Shield, safety W/or WO?

[mustangman]

When I got mine I was new to CC and the safety just gave me a little piece of mind, plus there wasn't a choice back then. For 2 years I've practiced and carried with the safety on at all times, and have just got accustomed to it being there.
That said, within the last month, I happened into a Glock G27, and have started carrying it regularly and have never given a thought about not having a manual safety on it. So now when carried, the Shield safety is off, and I doesn't seem as much of an issue in my mind as it used to be.
To each his own, and what ever makes you comfortable.

 

[MARSHALDILLIONDODGECITY]

Sounds like you need to buy one with the safety. Then you can choose to carry with it either on or off.

Does a revolver have a safety ? NO .. There is no need for a safety
in the hands of a good shooter who knows his weapon.

 

[Targets Guy]

I agree. There is no issue about having a safety. None whatsoever.

 

[Deftone]

In Cali, I could only buy a Shield with a safety.

None of my other pistols have a safety (SIG's LCP, revolvers...) but the Shield's safety is very small and easy to use. I don't mind it at all and I actually kind of like it as an option.

 

[Rastoff]

In Cali, I could only buy a Shield with a safety.

None of my other pistols have a safety (SIG's LCP, revolvers...) but the Shield's safety is very small and easy to use. I don't mind it at all and I actually kind of like it as an option.

There is almost no difference functionally between a Shield with and without the thumb safety. So, if you wanted one without the thumb safety, just leave it in the off position.

 

[bigsteve113]

I don't think anybody is worried about their Shield just spontaneously going off in their holsters. It's all the activity between point A and point B where a safety comes in handy. I'd still carry a Shield even if they had no safety option. I carry Glock .40's all day long at work, have been for the past 22 years. They have no safety.

That being said, my Shields 9 and .40 both have safeties. I like the safety, and I use the safety!

 

[memphisjim1]

I specifically bought the Shield because of the safety. It's my first IWB appendix-style carry piece and I just feel better about it being in "safe" mode when holstered. To me it's much the same as being in the "cocked and locked" mode with a 1911. I find I can do the draw stroke, move the safety during presentation and put rounds on target to my satisfaction...just like with a hip mounted OWB 1911. I rate it as all a matter of personal preference...no more, no less. And, given my druthers, I'd just as soon not put it to the test until...

 

[DartonJager]

Thanks a great deal to all who took the time to share with me their perspectives on thumb safeties. After reading all the responses and I am quite impressed with the large number of them, it occurred to me that the basis for my concern over weather or not my Shield should have a thumb safety was almost certainly rooted in the fact that virtually every other firearm I own and have used with regularity has some form of a mechanical safety. Granted one should NEVER rely on a mechanical safety as replacement for proper safe firearm handling, but a mechanical safety does add a additional level of safety. The only difference in this instance is all the other firearms I have ever used were not purposely designed for use as a personal defensive firearm, as without question the Shield is.

I will go with a thumb safety.

Again, thanks for all the replies, they were honestly very educational.
Arthur.

 

[fireshot]

I purchased my Shield before it was offered without safety. I am left handed and it is not convenient to operate. After reading about unintentional discharges from coat cords & other items causing trigger pulls when holstering, I have developed the routing of always setting the safety on whenever holstering the gun. Once secured, I manually switch off safety as a preference. When training, I now use my index finger to confirm safety off as I start to grip and draw.

 

[patchdoc]

Anatomy lesson

I have been reading quite a few postings around the net sighting were a safety on a HG that will often be predominately carried IWB and occasionaly as a deep concealment HG is a serious safety consideration, especially if like me you STRONGLY prefer carrying IWB in front of your hip over your kidney area where your HGs barrel could end up pointed at your three best friends, especially while drawing or holstering.

On the surface this makes sense to me at least in theory, but would like to hear from others as well. As I'm a seasoned hunter with 40 years of chasing Deer, elk, turkeys as well as other critters under my belt, safeties on my firearms have always been there and use of them became pure muscle memory for me decades ago.

Does anyone think that even with proper training a thumb safety on a Shield would still be a idea with more cons than pros?

I used to carry the shield over the hip iwb, but now prefer owb carry behind the hip "JUST BELOW THE KIDNEY AREA" [yes, kidneys are located on the back side of the abdomen]. I usually leave the safety on. This is to prevent accidental discharge in case something such as a shirttail or a draw-string barrel toggle gets inside the trigger guard.

 

[amcline82]

I used to carry the shield over the hip iwb, but now prefer owb carry behind the hip "JUST BELOW THE KIDNEY AREA" [yes, kidneys are located on the back side of the abdomen]. I usually leave the safety on. This is to prevent accidental discharge in case something such as a shirttail or a draw-string barrel toggle gets inside the trigger guard.

[emoji47] confused.

 

[Gabill]

Just about all my pistols have safeties. I usually carry a 1911 or Sig 238 or 938. Just a habit with having a safety.

