Do you carry with the safety ON or OFF?

F

FUD

Moderator
Was standing in line at the bank today behind a LEO and noticed that he was carrying a third generation S&W full-size pistol as his duty firearm (I, obviously couldn't make out the exact model but it was a traditional DA/SA model and double stacked -- making it either a .40S&W or a 9mm). I did notice, however, that the manual safety was in the OFF position and that got me to thinking (never a good sign :D) ...

This obviously doesn't apply to 1911's, revolvers, DAO models and models that only have a decocker (as opposed to a combination decocker/manual safety -- such as SIGs), but if you fall into one of the remaining categories, do you carry with the manual safety ON or OFF?
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FUD
 
i don't carry but i prefer to have guns that don't have manual safeties. if i carried i'd carry my glock which doesn't have one. if i had to carry a DA/SA gun it would be a sig or probably a G model beretta (only a decocker no safety). i don't think i need a safety as long as i'm careful to keep my finger outside the trigger guard. its just another step in drawing your gun and i want to have to worry about as few things as possible if i need to draw. i have a beretta 92FS and a 92G Elite and i like the way the Elite works better. just like a revolver whenever its loaded i know its ready to fire.
 
Off.

I don't carry cocked & locked so that's not a problem.

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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
 
I the days when my carry gun was a traditional DA auto, I carried with the saftey off. Its just as safe as a DA revolver. Besides, I never could get used to those slide mounted backward operating safeties. They just didn't work for me.

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Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
 
I carry my CS-45 with the safety off,When I put in in my night safe next to bed I put the safety on,for added safety in the home with the little ones.
 
If it's a cocked and locked gun, the safety is on. Double action autos, I don't use the manual safety AS LONG AS IT'S IN A HOLSTER.
 
Off. Around here, we don't even call it a safety, we call it a "de-cocker." I think that is the way the S&W teaches it, not 100% sure though.

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When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; IT IS that they shall be destroyed forever...Psalms 92.7
 
If I were an uniformed LEO I would seriously consider carrying an auto pistol with a magazine safety and manual safety (on safe). Along with a proper retention holster and back-up weapon, this could aid in officer survival should a struggle for one's duty pistol occur.
As an off duty LEO or law abidding citizen carrying my primary weapon concealed, this is probably less of an issue.
A bedside gun for home defense should be secured from unauthorized use regardless.
I tend to think loaded firearms do not belong in the passenger compartment of a vehicle (unlocked glove box included) unless under the immediate control of its (the weapon's) owner.
In considerationn of an ND or AD, I doubt the need for leaving a manual safety on with most modern auto pistol designs. It could, however, offer an extra level of protection while reholstering or carrying in a waistband or pocket I guess.
I would recommend making a habit of swiping the safety "off" before firing in any case to be sure. Remember also to then get your thumb away from the slide as to not interfere with slide movement.
 
If you carry with it engaged, great. If you choose not to, you should still train with the thumb motion needed to disengage it. Those "decockers" have a tendency to occasionally work themselves down into the "safe" postion. Thay way, should it happen, you likely won't notice as you return fire.
When I carried a Smith, on-duty or off, the safety was engaged. Even in a Level 3 rig. It is just as natural and fast(for me) as is a 1911 for many other people. It is MUCH more awkward for the BG that doesn't know about it though. IMO, there's greater chance of finding the "natural" downward lever on a 1911, by chance, than those of the Smith, Beretta or Ruger.
 
The only of my handguns I carry with the safety on are my Ruger Mark II (when chambered) and my Davis Derringer (the firing pin rests on a live round otherwise).
 
I agree with Jack, if I was in uniform I would definatly want a gun with a manual safety for retention purposes.

I prefer guns with thumb safetys, I don't find that they slow me down much once I'm used to them. If I have a gun that comes with one, then I will use it.
 
I carry an HK USPc 40 in DA/SA mode. I always leave the safety on and a round in the tube. A thumb swipe while drawing adds no time to presentation speed and adds just a little extra margin of safety.
 
Whether you carry safety on or off, make sure to practice drawing with your thumb flicking the safety off. The last thing you want is to draw a supposedly off safe pistol only to discover it's on safe.

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So many pistols, so little money.
 
I haven't had any double actions that had safetys and I wouldn't carry cocked and locked, thats asking for a hole in your leg. I would prefer a gun with a safety that engaes when uncocked and a decocker. For that reason, mainly I'm getting a S&W 3913 or similar pistol the next time I part with some gold for new steel. If you train a safety won't slow you down at all, and if you drop it or lose in a struggle it gives you a little edge. Just my ever so HUMBLE opinion ;)
 
1911 type autos are not very utile unless carried cocked and locked. DA/SA autos are carried safety off.
Paying attention to one's surroundings (and keeping your sidearm) is preferable to hoping some member of the unholy can't figure out how your weapon works.
I've carried a badge and gun on my uniform for over eighteen years now.

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Archie
 
Ain't got no dang safety lever. The loooong trigger pull is the safety (Kel-Tec.) Whatever, it's all in practice with whatever you carry.
 
I do carry a Glock, and all three of my safeties are engaged until I squeeze the trigger.

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Yeah, I got a permit to carry,it's called the friggin Constitution.---Ted Nugent

"Glock 26: 17 rounds of concealed carry DEATH comming your way from out of nowhere!!! THAT'S FIREPOWER, BABY!!!"
 
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