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First let's state some theoretical posits. A properly-trained, properly-aware person can safely carry and use ANY gun in ANY condition, even Condition Zero. This is because a properly-trained, properly-aware person will never fail to heed the 4 rules. You know them, but I will summarize soI can refer to them by number:
- Treatthe gunas if itwere loaded at all times.
- Point the muzzle away from non-targets.
- Keepyour finger off the triggeruntil you are ready to fire.
- Know what youwill hit when you fire.
If you always follow these four rules, and are familiar with the firearm you are carrying, it will never be unsafe. However, humans make mistakes and therefore a carry mode that mitigates the results of such a mistake while still keeping the weapon in a readily useable stateis desireable.
For me it all depends on the gun. My first gun (A Ruger P95 -DA/SA with decocking manual safety)was firstkept in Condition 3; unchambered, hammer-down, safety on.it generally stayedin the open by my side, andI practiced "Israeli draw" to bring the weapon to ready. It's still my primary weapon, only now that I have a holster for it I carry it condition 2 (the decocking safety makes condition one impossible), which is safe but immediately fireable.I have not yet made a final decision about the position of the safety. Either way, a TDA is totally safe hammer-down on a chambered round as long as, as always, you observe Rule 1.
For a DAO, one in the chamber issafe for the same reason as it is in a TDA.However, safe-action DA pistols like Glockshave less of a trigger pull,meaning if the triggerlatch is defeated or Rule3 is broken the gun willvery easily put a round into the ground at your side, or worse.The solution however is simple; keep your booger hooker off the bangbutton while drawing and holding ready. The trigger bar will prevent the trigger being pulled practically any other way. For added insurance use a holster; I would not recommend keeping a Glock unholstered in your waistband or pocket. The holster'strigger coverencourages you to lay your index finger straight alongside it, meaning that finger will lay alongside the trigger guard as you draw. It also prevents anything else from getting inside the trigger guard where it may manipulate the trigger.
I still have issues carrying a 1911 in condition 1. It's just me; I have no qualms about anyone else doing it and I realize it's an irrational fear. The reason I'm squeamishis that I've fired a few good 1911s, and when the trigger's been worked to give you a 3-pound, 1/16" pull, the trigger has neither a latch nor a hard pull. You are therefore dependent on the mechanical safety (and I've seen them get nudged off),the grip safety (which you have deactivated before even pulling the gun out of the holster), and 100% fail-safecompliance with Rule 3.In practical terms, while drawing you can really only depend on Rule 3; the safeties aredeactivatedbefore you clear the holster.
"Israeli carry" of a 1911 (Condition 3; rack the slide as you present) is also contestable; There's a difference betweenthe time it takes to draw and fire from condition 1 versus condition 3, and that gap can get you killed. It also requires two hands.There's no doubt howeverthat racking the slide as you draw introduces an extra intimidation factor, and there is absolutely no way, even if all safeties have failed, for an empty chamber to fire a bullet.
I think that, in the end, if youcan't trust a firearm with the chamber loaded then don't carry it.Virtually allfirearms made in the last 80 years have a condition in which they are totally safe, and yet two steps or less from firing.
The bladetech is going to be tossed, and I have written an email to SafariLand to see if they carry a L3 duty holster I will use when I am out and about and don't want to shoulder my pistol.