 

[Piemelon]

Bought one for my wife. It was her first semi auto, she'd been a revolver lady for years. Despite several professional one on one training sessions and quite a bit of range time, she still wishes she had a safety. I blew it. Looking to do a trade. I know I'll take a bath but she needs to be comfortable.

 

[rwbeeman]

I am with Quicksilver all the way. When my Shield is out of the holster and being handled or moved around the safety is on. After I put it in the IWB holster I click the safety off and it is ready to fire. This makes sense to me and has worked for a long time.

 

[jaaeatax]

I like the option of a safety. Smith placed it perfectly on the shield. Easy to activate and deactivate and does not interfere with anything. I holster with the safety on and then flip it off. I have the full size also with the safety. I'd like the full size to have a similar size safety as well. Use it or not, it's there if you want it.

 

[Rastoff]

I like the option of a safety. Smith placed it perfectly on the shield. Easy to activate and deactivate and does not interfere with anything.

I find the thumb safety is placed too far back. I also find it a little difficult to operate. Maybe your hands are different than mine.

I holster with the safety on and then flip it off.

Of course using it this way, I can understand why you like the placement.

 

[Raybo]

I would be very uneasy appendix carrying any handgun without a safety on it and being used.

 

[Radarcontact]

Not to discount anyone's opinions as I respect everyone's opinions -- they are a culmination of our experiences in life...
However on this particular subject (which I see a LOT, everywhere) is the "tough decision" about whether to buy a gun with or without a safety.
I personally have never accidentally clicked a safety ON that was previously OFF. Maybe others have?

If you buy a gun with a safety but never use it...it's essentially a gun without a safety.

(Resale of the weapon may be a consideration)

I think a more critical question may be this: IF you are planning on making the safety part of your "routine" or draw, does the gun you are thinking of buying have a well-designed safety that you can use VERY efficiently?

// Radar //

 

[amcline82]

I would be very uneasy appendix carrying any handgun without a safety on it and being used.

Do you fear that the gun just may go off on its own.

For those of you who use the safety when you want to handel it do you do that when its loaded?

Gun is being handled it's unload. If it's in my holster on me loaded, in its safe next to my chair loaded no safety needed.

 

[kilroy2721]

I also have a Shield. If you feel uncomfortable or unsure, then get one with the safety. That doesn't mean you have to use it.

I teach some of the new shooters that wether or not your handgun has an external safety or not...the real safeties are your brain...and your booger picker. Keep the booger picker off the trigger until you want the gun to fire.

Get a good dependable holster and some training...and a lot of practice. Your confidence will pick right up.

 

[agksimon]

I might as well get my $.02 in here: I bought my Shield before they came without one or I wouldn't have one. I'm also a lefty and can't access it fast enough and never have it on. Being as they are so small, I almost wonder if S&W installed them, just to get them into states that require them, but small enough to be out of the way. When SHTF, your fine motor skills will go right out the window. Sure, repetition to develop muscle memory helps, but the safety is so small, I wouldn't chance it.

 

[Rastoff]

...I almost wonder if S&W installed them, just to get them into states that require them,...

What state requires it?

 

[Poorman Prepper]

I bought the Shield with a safety ... it was the only option at the time, doesn't bother me in the slightest. I carry IWB at 4 o'clock, and the ONLY issue to be aware of is that when you carry at 4 o'clock, is to make sure the sitting motion doesn't activate the safety. I don't carry appendix but many ppl do with no issues,.. (Use a stiff kydex holster and not a hybrid,(Leather/kydex)),.. something like the Incog from G-code...super sweet holster,.. and get one that covers the safety itself...!!! Hope that helps

 

[EGAD]

Great question; one I've mulled-over for about ever. I, too, like to have the option of non-holster carry. My experience with this issue developed over the 20 years during which I carried Glocks as a uniformed/duty gun. As much as I love Glocks for that purpose, I found their light trigger pull to be an impediment to non-holster carry.

And, because of the Glock/striker-fired trigger pull, I relegated the Glock to carry only in a sturdy holster. I know that some take issue with not using a holster. However, I don't share that opinion, and find the issue to be a different topic for a different thread.

Also, even when carrying in a holster, I still have the need to unholster the carried gun and put it unholstered in a side pants pocket when preparing to use a urinal. Scary, to me at least, with a striker-fired gun.

Although I find a manual safety to be a distant second to a heavier, revolver-like DA trigger pull, it's better than nothing. However, I doubt that I'd ever rely on it for any long-term IWB carry.

However, the one exception is my Ruger LC9 (not LC9s). I purposely bought the hammer-fired old version just for it's DA trigger pull. The LC9's like mine do come with both a magazine and side mounted safety. To me, both are unnecessary on a urinal-friendly pistol like the old LC9; the newer LC9s's can be obtained without either. Wish I had the option.

Going back to the original question, I guess my opinion is that there is merit to either position, depending on the gun user's carry style. And that if a safety is present, it can either be used or not used. However, on a gun without a thumb safety, you have no choice.

Consequently, I think it's important for the gun user to develop a carry/ thumb safety protocol; use or not use, then stick to it to avoid a potential deadly conflict in procedure.