FM 23-35, 1940, true then and still true today.
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/ref/FM/PDFs/FM23-35.pdf
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/ref/FM/PDFs/FM23-35.pdf
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How was the 1911 designed to be carried
- Thread starter SteelRinger
- Start date
Cocked and locked. I recommend some training, lots of practice and make sure you use a reliable holster that keeps the safety locked "ON" while carrying. I have had the safety disegaged in some nice and expensive holsters. Its a sickening feeling when you unholster and realize the safety is down.
Too dangerous for my blood...
When I am carrying I used to keep the weapon loaded with the hammer in the half cock position. I have trained myself to pull the hammer as I draw from my holster, with my current 1911 and my hands getting older I have learned to keep it cocked and loaded when I carry. My current Serpa holster with the button to unlock also makes it more difficult to pull the hammer back, but it also protects the trigger from being accidentally pressed (of course my current 1911 has a stiffer trigger pull than any I've encountered before too)
If you want to drop the hammer on a loaded chamber it is a two handed technique. Always do it in a safe environment with the weapon pointed in a safe direction in case **** goes wrong. I hold the gun normally in my right hand and use my left hand as a hammer block, keeping my hand between the weapon and the hammer but in a way that the hammer isn't going to drop on my hand because I have some pressure on it. Let the hammer drop just a smidgen and let go of the trigger, the hammer will now fall to the half cock position which is the only other position besides cocked you want the hammer to be on a loaded chamber. Older style 1911's if you bump the hammer they will engage the firing pin and can set off a round on the uncocked possition However some of the newer ones (like a rock island one I had previously) have a block that comes up when you pull the trigger and the hammer cant fall far enough to reach the firing pin without the block in the way, older style ones dont have that safety and can set off a round without the trigger being depressed)
Edited to add: Just remember there is NO SAFE WAY TO DROP THE HAMMER ON A 1911!! This is how I do it, and I've had good outcomes from it, but you are responsible for yourself if you try it and shoot your foot off
When you pull the hammer back to de-cock it the hammer pushes the palm safety down. There is no awkwardness in holding and putting the hammer down to the half cocked position. No different then doing it to a revolver.
Interesting and reoccurring question/comments.
First exactly who says the 1911 was intended to be carried cocked and locked??
Browning upon the development of the 1911 from the existing 1900 had to make several changes to the weapon to satisfy the military demands, one of which was adding an extra safety so the cavalry wouldn't shoot their horse if they needed to draw and fire, he also had to change bullet weight, later after use and understanding of the weapon came the 1911 A-1.
as for carrying when I carry a 1911 I do carry cocked and locked, the military however carries hammer down.
Now as for lowering the hammer , well that depends on is it a series 70 or so called series 80?
a series 70 if you begin to release the hammer and let go of the trigger then the half cock notch is designed to catch the hammer fall, that's its purpose, not to carry a 1911 on half cock and to do so can damage the sear by the way, another old wives tale from military carriers.
if its a series 80 then release the hammer while holding it and slowly lowering it, take the finger off the trigger and you have both the half cock notch and the firing pin block to provide safety.
so to say "Someone" says to carry a 1911 one way or the other??? depends on who you listen to.
at the end of the day its all about what you feel best doing to me.
First exactly who says the 1911 was intended to be carried cocked and locked??
Browning upon the development of the 1911 from the existing 1900 had to make several changes to the weapon to satisfy the military demands, one of which was adding an extra safety so the cavalry wouldn't shoot their horse if they needed to draw and fire, he also had to change bullet weight, later after use and understanding of the weapon came the 1911 A-1.
as for carrying when I carry a 1911 I do carry cocked and locked, the military however carries hammer down.
Now as for lowering the hammer , well that depends on is it a series 70 or so called series 80?
a series 70 if you begin to release the hammer and let go of the trigger then the half cock notch is designed to catch the hammer fall, that's its purpose, not to carry a 1911 on half cock and to do so can damage the sear by the way, another old wives tale from military carriers.
if its a series 80 then release the hammer while holding it and slowly lowering it, take the finger off the trigger and you have both the half cock notch and the firing pin block to provide safety.
so to say "Someone" says to carry a 1911 one way or the other??? depends on who you listen to.
at the end of the day its all about what you feel best doing to me.
All of this is why I do not carry a 1911... Not to turn this into another version of that debate, just saying...
If you do carry it Cocked and Locked for months - the safety is not assured to stay on.
If you carry Cocked and Locked - I would also think that compressing the hammer spring all the time would weaken it over time...
If you carry on an empty chamber, you are not loaded to capacity and you have to rack the slide to get ready for action.
If you lower the hammer on a round, you have to manually cock the SA hammer to get ready for action...
If you do carry it Cocked and Locked for months - the safety is not assured to stay on.
If you carry Cocked and Locked - I would also think that compressing the hammer spring all the time would weaken it over time...
If you carry on an empty chamber, you are not loaded to capacity and you have to rack the slide to get ready for action.
If you lower the hammer on a round, you have to manually cock the SA hammer to get ready for action...
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I would note for those that may be a bit leery of carrying a 1911 cocked and locked, remember that the Manual thumb safety is but one of many safeties and that defeating this one safety still leaves many others in play.
the grip safety must be depressed at the same the same time the thumb safety is off and the trigger depressed, additionally on modern 80 series the trigger must be held to the rear to allow the firing pin to move forward, and then you have the half cock notch to catch the hammer if it should fall and the trigger not be rearward.
Not trying to change anyones mind on how they carry but its pretty fool proof.
People get bent out of shape because they can actually SEE the thumb safety being disengaged but not the other safeties, same with revolvers that have fewer safeties but yet we carry them hammer down.
the grip safety must be depressed at the same the same time the thumb safety is off and the trigger depressed, additionally on modern 80 series the trigger must be held to the rear to allow the firing pin to move forward, and then you have the half cock notch to catch the hammer if it should fall and the trigger not be rearward.
Not trying to change anyones mind on how they carry but its pretty fool proof.
People get bent out of shape because they can actually SEE the thumb safety being disengaged but not the other safeties, same with revolvers that have fewer safeties but yet we carry them hammer down.
