kcshooter
Member
Bull.Should you ever (heaven forbid) need to draw your pistol in self-defense, your thumb could very easily slip and drop the hammer while cocking it, and unjustifiably end up shooting someone, resulting in assault/manslaughter charges at best, and homicide charges at worst.
If I ever have to draw my pistol in self defense, you had better believe I will already be justified in firing it.
If you pull your gun out in a situation that firing it would be questionable or will most likely end up with you being charged, you've made a big mistake.
The situation KYJim is talking about happened while lowering the hammer after the threat was gone, not while it was still active. Completely different.
I still don't think condition 2 is a good idea though.
No.If you should want to safely lower the hammer on your 1911 with a loaded chamber....As soon as the trigger releases the hammer, take your finger off of the trigger, slowly remove your left thumb from in front of the hammer as you continue to lower it with your right thumb until it hits the "half cock" notch. You are done. Leave the hammer at the notch.
The half-cock notch is not meant to be used as a resting place for the hammer. If for some reason it slipped or broke or failed in any way, the gun will go bang.
Not all half-cock notches are created equal-they can be located at different points on the hammer and can be more or less shallow on different hammers. It is a last-ditch safety catch, not to be seriously trusted to prevent a ND.
Do NOT leave your hammer at half-cock with a chambered round. If you are going to lower your hammer on a hot chamber, make sure you get the hammer all the way down.
If you already have emptied your chamber, and have doublechecked to make sure your gun is indeed fully unloaded, the best way to drop your hammer is to pull the trigger.