Is DA/SA the Cure for Glock Leg Syndrome?

[joe817]

Interesting article/video.

DON'T SHOOT THE MESSANGER!

http://bearingarms.com/bob-o/2016/05/13 ... ion-autos/

Ever since I 'discovered' the DA/SA on the pistols I was collecting back in the 70's(handguns of WWII), I've been a big fan of them.

[ScottDLS]

I have read a number of Bob Owens articles over in BearingArms and it's clear he doesn't like Glocks. So this brought up a parallel question:

I have been carrying DA/SA semi-autos almost exclusively since I got CHL in 1996. I've never carried a SA semi like a 1911. I'm somewhat nervous that habits developed carrying DA/SA may not serve me with a 1911 (which I just bought). If I'm not ready to carry a 1911 "Cocked and locked", how should I carry for self defense? Not at all?

With my SA/DA, I always use the hammer drop after charging to go to DA. Then I put the thumb safety on and holster. What is the "safe" way to de-cock a 1911? Maybe I'm missing something since I haven't carried one in 25 years since I was in the military, and back then we carried in condition BRICK (no mag inserted, hammer down on empty chamber, mag w/ three rounds on belt )

[cyphur]

I have read a number of Bob Owens articles over in BearingArms and it's clear he doesn't like Glocks. So this brought up a parallel question:

I have been carrying DA/SA semi-autos almost exclusively since I got CHL in 1996. I've never carried a SA semi like a 1911. I'm somewhat nervous that habits developed carrying DA/SA may not serve me with a 1911 (which I just bought). If I'm not ready to carry a 1911 "Cocked and locked", how should I carry for self defense? Not at all?

With my SA/DA, I always use the hammer drop after charging to go to DA. Then I put the thumb safety on and holster. What is the "safe" way to de-cock a 1911? Maybe I'm missing something since I haven't carried one in 25 years since I was in the military, and back then we carried in condition BRICK (no mag inserted, hammer down on empty chamber, mag w/ three rounds on belt )

No point in de-cocking a 1911, as you cannot fire from that position. You would have to pull the gun and then cock the hammer before you could fire, which is more or less the same as carrying a gun without a round in the chamber.

If you really have to for some strange reason, the answer is "very carefully". I'd just rack the slide to clear the round from the chamber instead.

[rotor]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3muDeFTUA

I personally would not do this on a 1911.

[allisji]

I have read a number of Bob Owens articles over in BearingArms and it's clear he doesn't like Glocks. So this brought up a parallel question:

I have been carrying DA/SA semi-autos almost exclusively since I got CHL in 1996. I've never carried a SA semi like a 1911. I'm somewhat nervous that habits developed carrying DA/SA may not serve me with a 1911 (which I just bought). If I'm not ready to carry a 1911 "Cocked and locked", how should I carry for self defense? Not at all?

With my SA/DA, I always use the hammer drop after charging to go to DA. Then I put the thumb safety on and holster. What is the "safe" way to de-cock a 1911? Maybe I'm missing something since I haven't carried one in 25 years since I was in the military, and back then we carried in condition BRICK (no mag inserted, hammer down on empty chamber, mag w/ three rounds on belt )

I have a DA/SA. But I'm always nervous about using the decocker because I don't understand the mechanism well-enough to know if a malfunction could occur causing an accidental discharge. That said, I'm also always nervous to manually lower the hammer as that introduces the possibility of human error and I don't know which is safer. This is one reason why I've become more comfortable carrying a DAO or a striker-fired pistol instead. Though I really like the concept of carrying a DA/SA in DA mode with the thumb safety engaged, because it introduces another layer of protection against ND.

I'm sure that the forum can educate me a little on DA/SA and the decocking lever, why should I not be scared to decock with a round in the chamber?

[Javier730]

I have read a number of Bob Owens articles over in BearingArms and it's clear he doesn't like Glocks. So this brought up a parallel question:

I have been carrying DA/SA semi-autos almost exclusively since I got CHL in 1996. I've never carried a SA semi like a 1911. I'm somewhat nervous that habits developed carrying DA/SA may not serve me with a 1911 (which I just bought). If I'm not ready to carry a 1911 "Cocked and locked", how should I carry for self defense? Not at all?

