Choosing a Handgun for Everyday Carry

[Bambi Buster]

This has been touched on in several currently active threads, but I sincerely believe this point is sufficiently critical as to merit a post of its own. It's not intended to be condescending, but if it comes across that way to some, make of it whatever you will.

Nearly all Glocks, and other similarly-designed semi-auto handguns that lack a manual safety, can be totally and fatally unforgiving of the type carelessness or inattention that would be inconsequential with other firearms. When making your selection, keep that foremost in your in mind, along with your skill/experience level and the amount of time, effort and expense you are likely to invest in becoming safe and proficient.

 

[MUP]

I had the choice with my Ruger LC9 S whether or not to have the version with the safety. I chose the safety without hesitation.

 

[PossumSlayer]

I had the choice with my Ruger LC9 S whether or not to have the version with the safety. I chose the safety without hesitation.

The last two pistols I bought I made sure to get with manual safety. If I don't want to use it I have the option

 

[Omega]

I disagree, I have been carrying a Glock 23 off and on for almost 30 years, and never have I had any issues with it. I owned it for almost 7 or 8 years when they had that drop issue and it never even worried me, but I sent it back to them and they replaced almost the entire lower. Pistols like this are simple, you keep your finger off the trigger and it doesn't shoot. I actually look for pistols that don't have a safety, I never use it anyway.

 

[Rakkin6]

So in my experience in the Army carrying the Beretta 9mm then switching to the Glock I am a fan of mo safety and this is what I have been carrying for 15 or son years now. I did carry one with a safety since that's what I carried at work until we switched to the Glock. Just tried to stay consistent between work and personal. Couldn't imagine going back to a manual safety. They way I see it, if I am pulling my sidearm it is getting used.

 

[Kimber45]

I love the Glock setup, no true manual safety… provided the trigger isn't messed with. Once they're messed with, just a range gun for me, and won't be holstered.

 

[Kimber45]

Primary carry for me is always a Glock or revolver. Backup, Ruger LCP (no safety)

 

[Hduke86]

I have both types of handguns with and without a safety. I carry a glock 19x daily. In one of the other threads I made mention that I take my holster off when I putting my pistol back in it. This is because I want to make sure NOTHING is in the trigger guard as I'm actively putting it back in the holster. If I'm drawing my pistol I intend on using it so I don't remove my pistol from the holster often and especially out in a public setting.

 

[moondawg]

I have the Springfield Armory subcompact XD9. It doesn't have a manual safety. It does have a grip safety in the rear part of the handle. Meaning it needs to be pressed by maintaining a solid and firm grip. And it also has a trigger safety, meaning it needs to be pulled past a certain point to fire. Basically you need a good firm grip to fire the gun, and keep your booger hook off the trigger to avoid an accidental fire.

Having said that, I also like my Ruger SP101 for the simplicity.

 

[poorhunter]

It is true that one should practice and be familiar with your gun.

 

[knightrider]

Your finger is the dang safety! Its really not that hard

 

[TnKen]

Glock and their likes will go off when the trigger is pulled, so you don't put your finger on the trigger until you are on target and have decided to shoot.

 

[grill-n-man2]

Safety or not as for gun safety it is a mechanically irrelevant feature. Why? Safety or no safety a firearm, by design, will not fire without a pull of the trigger. For years I've heard this safety is a must to be safe. Truth is a safety is a mechanical means to prevent firing when the person handling the firearm laps in concentration, for what ever reason, and fires the the firearm unintentionally. By design, firearms will not fire without pulling the trigger. Argue all you want to about toggles, clothing, wore out floppy holster, etc causing guns to go off but in reality it's the person's fault. One should be cautious using a manual safety as a crutch for gun safety 101 - keep that booger hook off the trigger until ready to fire. But hey if it's your thing no biggie go with it. I got em both ways but I've never had one fire without me pulling the trigger on purpose or accidentally. I will say again, using a manual safety as a crutch for a lapse in gun safety may not be the best idea

 

[MUP]

I'm not at all worried about pulling the trigger "inadvertently" myself, but if, just if, someone were to be able to take my sidearm in a scuffle, having that safety on might just buy me a couple seconds to get it back without that free trigger being pulled the instant the barrel lined up with my skull. That's my thought process of having a manual safety, not so much for me, but kinda for me, in a way. I'm not a big he man, I'm a man that wants every advantage he can get if such a situation were to ever happen to me.

