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Bumped into a friend at the range today (Lunch hour range time). I showed him my new toy (compact 1911) and he showed me his new toy (a Ruger P345). I liked the weapon as it is a functional weapon but I did not like the lack of a safety, the really deep trigger pull, and the de-cocker scares the living daylights out of me (Can it cause the weapon to fire?). Maybe its just my 1911 addiction, but I feel that the P345 is not a good weapon to carry. If someone here carries one would they please help me correct my misconceptions regarding the weapon?

G.A. Heath wrote:the de-cocker scares the living daylights out of me (Can it cause the weapon to fire?)

No, it can't.

I understand your concern, because the first time I saw someone hit the decocker on a loaded chamber, I almost soiled myself.

But if you examine the mechanism, you'll see that the decocker rotates a positive block into place before the hammer drops. It absolutely positively cannot send the firing pin into the primer.

I carry a Ruger P97DC. On the range, I hit the decocker with no worry, because it's pointed safely down range. At home when loading up or press-checking, I let the hammer down gently just to avoid mechanical stress. (And I still pay attention to muzzle direction. )

Relax. Modern decockers are absolutely safe, but you should still keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Basic safety rules still apply.

Kevin

KBCraig wrote:

G.A. Heath wrote:the de-cocker scares the living daylights out of me (Can it cause the weapon to fire?)

No, it can't.

I understand your concern, because the first time I saw someone hit the decocker on a loaded chamber, I almost soiled myself.

But if you examine the mechanism, you'll see that the decocker rotates a positive block into place before the hammer drops. It absolutely positively cannot send the firing pin into the primer.

I carry a Ruger P97DC. On the range, I hit the decocker with no worry, because it's pointed safely down range. At home when loading up or press-checking, I let the hammer down gently just to avoid mechanical stress. (And I still pay attention to muzzle direction. )

Relax. Modern decockers are absolutely safe, but you should still keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Basic safety rules still apply.

Kevin

I Have a Ruger P95 with the manual safety, and it works the same way as the decocker. It is unnerving, even if it is safe. Its always a good idea to keep the muzzle pointed in safe direction. I usually let the hammer fly though, I hadn't though about extra wear. Something to think about though. wouldn't want to chip or break anything,

When the P345 first came out they said it was loosely designed around the 1911. At that time they offered a model with an external safety and a locking device that would not allow the hammer to move. This model also will not fire if no magazine is inserted. All of those features intrigued me enough to look into acquiring one for myself, but I could never find the safety version, only the decocker.

I've shot the decocker version, and I like the way it performs. I just wish I could put my hands on the safety version.

But at this point, I think I'd rather spend almost 3x the money and buy a Kimber UCII

I have one of these and love it. It is a decocker safety. Decocking is spooky at first, but you do get used to it. Like others have said, keep it pointed in a safe direction. It also carries very well.

Well, I've owned several Berettas, and the 92s do the same thing - the decocker doesn't bother me.

ok, so the de-cocker is safe (It still bothers me, and probably always will) now about that trigger pull. That has to be one of the longest, if not longest, trigger pulls I have ever encountered. Therere is so much slack to take up I honestly thought the weapon had malfunctioned when I first tried to fire it. I only fired it single action as I did not like the decocker (still don't).

Its a nice gun, but I think I will stick to my 1911s with their crisp short SA triggers. In fact I don't think I will willing shoot my friends P345 again

If you go to the Ruger forum, you can find instructions on how to install a weaker trigger spring. I did that on my P 95 and it helped the trigger a lot.

G.A. Heath wrote:ok, so the de-cocker is safe (It still bothers me, and probably always will)...

As it should! It's a mechanical device and mechanical devices can fail. Like someone said, ~always~ point in a safe direction before de-cocking.

I do not one own, and will not own one. I will stick with my 1911s and be very happy with fewer worries.