1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
The dead horse has once again been resurrected!
Browning didn't design the 1911 to be carried cocked and locked. It didn't even have a thumb safety until the US Army requested it. He did, however, intend for the half-cock to be a safety...which requires lowering the hammer manually.
Note that Browning names the half cock as a safety position, along with instruction on lowering the hammer to that position...with one hand...is described in the original patents.
Hammer down on an empty chamber is Condition 3...not Condition 2.
Manually decocking a 1911 safely is easily doable if one either takes the time to figure out how, or have someone who knows how to provide instruction. Exposed hammer guns have been decocked for many years without incident by many thousands of people. Why is it that it suddenly becomes so dangerous with a 1911 or Browning Hi-Power?
Yes...It does carry a certain risk. As with any other potentially risky exercise, it does require one's full attention and care in order to prevent injury. So does carving a turkey and driving a car. Lowering a hammer on a hot chamber isn't something that's normally done in a hurry. Learn how, and take your time...and keep the gun pointed away from your feet, your children, and your dog when you do it.
Browning didn't design the 1911 to be carried cocked and locked. It didn't even have a thumb safety until the US Army requested it. He did, however, intend for the half-cock to be a safety...which requires lowering the hammer manually.
Note that Browning names the half cock as a safety position, along with instruction on lowering the hammer to that position...with one hand...is described in the original patents.
Hammer down on an empty chamber is Condition 3...not Condition 2.
Manually decocking a 1911 safely is easily doable if one either takes the time to figure out how, or have someone who knows how to provide instruction. Exposed hammer guns have been decocked for many years without incident by many thousands of people. Why is it that it suddenly becomes so dangerous with a 1911 or Browning Hi-Power?
Yes...It does carry a certain risk. As with any other potentially risky exercise, it does require one's full attention and care in order to prevent injury. So does carving a turkey and driving a car. Lowering a hammer on a hot chamber isn't something that's normally done in a hurry. Learn how, and take your time...and keep the gun pointed away from your feet, your children, and your dog when you do it.