 

[Gronkmonster]

Carry my M&P full size .45 and my finger is the safety. Had the same in .40 but the manual safety dug into my side and was uncomfortable. I'm totally comfortable without the safety

 

[Snake]

I usually carry the S&W paribellem 9mm because it's a revolver and hammer less or one of my other S&W revolvers . For fun ( not really) I'll carry the 25 cal. Baby Browning ... I know it's a 25 but a 25 will kill you just like a 22 cal. People down the 223 for deer hunting but you guys have proved they'll do the job . The Baby Browning will fit in your pocket , I wouldn't want to shoot at someone to far away but granted close in it'll do the job. Was told a story to be true that this really big dude ( I knew him) was causing trouble in a bar run by this other fellow ( knew him also) and the bartender emptied his 38 point blank into the big dude . The story goes that he never went all the way down but only to his knees . Gathered himself bleeding profusely and ordered another beer . Needless to say he eventually met his demise but that time the Lord smiled on him . He did go to the ER but was released after a little patching up . A skillful shot is better than a volley of shots missing their target IMO .

 

[MickThompson]

Manual safety is great unless you're a lefty looking for a compact or subcompact carry gun. Not much out there with an ambi safety

 

[Sam Davis]

Manual safety is great unless you're a lefty looking for a compact or subcompact carry gun. Not much out there with an ambi safety

yeah some manufacturers are not lefty friendly. Kimber is pretty good though. They installed an ambidextrous safety on my micro 9. With minimal charges.
Love my micro 9 and pro carry 45.

 

[Gronkmonster]

Manual safety is great unless you're a lefty looking for a compact or subcompact carry gun. Not much out there with an ambi safety

My dilemma as well

 

[MickThompson]

My dilemma as well

I got over it and went striker fired with the trigger safety

 

[younggun308]

I have little kids in the home. Of course I keep guns out of reach at all times, but it's worth it for that reason alone to have an extra safety as another fail safe.

 

[7mm08]

Your finger is the dang safety! Its really not that hard

And should be connected to a brain.
Glock or my Kimber 1911

 

[Urban_Hunter]

They have a safety. It's called excruciatingly long and heavy trigger pull. I think that's also why you see so many police shootouts with about a 5% hit rate.

 

[Rabbitkil]

I've never carried a pistol with a safety, all my training is without a safety it would probably get me killed if I tried to carry one with a safety.

 

[Rabbitkil]

They have a safety. It's called excruciatingly long and heavy trigger pull. I think that's also why you see so many police shootouts with about a 5% hit rate.

Well get your nicest most accurate 1911 and I'll stand behind a target shooting at you with a high point while you try to put hits on target after you sprinted 50yds after mostly sitting for 6 hours we can compare your hit rate with law enforcement

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

When I pull a handgun from my side it's automatic that I'm disengaging the safety as I draw, it doesn't take any more effort or time than pulling one without a safety, if your in the habit. That's my opinion and take on it.

 

[eightpointer]

My go to is always my Glock 31. I love that caliber and its a comfortable gun. The safety / no safety issue is a personal choice for folks.

 

[MUP]

Manual safety is great unless you're a lefty looking for a compact or subcompact carry gun. Not much out there with an ambi safety

That's another reason I still have, and very much like, my older Ruger P series handguns with the ambi safety decock. Plus those older ones fit in my hands nicely. ;)

 

[DaveTN]

You or others around you could live or die over your choice of equipment. Safeties is always a controversy. There is a reason some manufacturers offer their firearms with/without safeties and with/without magazine disconnects.

Like anything else, or any other option, whether or not you should have a safety is driven by your application, your needs and how you train.

I would never be so presumptuous as to tell someone I don't know whether or not they need a safety, or to make ridiculous statements about safeties.

But I will add this for some of those new shooters deciding what to get. Safeties are a back-up in case you make a mistake. Don't ever count on a trigger safety or magazine disconnect to make your handgun safe. I had a thumb safety on a 1911 fail. Also, those that are telling you a handgun can't fire without you pulling the trigger are clueless, don't listen to them. Guns are mechanical devices and any of them can fail.

 

[MUP]

Rifles and handguns alike have discharged from being dropped before, no pull of the trigger.