Compact CCW with External Safeties

Don't forget the CZ75 Compact. Then there are several 1911 compacts from which to choose.

The Springfield EMP might fit your bill.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?model=24

As a bonus, it's sexy!


-T.

Compact CCW with External Safeties

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I went through this myself (even added a manual safety to a Glock 26). I think a manual safety on the XD is only on the full-size, but I could be wrong. The CZs are only Cocked and Locked w/safety OR double action w/o safety. You cannot put the safety on with the hammer down - I support all the Cocked-and-Locked guys out there, I really do, but it's not for me (that includes the EMP - an amazing gun, just not for me, for CCW). I don't want the striker/hammer under full tension when I put the gun on. Note I might feel differently if I didn't have to creatively carry in a SmartCarry sometimes.

Note that M&P has a compact .45 now, and I think it might have a manual safety. If not, and you are not in a hurry, the rumor is that the whole M&P line will have the manual safety offered as an option, like their full-size 45.

I decided on a Beretta PX-4 Storm Sub-Compact, and I freakin' love it so far. Roughly the size of a Glock 26, and 13+1, DA/SA, with manual safety (note, with DA/SA, I'd actually prefer no safety, as the longer/heavier first pull fulfills that duty - this gun can be converted to decock only, no safety). Here's a link to my write up (you have to read it all, because I first post "yea! I have it," then later pics, then later range report - sorry, I was impatient!)

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=384149



Good luck!
FT

How about the Stoeger Cougar?

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/stoeger_cougar.php


-T.

Third gen S&W in either the 69 or 39 series.

The CZs are only Cocked and Locked w/safety OR double action w/o safety. You cannot put the safety on with the hammer down

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The CZ75B safety is usable in double action if you lower the hammer to the safety notch (as the decocker version does) instead of all the way down.
Regards,
Greg

There's the Beretta 9000.



Kinda funky for range shooting though if you ask me. And, although small, it's kinda fat.


-T.

The CZ75B safety is usable in double action if you lower the hammer to the safety notch (as the decocker version does) instead of all the way down

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Good to know, I only played with the 2075 RAMI P. Perhaps it works that way, too - I only tried it with the hammer down (and fully cocked).

Just say "NO!" to slide mounted safeties that flip up for fire!

Here's the problem: when the slide locks back and one does an emergency reload, it's very easy to accidentally activate the safety. Then, like many guys training with the M9, they do a few dry fires before they figure out the gun's not firing.

It's really a very bad design in terms of usability.

Why do you need a manual safety on the gun anyway?

S&W model 3900 series

You can get a S&W pistol in the 3900 series. The have manual safety levers. Some may have ambi safeties too.

Rusty S

+1 for the S&W series. I like the value in the 908.

Just say "NO!" to slide mounted safeties that flip up for fire!

Here's the problem: when the slide locks back and one does an emergency reload, it's very easy to accidentally activate the safety. Then, like many guys training with the M9, they do a few dry fires before they figure out the gun's not firing.

It's really a very bad design in terms of usability.

Why do you need a manual safety on the gun anyway?

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I tend to agree with you, but for different reasons. I'm not worried about doing an emergency reload for civilian CCW. In fact, I often don't even carry a reload...

However, I don't like wondering, is it on safe, even though I consciously make sure it is off when I strap the gun on?

The Beretta can be easily converted to a type "G" decocker only, according to many folks in the Beretta forum...

It's brand new, so I'm not going to do that yet, but I will. There are actually replacement slim levers that reduce the width AND convert it to a G model. I intend to buy them eventually...

Beretta safeties a la 92FS are quite tried and true... It's hard to say "it's a bad design." What about guys that turn on their 1911 safeties due to letting their hand slip up with recoil - is 1911 a "bad design in terms of usability." Lack of training can make any gun a liability.

Don't berate the guy for wanting a safety - it's personal preference. I beg you not to throw out the vapid and tired - the only safety is between your ears, etc...

