Any cons of a thumb safety?

[tipoc]

The entire "safety/no safety" argument is one for Internet Commandos. It's silly because, as you said, the only real safety is behind the ears. Any idjit with a gun can bypass all mechanical safeties while violating one or more of the gun safety rules. Someone will still manage to shoot himself despite ten safeties and "Smart Gun" technology (hopefully the first one will be that ATF guy).

The above is right.

If a person is going to carry or use a firearm then they need to have a degree of confidence in their own abilities to handle that gun. This is a personal choice. There are strengths and weaknesses to each system. You train. You pick what you can shoot well and are comfortable with. I can explain why I like certain guns but I have no need to try to talk you out of your preference. Safety comes from the shooter and not the gun.

tipoc

 

[Jim K]

I sure don't want to get into all the pros and cons with the "experts", but I do happen to know why the thumb safety (or whatever the "experts" are calling it this week) was put on the 1911.

The cavalry (remember it is the 1911) wanted a means of making the gun safe if it became necessary to control the horse. The grip safety (or whatever name it now has) was likewise installed at the request of the cavalry to prevent the gun from firing if dropped.

Re-holstering was not an issue, since the military would never carry the gun in a holster with the chamber loaded.

Jim

 

[TestPilot]

The above error flows from the central error though...I don't think he understands how handle a gun with a thumb safety. He's read the critiques of it and regurgitates those. But he doesn't understand.
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Oooo, the "if he does not like what I like, he must be ignorant" routine. Hallmark of irrational fanboyism.

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At bottom he does not believe they can be used safely and effectively or that it can be done with training.
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Never said anything to that effect.

It can be used effectively, just not as effective as a same model of pistols without one, such as M&P with one vs. M&P without one when in combat. Doing one thing is always more effective than having to do the same one thing and another additional thing.

Go back and read all of my posts. NOWHERE did I ever say no one should use a pistol without a thumb lever type manual firnig inhibitor.

I only stated it has its own set of rish and benefits, and it is more of a risk than benefit in my assessemnt. I also stated that others should do their own assessment according to their needs and they do not have to come to the same conclusion as I did.

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He opines that anything that inhibits the gun from firing unless it's trigger activated is an obstacle to effective personal self defense.
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Being an obstable is the very purpose of a manual firng inhibitor: an obstable to firing that has to be manually removed.

Why does it stop a gun from accidentally firing when reholstering? Why does it stop a gun from accidentally firing when running a short distance during a gun fight?

BECAUSE it is an obstable.

If I use the a term like "extra layer of safety" instead you might sleep better at night, but that does not change the fact that it actually means "extra layer of safety....that inhibits fire until it removed manually."

However, nowhere did I ever say effective defense is impossible with a pistol with one did I?
I only stated that it has its own set of risks, which can be a hindrance.

The term he has invented "manual firing inhibitor" reflects this opinion and flows from it.

Of course it does. It's just that you have no understanding of what my opinion is.

 

[Sam Cade]

...and to summarize the thread:

Any cons of a thumb safety?

Yes.
A manual safety actuated by the thumb increases the complexity of the manual of arms of any given sidearm. This increased complexity can result in a non functional weapon at the time you need it most.

Any pros of a thumb safety?

Yes.
A manual safety can, under limited circumstances, prevent an accidental or negligent discharge, possibly resulting in death or injury.


Since the bases have now been covered, the tone has become adversarial and folks are arguing semantics, I'm going put this thread to sleep before it gets too cranky.