Out of sight, out of mind?

S&WM&P40

S&WM&P40

New member
Is out of sight really out of mind? I keep reading people post how unsafe it is to carry a 1911 in condition 1(round in the chamber,hammer back,thumb safety on.) Yet those same people think nothing of it when they carry their DA only handguns the same way.

It leads me to believe that "Out of sight,really is out of mind!"

Would it make these people feel safer if the 1911 had it's hammer inside the frame like on their DA firearms?
 
S&WM&P40 said:
Is out of sight really out of mind? I keep reading people post how unsafe it is to carry a 1911 in condition 1(round in the chamber,hammer back,thumb safety on.) Yet those same people think nothing of it when they carry their DA only handguns the same way.

It leads me to believe that "Out of sight,really is out of mind!"

Would it make these people feel safer if the 1911 had it's hammer inside the frame like on their DA firearms?
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OH so true!
 
It would for me, but not for the reason you're thinking. I know it's not supposed to happen, but if the hammer goes forward and it goes bang and shoots my foot then I've been injured, I'll survive. My reason is my young son is at the age where he wants to get his fingers in everything. One of the last things I'd want happening when his fingers are exploring is for any of them to be between the hammer and the frame IF the hammer fell forward. We can all agree that is, in theory, impossible without outside help but I've heard my son scream in pain and I don't want it to be because of this scenario, so I switched to carrying an XDM instead of a 1911. At the end of the day they both go bang and both will make a hole in whatever you point them at. I'm not worried by carrying a gun ready to go bang, I'm just trying to avoid one particular accident until my son is old enough to know not to touch.
 
good question

I decided to register with this sight after reading your thread. The fact is a 1911, when clambered and on safe, is extremely safe. This is because of the way the safety mechanism works. People have dropped it on the highway from a motorcycle, while in condition 1 on safe, and the gun still did not discharge the chambered round. After a lot of research I believe its safer to carry a 1911 in condition 1 than any internal strike style pistol.
I carry a 1911 when clothing permits. Always with one in the pipe on safe. I also have a son, so when its not on my body I clear it and just leave a full mag in it and put it on the fridge. If your child is big enough to charge it, there ready to be taught proper weapon safety.
 
He isn't big enough yet, he's 16 months old. I just don't want his tiny fingers getting in the gap between hammer and frame. It's a decision I made in order to keep the peace at home, my wife was worried about it and told me I should put the 1911 away until he's old enough to understand, and 'why can't you carry one of those guns without the hammer'. Dunno about you but that sounded like permission to buy so I did.
 
S&WM&P40 said:
Is out of sight really out of mind? I keep reading people post how unsafe it is to carry a 1911 in condition 1(round in the chamber,hammer back,thumb safety on.) Yet those same people think nothing of it when they carry their DA only handguns the same way.

It leads me to believe that "Out of sight,really is out of mind!"

Would it make these people feel safer if the 1911 had it's hammer inside the frame like on their DA firearms?
Click to expand...

The 1911 design was meant to be carried "Cocked and Locked". Not only does the safety have to be off but the grip safety has to be depressed. If no one has tried to "re-work" the innards of the weapon it should be perfectly safe. I have carried a 1911 for years and never had a ND. I have never had my safety magically go off safe as some say it can. After 20+ years of cocked and locked carry if it was going to happen I think it would have by now.
 
NRA Lifer and Proud said:
The 1911 design was meant to be carried "Cocked and Locked". Not only does the safety have to be off but the grip safety has to be depressed. If no one has tried to "re-work" the innards of the weapon it should be perfectly safe. I have carried a 1911 for years and never had a ND. I have never had my safety magically go off safe as some say it can. After 20+ years of cocked and locked carry if it was going to happen I think it would have by now.
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Right On! That's kinda what I was getting at with this thread. Being new to 1911's(Stop me if I'm wrong) on top of the thumb safety and grip safety there is also a firing pin block is there not?

I don't understand why people say carrying the 1911 "Cocked and Locked" is unsafe just because it has a external hammer. When they carry the vary same way with their DA only firearms, only they never see the hammer held back because it's an internal hammer.
 
My 1911 stays in its house until it is time to use it. Out of sight, out of mind??? Not really because hubby and I know where it is. Even 127.5 lb doggie knows where it is and his nose is suppose to stay out of it. Kids don't know because they don't live with us anymore.
 
NRA Lifer and Proud said:
The 1911 design was meant to be carried "Cocked and Locked". Not only does the safety have to be off but the grip safety has to be depressed. If no one has tried to "re-work" the innards of the weapon it should be perfectly safe. I have carried a 1911 for years and never had a ND. I have never had my safety magically go off safe as some say it can. After 20+ years of cocked and locked carry if it was going to happen I think it would have by now.
Click to expand...

