Semi-Auto Safety

by
posted on June 3, 2014
qanda2015_fs.jpg

Q. I prefer to carry a semi-auto pistol in the woods. I would like to know what pistols I can carry in a holster with a round in the chamber ready to shoot without a safety on.

A. The gist of your question is open to interpretation. I will assume that you seek a semi-automatic pistol that can be safely carried with a round in the chamber without the safety being engaged or lacking a safety altogether. Actually, there are many pistols available today that fit that description. Practically all modern double-action autoloaders are safe to carry without the safety being engaged.

On many of these guns, the safety is also a decocking device, meaning that engaging it will lower the hammer, while rendering the trigger inoperable at the same time. The only safe way to carry this style of pistol is with the hammer down. To fire the gun, it is only necessary to pull the trigger. Because it is a double-action pistol, pulling the trigger moves the hammer rearward to a point where it is released, firing a round (similar in operation to firing a double-action revolver).

Unless the particular pistol fires only in the double-action-only mode, subsequent firing requires a single-action pull. This style is offered by Beretta, CZ, Heckler & Koch, Ruger, Sig, Smith & Wesson, Taurus and others.

Another autoloader design typified by the Glock pistols may lack an external safety. Pulling the trigger loads a striker against a spring until a point is reached where the striker is released, firing the cartridge. Like double actions, the first and all subsequent shots have the same trigger pull. Pistols of this design are also made by FN, Kahr, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory, Walther and others.

-John W. Treakle

Originally published December, 2006

Latest

A5 Gotw Browning
A5 Gotw Browning

Gun Of The Week: Browning A5 Wicked Wing

Watch American Rifleman staff on the range this week to learn about an iconic Browning shotgun, but this one is dressed specifically for the modern era, wearing synthetic furniture, covered by a unique camouflage treatment and revamped internally for generations of use.

The Armed Citizen® June 2, 2023

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

2023 Ammunition Product Of The Year: Remington Core-Lokt Tipped

Remington Ammunition’s Core-Lokt bullets have been counted on by hunters to reliably take game for more than 80 years.

Remembering The Remington 700 At FTW Ranch

Remington seems to have risen from the ashes, and a new company has emerged under the RemArms name, but before the lights went out at Remington's Custom Shop, American Rifleman contributor Craig Boddington joined industry professionals at FTW Ranch to put its rifles through the rigors of intense field work.

Henry Donates To Border Patrol Foundation

Henry Repeating Arms supports Border Patrol Foundation (BPF) with funds to help the organization’s mission to honor the memory of fallen U.S. Border Patrol agents.

Rifleman Review: Smith & Wesson CSX

Smith & Wesson's CSX is a different take on the micro-compact 9 mm Luger-chambered pistol concept, one that will appeal to fans of more traditionally built and styled handguns.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.