[mayscat44]

My thumb pulling the hammer back is no more difficult than my thumb bringing the safety down. It's just one of those things that doesn't make sense to me. Someone please tell me why it's better to be cocked and locked.

[Jpyle]

Originally Posted by mayscat44

My thumb pulling the hammer back is no more difficult than my thumb bringing the safety down. It's just one of those things that doesn't make sense to me. Someone please tell me why it's better to be cocked and locked.

Assuming that you are referring to a 1911 which is designed to be carried "cocked and locked" it is more natural to thumb down the safety while simultaneously putting the sights on target. Many times the hand is twisted or the support hand is used to cock the hammer, this disengages the sights and requires additional time to get back on target...those additional seconds or fractions of a second may cost you your life.

[mayscat44]

"More natural"...not to me. Maybe because I practice my draw by pulling the hammer back after I'm on target. I don't increase my speed by putting the safety down instead. They are both a single movement of the thumb. I've never seen anyone twist the gun because they're pulling the hammer back, and pulling it back with the support hand...well that's just silly.

[mayscat44]

I'm not trying to argue FOR the way I do it. I'm really looking for a SOLID reason why it's better (cocked and locked). So far it just seems like "well, that's just the way it's done."

[kytowboater]

For me, it's faster and more natural dropping the safety. If I work the hammer, I have to work at it a little. Just me though.

[bearrwe]

The 1911 was designed with multiple safeties , the grip safety which you ah not be engaging fully while cocking the gun, also if you slip when drawing the hammer back it can engage the half cock notch which adds another step to the process. If you draw the gun cocked and locked you engage the grip safety fully you remove the firearm from safe with your thumb and when you pull the trigger it drop all the way fully engaging the firing pin and firing a round. It was designed to be fired in this manner and firing it any other manner risks a delay in getting your first shot off. I have also been told that it was believed to be unsafe carried in the hammer down position as dropping it could possibly cause an accidental discharge. I have never seen this but all safeties are designed for cocked and locked carry.

[Todd_]

Originally Posted by mayscat44

"More natural"...not to me. Maybe because I practice my draw by pulling the hammer back after I'm on target. I don't increase my speed by putting the safety down instead. They are both a single movement of the thumb. I've never seen anyone twist the gun because they're pulling the hammer back, and pulling it back with the support hand...well that's just silly.

Think about the forces applied. Flipping the safety requires very little downward force with the thumb and the path the thumb travels to grab the grip is in line with the safety. Think about pulling back the hammer. This requires substantially more force than flipping the safety off, and it requires your hand to exert more counter forces to compensate for the rearward and down force you are applying to the hammer, which changes the angle of the gun and takes the sights off target (most of the time). It's just more practical to flip down the safety as you grip and take aim then have to counterbalance the forces required to cock the hammer while taking aim. Just my $0.02.

[danf_fl]

To me, when you lower the hammer of a 1911 down on a loaded chamber, the risk of having it slip and detonate the round makes it a stupid and dangerous act.
And unless there is a firing pin block, the chance that the firearm gets dropped and lands on the hammer, there is also the possibility of discharge.

When the military carries the 1911, there is no mag, the hammer is down on an UNLOADED chamber. The handgun would get charged when there was a threat pending.

IMO, there is no reason to take a chance of a ND.

[axxe55]

the pistol is under more control when using the thumb safety vs. using the same thumb to cock the hammer back. especially if you have an extended beavertail grip safety. the pistol is supported way more and easier to sweep the thumb safety downwards, rather than trying to cock the hammer back with the same thumb. now if your argument goes the direction, of using the other hand also to cock the hammer back with it, yes it can be done and the pistol is much better supported and you will have increased control. now in the instance, an attack is way up close and personal, and you are using your left hand and arm to hold off someone while drawing your weapon. well now you are limited to being able to use only your right hand to draw the weapon and bring it into action. by trying to use the thumb on that right hand to cock the hammer, you lose some support of the pistol and could lose control of the pistol and possibly drop it. yes i believe the cocked and locked with the thumb safety is the better way than with the hammer down and cocking it when drawing it.

[HOSSFLY]

Originally Posted by mayscat44

"More natural"...not to me. Maybe because I practice my draw by pulling the hammer back after I'm on target. I don't increase my speed by putting the safety down instead. They are both a single movement of the thumb. I've never seen anyone twist the gun because they're pulling the hammer back, and pulling it back with the support hand...well that's just silly.

I can kind of see that IF you cock it with the left thumb -
No way i can cock & keep gun on target near as well as i can just "thumbing" the safety down -