My First .45: Kimber Pro CDPII-carry cocked?

[pricee]

Friends,

I've been carrying a SW .38 Airweight (Spear Gold Dot +P ammo) for about 2 years and thought it was time for a new gun. I just bought the Kimber ProCDP II .45 and have a safely issue question.

When I carry my 38, I leave one round out of the cylinder such that the hammer rests on an empty chamber. I know some of you may argue that I may need that fifth round, but this method of carry is simply what makes me feel comfortable. It's in my comfort zone. This in no way would slow the firing of the weapon, since in either single action or double action the cyliner would advance to a live round.

With the Kimber, I will definitely carry a round in the chamber, since I do not want to waste time racking back the slide during a conflict. But, the salesman told me that the safest carry is to pull back the hammer (cocked) and then lock the safety. In my mind, the more safe means would be to simply leave the hammer down, even though I would need to cock the hammer prior to firing. What say you? Cocked and locked is safer to carry as a concealed weapon, or not cocked?

Thanks

EP

 

[marcodo]

The gun guru's will chime in

My understanding is that 1911 should not be carried with a round chambered and the hammer down...theoretical risk of hammer hitting a live round if dropped or bumped real hard. (ie no hammer safty bar) Got to agree the safest is not to have a round chamber, but this is also the slowest and not necessarily the smartest. Cocked and locked is the way its suppose to be carried

As for the revolver, i think most relatively newr revolvers have some sort of hammer safety bar so carrying with all rounds and hammer down is not a issue. I know my ruger sp and gp both do and I suspect the S&W does to.

 

[buzz_knox]

The gun guru's will chime in

My understanding is that 1911 should not be carried with a round chambered and the hammer down...theoretical risk of hammer hitting a live round if dropped or bumped real hard. (ie no hammer safty bar) Got to agree the safest is not to have a round chamber, but this is also the slowest and not necessarily the smartest. Cocked and locked is the way its suppose to be carried

You may not consider yourself a guru, but you have spoken the truth.

Condition 1 (cocked and locked) is best.

Condition 2 (loaded chamber with hammer down) is safe in theory because the Kimber Series II has a firing pin safety (make sure you get the timing checked as they have issues) but you might fumble cocking the hammer in a stressful situation. Plus, if in said situation you are cocking the hammer with a full firing grip, you might inadvertently touch the trigger when you don't mean to.

Condition 3 (empty chamber but full mag) is preferred by some but is suboptimal. Fortunately, you've already disregarded this option.

I know my ruger sp and gp both do and I suspect the S&W does to.

S&Ws are perfectly safe to carry fully loaded.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Cocked & locked (Condition 1) is the way to carry a 1911 (or BHP). I would bet many more AD/ND incidents have occured with folks trying to thumb the hammer (back or down) on these pistols than have ever occurred forgetting to flick the thumb safety. When you hunt quail with a Remington 1100 or 870...they're cocked & locked. You just don't see the hammer. Now, an assault happens faster than a flushing covey. And quail seldom try & kill 'ya! My position? Condition 1.

 

[Black Majik]

Carry cocked and locked. If you have reservations of carrying with a cocked hammer, or the possibility of the safety disengaging... carry around a unloaded cocked and locked 1911 for a while and see if the safety ever disengages. It'll stay in the locked position with a good quality holster.

 

[Ske1etor]

Black Majik has it... carry it unloaded for a while around the house. The hammer will not fall if all of the safeties are in good working order. You can run a function check if you haven't already.

Here is a website showing how to do a function check. http://www.coolgunsite.com/funcheck/function.htm

 

[pricee]

Cocked and locked it is, then. Thanks for all the info. Now off to find a nice holster.

Also, just a clarification-I noted that Ghost Tracker mentioned that a lot of AD probably happen upon cocking. If I cock the gun by pulling the hammer back with my thumb, and if my thumb slips off the hammer during the cocking, will the hammer fall and fire the weapon?

EP

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Nope, with a modern Kimber there shouldn't be a bang following a thumb slip (as long as your finger is off the trigger). But why clutter-up the process with all that required dexterity? Condition 1. Carry on.

Heyyy?!? You're a KENTUCKIAN! Nice to meet you cuz.