Shield Thumb Safety Version Is Now A Studebaker

[Stratajema]

So basically the 2 instances you just describe happened when the gun did not have a functional engaged safety?

No, the safety was functional in some of the guns but not others, ultimately a design defect not a manufacturing defect. The user assumed the safety was functional because they had no evidence it was not... up to the point that their gun accidentally discharged upon engaging the safety.

Remington intentionally ignored the design defect in their trigger/safety mechanism for decades with tragic consequences. S&W responded very quickly on the PPK. Regardless, I am an advocate for the use of the safety because the above instances pale in comparison to the injury/death statistics you posted.

Also, I believe that law enforcement or guards should always carry with the safety off because they are much more in harms way than a typical CCW holder. That doesn't imply that their gun should not have a safety on it. Here is an example of this point:
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/07/robert-farago/self-defense-tip-location-location-location/

 

[Well Armed]

No, the safety was functional in some of the guns but not others, ultimately a design defect not a manufacturing defect. The user assumed the safety was functional because they had no evidence it was not... up to the point that it accidentally discharged when the safety was engaged. Remington intentionally ignored the design defect in their trigger/safety mechanism for decades. S&W responded very quickly on the PPK.

That's my point. If the safety was not functional, then it was not engaged. If the safety was engaged, e.i., functional, then the accidentally discharge would not have had happened. Either way, that's really apples and oranges and really does not meet the criteria of someone accidentally shot themselves while using a firearm with the safety engaged.

 

[Illini_Glock]

My Shield with the thumb safety just became a Studebaker when it comes to resale value with the announcement of the new version without an external safety. To add to the hurt I have $120 after market night sights.

S&W offer a $50 factory fix to remove thumb safeties.

Russ

Cool! I've always wanted to own a vintage car. My Shield is just fine with the thumb safety. Guess I'll start driving it to work.

 

[Donn]

Actually, a Studebaker in good condition is worth a lot of money.

^^^ Precisely ^^^ Your analogy turns out to be not such a bad thing.

 

[rcp1936]

IMHO
All semis should be designed to have triggers like a well tuned DA revolver
About a 7.5 lb 1" pull
All this BS about triggers in SD mode being too heavy etc etc
If you are firing in SD you will no problem at all with trigger pull
In fact I think people should practice one handed shooting

 

[AZ_M&P]

Okay. But how would the safety get engaged in the first place if you carry it with the safety disengaged?

I rarely engage in arguments or debates on forums simply because it's a waste of time and I prefer to stick to the topic, but in this case I can't help pointing out that you may have a problem with comprehension.

My point (that everyone else seemed to get) is that for those who choose to carry with the safety engaged, disengaging it is one more step you have to take when seconds count. I didn't say I carried that way.

I personally prefer safety off, if for no other reason than one of my two EDC's has no safety. Shame on me if I ever need that weapon and I forget I'm carrying the one with the safety and it's engaged. Training to the lowest common denominator (IMO) is common sense. But, to each his own. Many people never use safeties, and I'm sure just as many carry with safeties engaged (a very good friend of mine won't own a handgun without one) and that's fine too.

Bottom line, to each his own.

My personal experience has been that of the firearms I own with safeties (a Shield, a Bodyguard, and my Sig) neither of the S&W's can be disengaged with the thumb of my shooting hand - they're too hard to push. As a result, carrying "safety on" means I need 2 hands and a little bit of extra time to engage. Not my preferred scenario.