smoothshooter
Member
Almost all 1911 owners carry them that way (Condition One), hammer cocked and safety on.
That's the way they were designed to be carried.
That's the way they were designed to be carried.
Model 1911 Carry
- Thread starter jimmyj
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For my friends who chimed in that the military does not teach Condition One because it is not safe, remember that is the same military that does not let their gate guard sentries carry loaded weapons. Even after 9/11.
General and Flag officers are scared that any mistake by a young trooper will imperil their promotion chances.
General and Flag officers are scared that any mistake by a young trooper will imperil their promotion chances.
Bill Lear
Member
Yes. Why would anyone not? There is an interesting video on YouTube showing a man who pulls out a an UNchambered 1911 against a bad guy. He had the drop! Had is pistol been chambered he would have fired and saved HIS life and is son's life, but in fact the pistol was NOT chambered and while he futzed with it, AFTER trying to shoot the bad guy, the bad guy shot HIM - multiple times! He can be SEEN in the video still trying to rack his USELESS 1911 as he dies!
The son was shot dead immediately thereafter.
IF you're gonna carry an AUTO, carry it CHAMBERED! And IF you don't have the confidence to do that, carry a REVOLVER!
AJ
US Veteran
At one time in the late 80's/early 90's there were two Marine Corps Security Force Battalions that carried Condition One when on duty.
SnidelyWhiplash
Member
I believe the Army requested the thumb safety at the behest of the Cavalry which had a great deal of influence in firearms specifications. I would guess having the thumb safety while in motion on a horse that could go in several directions was a desirable safety addition.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
I don't know about those other services, but Air Force gate guards all had loaded handguns. Model 15s, then Berettas with a round in the chamber, safety off. I bet they carry their Sigs with a round chambered now.
I hardly ever carry a 1911 anymore, but my Hi-Power gets out now and then and its cocked and locked.
The was an old coot who I'd run into at gunstores now and then, and he carried a raggedy 1911 with a round chambered and the hammer at half-cock, in the back pocket of his pants. He had some reason for it, but it escapes me now.
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In my opinion, Condition One and only is the only condition in which the 1911 should be carried.
Yeah, you'll need a jacket to cover that very well. Not a FL concealed carry option.
I carry a 1911 quite frequently, sometimes a lightweight commander,sometimes a govt model. But always in condition 1
I know of 4U.D.s with 1911 (1 doa) in all cases cond.1 was thought to be crazy and unsafe .If you think that way, or want to be extra stupid and Cary it with an empty chamber just leave it locked up and get a sock with a rock in it.
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I'll add a few thoughts here. Back at the dawn of the 20th century, the grip safety was part of the service pistol requirements because of cavalry use. The sidearm was attached to the trooper by a lanyard and if he lost control of it, it'd be banging about at the side of his mount. So, rendering the sidearm unable to fire if not gripped was a good thing.
I expect the thumb safety was viewed as a good thing to make sure the trooper could render it safe-but quickly returned to operable-while things settled down and he could safely go to condition 3.
While I've no personal knowledge of how the Glock became Austria's service pistol, I do have a thought or two. Tradition plays a very important part in the military. This was still true while GG was paying someone to design "his" pistol. In a great many military organizations around the globe, the service pistol is considered to be an badge of rank rather than an actual weapon. While there is a lot of cross training and shared experience in NATO, tradition is hard to buck. Especially when actual first person experience is lacking.
I expect the thumb safety was viewed as a good thing to make sure the trooper could render it safe-but quickly returned to operable-while things settled down and he could safely go to condition 3.
While I've no personal knowledge of how the Glock became Austria's service pistol, I do have a thought or two. Tradition plays a very important part in the military. This was still true while GG was paying someone to design "his" pistol. In a great many military organizations around the globe, the service pistol is considered to be an badge of rank rather than an actual weapon. While there is a lot of cross training and shared experience in NATO, tradition is hard to buck. Especially when actual first person experience is lacking.
I carried one for a few years, that was the right way to carry it.
I'm vary familiar with the gun and felt comfortable with it on me that way.
I'm vary familiar with the gun and felt comfortable with it on me that way.
keith44spl
Member
Been carrying this'n in days of late...
10mm Lightweight Commander
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10mm Lightweight Commander
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SnidelyWhiplash
Member
Did you build that 10mm Lightweight Commander? I don't believe Colt has built any.
keith44spl
Member
Why yes, yes I did.
Colt may have planned on a 10mm commander at some point, but didn't.
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SnidelyWhiplash
Member
Awesome boomer!
SAFireman
Member
Why yes, yes did.
Colt may have planned on a 10mm commander at some point, but didn't.
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Been carrying this'n in days of late...
10mm Lightweight Commander
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OMG.......either this is one of the signs of the apocalypse, or Dave has been hanging out with Chip (Iggy) again
Neat conversion Dave, whats next 9x23 Winchester?
DevilDog72
US Veteran
Absolutely...
No other way to carry 1911's in my mind.
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