How was the 1911 designed to be carried

[Flashover16]

Thats what the Officers size models are for

and alloy frames!

 

[Dirty J]

Sums up this thread.

Most all of your can have a productive gun/anti-gun discussion with a complete stranger... start talking about 1911's... this is what you get.

 

[Wheeler]

Just a note.

The original statement was a question of DESIGN INTENT, not CARRY INTENT. The 1911 was designed with Condition 1 carry in mind. That was the statement that I made in the CZ thread - "The 1911 was designed to be carried cocked and locked". I was told I was wrong.

As has been proven by the statements that John Browning added the thumb safety to the model 1900 so that the cavalry wouldn't shoot their horsed during the draw leads me to believe that they were carrying cocked and locked. Therefore, I stand by my statement that the 1911 was DESIGNED to be carried cocked and locked.

I actually replied to your statement that the CZ pistol was designed to be carried cocked and locked like a 1911.

Here's the quote;

Originally Posted by SteelRinger
My honest answer is to get rid of the decocker. I have honestly never understood them. They are a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. CZ's are meant to be carried cocked and locked, just like a 1911. If you feel that you must carry with the hammer down and shoot the first round DA, then use good muzzle control and the two finger method.

As to the design intent, you referenced the thumb safety on the Model 1900. According to this article,
http://http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/history/hist_dev.htm
And more specifically this passage,

In 1910 the final prototype for the Model 1911 pistol, incorporating the addition of the manual safety lever, was put through an exhaustive test regimen.

the thumb safety wasn't added until 1910, a full decade after your claim.

This link shows a picture of a Colt 1910 with no frame mounted safety.

http://www.sightm1911.com/1911pix/product/Colt_M1910_Pistol_IMAGE_FILE.htm

The final design evolution added a frame mounted safety at the request of the cavalry. According to this US Army Field Manual; http://http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/ref/FM/PDFs/FM23-35.pdf
Page 19, item L states that the pistol is to be carried chamber empty, hammer down in field conditions when one doesn't expect to use it, cocked and locked in either the hand or holster when it's probable that one might have to use it. Please keep in mind that this manual was produced 29 years after the original design was adopted.

In regards to those folks that quote Jeff Cooper as the end all authority on the 1911, Colonel Cooper was born in 1920, ten years after the Field Trials of 1910 that saw the adoption of the 1911 in its original form. His theories on modern gun fighting didn't start seeing prong until the 1960's, fifty years AFTER the 1911 was adopted for military service. He had nothing to do with the original Design of the pistol.

There's a lot of mystique, tradition, nostalgia, and emotion surrounding the 1911. It survived in service as long as it did not because it was a superior design, although it was at the time of the Field Trials of 1910, but because the US Army quit caring about pistols after the cavalry was disbanded and quite frankly didn't care to replace or upgrade the pistol due to having to spend the money.
I carried a 1911 for a couple of years, I carried it cocked and locked, if all four safeties are working it is by far the safest method to carry one although it was not originally designed that way.
Sorry guys, I hate to burst bubbles but I'll stand by my statement and have gone to the extent of providing proof.

Whoever compared carrying a loaded revolver to carrying a loaded, hammer down 1911 showed a complete lack of understanding of how a hammer block works in most any revolver built after 1899.

 

[Flashover16]

I was going to respond to the statements but I see wheeler has already done so.
In addition to what he states consider that now modern 1911 have the so called series 80 system which while not the purpose of the system does also help with adding one more layer of safeties to the weapon as to accidental discharge from hammer drop and firing pin travel.
AS for Colonel Copper as he points out He was ONE of the recognized experts on small arms used in warfare, not the only one.
There are basically 4 conditions of carry for 1911 and depending on how one sees the particular need they can be carried in either condition, Now again I carry cocked and locked myself, but I don't think anyone should carry a firearm and not be comfortable in doing so.
IF one is so interested in researching the Manual of Arms 1911 & 1911 A -1 that was published in or about 1940 then you will understand how it is recommened that you carry, draw and fire from horse back. while there read and UNDERSTAND sections 4, function, and section 13 safety devices and note how the weapon is designed from a safety stand point.
Its a long and boring publication but does give a view into how the military viewed the 1911.
Just because someones opinion differs from yours does NOT make you opinion right, only makes it your opinion.
there are tons of writings on the subject of cocked and locked by all kinds of expert and so called experts.