Safe Carry Question

[Treo]

My carry weapon is a CZ75B. for those not familiar it is a manual safety & the owners manual says it's completely safe to carry at half cock. My issue W/ half cock is simple it requires me to grab the hammer , pull the trigger and let the hammer down over a live chambe. I only have to screw that up one time to ruin my whole day. I normally carry in a IWB holster condition 1 W/ the retaining strap between the hammer and the firing pin.
Ok I think that is enough background, here is my question. Ocassionally circumstances dictate a FOBUS elite concealable holster ( open top no restraing strap ) my question is. Is it safe to carry condition 1 in an open top holster ? input please? & sorry for the extra verbage

 

[Jayb]

Is it safe to carry condition 1 in an open top holster ?

Yes, it is safe. I've carried my 1911-style pistols that way for many, many years, and so have thousands of others.

 

[21H40]

In fact, I always thought that was part of the CZ appeal...

The big thing with condition one is having a mechanically sound pistol. If all of your parts and pieces are up to spec, everything should be fine.

The hammer's what scares most people. Thanks to Hollywood making the cocked hammer into such a dramatic visual, most of Americans are more uncomfortable with a 1911 or CZ75 than a Glock. Mostly because the Glock looks like a black box -- the projectiles are MAGIC and so is the mechanism that sends them

I had tried a holster for my 1911 that had a thumb-break strap between the hammer and firing pin for a bit, but I did some dry fire tests with the holster and was less than impressed. Now I use a Galco summer special or a Fobus paddle, both open top for condition one carry.

Get to know your pistol, and either get comfortable with it or trade it in for a different style. CZ has alternatives so you could switch to DA/SA or DAO.
*even better, just get more. More is ALWAYS better *

Good luck.

 

[easyg]

Is it safe to carry condition 1 in an open top holster ? input please? & sorry for the extra verbage

Yes.....provided that the manual safety is engaged and the trigger is also covered by the holster.

 

[Ron James]

Isn't a CZ 75 double action ( or more correctly , trigger action ) on the first round? Then why carry it cocked and locked. I know the argument for the 1911, but with the CZ ??

 

[Treo]

Mine's a 75 B doesn't have a decocker & I have no intention of lowering a hammer over a live chamber. I only have to get that wrong one time to ruin my whole day

 

[easyg]

Isn't a CZ 75 double action ( or more correctly , trigger action ) on the first round? Then why carry it cocked and locked. I know the argument for the 1911, but with the CZ ??

Some CZ 75B models are DA/SA with a decocker.
Mine is not.
It is a CZ 75B SA single-action....just like a 1911 (but minus the grip safety).

 

[DrBoomBoom]

The "B" in "CZ75B" stands for "blocker." They have a firing pin blocker that stops the fp from moving unless the trigger is depressed all the way to the back. It's very unlikely that letting the hammer slip forward, when your hand is off the trigger, would result in a discharge. Somehow the fp blocker would have to misfunction, if you look at the design, it's highly unlikely. So, first, you'd have to let the hammer slip out of your hand while still depressing the trigger (I'd recommend keeping you left hand thumb under the hammer until your right hand trigger finger is removed and the trigger is moved forward...opposite if you're a lefty); then secondly, the blocker would have to fail.

Try launching a pencil. Point your unloaded, your unloaded, your unloaded gun upward and put a pencil, eraser end down, in the bore. Cock the hammer and pull the trigger and watch the pencil launch in the air after being hit with the firing pin. Then, put the pencil back, but this time hold the hammer when you pull the trigger, take your finger off the trigger and let the hammer go. That might make you feel a little safer lowering the hammer on a live round.

 

[easyg]

IMO, there's no good reason for lowering the hammer on a round in the chamber.
Either carry is "cocked and locked", or just carry it without one in the chamber.

 

[Ron James]

Now see, thats what this country so great, everyone has an opinion, now my my opinion is carrying cocked and lock is and accident waiting to happen.

 

[IME]

When I carry the Combat Commander, I have one round chambered but do not cock the hammer. I don't understand how carrying with the hammer half cocked and the safety on, is more efficient than simply pulling the hammer back on a live round.

 

[mljdeckard]

Ron James,

How is carrying a CZ or 1911 with the hammer cocked and safety on less safe than a striker fired pistol with a round in the chamber, and no traditional safety at all? The only difference is that you can SEE the hammer on the former, it's HIDDEN in the latter. Functionally, there's a lot more preventing AD in a SA auto.

