OldSquid
Member
What he said!
Carrying a double action pistol
- Thread starter swar45
- Start date
What he said!
klausinak
US Veteran
All of my training/"muscle memory" was with a 1911. I have 3 DA/SA pistols, 2-CZ 75's & a Walther PPK/s. On the off-chance that I decide to carry any of these, (I generally carry a 442 or a 10), the CZ's would be cocked w/safety engaged, the PPK doesn't make that possible so safety engaged, hammer down. I do not own any striker fired pistols, not that I've got anything against them, I'm just mostly a revolver guy who happens to like 1911's & the occasional deal 
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A DA pistol/revolver should be carried hammer-down (de-cocked). If there is a safety, the safety should be engaged.
Some slide-mounted decockers only block the firing pin when in the "safe" position, with the possibility of an accidental discharge if dropped or struck on the hammer. This is in spite of opinions of some department armorers (per Massad Ayoob). In general, a slide mounted safety should be left in the "safe" position.
In SIG pistols, the decocker is mounted on the frame. The trigger operates the firing pin block, and there is no separate thumb safety.
Some slide-mounted decockers only block the firing pin when in the "safe" position, with the possibility of an accidental discharge if dropped or struck on the hammer. This is in spite of opinions of some department armorers (per Massad Ayoob). In general, a slide mounted safety should be left in the "safe" position.
In SIG pistols, the decocker is mounted on the frame. The trigger operates the firing pin block, and there is no separate thumb safety.
Rastoff
US Veteran
I would agree with this if the gun doesn't have a firing pin block. Most DA/SA guns, like the 92FS, have a firing pin block.
dogsoldier
Member
I went through the academy with an S&W 3904 (a SUPERB weapon, BTW). It was designed to be carried with the chamber loaded and hammer DOWN. The safety/decocker was used as a DECOCKER ONLY. That ishow I would carry one today if so inclined.
I don't know whether my disability lasts for a whole cylinder or not, but in a defensive pistol ALL the bullets count, starting with the very first. This is one of the reasons that I still carry revolvers. For various reasons, my carry weapon was a revolver for at least seven years, and I just never got back into the habit of carrying a slabside gun. On those several occasions where I did, I made sure to have a range session or two practicing with the gun I intended to carry.
Federali's observation is critical to the safety of carrying a weapon. I recommend that each individual check it out to see what his own tests tell him.
Seraphim
Member
Decocked, safety off ( the ones which have safeties)...
Biggfoot44
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This is only an actual question for guns like CZ-75 , Taraus 92/99 family , early Berrettas , and a cpl others that are designed for cocked and locked option. ( And most of those *I* prefer the DA, but that's personal decision.)
Otherwise hammer down of course. If equipped with a actual safety my long standing manual of arms is safety allways on. But it's not a dealbreaker , as my two prefered DA/SA pistols are decocker only.
As noted before, those of us who cut our teath on DA revolvers, a DA pull on a bottomfeeder is no big deal. The DA/SA transition requires some practice, but that's what practice is for.
Otherwise hammer down of course. If equipped with a actual safety my long standing manual of arms is safety allways on. But it's not a dealbreaker , as my two prefered DA/SA pistols are decocker only.
As noted before, those of us who cut our teath on DA revolvers, a DA pull on a bottomfeeder is no big deal. The DA/SA transition requires some practice, but that's what practice is for.
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Seraphim
Member
I carried a Sig for the last 10 or so years of my career, and trained and qualified - first round was always DA. Don't even notice it anymore. Started with revolvers - always DA. One of my favorite carry guns now is SA with safety. No big deal. I still qualify for retired carry under DHS and I switch up on guns I qual with. Be been shooting a long time with a lot of different guns. I know what gun I have at any given moment, what condition I carry it in, and it's in condition one when it comes up.
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YogiBear
Absent Comrade
Aloha,
Wife and I like Berettas,
Loaded, Hammer down and Safety off.
Shoot it just like a DA Smith.
