Pull Out, and Shoot

[Dandecoteau]

I own a shield in 9mm, with no safety.

Who else believes in not having a safety on a carry pistol?

Less **** to fumble with after pulling out your weapon I believe.

 

[gunnails]

I do, but it's a personal decision, training will off set the fumbling issue.

Hard to argue with a 1911 style of concealed carry weapon.

 

[Decipher]

My Shield has a safety that never gets engaged. I can see the appeal of owning a gun with a safety to new shooters who don't feel confident on operating a weapon. The crazy thing is that it doesn't go BANG unless you make it go BANG. Proper weapon handling is paramount and drives the point further home when no safety is present.

The Shield has a heavy pull and the hinged trigger. There is absolutely no need for any other safety mechanism on this weapon. I'm with you.

 

[NCW Ray]

Hold on...I'm making popcorn!!!

 

[Arik]

Get ready for a 20 page debate!

I don't believe in any safeties unless it's absolutely mandatory, like a 1911

 

[Decipher]

I do, but it's a personal decision, training will off set the fumbling issue.

Hard to argue with a 1911 style of concealed carry weapon.

Cocked and locked is a different situation all together and one where the safety makes sense. On a striker fired pistol like the Shield, there's absolutely no need for a thumb safety. I'm happy to see they did away with it should you so choose. That being said, I've never had my safety accidently engage on my Shield so I carry it with confidence that it will remain in the off position.

 

[NCW Ray]

Cocked and locked is a different situation all together and one where the safety makes sense. On a striker fired pistol like the Shield, there's absolutely no need for a thumb safety. I'm happy to see they did away with it should you so choose. That being said, I've never had my safety accidently engage on my Shield so I carry it with confidence that it will remain in the off position.

Curious...do you train using the safety or just leave it off all the time?

 

[Riccur]

No Safeties here all revolvers.

 

[Decipher]

Curious...do you train using the safety or just leave it off all the time?

I train with a sweep of the thumb simply because I have a CZ and a Sig that both operate like a 1911. I'd rather have the muscle memory built to sweep for safety than not, but at the same time, my Shield is my EDC so when I'm doing live fire I realize I can differentiate between having to sweep and not. I work in high stress situations every day and have developed my abilities to maintain control of my reaction to Epinephrine and Nor-Epinephrine (adrenaline). All of this could be tossed out the window since I've never been in a live-fire defensive situation. For that reason, it's best to train with that sweep in case you go click and there's no bang. I find it entirely unlikely on the Shield, but it could happen.

 

[Tony twist]

I only like thumb safeties on guns with hammers .

 

[Decipher]

I'll say one last thing (since I've already molested this thread a great deal), those who carry with their Shield safety on; try drawing from your holster and sweeping the safety off in one fluid motion to point of aim. I've trained extensively and the BEST I could do at consistently sweeping that pathetic little safety off is 6 out of 10 times. A 40% fail rate on a defensive weapon is inexcusable, especially when the safety is simply there for peace of mind.

 

[gwpercle]

My model 637 Airweight J-frame doesn't have a safety and that's the way I like it. Can even carry a round in the chamber...all loaded and ready to go!

Gary

 

[Sailor29]

Train some more, Decipher.

 

[Dandecoteau]

I agree with training will help, BUT in a high stress situation, will you really remember to flip that safety off? What if you don't?

 

[gunnails]

LOL at the thread title. Sounds like advice my Dad gave me many years ago.

 

[CaptRon956]

I'm sure the debate will go on, maybe I'll be hounded or maybe I'll be praised. But I'mm gonna say it anyway.

I'm a proponent of DOA triggers in self defense carry pistols.

I'm very happy with the performance of my Shield 9mm (w/safety) however the striker fired trigger on the shield IMO is capable of a unintended discharge if the user is not 100% focused on his weapon at all times. It is too easy to accidentally fire. There is not much take up and the break comes too soon, too easily, then of course I'm a guy who has been shooting DOA revolvers since the 80's, maybe that is why.. Some of you may say "well then train more". I say get something you're comfortable with.

Therefore, my shield is now been demoted to home protection and I picked up a Kahr CW40 as my main EDC and I still love my M&P (no lazer) Bodyguard .380. It is a DOA pistol and unlike for some, it has proven to be very reliable for me & it is my summer carry.

 

[rsrocket1]

You've heard it before, if that mom had engaged the safety on her Shield when it was in her purse, her 2 year old son would not have killed her. That is not the reason for a safety, it would have been an unintended good consequence. Another possible use for a safety is for those who pocket or handbag carry without a holster. That sounds irresponsible to me but irresponsible and impossible are two different things.

My Shield has a safety but I haven't touched it since the safety demo I had to show the dealer when purchasing the gun. Fortunately it is both hard to release and engage so it might as well be welded in the off position.

 

[Grail Knight]

I am so used to having a safety on my firearms I think nothing of engaging or disengaging them when ready to re-holster or fire.

Not having a safety on a handgun I own would be a strange experience.

Practice Practice Practice

 

[ATF]

In 99% of situations safeties are there to protect YOU not the bad guy. Any self respecting bad guy will be on you before you have chance to draw your weapon. So try to anticipate situations instead of grabbing your gun and putting your finger straight on the trigger.

 

[timn8er]

This has been thrashed to death on this Forum. Simply put; those that like safeties on a pistol, have them, those that don't like safeties on a pistol, don't. Rehashing this over & over is pointless. Neither side will convince the other side to change, so why bother asking the question? There are several threads on the subject you can use to research if you feel the need.