I am careful and do it slowly as possible.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[olivojp]

I have an M&P Shield 9mm, a MP Bodyguard 380 and a Bodyguard 38 and none have safeties. I carry both automatics with a round in the chamber. The 380 is in a pocket (Holstered) and the Shield Holster by my side. When I carry the 38 it is always pocket carry in a DeSantis holster.

 

[KSDeputy]

When we changed from revolvers to the semi-auto, our first pistol was the model 645. This generation of pistol was DA/SA, with a decocker. I never used the safety, it was always off. Same with the next model we had the 4506, and my off duty pistols the CS 45 & 4513TSW. Now pistols are mostly striker fire, I only have one pocket pistol like this. It has no safety. I prefer what I was trained on, and am reluctant to buy another striker fired pistol. My greatest complaint is the poor trigger.

 

[instymp]

Most that carry any Colt 1911A or variant carry cocked & locked safety on. (Hopefully!I kick myself in the *** for selling mine)
I just got my Shield 45 with safety & I can carry with safety on or off, a no brainer for old farts like me.
I LOVE this gun, my fav!