Reconsidering thumb safeties on mouse guns... LC9s et al

[VThillman]

In theory at least (I haven't experienced the life or death reality), the safety-off is part of the draw, as the gun is 'presented'. There is no extra time involved, though there is that 'complication' in the draw/present process. Some guns have a thumb safety that isn't very accessible - the SR40c for instance. The Shield's safety looks very similar, but is easier to operate for me. [sigh] Hell, I don't know, guess I'll just shut up.

 

[codenamedave]

For a holster gun, I am an ardent supporter of a manual safety, or, as I call it, an unauthorized user denial device.

For a pocket gun, I am just as ardent a supporter of NOT having a manual safety.

I am so accustomed to a 1911 thumb safety that I find myself going through the off/on thumb motions with every handgun I use. If there's no safety there, it doesn't hurt.

I've also tried a Mustang Pocketlite, and the draw stroke is so much different from the pocket as opposed to from a holster, I really don't want a manual safety on a pocketgun, no matter how easy it is to take off.

 

[Brasky]

I do not like safeties and I carry a Glock. My Glock will not fire unless I pull the trigger.

Those cops that draw a handgun with their finger already on the trigger or disassemble a Glock without clearing it first should not be considered unless you are just as negligent as they are

 

[M29since14]

I like safeties. I'm used to them and I'm not concerned about getting killed when/if I somehow forget the gun has one. Furthermore, I don't really care what others say on this particular subject. For me, I would rather have the safety, thank you! To each, his own.

I say, keep what YOU feel comfortable with - not what the internet says you should be comfortable with.

 

[Faulkner]

I do not like safeties and I carry a Glock. My Glock will not fire unless I pull the trigger.

Those cops that draw a handgun with their finger already on the trigger or disassemble a Glock without clearing it first should not be considered unless you are just as negligent as they are

Apparently not everyone is competent enough or responsible enough to carry a Glock.

 

[Walkingwolf]

There is no safety on my pocket revolver, NAA mini revolver. Except for the 2 Glocks we still have, all semi autos have safeties. After broken frame rails on a new Glock they are not carried by either of us. I can no longer trust them, has nothing to do with the lack of safety.

 

[TTSH]

I sincerely appreciate all the input but I am really most interested in opinions on true pocket-carried mouse guns. My smallest Glock, my G43, is still up in the Shield 9mm size class and not really suitable for pocket carry in my case. Others may pocket carry a G43 depending on their build and clothing choices, but it doesn't work for me.

 

[KSDeputy]

About the only pistol I own without a safety is the Custom LCP I carry around the farm. I never use the safety on the others, but am glad they have it for resale value.

 

[Iggy]

I find the thumb safety on the LC9s very convenient, intuitive,for me to use. I bought the "s" LC9 version instead of the Pro because of that. I have some other small pistols with thumb safeties that I find less convenient to use.
It is a matter of what you feel best, safest, carrying.
Good luck,
Steve

What he said.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I don't have a mouse gun with a safety. Just one more thing to cram onto a small frame, and an unnecessary one at that . . .

 

[TTSH]

I find the thumb safety on the LC9s very convenient, intuitive,for me to use. I bought the "s" LC9 version instead of the Pro because of that. I have some other small pistols with thumb safeties that I find less convenient to use.
It is a matter of what you feel best, safest, carrying.
Good luck,
Steve

What he said.

Well, maybe I have to revisit this ASAP because one or the other gun has got to go on consignment this week. In general, I like having options... but before I got the "Pro" model, I never used the thumb safety at all anyway.

Like I said, my "personal security" situation is going to change a lot once we move. I think that is a large part of my hesitancy to go forward full speed ahead with Plan A.

Don't wish to get into the details but I expect to be carrying a lot more and in circumstances that I haven't had to deal with so much in the past.

 

[LVSteve]

I own a LC9s and I find sweeping off the safety during the draw a bit tricky. Maybe it's lack of practice, or maybe it's the length of my fingers. Kahr CW9 vs Ruger LC9s I now have the Kahr and love how it draws and fits my hand. YMMV.

As for true pocket guns, LCP Mk1.5 does not have a safety and lives in my pocket wherever I can take it.

 

[TTSH]

About the only pistol I own without a safety is the Custom LCP I carry around the farm. I never use the safety on the others, but am glad they have it for resale value.

I own a LC9s and I find sweeping off the safety during the draw a bit tricky. Maybe it's lack of practice, or maybe it's the length of my fingers. Kahr CW9 vs Ruger LC9s I now have the Kahr and love how it draws and fits my hand. YMMV.

As for true pocket guns, LCP Mk1.5 does not have a safety and lives in my pocket wherever I can take it.

The LCP/LCP II only comes sans thumb safety, of course. It may be the only gun I own that is both single action hammer-fired and has no thumb safety (although I better think about that for a while! ).

Contrast that with the Bodyguard .380, exactly the same size, which does have a thumb safety as well as double-strike capability.

So once again, I have had the Bodyguard for a while... never having used the thumb safety... and then I bought the LCP II once I had the opportunity to do so.

So now I should be selling the Bodyguard .380, right? Or not right?

BTW, I've got a CM9 too. Great gun for pocket carry. Thank God no hard decision making there. The CM9 is a keeper! I've also got a CW380 on my Want List for when that opportunity presents itself (if it ever does).