Ruger LC9 carrying safety.

[Hunter2011]

I am seriously looking into a LC9 as per my other thread LC9 or G36.
But something I've read in this link has got me a little worried about a possible accidental discharge if dropped or so.
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/ccm-columns/features/ruger-lc9/

''Although classified as a double-action pistol, the hammer is partially cocked by operation of the slide''

I know I am perhaps a little too scared, but I never carry one-up, ie cocked and locked. I just don't trust manual safeties as anything can fail.
But as this LC9 is DA only, I really thought I will carry it one-up, as the long trigger pull is a good safety measure as well. But won't the fact that it is half cocked when I load one in the chamber for carry mean it can go off in ideal circumstances?
Also what does the fact that it is half cocked do to the longevity and reliability of the hammer spring?

 

[rcmodel]

No.

The Glock Safe-Action trigger is always half cocked, sorta, as well.
All it does is make the trigger pull easier and manageable.

But both the Glock and the Ruger have redundant safety's that prevent firing unless you fully pull the trigger to the rear to finish cocking the striker and releasing it.

There is not enough stored energy in the partially cocked striker to fire a round if it could somehow get past the firing pin lock, trigger lock, and other drop safety's.

They simply cannot fire unless your put your bugger hook on the bang switch and pull it clear though to the the back of the trigger pull.

I just don't trust manual safeties as anything can fail.

I guess if you don't trust them, you have a right to your own opinion.

But manual safety's have been in use for over 100 years, and fail less often then new cell phones or ball point pens.

They are a long-proven technology that is an extra layer of protection on any handgun.

I base that on a lifetime as an amateur gunsmith, 6 years military service as a gunsmith and AMU pistol team member, and about 50 years carrying a 1911 with a manual safety.

Of all the things I have seen fail on a pistol or revolver of any make, that is not one of them.


rc

 

[psyopspec]

But won't the fact that it is half cocked when I load one in the chamber for carry mean it can go off in ideal circumstances?

That's highly unlikely. Whereas if it rested in the down position with no firing pin block, a drop could make an AD more of a possibility since it would only have to overcome the firing pin spring.

Also what does the fact that it is half cocked do to the longevity and reliability of the hammer spring?

Do you mean the main spring? If so, let me put it this way... If you manage to wear it out through shooting, PM me, let me know what the round count was, and I'll cover the cost of a new one in exchange for your satisfying my curiosity.

 

[psyopspec]

Of all the things I have seen fail on a pistol or revolver of any make, that is not one of them.

I did see 2 sears fail in the military resulting in accidental discharge (mechanical, not tied to the end user). Both fortunately occurred on ranges. One M-16, one M-4.

Never on a pistol though. Still, obey the four rules at all times, even when engaging safety/decocking levers.

 

[Hunter2011]

So if you carry a G36 for example one-up. Put on the safety, you have no worries at all? Just like the LC9?
If a G36 is carried like this, is the mainspring fully cocked or only half cocked like the LC9?

 

[primalmu]

My CZ 75 is a decocker model that, when the decocker level is used, decocks to a half-cocked position. My old Star .45, and I believe all 1911s, can be placed into a half-cocked state.

I can say that I am 100% confident in my LC9 with the long DA trigger pull and manual safety.

Honestly, IMO, if you aren't comfortable carrying with a round in the chamber, you simply aren't comfortable carrying.

 

[Gary A]

Hunter2011, after reading your last post I was waiting for someone more qualified to chime in but they have not so I will try. If I understood you correctly about the G36, I'd point out there is no manual safety on the G36. The only external safety is the tab on the trigger which must be depressed. The other two safeties are internal and passive. When a Glock has a round chambered it is partially cocked, more than half-cocked. I am not sure what degree it is cocked but I have read/heard it is 75 or 80 percent cocked. I am told the striker does not have enough energy to ignite the primer in that state and, at any rate, it is prevented from reaching the primer until the trigger has completed the cocking action and released the striker.

Nevertheless, I find myself among those who tend to prefer appendix carry and am not entirely comfortable with the small Glocks in that situation due to the short travel and relatively light trigger. There are enough choices, I choose other options. Some other striker-fired pistols are fully cocked when chambered,I believe the M&P and XD both are in that category. I tend to prefer hammer-fired where I can see the status of the pistol at a glance. It may not be entirely rational but I can live with that (no pun intended). Personally, I think the manual safety on the LC9 is, while a nice feature, entirely redundant and unnecessary with that long trigger pull.

 

[ares338]

I have an LC9 and I never use the thumb safety. I carry it almost every day and feel 100% safe this way.

 

[Wishoot]

I carry my LC9 cocked and locked. I do not use the safety when it's in a holster. The long, heavy trigger pull is safety enough IMO.

 

[Kahr33556]

Thats why I didnt buy one,its like my LCP.
On my Kahr and new shield you can see the fireing pin and the firing pin blocker and you know its working.when my LCP is broken down assuming its the same as the lc9. You dont see a firing pin block.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

As well as the fact that a half-cocked hammer can't generate enough smack to set off a primer, the gun has a firing pin block activated - or is that deactivated? - by pulling the trigger. No gun maker is going to put out anything that will go off simply from dropping it.

Regarding the hammer spring, partial compression isn't what wears it out, cycling it - i.e., shooting - does.

 

[MedWheeler]

The Ruger LC9 is comparable in size to my Kel-Tec PF9, which has the same hybrid double-action mechanism (partially-set hammer), and no manual safety.

The design is safe for carry as intended.