Grips safties and Self defense

[Lupinus]

Since in the next few weeks I will probably be buying a Springfield XD, I got to thinking about possible problems that could come out of a grip safety. I did not find it uncomfortable at all but from what it seems you really need to have a good and proper grip to disengage the safety and it got me thinking of possible downfalls.

What if you were to get in a situation where you couldn't get that good proper grip? Say a scuffle you end up on the ground for whatever reason with the BG you go to press the gun to his ribs pull the trigger and no bang because of the awkward positioning and the fact it lent to the grip safety not being properly depressed. Things of that nature is what came to mind mostly as a possible downfall of a grip safety.

Then I looked at the possible advantages of the grip safety. Namely extra speed and sometimes even the second it would take to flip off a safety can make a difference. With that type of safety holding the gun properly turns off the safety automatically. And you still get the ability to carry chambered feeling secure that the pistol has a safety engaged and don't have to cock a hammer either.

Anyone else thought about this and possible pros and cons to grip safeties?

 

[Baba Louie]

If I was terribly worried about wrasslin' with a BG and had gun in hand which sported a grip safety ala XD or 1911, I think I'd probably wish I'da
A.) shot him sooner
B.) brought my Glock

Since you're matching lethal force against same, wielded by BG... I wouldn't worry about it too much, cause if he had me down or in a scuffle mode with deadly force in his hand being brought to bear, I've already lost 2/3 of the fight and probably deserve to take my lumps.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

At that sort of range you are better suited with a knife than a gun, however, proper training in weapon retention and lots of practice and familiarity with your gun should eliminate the downside of a grip safety, and give you the edge in such a situation.

 

[MEDDAC19]

I'm not familiar with the XD's grip safety, but if it is similar to the 1911's, I don't think you need to worry. My colt's grip safety is much easier to depress than the trigger's pull weight, with the two of them in direct opposition. I don't see how you could pull the trigger and not have enough pressure placed on the grip safety for the gun to not function.

I hafta agree with Baba Louie though, if you are wrestling on the ground you were either not situationally aware enough, or waited much too long to bring your gun into play.

 

[springmom]

not an issue

For you to use ANY gun in self defense you need to practice, practice, practice. The grip safety on my XD is as much a part of muscle memory for me as the location of the trigger. Once you've actually shot one (and this won't take long) it will be automatic to ensure that the grip safety is engaged.

Springmom

 

[Inline_6]

I don't think a grip safety will be an issue (on XDs or 1911s) in a fight, but I also believe them to be a waste of tooling. I don't think a weapon is really made any safer with one... the 1911 got one to allow the US Army's Cavalry to drop it w/o safing it (it was lanyarded to them) and render it safe.

 

[Ankeny]

Some folks do have issues with grip safeties, so they have them deactivated. I know people who don't get the safety on a 1911 depressed 100 per cent of the time (because of the pivot point) no matter how much they practice. Just depends on the shape of your hand.

 

[Lupinus]

I didn't think it would be a huge problem, but was one of those what if type questions that pop into my head sometimes

To my knowlage they needed to be depressed and if it wasn't right it wouldn't fire, maybe I am making it a tad bigger issue then it really is. I still don't mind it and it didn't bother me in the least when I handle one I jsut had to raise my hand a tad higher on the grip but other then that it fit extremely well in my hand and it is likly what I will be buying soon.

 

[carebear]

If you like the gun and want the safety operational but are concerned, mod it.

 

[luzyfuerza]

If you like the gun and want the safety operational but are concerned, mod it.

Just don't ever shoot anyone with a gun that has a disabled safety! Trying to explain to a sharp lawyer and a jury full of sheeple that you know more about gun design than Springfield, Glock, or Browning makes the job of defending yourself (in court) more difficult than it would otherwise need to be.

 

[carebear]

Got any court case citations where the pinning of a grip safety caused a conviction?

 

[pax]

I know people who don't get the safety on a 1911 depressed 100 per cent of the time (because of the pivot point) no matter how much they practice. Just depends on the shape of your hand.

Yup, I do too.

pax

 

[gazpacho]

(oops)

 

[gazpacho]

If your rasslin' with a BG and you got a gun in your hand, hit him in the head with it! Poke his eye out. Ram it down his throat. Maybe the image of your rear sight pushing against his upper lip will take some of the fight against him.

BTW poking him in the gut might push your XD out of battery.

 

[mete]

Pax, I have that exact problem, that's why my safety is locked out!

 

[Ryder]

I've had the 1911 grip safety not activate before installing one with the hump. No problems since.

The XD doesn't have the hump. I too was concerned it may be a problem. It sure is a dinky grip safety compared to the 1911. As it's turned out however I have not experienced that problem. It is not a 1911 grip, the web of my hand sits higher. I suppose that is what made the difference.

I have seen my son fail to get the XD to fire. It was not a grip activation problem however, it was a trigger reset problem. You need to let up a lot (in comparison to other handguns) between shots in order to reset the trigger. Hasn't been a problem for me, or him once I pointed out what caused his problem. It's easily accomodated once you get the feel of how it shoots.