Thumb safety or NO thumb safety ??

[xdmshooter59]

What a tragedy.

More than just the Thumb safety. How in the world does he leave the gun where his young toddler son can pick it up !!!

 

[silversnake]

Normally I like to stay out of this kind of thread but here's a guy that should've been using a TS and might still be alive today if he had.

That kid could have easily flicked the safety off, kids love to push and pull anything they can get their hands on. No safety can make up for that level of irresponsibility. If he survived I hope he was charged with negligence.

 

[Mister X]

Prevention of unintentional discharges due to potential mistakes in handling and reholstering are valid reasons for wanting a manual safety, but pointing to cases of gross negligence such as the above video is not IMO.

Along a somewhat similar line of thinking is wanting a manual safety in case you are disarmed and hoping the bad guy won't know how to operate the gun. For cops, there may be a degree of validity to the idea(although nearly all departments have now gone sans manual safeties after weighing the pros vs cons), but for civilians carrying concealed, it just isn't valid. If there is justification in drawing your weapon from concealment as in an assailant that you believe intends to do you harm is close enough to disarm you, then obviously the safety would be/should be off already.

 

[KELSW]

I can easily sweep off my thumb safety on my Shield . I suppose if I were in a make believe quick draw contest with a gun slinger and I needed that extra .5 seconds I might fumble and forget to sweep my safety off . Usually in a real scenario you get a sense of danger way before you handle a firearm . If someone rushes you with a drawn weapon you have already lost . I get a hoot out of people telling me the safety is only between the ears usually the same people who have ND with their glocks . My carry gun has a safety period .

 

[Mister X]

If someone rushes you with a drawn weapon you have already lost .

Why is that?

 

[SATX]

All four of my shields have the thumb safety but the only time I ver use them is if I have to unholster to stow the gun in the car when it can't come with me, it's easier than removing the whole holster. The Shield safety is small and has a low profile, as well as a deliberate action (for lack of a better term) that it's a non-issue for me. I have never found the safety on unless I intentionally placed on safe.

 

[tnhawk]

......If you're new to guns the answer is education and training, not a switch to make up for poor gun handling or holster choice.

I'm not new to guns. I've trained and carried a 1911 since I first wore an Army uniform over 48 years ago. As it's hard to teach on old dog a new trick, a thumb safety is part of my training. My 9 mm and 45 acp Shields have a thumb safety or I would not have purchased them. Those who are new to guns probably didn't train the same.

Why do I prefer a manual transmission? Same answer.

 

[mbok]

If you integrate thumbing off the safety with your draw/presentation there is zero delay attributable to that action since the safety will be off before the gun reaches aim point. You simply switch it into fire position as the barrel rises from pointing down at the floor (when drawn from an IWB, OWB or pocket position.) Hence the time involved should not be a factor no matter how quickly a threat presents itself.

In a decade around law enforcement I had knowledge of probably 50 or more cases where police officers fired their weapons at suspects/attackers. I can only recall one case (which I witnessed personally) where there was an immediate draw/fire against a suspect who was also drawing a weapon. In the vast majority of cases there is some warning, especially for a situationally aware officer who sees hands in pockets, reaching under a car seat, etc. In a fairly large number of those cases the officer(s) already had their weapons in hand as they approached the situation, often alongside the seam of the trousers. There just really aren't many "high noon/draw pardner!" situations out there.

Since civilians are likely to face similar situations (carjackers approaching at the gas station, muggers sizing you up on the street) any reasonably alert CCW holder should already have a hand on the gun butt and the safety off before the need to present and possibly fire the weapon.

I carry either a double action hammerless LCR .357 or a .45 Shield, the latter with thumb safety engaged. I never feel unsafe because of that and in fact enjoy an elevated sense of safety.

By the way during that career I knew of at least four officers who experienced negligent discharges with revolvers, in all four when holstering weapons where something on the equipment belt engaged the trigger. I also saw several what I would term accidental discharges during fights and in one case a foot pursuit where the officer went to the ground tackling the suspect.

I am comfortable with a thumb safety and have never considered it an impediment to any necessary self defense reaction.

 

[silversnake]

I'm not new to guns. I've trained and carried a 1911 since I first wore an Army uniform over 48 years ago. As it's hard to teach on old dog a new trick, a thumb safety is part of my training. My 9 mm and 45 acp Shields have a thumb safety or I would not have purchased them. Those who are new to guns probably didn't train the same.

Why do I prefer a manual transmission? Same answer.

In your case I understand. You have trained with a safety for decades, it must be second nature to you by now. My comment was specifically to someone who said they were new to handguns.

 

[tobimaru]

I have two Shield 9's, both non-safety. It's what I'm used to, how I train, etc.

My friend is completely opposite, he prefers the manual safety and even caries a 1911, etc. His Shield has a safety.

We shoot together, the world keeps spinning...

 

[SuperGoat]

I personally think it is fine to ask others opinions, though when it comes down to it that is all it is, opinions.
My Shield has the safety. I have two small children and wanted just a little bit of extra security. And no, I am not leaving my gun on the desk hoping my 3 year old won't grab it. I do try to be as careful and vigilant as possible but just in case I wanted that little extra. I figure there is more of a chance of a kid accidentally killing himself than me having an issue while I am quick drawing to defend myself. I just plan on training frequently with it.
IMO it is all about training. If you get good with it, it doesn't matter what you choose.