With my SA/DA, I always use the hammer drop after charging to go to DA. Then I put the thumb safety on and holster. What is the "safe" way to de-cock a 1911? Maybe I'm missing something since I haven't carried one in 25 years since I was in the military, and back then we carried in condition BRICK (no mag inserted, hammer down on empty chamber, mag w/ three rounds on belt )

I have a DA/SA. But I'm always nervous about using the decocker because I don't understand the mechanism well-enough to know if a malfunction could occur causing an accidental discharge. That said, I'm also always nervous to manually lower the hammer as that introduces the possibility of human error and I don't know which is safer. This is one reason why I've become more comfortable carrying a DAO or a striker-fired pistol instead. Though I really like the concept of carrying a DA/SA in DA mode with the thumb safety engaged, because it introduces another layer of protection against ND.

I'm sure that the forum can educate me a little on DA/SA and the decocking lever, why should I not be scared to decock with a round in the chamber?

Just use the decocker and also manually lower the hammer.

[allisji]

I have read a number of Bob Owens articles over in BearingArms and it's clear he doesn't like Glocks. So this brought up a parallel question:

I have been carrying DA/SA semi-autos almost exclusively since I got CHL in 1996. I've never carried a SA semi like a 1911. I'm somewhat nervous that habits developed carrying DA/SA may not serve me with a 1911 (which I just bought). If I'm not ready to carry a 1911 "Cocked and locked", how should I carry for self defense? Not at all?

With my SA/DA, I always use the hammer drop after charging to go to DA. Then I put the thumb safety on and holster. What is the "safe" way to de-cock a 1911? Maybe I'm missing something since I haven't carried one in 25 years since I was in the military, and back then we carried in condition BRICK (no mag inserted, hammer down on empty chamber, mag w/ three rounds on belt )

I have a DA/SA. But I'm always nervous about using the decocker because I don't understand the mechanism well-enough to know if a malfunction could occur causing an accidental discharge. That said, I'm also always nervous to manually lower the hammer as that introduces the possibility of human error and I don't know which is safer. This is one reason why I've become more comfortable carrying a DAO or a striker-fired pistol instead. Though I really like the concept of carrying a DA/SA in DA mode with the thumb safety engaged, because it introduces another layer of protection against ND.

I'm sure that the forum can educate me a little on DA/SA and the decocking lever, why should I not be scared to decock with a round in the chamber?

Just use the decocker and also manually lower the hammer.

You just gave me a "duh!" moment. I hadn't thought of that. But what does the de-cocking lever do that makes it impossible for the pin to depress the primer? Is there a mechanical device that shields the pin from the hammer, or the primer from the pin, or something like that? I will have to practice with the decocker unloaded tonight.

[Middle Age Russ]

Guns that have a safety/decocker or a simple decocker lever typically engage some sort of firing pin block before / while the hammer falls. This block can be in the form of a physical barrier between the hammer and the firing pin (like the S&W 59 series), or it could take the form of a firing pin block that prevents movement of the firing pin. Note that most modern pistols incorporate a firing pin block which ensures that the firing pin will not move until the trigger is manipulated.

[Pawpaw]

I have read a number of Bob Owens articles over in BearingArms and it's clear he doesn't like Glocks. So this brought up a parallel question:

I have been carrying DA/SA semi-autos almost exclusively since I got CHL in 1996. I've never carried a SA semi like a 1911. I'm somewhat nervous that habits developed carrying DA/SA may not serve me with a 1911 (which I just bought). If I'm not ready to carry a 1911 "Cocked and locked", how should I carry for self defense? Not at all?

