txshurricane

Just curious. I've never been a fan of Condition 1. Wondering how the SigTalk community likes to carry.

col132

I've carried a 1911 design on and off duty for several years. Thumb cocking obviously is too slow in a shooting situation, plus the problem of fumbling the draw/cocking motion in a high stress situation is just asking for something bad to happen.



With that said, I never carry my P238 in my pocket in condition one. With no grip safety and out of sight, I'm uncomfortable with that carry. As much as I hate to lower the hammer on a live round, that is the way I carry this SA.

Volzfan

This is why I have decided that a DA/SA gun is my favorite. A DA pull of the trigger and my Sig goes BANG! No safety to have to deal with on my SP2022.

Jim-Bob

Totally agree - I still love the 1911 as shooters and from the historic perspective, just not a fan of Cocked & Locked carry. JB

txshurricane

Sounds like I'm not alone, then.

VADavid

A gun without a round in the chamber is simply a hammer. Don't fool yourself into thinking you'll have time to chamber a round, AND do it with one hand, when the SHTF. Most likely you'll be blocking an attack, moving a loved one, or be injured already. If you need two hands to flip the safety, you're in the same boat.



If you are not comfortable with carrying your weapon "ready to use", then get comfortable. When I first started carrying I wore the (loaded and ready to go) gun around my house. At the beginning that was for about 10 minutes at a time until my subconscience accepted that it won't go back by itself. Now it's second nature.

360glitch

My first carry gun was a 1911 and I had to take small steps to get used to carrying it cocked in locked, but no doubt that was the way to carry it. As stated above, you get used to it fairly quickly. As for DA/SA SIGs, one in the chamber, hammer down.

Badger

For my 1911...Condition One.



"I wouldn't carry the son-of-a-b*tch if it wasn't dangerous." ~ Texas Ranger Charlie Miller





Wouldn't have a problem carrying a DA/SA chambered and uncocked. Like VADavid said...a gun without a round in the chamber is just a hammer.

txshurricane

Well, to be fair - carrying an unchambered gun is a significant improvement over none at all. It's a matter of what circumstances you place yourself and your carry weapon in every day.



Myself, I currently carry a single action in condition 2. I prefer, however, to carry a SA/DA in condition 2. Unfortunately, beggars can't be choosers - and until I replace my lost carry weapon (which should be very shortly) I have to make do.



But my point is that there is no universally right or wrong way to carry. Consider the following:

Depending on the gun you're carrying, it may be faster to rack the slide than to cock the hammer.



Depending on the holster you're using, you may or may not have a snap release.



Depending on the shirt you're wearing, you may or may not have to untuck your shirt first.



Depending on the carry position, you may have to cross draw.

If someone was 100% sure that they would need to use their weapon before the day was done, then they'd have it in condition 0 and in hand all day. Obviously that's not the case for anyone, ever.



There are too many factors to consider before calling others foolish. I'm simply asking what your preference is.

VADavid

txsh, I agree there are no absolutes. Heck, if I knew I would have to use my gun today, I'd stay home.



That's why I like Sig DA/SA. No hammer to cock, no safety to flick. Draw, point, shoot.



You do bring up an interesting point about releasing a snap. I don't see any reason for a retention device on a concealed holster, and I'm not totally convinced on them for open carry.



BTW, I said "Don't fool yourself into thinking...." which I don't see as calling others foolish. Totally different context and usage.





Cheers.

txshurricane

I took some extra liberty there. Originally my post did not even quote you, but since there were two posts in between, I felt it more appropriate to address some of your comments specifically, and did not edit mine to be less aggressive in a particular direction. I understand you weren't calling anyone foolish; take my response to be more in general than just to you.



And this is an awesome point (and if I may say so - incredibly profound):

VADavid

Another point I was going to make before I was interrupted by my job:

This list is an excellent illustration of why, no matter how you carry, you must practice accessing the weapon until you can do it proficiently and without hesitation. New holster, new carry position? Don't think your brain will remember under stress. That's one of the reasons I stick with Sig DA/SA, same manual of arms across guns.



I took a class a few years ago where a student was absolutely incredulous that the instructor stated he should practice with his weapon monthly at the least. I strongly felt once he had stood at an indoor range and fired a box of rounds, he was set for life.

txshurricane

I'll be honest: I'm very bad about practicing. Monthly, yes, but needs improvement.

VADavid

Topic drift, but remember, practicing your draw does not have to be done at the range. :-) I do this frequently.



Of course, UNLOAD, double check. Then practice accessing your weapon while in a DIFFERENT ROOM from where you left the ammo.

sigp229r

My favorite preferred carry condition is "cocked and locked" or condition 1. I can carry a 1911 or my USP's in this fashion. It's fast and easy to disengage the safety, with one sweep of the thumb. With practice, you can hit the thumb break, clear leather, and go to condition 0 in one fluid motion.

When carrying DA/SA with an external safety (Beretta 92 style), my preferred method of carry is a round chambered, hammer uncocked, and the safety on.

When carrying DA/SA or DAO without an external safety (Sig's), my preferred method of carry is a round chambered and hammer uncocked, ready to go.



Regardless of what way you carry, the main thing is to practice, practice, practice. AND always be very careful when practicing.

Hud35500

Israeli Mossad carry hammer down on an empty chamber. I've seen film and they can draw, chamber, shoot in about a second. I've tried it, it takes alot of practice, but it works. You don't need a range to practice drawing your piece. Use a mirror and practice, practice, practice. I even practice while I'm watching TV.

Hoytshooter

At the moment all my carry guns are DA/SA, with the exception of my XD9SC, which is very seldom gets carried anymore. However I have no qualms about carrying a 1911 Condition 1, it just happens that a full-sized 1911 does get a bit heavy, which is one of the reasons I traded a pair of Kimbers for my P220, though my P229 in .40 is my primary CCW. Fully loaded it is the same weight, or less, than my Kimber Raptor II was and holds twice the number of rounds as my Kimber Compact Stainless .40 did for not much more weight.



One or, maybe, two actions that should have been on the initial list are the Sig DAK and Para-Ordinance LDA. I have shot both of them and, as an old wheel-gunner, could get used to either of them very quickly with the Sig DAK being my preference because of the higher capacity guns. Also you have your choice of more calibers and more guns with the DAK than you do with the LDA..

Reliable

DA/SA, round chambered and action de-cocked.



If you carry with an empty chamber, I'll bet your situation won't allow you to shout "time out, I need to chamber a round"

bullrider3711

I carry all my weapons the same way the military has taught us, chambered with hammer down and safety on if one's available. You can "what if" situations all day long to decide how you "should" carry but at the end of the day all that matters is how you're the most comfortable.

JeffsSig

One can look at it another way.



The extra half-second it takes to rack the slide and chamber a round could make a change in whether or not you do pull the trigger.



It could save you from hitting the wrong target or see you need not fire at all.



As stated no matter how you carry there is practice and drills you need to do in a safe manner until it comes second nature.



Just remember in a gun fight the fastest and biggest is not always the winner.