 

[Bamabred]

I bought a Shield with the safety because it was available for $199 (after rebate). IMO it depends on the gun. On some guns the safety can get in the way and be actuated accidentally. The Shield's safety is out of the way and very positive. It would be difficult to actuate it accidently.

That said, I do not carry it with the safety on. When I first started carrying semi-autos I liked the safety for extra peace of mind. It was a mental thing and I knew it was a mental thing. No harm in that. Also, the guns I carried with safeties it was easy to automatically flip them off while taking my grip. The added time was negligible. And I'll add that I've been in a number of shootouts. I always had time to flip off the safety. It's anecdotal, but it is what it is.

So if it makes you feel better, then get the safety. You can choose whether to use it or not. But don't opt for the no safety trying to follow the "my finger is my safety" crowd. Your life. Your gun. Your choice.

 

[NewToGuns17]

My shield does not have a safety. Just a fun question... what if the safety you rely on to keep your gun safe fails and the day it fails you happen to wear something that you know may get caught up in the guard but you rely on the safety to lessen that chance? Just like the lock on a knife... If it comes with it, fine, but I'll always be my own safety/ caution over the built in one.

 

[Bamabred]

My shield does not have a safety. Just a fun question... what if the safety you rely on to keep your gun safe fails and the day it fails you happen to wear something that you know may get caught up in the guard but you rely on the safety to lessen that chance? Just like the lock on a knife... If it comes with it, fine, but I'll always be my own safety/ caution over the built in one.

Obviously, we can play the "what if" game all day.

 

[qpistol]

When purchasing a 9mm shield do you purchase thumb safety or NO thumb safety?? Any comments or suggestions please.

Hello. A lot of people get uptight about this. Personally, I see no reason for the fuss. As for me, I purchase all of my firearms with a safety. I carry locked an loaded, 1 in the pipe (safety off. So why safety? It's my own personal safety preference. I engage my safety when holstering my gun, or un-holstering at home for the night. Other than that, when concealed carrying, safety's off. For me, I don't want the extra task of disengaging a safety in the moment I need to draw my firearm. But I appreciate the value of the safety for holstering and un-holstering for the night at home. Other than than that, if you see a gun you like and it has a safety and there is no option to buy it without the safety, I say get it if its what you want-- If you don't want like the safety-- don't use it. An extra lock on a door doesn't stop you from getting out if you don't use it-- just don't use it. IMHO. Everyone will do what is comfortable for them.

 

[jnichols2]

Today I bought the last 45 Shield the LGS had, it has a safety.

Also, I'm left handed, so the safety is on the wrong side. It doesn't offend me, I just leave it off. But I did notice that it's very handy for me to use while holstering. After the gun is holstered, it's easy to flip off with my left thumb. I'll think about it...

 

[Smoke]

This is one of those topics that people seem to take very personally.

I won't carry a handgun with a safety. That's my personal preference based on experience. I've never been in a gun fight but I have been attacked. I know how fast it can happen and I know how your body reacts.

Your endocrine system overloads your bloodstream with adrenalin. Your pupils dilate and you become very focused on your threat. Your heart rate goes through the roof. Your fine motor skills deteriorate and your brain is processing fight, flight or freeze. (I'm a firm believer that you will default to freeze without training or experience)

I don't want to add a bunch of variables to that mix by having to ask myself "Am I carrying a gun with a safety or without?" "Is it on or off?" (Different topic but) " Is it in a shoulder holster or ankle holster today?"

If I ever have to use a gun to defend myself it's going to be the most stressful event in my life. I want the process to be as uncomplicated as I can make it.

 

[Walkingwolf]

Training is good, but no guarantee. As I was growing up most of the civilian self defense shootings were with absolutely little to no training. A popular weapon at the time was the Colt 25 ACP with a safety, and these gals had no problem figuring out how to get the safety off.

Some training is absolutely stupid, actually beyond stupid. You know those mall ninja operator training guys who charge thousands of dollars for BS. They are more likely to get someone killed.

In today's world trainers are tripping over themselves, most have little real life knowledge. They take what some other trainer with no real life experience, and add their own spin. Repeat, and rinse.

Training should only be with reputable professionals, that are not a few bricks short of a load.

 

[Rastoff]

Some training is absolutely stupid, actually beyond stupid. You know those mall ninja operator training guys who charge thousands of dollars for BS. They are more likely to get someone killed.

Training should only be with reputable professionals, that are not a few bricks short of a load.

Finding good instruction is hard to do and it doesn't matter what the subject is. Spend any amount of time at all on youtube and you'll find more bad instruction than good.

A good instructor knows their limits. They teach what they know and leave the rest to others. Further, they should understand their students. Like it or not, no one will become an expert in a couple of days. So, to attempt to train a new shooter advanced techniques in only two days of training is ludicrous.

Even more, just because a student had a good time doesn't mean it was good instruction. I spoke with one fellow who said he had just been to this great class. He loved that they had fired over 700 rounds in just two days. I then watched him shoot. It was like he had never received any instruction at all. His grouping at 7 yards was the size of a basketball, his grip was wrong to the point of being dangerous and he had difficulty even operating his gun. He might have had fun shooting a lot, but he sure didn't get much instruction. So, take reviews with a grain of salt.

 

[NCW Ray]

Finding good instruction is hard to do and it doesn't matter what the subject is.

I'm beginning to think all it takes to be qualified to offer training classes is a thousand tatoos and a bushman style beard. If you have them you have to be a "baddd assss operator"!