Quote:
Originally Posted by ILLusion
Let's extend the question a bit more now: how about you guys who carry real firearms for job/service? Do you carry cocked & locked or hammer down?
|
My carry gun is Springfield Armory's XD 45 Compact. And to be honest, when I first started to carry, I was extremely hesitant with carrying in condition one. It wasn't because I lacked the skills or training, but it was drilled into my head since childhood that one does not chamber a round until they are on the line ready to fire. I overcame that hesitation, by gaining the confidence, understanding the details of the various safety mechanisms on my carry gun; what had to happen for the round to discharge due to a mechanical failure opposed to negligent discharge.
The XD is one of the, if not the, safest polymer pistol out there. It has a grip safety like that of the 1911, similar Glock trigger, striker-indicator (displays if the weapon is cocked or not), chamber indicator, and on the newer Service model has an external thumb safety. Moreover I carried a dummy round chambered for some time to get accustomed to the idea of "one-in-the-tube". As for the topic regarding the 1911, it's equally one gun I would not hesitate to carry with one-in-the-tube.
Remember if one does carry a firearm for duty or defense, condition one is a must! In a gunfight, every second counts, you lose precious time having to rack the gun, and adding one additional step can slow down your response to situations like shooting while wounded. However, I have seen and heard the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) guys train to rack the gun through the presentation of the firearm, and do quite well with it. Whatever your comfort level is, if you prefer condition one or three, ensure you make adjustments to your training regime, and it is second nature to you.