Which 1911 to buy?

[Texas_Bryan]

I agree condiotion 2 ( which is loaded gun, hammer down) is a very bad practice, but not so much in carrying that way as it is to get to that point. 

Does the hammer on a 1911, when down, ride on the firing pin or is there stand off type setup?  I'd still rather carry it cocked rather than decock it using a very dangerous method.

[PegLeg45]

Does the hammer on a 1911, when down, ride on the firing pin or is there stand off type setup?  I'd still rather carry it cocked rather than decock it using a very dangerous method.

Basically, hammer down on a loaded round is the same as carrying six rounds in an old Single Action Army revolver (except the firing pin is mounted on the SAA hammer).
On the 1911, the firing pin 'floats' with spring pressure holding it off the primer of a loaded round. When the hammer is down, it contacts the back of the firing pin. Some models have a firing pin block, in which the trigger has to be pressed to allow the pin to move forward to hit the primer.

I cringe every time I watch an old movie where some guy with a 1911 chambers a round and the lowers the hammer to carry it.

[Texas_Bryan]

When cocked, to decock you MUST drop the mag and rack the slide to empty the chamber.  Once your positive it is unloaded you can hold the hammer with your weak hand, depress the trigger and allow the hammer to rest against the pin slowly.  It is not advisable to dry fire a 1911 without snapcaps in the chamber.

A 1911 doesn't have a transfer bar or firing pin block like a modern revolver or a Beretta.  The hammer rest directly against the pin when decocked.

So basically, aside from the unsafe practice of decocking a loaded chamber manually, riding on the firing pin is a disaster waiting to happen in a 1911.  I guess that's why Browning gave the weapon 800 different safety mechanisms to carry a loaded weapon locked and cocked.

[Rob Pincus]

I'm not saying I recomend it, I'm just saying its no less safe then having a say a glock in your holster.    both of them must have the tirggier pulled to go bang. ( assuming the grip safety in depressed)   I glock lists thier trigger pull at 5.5 lbs.  Thats not a lot of presure.

TAB,

Normally, I'm willing to allow a little backpeddling and face saving... but that attempt wasn't good enough. YES, it is less safe.

 You managed to educate yourself about the standard Glock trigger weight (5.5)... of course, they also come in 3.5lb varieties (and other configurations). BUT, the length of travel is significant in this issue... as is the trigger safety, which works against the possibility of "something" brushing up against the edge of the trigger and pulling it (including the finger).
Next, we need to address the 1911 Trigger... 4lbs would be pretty heavy for many 1911 Fans.... 3 or less lbs are common. Of course, the fact that the triggers vary so much and can be changed so easily precludes generalizations, which might be another important lesson. As noted previously, this trigger also generally requires significantly less travel than the Glock Types and doesn't feature the trigger safety lever that they other types generally do.

The volume based "top forum member" tag that your profile carries might accidently lend undue credence to your posts, please reconsider spurious and uniformed contributions in when safety is the issue.


*****

Again, to the OP and everyone else, I apologize for the interruption. I don't have the ability to split threads (or just close this) in this sub-forum.

-RJP

[Texas_Bryan]

On the 1911, the firing pin 'floats' with spring pressure holding it off the primer of a loaded round. When the hammer is down, it contacts the back of the firing pin. Some models have a firing pin block, in which the trigger has to be pressed to allow the pin to move forward to hit the primer.

I cringe every time I watch an old movie where some guy with a 1911 chambers a round and the lowers the hammer to carry it.

My Sig P220 has the same 'float'.  It rids on top of the firing pin when fully down, if you were to strike the hammer, with you hand or by dropping it, you could discharge the weapon.

And you wouldn't believe how many video games I've seen the decock in, next game I make the dudes gonna pull the grenade and throw the pin.  I'll call it 'Warrior Pincus', his only line will be, "Don't worry, I've watched alot of movies!  Just let me decock this 1911 real quick....."

[Sponsor]

[Texas_Bryan]

I think it would be best to consider the weapon's designers intentions.  Glocks are design not to have a manual safety therefor they've got the various passive safeties, like Rob said.  And Browning wanted his to be manual, that way we can have that fantastic single action....action.