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In light of a recent post by a courageous fellow member in which he bravely recounted his own recent negligent discharge, I wanted to poll the membership about important safety features on your semi-auto pistols. Do not interpret this post as an opportunity to "pile on"...we can all use an occasional refresher on firearms safety and proper handling. As such, which feature(s) do you consider to be invaluable?

I reckon that the decocker (i.e., a frame or slide-mounted lever for safely lowering the weapon's hammer to a half-cocked/hammer-intercept postion all without having to pull the trigger) is the most important safety feature on any modern semi-auto (assuming that you carry/own pistols that are either single-action or double/single action). Double-action only pistols/revolvers won't require this feature since the hammer always sits in the uncocked postion by default. An added benefit to the decocked hammer is that it comes to rest in a "half cocked" position, and the decocked hammer is normally "locked" in a safe postion that doesn't contact the firing pin (prevents discharges if the weapon is dropped).

For those who may not realize the practical/real world value of this feature, a weapon equipped with a decocker allows the operator to safely lower the weapon's hammer on a loaded chamber without bypassing any passive safety features built into the gun (i.e., firing pin lock/safety, hammer interecept notch, etc.). Pulling the trigger, and attempting to "thumb the hammer down," deactivates any passive safety features on the weapon and increases the probability of a negligent discharge.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've never personally seen a 1911 style pistol equipped with a decocker. These pistols are usually single-action only/condition-1 carry weapons, but even so, there must be times when even 1911 operators want to safely lower the hammer on loaded chambers, right?

That said, what do you guys/gals consider the most critical safety features on modern semi-autos, and why?

common/good sense

hoytinak wrote:common/good sense

Good point, should have added that option to the poll! But since I didn't, which option would you pick?

The feature between my ears...

And if someone says they hear an echo, or chirpin crickets...

Yer gonna get such a noogie!

I often find that "decocker" is another term for nasty, long trigger on the first shot. I had a Sig that was the exception to this.

Keeping my finger off of the trigger is the only safety that is really a guarantee. The rest of them IMHO can fail or cause a false level of comfort.

A S&W Revolver

jbirds1210 wrote:I often find that "decocker" is another term for nasty, long trigger on the first shot. I had a Sig that was the exception to this.

Keeping my finger off of the trigger is the only safety that is really a guarantee. The rest of them IMHO can fail or cause a false level of comfort.

YUP!

I carry a 1911 and an XD, and neither of them is unsafe with a round in the chamber & the action cocked. Neither of them has a decocker either.

The first (and in my opinion, only) safety is proper handling of a firearm combined with keeping your finger off the trigger until you want it to go BOOM! Everything else is mechanical interference, and mechanical devices fail when you need them most (see Murphy's Law for further details).

I don't believe any single mechanical feature is more important than another. Safety built into a gun is all part of a system combined with the operators understanding and usage. One can not reasonably argue that either a Glock or well made 1911 is not safe, they both have excellent track records even though their safety features are almost completely opposite by design.

Its all about understanding the features and using a gun that suits the user. I never was much for handguns in my youth, but had owned and used a pretty wide variety of long guns, from air guns to to the M60. To me using a hand gun without a selectable safety was unthinkable. Its what I've been comfortable with for years. That doesn't mean that Glocks are unsafe, I know they are, its just not what my experience has not made me comfortable with them. I know that hammer or a 1911 isn't going to just let go without a trigger pull and let go a big ole .45 in bullet. I know the safety system in a 1911 works, but I don't think I could ever be comfortable carrying one.

I chose the disconnector. It is the only part that actually prevents the shooter from getting injured without input from the shooter. Opposing thumbs can overcome the rest. The firing pin safety only prevents the gun from firing if it is dropped or has other external impact on the fire controls that are not induced by the shooter.

Gun firing out of battery = painful.

I put the decocker as my first choice, but I'm happy with the manual safeties on 1911s & XDs as well.
We're all human, and some of us are a bit absent-minded at times as well. The safety features are certainly no substitution for safety, but they're an added layer of protection.

I chose the disconnector after a little internal debate. HV's comment helped push the scales in that direction. The fact that it requiers no input from me is what did it.

I am a freak about checking to make sure that the chamber is clear at my house. I mean I will check three or four times consecutively just to make sure. A little OCD maybe...

I used revolvers for the first 25 years of my handgun shooting. I added a Glock to my arsenal when I got my CHL. I like the fact that there are internal safeties to prevent a discharge if I don't pull the trigger but I also like the fact that all I have to do is pull the trigger to make it go bang. I have used other weapons with manual safeties and got along with them fine but my personal preference is exactly what I have.


Off topic --- My compliments to Charles as moderator and to all the contributors here for keeping the conversations civil no matter how lively they become. I just abandoned another forum where you were an idiot unless you agreed with the poster, your knowledge was based on the length of time you had been posting, and humor was unrecognizeable without a smiley.

A good holster. If the trigger cannot be accessed, it won't fire. Other than that, like others have stated, using your head.

I don't trust decockers. A friend of mine had a decocker cause an accidental discharge on a weapon of his.