Cocked and Locked

[mwpslp]

I was wondering if there are any long term negative effects from keeping a 1911 cocked for extended periods of time? Is there a hammer spring that will weaken just as a mag that is kept compressed too long?

 

[MCgunner]

I was wondering if there are any long term negative effects from keeping a 1911 cocked for extended periods of time? Is there a hammer spring that will weaken just as a mag that is kept compressed too long?

I'd worry a lot less about the hammer spring, more about the magazine spring keeping it loaded for extended periods. Hammer springs are quite cheap and easy to replace, but of course, you don't wanna find out it's weak at the wrong time. However, I've never ever heard of a hammer spring wearing out from being cocked. I leave my shotgun actions open, means they're cocked, don't hurt 'em.

Why not leave the hammer down, though, if not the chamber empty condition three for a bureau drawer or something. Condition one makes me nervous. I prefer DAs and revolvers, though. Takes nothing to cock a hammer or rack a slide and the sound of the slide can send chills down a BG, good deterrent.

 

[Crue4]

I leave mine unchambered on my nightstand (no kids yet)... I know most do not, and that is perfectly fine as well... just takes me no time to unholster and cock... so that is why I do it that way.. .much safer.

 

[mwpslp]

Well I too am a bit nervous with cocked and locked but that seems to be how it was intended for carry. I do carry and certainly see the advantages of it. You may need that hand free while drawing your gun. I know it is minimal but that extra time could be crucial. I guess I have rationalized that between having to pull the trigger, remove the thumb safety, and depress the grip safety, that should be sufficient. An awful lot would have to go wrong for that gun to fire from a cocked and locked state. People carry Glocks and Sprinfield XD's and the like with a round in the chamber and they have fewer safeties than the 1911 style guns. Perhaps this is a new thread in itself but I would like to hear others opinions on this issue please.

 

[Nimitz]

a 1911 is made to be carried "Cocked & Locked" or condtion 1.

it has 3 safeties

manual thumb safety
grip saftey
firing pin saftey (80 series)

compared to a glock...1 safety, the trigger.

Chad

 

[georgeduz]

its fine cocked and locked ,the police used them for years,

 

[Car Knocker]

A decent quality mag spring will not weaken if compressed for long periods of time. There is anecdotal evidence of 1911 mags being found loaded for decades and still functioning perfectly. I believe a search of this site will yield some of those stories.

 

[IndianaDean]

a 1911 is made to be carried "Cocked & Locked" or condtion 1.

it has 3 safeties

manual thumb safety
grip saftey
firing pin saftey (80 series)

compared to a glock...1 safety, the trigger.

Chad

+1

 

[MICHAEL T]

A decent quality mag spring will not weaken if compressed for long periods of time. There is anecdotal evidence of 1911 mags being found loaded for decades and still functioning perfectly. I believe a search of this site will yield some of those stories.

And you can leave it cocked forever to. Springs wear from use not setting compressed.