With my SA/DA, I always use the hammer drop after charging to go to DA. Then I put the thumb safety on and holster. What is the "safe" way to de-cock a 1911? Maybe I'm missing something since I haven't carried one in 25 years since I was in the military, and back then we carried in condition BRICK (no mag inserted, hammer down on empty chamber, mag w/ three rounds on belt )

I have a DA/SA. But I'm always nervous about using the decocker because I don't understand the mechanism well-enough to know if a malfunction could occur causing an accidental discharge. That said, I'm also always nervous to manually lower the hammer as that introduces the possibility of human error and I don't know which is safer. This is one reason why I've become more comfortable carrying a DAO or a striker-fired pistol instead. Though I really like the concept of carrying a DA/SA in DA mode with the thumb safety engaged, because it introduces another layer of protection against ND.

I'm sure that the forum can educate me a little on DA/SA and the decocking lever, why should I not be scared to decock with a round in the chamber?

One of the (many) nice features of a Sig Sauer is the way the decocker works. When you push down on the decocker, you can feel it release & then you can release is slowly to ease the hammer down. I'm not crazy about a decocker that causes the hammer to slam down.

[android]

Guns that have a safety/decocker or a simple decocker lever typically engage some sort of firing pin block before / while the hammer falls. This block can be in the form of a physical barrier between the hammer and the firing pin (like the S&W 59 series), or it could take the form of a firing pin block that prevents movement of the firing pin. Note that most modern pistols incorporate a firing pin block which ensure that the firing pin will not move until the trigger is manipulated.

Usually the trigger must be almost all the way back, right before the point where the sear disengages to lift the firing pin block.

If you take the slide off your pistol, you will usually see it poking down. If you try to press the firing pin forward through the breech hole, you cannot unless you push in on that post. If you pull the trigger on the frame, you'll see there is a small mechanical arm that lifts as you pull the trigger. It will push that pin in when the frame and slide are engaged together in the correct alignment.

A decocker drops the hammer, but doesn't drop the pin block. While I would not advocate decocking in an unsafe direction, I have no anxiety about doing it. You can ride the hammer down while decocking, just DON'T pull the trigger.

[Beiruty]

I do not have a striker pistols, other than my NIB VP9. Until it was recalled, I had a Caracal Striker Fired and I liked it a lot.
Striker fired is not for everyone and if you do carry one, train hard and do not use open top holster (passive retention).

[android]

I do not have a striker pistols, other than my NIB VP9. Until it was recalled, I had a Caracal Striker Fired and I liked it a lot.
Striker fired is not for everyone and if you do carry one, train hard and do not use open top holster (passive retention).

I own mostly HK DA/SA (V3) pistols. I'm thinking about getting a VP9.

Unlike Glock, you can take down a VP9 without ever pulling the trigger.
I think it is a bad idea to have a trigger serve two purposes. I should fire the gun and nothing else.

[twomillenium]

Interesting article/video.

DON'T SHOOT THE MESSANGER!

http://bearingarms.com/bob-o/2016/05/13 ... ion-autos/

Ever since I 'discovered' the DA/SA on the pistols I was collecting back in the 70's(handguns of WWII), I've been a big fan of them.

As with any quality handgun, very seldom is it the handguns fault. Those who have problems with most quality handguns usually find that it by way of grip, recoil, sights etc.. Negligent discharge or unintended discharge is almost always operator error. Usually when the handgun is blamed it is really the low IQ of the operator not understanding what practice means (start slow develop you habit and increase speed until you acquire combat or tactical speed). IMNSHO, that includes IDPA banning index finger releases. It was not the fault of the holster but the inability to use the holster by the operator.
Just sayin......

[Beiruty]

I do not have a striker pistols, other than my NIB VP9. Until it was recalled, I had a Caracal Striker Fired and I liked it a lot.
Striker fired is not for everyone and if you do carry one, train hard and do not use open top holster (passive retention).

I own mostly HK DA/SA (V3) pistols. I'm thinking about getting a VP9.

Unlike Glock, you can take down a VP9 without ever pulling the trigger.
I think it is a bad idea to have a trigger serve two purposes. I should fire the gun and nothing else.

Correct, Caracal was like that too.