Some guns come with manual safeties and some do not. Most long guns come with a manual safety and handguns are almost split down the middle 50/50. But why, and do you really need the safety on your gun? And should you use it if it’s there?
First, let’s talk about long guns, rifles and shotguns. Yes, you should use your safety on your long gun almost all the time, especially when moving. With an AR style rifle, I think the only time to have the safety off is when you are firing the weapon. The safety is so easy to flip on and off there is no reason not to use it. With other long guns, the safety can be a pain. But you should use it when moving. The problem with long guns is that they are long (obviously). Because of the length, they are harder to control. When moving around, it’s too easy to bump them on something or get the end caught on something and have the rifle move unexpectedly and be out of your control for a split second. When the long gun moves out of your control the trigger could easily get caught on something and discharge the weapon. The gun doesn’t know the difference between you pulling the trigger and that branch you just got caught on pulling the trigger. Since you don’t have complete control of the long gun at that point, the muzzle could be pointed in an unsafe direction.
I know this is splitting hairs, and the possibility is slim, but you are responsible for every bullet that leaves your firearm, on purpose or by accident. Since this simple accident could kill someone else, we, as responsible gun owners, should take precautions to eliminate this possibility. The easiest way is to use the safety on the gun. If you can’t operate the safety efficiently or effectively on the gun you have, I suggest using or getting another gun. There are so many good guns out there that it’s easy to find another one. I’m fond of the safety design on the Savages and Winchester actions for hunting rifles and love the safety design on an AR. I wish every rifle and shotgun would have a thumb safety designed like an AR.
Handguns are a different story. Because they are smaller and lighter, you can move around with a minimal amount of danger with the weapon not on safe. The danger of you getting it caught on something and having it discharge is substantially less. But why do some handguns have safeties and some don’t? Personal preference is the simple answer. I like handguns with manual safeties. It gives me that extra layer of safety if for some crazy reason I screw everything else up. Right now, I’m carrying a Glock 19 that has no manual safety. It’s perfectly safe. The weapon won’t go off unless something pulls the trigger. I just like the idea of an on/off switch.
I do think a pistol with a safety should be carried with the safety on, for the simple reason that Murphy’s Law is always with us. If you carry a handgun with a manual safety, but never use it, somehow, in the worst possible moment, that safety will get flipped on and you won’t know how to take it off. If you have a gun with a manual safety, consider using it all the time. When the handgun comes out of the holster, the safety comes off. When you are done and just before you put it away, the safety goes back on.
It sounds pretty easy, but you should see how much work it takes to get used to that simple act. I suggest that you buy the gun that you want to use. If you don’t want a safety, don’t buy a gun with a manual safety. There are so many good guns out there today, that you can latterly have it like Burger King; “Your Way!” Pick a gun that you want to use and train with it. If you have a manual safety, learn to use to it.
Stay Safe,
Ben
Thank, this is a very helpful post
The Glock has three safeties, trigger, firing pin, and drop safety. All three must be satisfied before the pistol will discharge. The reason I carry a Glock is primarily because of their reliability and second because in a “bad” situation, I don’t have to be concerned with fumbling around trying to flip the safety off.
Almost every pistol on the market today has the same level of safety. Today’s guns are just not going to go off unless you pull the trigger. Glock was the first to really prove that point. I’m glad you found the gun that works for you. I carried a 1911 for almost 10 years and don’t remember once missing the safety. But then again, I only carried 1911’s so there was no training differences.
If you like the Glock, go with the Glock. Super easy, simple weapon, point and shoot. No extra training required. What Glock are you carrying?
Hi Ben, and thanks for the reply. Right now, depending on the scenario, I either carry my Glock 17 or 26, the 26 being much easier to conceal wearing casual street clothes. I carried 1911’s for years, everything from a Gold Cup to a Combat Commander, and, I still carry a Kimber Crimson Carry on some occasions. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said one must find the firearm that works for “you”. Many people I see really struggle with this, and many of the folks I talk with are misled by sales literature and sales people who don’t have the knowledge to fit a firearm to an individual’s specific characteristics. For example, my wife carries a Beretta Tomcat. This firearm was chosen after at least two years of trial and error and endless hours at the range with a extensive array of different carry weapons. We found that for her, this was the best choice, taking into account her specific characteristics such as hand size, hand and arm strength, ease of loading, etc, etc. We all are different, and therefore what works best for one, might not be the best for another. I made my initial comment due to my experience with people being led to believe that the Glocks do not have safeties. I get at least one or two comments a month from people who have been misled in this area, one female friend told me a week or two ago that she was afraid of the Glock because it “did not have a safety”, when I handed her mine, and explained in detail how it functions, she changed her point of view. I’m not saying that Glock is better than anything out there, all the major mfgrs. make quality products, the trick is matching up what’s the best for the particular individual. Thanks again, Carl
That was said beautifully. I found people that think the other way with the Glock. The “Safe Action” has been so well marketed that people think there is no way the gun will fire unless they want it too. I guess there is just no one in the middle.
What handgun is right for you, is not right for me. Everyone needs something different.
Thanks for the comment and for the info.
I feel you completely overlook the reason and function of the manual safety. My Glock 19 does not need one because it is not fully cocked. It will not fire until the 2 sections of the trigger are pulled at the same time past the set point to finish cocking the mechanism. My Walther P5-Compact does not need one because it is decocked, and until the trigger is pulled back far enough to line the firing pin up with the hammer, it will not fire. To me the question of the safety is what does it do? Lock the hammer down? Lock the hammer back? Decock the gun? Block the firing pin? Disrupt the striker? I think these reasons and functions of the safety are for more important than the safety itself.
I think only understanding what the safety of the handgun really does for the particular model you are carrying will ensure you make the informed choice to carry it safely. Just because it has a safety does not necessarily make it safe, in my opinion.
Good points about knowing your firearm. And having a manual safety on a handgun doesn’t make it less or more safe, it just makes it different. I now carry a Glock 19, but miss my on and off switch of my 1911. I’m extra careful re-holstering my Glock. Doesn’t matter how far the trigger has to travel or what safeties internally the gun deactivates if you holster your gun with your finger on the trigger. My paranoia comes from being afraid something will get stuck (shirt or cover garment) inside the trigger guard when I holster my weapon.
Thanks for the comment and thanks for reading the blog.
You know which rifle has a horrible safety? The Mosin Nagant. The way I make sure the safety is on with that rifle is having the bolt open. I am paranoid every time I put the safety on or off that my fingers are going to slip. But, since rifle hunting isn’t allowed in my state, I don’t have to worry about moving around with it with the safety off.
J.R. I’m with you on the that old rifle. I have one. The way I do the safety on that one is keep the chamber empty and just chamber a round for the shot. I’m not sure who designed that one for what, but it wasn’t designed for ease of use.
Thanks for the comment and for reading.