If he feels he needs a safety to be, well, safe, then I hope he gets one!

You can get a S&W pistol in the 3900 series.

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An LEO friend of mine had a 3913 for his BUG - he loved it! I think they are tough to find, aren't they? I asked for one at a large shop, and they laughed at me! Maybe on gunbroker or something.

The CZ75B safety is usable in double action if you lower the hammer to the safety notch (as the decocker version does) instead of all the way down.
Regards,
Greg

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Mine don't. I have a 97B and a 40B. Neither safety works on anything but full cock.

Compact Springfield XD's??

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Are the safety equipped XD's out yet?

Yeah. The new XDm. It was supposedly an attempt to compete for a military contract to replace the M9 (or something).



http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ga_handguns/GA_XD_200804/index.html


-T.

Taurus CC Pistols
Not sure about which ones have external safeties (maybe all of 'em?) but I have a PT 145 Millenium Pro and it does have a manual safety.
I like everything about this pistol (size, feel, capacity, recoil) but had on the range once and couldn't hit squat with it (ran out of time before I could troubleshoot). I'm hoping maybe it's just a case of the sights being way off? This one's currently outta my CC rotation 'til I find out what's going on with the lack of accuracy.
I'm still a little bit leery 'bout Taurus quality?

I also have an HK USPC in the CC rotation in Variant 1. Can carry with one in chamber, de-cocked, and safety on ('bout the safest way for a civvy to carry with one in the pipe?).
'Course, price is starting to climb (I got a good deal on mine) and it's not as small as the Taurus Millenium Pro.

BTW...my main CCW is an XDSC40-might be nice to have a manual safety option on it!

Look at the Taurus. My Millenium Pro's safety is one reason that I got it. It's realiability has been perfect. The Safety is down for fire.

The CZ75B safety is usable in double action if you lower the hammer to the safety notch (as the decocker version does) instead of all the way down.
Regards,
Greg

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Mine don't. I have a 97B and a 40B. Neither safety works on anything but full cock.

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Well maybe I should amend that to my 75B. When at the safety notch (or half cock as some call it) I can engage the thumb safety; locking the hammer and slide in place. I thought I had read on another board that this operation had been verified by Mike at CZ-USA, but I can't find it now. Most posts state the safety can only be engaged at full cock. So it seems I might be half cocked about when the safety can be engaged.
Regards,
Greg

+1 for the Taurus Mill-Pros....I have owned the PT-145 (45acp) and PT-111 (9mm). Both were great guns and run flawless. I sold them only to fund other wants.

I have not fired a modern Taurus (my first gun EVER was a PT92 bought NIB in 1988 - I still own it and it STILL has never jammed).

However, I held a 24/7Compact, and a Mill-Pro PT-111 at a gun show last weekend. Wow, they really felt sweet. And the price was ridiculously cheap - great value, lifetime warranty.

As I posted above, I opted for a Beretta b/c I wanted DA/SA, but nothing bad to say about the Taurus!

Are the safety equipped XD's out yet?

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I could be totally wrong, but I think ONLY in the full-size 45. I looked at their XDm website, no mention of a safety.

I also second S&W 39 and 69 series, particularly the 3913. I have never had any trouble with dropping the safety when racking the slide. I do find them somewhat awkward to disengage on the draw and therefore carry off safe, just using it as a decocker.

If you don't mind dropping in cartridge power (personally, for CCW, I would not), you might look at the Beretta models 84, 85 and 86 "Cheetah," all of which have frame-mounted safeties. The Browning BDA is a rebadged model 84. The 86 has a selective action; it can be carried hammer down, DA first shot with the safeties (the levers are ambidextrous) on or off, or "cocked and locked."

From a usability standpoint, the slide mounted Beretta safeties are badly designed. Anyone working with the slide has a very high probability of activating the safety unintentionally.

colt defender
pt 145
EMP