Safety manipulation on 3rd Gen Semiautos

[Rob P.]

I keep my dingus in safe mode at all times unless I'm using it.

As for using it, when I draw I use the following proceedure:

Grip the weapon
Draw to low ready "click position"
"Click" (just push the lever up with my weak hand thumb)
Present & acquire
Fire


I've yet to see anyone get into a fast draw competition in a self defense situation. If you need to outdraw the BG who is pointing a gun at you, you've already lost. So, having one additional step in the process keeps me as safe as possible from an AD.

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

I carry any weapon that has a safety with the safety on. The only Smiths I have that are decock only are my 4566, 1026 and 1076. I find it no problem to flick it off while drawing. With my BHP I get all anal, and when working in a crowd or other gun snatch probable situation, I carry the BHP with a round chambered, the hammer at "half cock" and the safety on. Let some gun grabber try to figure that one out. On the other hand I carry wheelguns with no safety at all(my BUG for the Browning is a 940). As I get older I become more aware of a possible gun snatch. I had my gun seized by a really strong guy many years ago, I was younger (obviously) and much stronger then and I got it back from him. Couldn't do that today, all things being equal.

 

[BUFF]

Originally posted by Rob P.:
I keep my dingus in safe mode at all times unless I'm using it.

As for using it, when I draw I use the following proceedure:

Grip the weapon
Draw to low ready "click position"
"Click" (just push the lever up with my weak hand thumb)
Present & acquire
Fire


I've yet to see anyone get into a fast draw competition in a self defense situation. If you need to outdraw the BG who is pointing a gun at you, you've already lost. So, having one additional step in the process keeps me as safe as possible from an AD.

The problem with this practice is that you assume you will always have both hands available to draw and fire the weapon. You can't rely on that. You may have already suffered an injury to the off hand/arm, or you may need that other hand and arm for another task. It is a very good idea to learn to draw, fire, make safe and re-holster your gun with one hand only, and to be able to do that with either hand, alone.