cougar69 Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 I`ve asked other places & still haven`t gotten a clear answer, so I`ll ask here & hope for the best. Subject pistol is a Colt 1911 45 ACP to carry concealed. With a round in chamber & hammer cocked & thumb safety on, just what does that safety do? In other words, what does it lock to prevent you from firing it? Does it lock the hammer or trigger? Also, with round in chamber why can`t it be carried with the hammer at half cock, isn`t this a safety also? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailormilan2 Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 The thumb safety locks the hammer. Some people carry the hammer at half cock, but from what I have been told that is not what half cock is for. Half cock was designed to function as a hammer stop in case one's thumb slipped while cocking the hammer. You can carry the hammer down on a loaded chamber, as the firing pin is a spring rebound type. Not free floating. So the firing pin will not rest on the primer. I often carry my 1911s that way. I once read, and I cannot ascertain the veracity of the article, that JM Browning designed the 1911 to be carried cocked and UNLOCKED. Which is why the grip safety is there. There is no real need for it otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Hess Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 I don't think so, Sailorman2. As an experiment, put a primered empty shell in the chamber. Put the hammer down. Hit the hammer with a block of wood. See what happens. My money is on BOOM. Locked and Cocked (safety on) is the ONLY safe way to carry a 1911, short of no round in the chamber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gun nutty Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 The thumb safety locks the hammer. Some people carry the hammer at half cock, but from what I have been told that is not what half cock is for. Half cock was designed to function as a hammer stop in case one's thumb slipped while cocking the hammer. You can carry the hammer down on a loaded chamber, as the firing pin is a spring rebound type. Not free floating. So the firing pin will not rest on the primer. I often carry my 1911s that way. I once read, and I cannot ascertain the veracity of the article, that JM Browning designed the 1911 to be carried cocked and UNLOCKED. Which is why the grip safety is there. There is no real need for it otherwise. Look at the Colt 1903. Grip safety and side safety. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Model_1903_Pocket_Hammerless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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