I agree, not arguing with any of that. I switched because, for me, it was easier to accept being given permission to go out and buy a new gun than to argue with my wife. I was about to try the futile exercise of trying to argue my position on the premise of attempting to educate her when my internal voice screamed at me 'STFU, she's actually telling you to buy another one, just accept she's right'
 
Tucker's Mom said:
My 1911 stays in its house until it is time to use it. Out of sight, out of mind??? Not really because hubby and I know where it is. Even 127.5 lb doggie knows where it is and his nose is suppose to stay out of it. Kids don't know because they don't live with us anymore.
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What I mean by "Out of sight,Out of mind" is the hammer on the 1911. Not the firearm it's self.
 
This just goes to show how effective the anti gun media has been a demonizing guns. We have been told for years that guns are evil and kill people so even though there is no real evidence to back up the claims that cocked and locked single action semi auto pistols can go off for no reason and hurt someone. Every accidental firing I have heard of has turned out to be someone making a mistake and then blaming the gun for their own stupidity. I have been carrying a cocked and locked single action semi auto hand gun for over 20 years. I have never had the safety come off safe, or had the gun just go off. Whether it be a 1911, or my Browning Hi-Power. They are as safe as any other handgun on the market today. If you do not want it to go off then keep your booger hook off the trigger.
 
S&WM&P40 said:
Right On! That's kinda what I was getting at with this thread. Being new to 1911's(Stop me if I'm wrong) on top of the thumb safety and grip safety there is also a firing pin block is there not?

I don't understand why people say carrying the 1911 "Cocked and Locked" is unsafe just because it has a external hammer. When they carry the vary same way with their DA only firearms, only they never see the hammer held back because it's an internal hammer.
Click to expand...

There is no firing pin block on a 1911 that has a Series 70 slide like my S.A. Operator. My Colt has a Series 80 slide and it does have an internal firing pin block. I will take a picture of them side by side so you can see it. It is pretty obvious on the underside or inside of the slide. There is what looks like a little button in one of the slots. I could almost bet that the Series 80 slide came out to make some nervous Nellies feel better by having the firing pin block there.

Series80vSeries701911slides1A.jpg
 
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scouser said:
I agree, not arguing with any of that. I switched because, for me, it was easier to accept being given permission to go out and buy a new gun than to argue with my wife. I was about to try the futile exercise of trying to argue my position on the premise of attempting to educate her when my internal voice screamed at me 'STFU, she's actually telling you to buy another one, just accept she's right'
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Oh I wouldn't have argued either and I was not downing your choice. Hope you didn't take my comment in that light. Handguns are such personal choices and what works for one may not work for the next.

Some times listening to the inner voices pays off .... and you get a new gun!:yes2:
 
NRA Lifer and Proud said:
... I was not downing your choice. Hope you didn't take my comment in that light...
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I didn't, just wanted to clarify my comments as it seems you did too.

Yes, the inner voice had a good point to make that day
:pleasantry:
 
S&WM&P40 said:
Right On! That's kinda what I was getting at with this thread. Being new to 1911's(Stop me if I'm wrong) on top of the thumb safety and grip safety there is also a firing pin block is there not?
Click to expand...


Depends on the manufacturer but the original design didn't have one. The original , original design didn't have a safety period.

My only objection to carrying cocked and locked is this weird thing I have in my head that I'm going to drop the pistol and break the hammer off of it but I know that's just a mental block in my own head.
 
I think there is something to the "out of sight out mind" theory. Seeing a weapon with the hammer pulled back LOOKS more threatening than one that doesn't have a visble hammer. Is it more dangerous? No. But someone that is not familiar with the mechanics of either will automatically percieve more danger. I know this because I just laid my XDM .40 and my Kimber Pro Carry (both cocked, no ammo. Kim saftey on) on the table and asked my three sons and my wife what weapon is in the most unsafe condition right now assuming they are loaded? They all picked the Kimber because they said it was cocked. My wife and oldest son should have known better, but there is something about seeing that yanked hammer that intimidates. Anyway, there is the redneck acid test for ya! that'll be $10 bucks please:biggrin:!
 
rudiepop said:
I think there is something to the "out of sight out mind" theory. Seeing a weapon with the hammer pulled back LOOKS more threatening than one that doesn't have a visble hammer. Is it more dangerous? No. But someone that is not familiar with the mechanics of either will automatically percieve more danger. I know this because I just laid my XDM .40 and my Kimber Pro Carry (both cocked, no ammo. Kim saftey on) on the table and asked my three sons and my wife what weapon is in the most unsafe condition right now assuming they are loaded? They all picked the Kimber because they said it was cocked. My wife and oldest son should have known better, but there is something about seeing that yanked hammer that intimidates. Anyway, there is the redneck acid test for ya! that'll be $10 bucks please:biggrin:!
Click to expand...

Do you take payment plans? Say 1 cent a day? LOL j/k.
 
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