Open carry with a cocked pistol

[Buzzdraw]

The 1911 and pistols like it are both safe as well as ready for immediate action if carried in "Condition One". To avoid having the thumb safety inadvertently bumped to "off" some things should be considered. First is choose a thumb safety that does not protrude more than necessary. A competition paddle thumb safety is a bad idea for this application. Likewise an ambi thumb safety may be a bad idea if it rubs your clothing in the particular holster. Yes, that carry or tactical safety may be the better choice. Consider the thumb break holsters that put a chunk of leather between your hammer and the gun. Odds are good that a tactical single side thumb safety will work with them; check it out though before buying the particular holster. That chunk of leather will reduce the number of "do you know your hammer is cocked" questions if you choose to open carry.

Remember that open carry puts you more into the multi level retention holster arena that does concealed carry. Your gear is open for scrutiny by all, knowing and unknowing individuals, when you make the open carry choice.

The permitted individual has a responsibility to tote the particular firearm in a safe carry condition. Some physical actions can cause an unsafe carry condition to occur with a previously safe carry condition; rigs that promote this possibility are to be avoided as much as possible.

 

[SMS]

You weren't challenging him?

Then what was the point of asking him if his pistol was cocked, when you already knew it was cocked? What was the goal or point of your question?

Like I said, you get kudos for trying to learn but I don't understand the point of your interaction with the individual in a public manner.

 

[CHenry]

Well I'll be damned...I always thought you seemed to be a decent sort of guy until you posted the above statement about "most people in the military aren't on the sharp end." Since there are no longer clear-cut lines of battle, that young paper-pusher or support staff of one kind or the other are just as likely to be blown to hell by an IED as anyone else serving. Your post was in poor taste, IMO. But hey, it wouldn't be the first time here on OSA I got into a pissin' contest with someone who is not military but likes to make claims and statements about those who have worn or are wearing a uniform.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Its tr idiot...get over it lol

 

[NikatKimber]

You weren't challenging him?

Then what was the point of asking him if his pistol was cocked, when you already knew it was cocked? What was the goal or point of your question?

Like I said, you get kudos for trying to learn but I don't understand the point of your interaction with the individual in a public manner.

I'm curious how someone is supposed to ask such a question in a "private" manner"? I wouldn't want someone taking me aside "privately" if I had a gun on or otherwise.

If you re-read his OP, he waited till the carrier finished checking out, then asked him.

Yeah, the scenario CHenry mentioned would have gotten a "the law is on the web, go read it" response as politely as I could manage, but the situation as described by the OP sounds about as tactful as could be.

 

[p238shooter]

Thanks to all who responded.
Some clarification:
I'm not familiar with all modern firearms, My interests lie in historical and black powder firearms. Many of those don't even have safeties!
The gun in question wasn't a 1911, which I am familiar with.
I wasn't challenging him. I was asking a question, as I did when I began this post.
Based on my limited knowledge, I suspected that the gun in question was being carried in an unsafe manner. I don't have a problem with open carry. I do have a problem with a gun being carried unsafely.
Based on what some of you have said, certain guns CAN be carried safely while cocked. Is this correct?
Thanks,
Rick

As someone said earlier, and your post might not have depicted the exact wording or the entire conversation. To me, you were asking a simple question. I hope, if there was time and opportunity for him to give you more information than "Yes, it is." he would have.

Sometimes the only way we learn things is to ask questions. Sometimes to the people that already have the answer, they presume it is a "Stupid" question. Well, to me not so. To me with your comments, you were just asking a question because you were unfamiliar and wanted to know. I have no idea how the stranger took your question, you might have gotten an impression. I hope you got a little more information from him. I know if I had been asked your question and had an opportunity I would have given more information to someone who asked.

Yes, it is cocked and locked. This particular firearm (1911) is very safe carried in that condition, it needs at least 4 items to be fired.
It needs to be presented.
It needs the safety clicked off.
It needs the grip safety squeezed.
It has to have the trigger pulled.

None of those are valid at this time.

As far as what you call it, unfortunately I only have a card that says "Concealed Weapon License" in my pocket at the present time, so I do not get too worked up about what it is called. I know what the plastic card legally allows me to do and not do.

I hope all here continue having a good day.

 

[SMS]

I'm curious how someone is supposed to ask such a question in a "private" manner"? I wouldn't want someone taking me aside "privately" if I had a gun on or otherwise.

If you re-read his OP, he waited till the carrier finished checking out, then asked him.

Yeah, the scenario CHenry mentioned would have gotten a "the law is on the web, go read it" response as politely as I could manage, but the situation as described by the OP sounds about as tactful as could be.

It's the question itself, and the setting combined. There are more discrete locations than the checkout line (even if the OCer was done checking out, it seems they were still in the vicinity, as in the OP waiting to checkout)....and the question itself was pointless.

I didn't say anything about taking anyone aside.

If I had been asked the same question in the same manner, in the vicinity of the checkout counter, I probably would've done exactly what the OCer did in this story, if I even answered at all. Now if it was just me and him in an aisle in the store and he approached more tactfully it might get more of a response (But I typically don't OC so the point is moot).

 

[Shootin 4 Fun]

If you're going to open carry, you should expect questions. You were noticed, isn't that why you open carry?

 

[CHenry]

If you're going to open carry, you should expect questions. You were noticed, isn't that why you open carry?

I unzip my fly to be noticed, not OC

 

[Defnestor]

I have a shoulder holster that the strap that retains the gun also blocks the cocked 1911 hammer. You could fall in a ditch with the safety off and it's still not going to fire.

You're not supposed to be carrying while drunk.

 

[blazeitornot]

I wasn't challenging him. I suspected that the gun in question was being carried in an unsafe manner. I do have a problem with a gun being carried unsafely.
Rick

Sure, bruh.