Huh?? How is it safe in my pocket?
My XD has a a grip safety on top of, what seems to me to be a "worthless" trigger safety. The Glocks don't even have a grip safety. And I don't understand what safety features are on other guns. Long pull, does not sound like a serious safety feature.
So then I'm told the Ghost isn't safe because the trigger is exposed. But if a gun is in my Thunderwear or tshirt, let alone pocket, it's all exposed.
I know guns don't fire themselves. I know they supposedly are also drop-proof (but still feel skeptical about that.)
kayla: You just need a little more exposure to the major variants of common defensive handgun trigger types. Ask someone at a gunshop, pawnshop, gunshow, or Shooter Safety/CCW course to show you the following (and try their triggers & safeties):
1. Striker Fired Single Action Semi-Autos: Glocks, XDs, S&W M&Ps. In these weapons, every trigger pull is exactly the same...short travel, relatively light pull, and the firing pin is cocked by manual retraction of the slide when loading. The firing pin itself remains under spring tension until released by lightly pulling the trigger. The trigger contributes no mechanical leverage to the "cocking" of the action. They tend to use the previously discussed trigger bar safety (although the XD also has a grip safety). They are simple, reliable, and absolutely safe...with a holster that protects the trigger. Because the triggers are light and no manual safety lever provided, the trigger bar safety ensures that it will require a finger to both depress that lever and pull rearward on the trigger in order to effect a shot. I'll use the analogy of flipping on a stiff room light switch to describe this type of trigger pull. You already know this one since you own it.
2. Combination Double Action/Single Action Semi-Autos (DA/SA): SIGs, Beretta 92s, HK USPs, some Rugers, decocker-equipped CZs, 3rd Generation S&Ws, Walther PPK, etc.. With these weapons, retracting and releasing the slide simultaneously chambers a round and cocks the hammer. Depressing a lever (sometimes called the safety, sometimes called the decocking lever) safely drops the hammer (taking the stored mechanical potential out of the spring holding it back). The weapon is now loaded but not cocked. When needed, the weapon's trigger must be drawn back forcefully to fire a round as the trigger finger is actually providing the mechanical force to cock the hammer to a point where it releases to strike the firing pin. Much more strength required than pulling the trigger on your XD. Weapons like this deliver a revolver-like manually cocked (by the trigger finger) first shot; all subsequent shots are a lighter Single Action (similar to your XD's trigger pull) as the recoil of the previous shot is used to chamber a new round/recock for subsequent shots. The first shot is powered by the pull of your finger on the trigger, transmitting finger strength directly against the tension of the lockwork connected to the hammer. These weapons are safe to carry whether in a holster or not. DA/SA first shot double action trigger pulls are like pressing the flush lever on a toilet...a deliberate, more forceful manuever, against resistance, and across a long arc. A long DA pull is a time proven and reliable safety feature.
3. Double Action Revolvers: For defensive use, every shot is mechanically leveraged by pulling the trigger through a long resistant arc (which cocks the hammer just prior to the sear breaking and releasing the hammer to fall forward on the firing pin). Same as the DA 1st shot in the autos described in paragraph #2 above. Most have a hammer that can be manually cocked by the thumb if desired. This allows for a deliberate Single Action shot, lightening the trigger pull as you are only applying pressure across the sear (to cause it to release the hammer) rather than also fighting the spring to cock it. Perfectly safe to carry and no safety required. Same toilet lever action as described in paragraph #2 above. A long DA pull is a time proven and reliable safety feature. Most Colt, Smith & Wesson, Dan Wesson, Charter Arms, Rossi, Taurus, or Ruger revolvers made in modern times.
4. Double Action Only (DAO) Semi-Autos and Revolvers: For every shot, the hammer is mechanically cocked by the trigger finger pulling the trigger against the spring/lockwork connected to the hammer. Toilet lever again. Every trigger pull is the same and requires a forceful and deliberate long pull. The hammer, upon reaching a position of full cock, immediately releases to impact the firing pin. You cannot keep the hammer cocked because their is no step in the sear to hold the hammer at full cock. Safety lever not required and rarely included. A long DA pull is a time proven and reliable safety feature. Kahr, Kel-Tec, Ruger LCP, some Rugers, some Smith & Wessons, and some modern DAO variants of Colt, Smith & Wesson, Dan Wesson, Charter Arms, Rossi, Taurus, or Ruger revolvers.
5. Single Action Semi-Autos: 1911s, Browning High Powers, Single Action CZs, etc.. Each shot is a short, crisp, light pull which releases the sear, causing a spring tensioned hammer to strike the firing pin. Mechanical energy is imparted to the hammer through cycling the slide during loading; this cocks the hammer. A manual safety lever is then applied to ensure that the cocked hammer cannot release accidently. In the case of the 1911, a grip safety must also be depressed when the weapon is naturally gripped. The XD borrows from the 1911 with regards to inclusion of a grip safety.
Wipe safety off, lightly touch trigger...bang. A crisp light switch.
#s 2, 3, 4, & 5 (#5 cocked and locked) type weapons benefit from but do not absolutely require a holster to make them safe for carry. In other words, you
could just jam them into your pocketbook, pants pocket, jacket pocket, belly band, waistband, or glove compartment. They absolutely will not go off. You could throw most of them across the room at a wall or drop them off the roof without fear of discharge.
# 1 type weapons need a holster covering the trigger. Especially #1s. You can still throw them across the parking lot and they won't go off by themselves, unless something contacts the trigger and causes it to move rearwards...bang.
NEW YORK -- Facing the prospect of spending at least 3½ years behind bars, one-time Super Bowl star Plaxico Burress on Thursday accepted a plea bargain with a two-year prison sentence for accidentally shooting himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub.
Glock, No Holster, Jammed in Waistband...Fail
On the other hand, tens of thousands of police officers safely carry XDs, Smith M&Ps, and Glocks every day...in holsters.
You already have a good pistol; just use a holster that covers the trigger and allows you to carry concealed according to your dress.
The Serpa you have is fine and offers good retention.
Sorry for getting long winded...
IWB, OWB ( He even has an OWB that's designed for women.), between the waistband and belt, ankle and shoulder holsters. Plus some designed specifically for a few different guns, like the H&K P7. BTW, if you feel the need for a shoulder holster ( I use it for backpacking) I'll let you borrow mine for a few weeks. I have an XD(M) 9 shoulder holster made by Mitch. Enough out of me, here's the web site: http://www.mitchrosen.com/
She's usually kind of high strung. My other riding horse could probably be herd-trained to gun noise. But I would not want to be near him for the first few shots!! They all can learn, but the quarter horses seem to do better with anything that is like ranch work, including dealing with loud, sharp noise.