No problems.
Wife and I like Berettas,
Loaded, Hammer down and Safety off.
Shoot it just like a DA Smith.
No problems.
I agree. His friend is an idiot.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
Double Action Pistol ccw?
Chambered, hammer decocked. My CZ82, CZ83, CZ75 & CZ85db has this design or feature. The CZ75's are very safe with this chambered double action feature.
With the standard 1911's with no double action feature when I ccw them it's chambered, cocked and locked.
Never, never, never carry a unchambered gun. Carry every gun no matter what brand or model chambered. It's a rule to me. For all guns that I carry there all loaded. Make no mistake. Respect it, safety first. Never have ammo for the gun on the table when cleaning it or showing it. Never ever hand a loaded gun to someone. I had a guy hand me his m29 / 8 3/8" barrel loaded to show to me. I always practice good gun safety I checked it and handed it back to him. Certain people scare me when handling guns. Please be safe.
There was a dealer who reached in the gun case and pulled the trigger on a cocked 1911. The handgun was pointed at me. I walked out never to return. I bit my tounge and held back. It was a I can't believe he just did that, a jaw dropping moment.
Dont carry a 1911 chambered, with the rest of your different ccw guns chambered. This is when a unloaded gun can fire. Carry them all chambered.
Remember most accidental firings are with unloaded guns think about that.
Chambered, hammer decocked. My CZ82, CZ83, CZ75 & CZ85db has this design or feature. The CZ75's are very safe with this chambered double action feature.
With the standard 1911's with no double action feature when I ccw them it's chambered, cocked and locked.
Never, never, never carry a unchambered gun. Carry every gun no matter what brand or model chambered. It's a rule to me. For all guns that I carry there all loaded. Make no mistake. Respect it, safety first. Never have ammo for the gun on the table when cleaning it or showing it. Never ever hand a loaded gun to someone. I had a guy hand me his m29 / 8 3/8" barrel loaded to show to me. I always practice good gun safety I checked it and handed it back to him. Certain people scare me when handling guns. Please be safe.
There was a dealer who reached in the gun case and pulled the trigger on a cocked 1911. The handgun was pointed at me. I walked out never to return. I bit my tounge and held back. It was a I can't believe he just did that, a jaw dropping moment.
Dont carry a 1911 chambered, with the rest of your different ccw guns chambered. This is when a unloaded gun can fire. Carry them all chambered.
Remember most accidental firings are with unloaded guns think about that.
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Remember.....
The 1911 was designed mainly for military use and one had special training before being qualified with it.
The 1911 was designed mainly for military use and one had special training before being qualified with it.
Rick_A
Member
Ours are decock only. No point in a safety, and if it's a double action may as well make use of it.
The carry autos are single actions.
I don't recall ever being handed a weapon and told to go to town with it.
The carry autos are single actions.
Everything had special training.
I don't recall ever being handed a weapon and told to go to town with it.
texmex
Member
Man who carries a DA/SA like a Sig 226 cocked will soon be known as Hopalong.
David Sinko
Member
I do believe Jeff Cooper approved of cocked and unlocked carry for those who could not manage the ridiculous DA trigger pull of some of these pistols.
Another solution he mentioned (though I don't think he actually advocated it) was the "shot cock" method, where the first DA shot was simply fired downrange as quickly as possible with little care to where the bullet went, in order to slide cock the pistol for the more manageable second shot. I recall he did say he knew some people who used this method to great effect. I would expect that those who choose to use this method do not live in a part of the world where there is a lawyer attached to every bullet.
Dave Sinko
Another solution he mentioned (though I don't think he actually advocated it) was the "shot cock" method, where the first DA shot was simply fired downrange as quickly as possible with little care to where the bullet went, in order to slide cock the pistol for the more manageable second shot. I recall he did say he knew some people who used this method to great effect. I would expect that those who choose to use this method do not live in a part of the world where there is a lawyer attached to every bullet.
Dave Sinko