 

[Ron James]

Well, since you asked, and this is only my opinion, I don't own any striker fired handguns so I'm not qualified to comment on them . On carring the 1911and it's like, cocked and locked. From what I've observed only about 10 percent of those who carry it C&L have the knowledge, training, and experience to do so. This 10% also always has the " be safe always " button glowing a bright red in their heads. The rest are cowboys who have read that is THE way to carry it. Many of these same, perhaps calling them cowboys is giving cowbow's a bad name , lets say nimrods,
have pinned the grip safety back and have loosen the safety so just a touch will drop it. They have also worked the trigger down to a one pound pull. Because they have read this is the way real gun fighters do it. As a result, because at first glance when I observe C&L, I'm unable to tell which group an individual fits , I give the whole practice a blanket condemnation. Fair, no, but life isn't fair either. Maybe someday that 10 % number will rise to 100% but until then, well thats just my opinion, and like belly buttons every one has one.

 

[chris in va]

The 'half cock' feature is simply to allow for a shorter DA pull. The CZ gives you an option between DA or SA with the safety models.

You have to decide for yourself what way you want to carry...cocked n locked or DA.

And frankly if you're careful, I don't see the problem lowering the hammer manually if it's pointed in a safe direction.

 

[Ready2Defend]

Since I never would dream of pinning a grip safety back nor have loosened the saftey on any of my 1911s I must be in the minority 10%. Friends I shoot with never talk of doing that kind of crap. Are their really that many people who make those kinds of alterations to their guns? If so they are darwin awards trying to happen.

I always carry a 1911 cocked and locked. I don't know about your CZ. If your CZ is designed to be carried that way and you have a secure holster sounds reasonable to carry cocked and locked. If you do lower the hammer manually, a safe direction could be a 5 gallon bucket with sand in it.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Paging easyg

easyg, do you find the style of safety on that 75 SA to be easier to operate than the standard lever(s)?

 

[easyg]

easyg, do you find the style of safety on that 75 SA to be easier to operate than the standard lever(s)?

I don't have a problem with either type, and I really haven't noticed one being easier to use than the other.
But, I have only used the standard on range rentals, so I'm more familiar with the SA style lever.

 

[AZ_Rebel]

My issue W/ half cock is simple it requires me to grab the hammer , pull the trigger and let the hammer down over a live chambe. I only have to screw that up one time to ruin my whole day.

You have correctly identified the problem of "half cock"... getting there. It is a hazardous procedure. Carrying Cocked & Locked in an open topped holster is not a problem. IMO safety straps can be more of a problem.

From what I've observed only about 10 percent of those who carry it C&L have the knowledge, training, and experience to do so.... As a result, because at first glance when I observe C&L, I'm unable to tell which group an individual fits , I give the whole practice a blanket condemnation.

So if you are unable to tell... where does the 10% come from? When you "invent" statistics your credability becomes suspect. Sure there are people out there who are problems... with cars, alcohol, drugs and guns... but to say that 90% of people who carry Cocked & Locked are Cowboys or Nimrods is just ridiculous.

Nimrod (nĭm'rŏd') - "a person expert in or devoted to hunting". hmmmmm... have you just slammed hunters here?

 

[CryingWolf]

I must be in the minority 10% too. I like my 6lb pull, it is crisp, my thumb safety has an audible click to it, and I check my grip safety every time I inspect and clean my 1911.

 

[easyg]

Ron:

As a result, because at first glance when I observe C&L, I'm unable to tell which group an individual fits , I give the whole practice a blanket condemnation.

What do you think of those who carry a Glock with a round in the chamber?

 

[MEDDAC19]

I use the half cock notch for carry with my CZ because the full DA pull is too long for me to keep a comfortable grip on my RAMI. I find the safety lever is just not big enough to just flick off the safety easily from cocked and locked. I carry my colt C&L all the time, so it's not that I'm uncomfortable with that method of carry.

I have no problem lowering the hammer to the half cock notch because of the firing pin block. I place my finger in front of the hammer and pull the trigger to release the sear. As soon as I do this I release the trigger so my finger is now completely off of the trigger and out of the trigger guard. Now if I slip with the hammer, (though I find that would be very unlikely), the firing pin block will prevent an ND.

The hammer is big enough and the spring is not that strong to make holding it back difficult to control. Firing from half cock allows me to draw and fire without having to change or shift my grip.