Automatic handguns scare me and I am EXPERIENCED
I would never own one - I am happy to have a revolver.
Even after I had cleared the weapon I was always afraid i had screwed up and still had a round chambered.
(Just a personal preference folks)
I carry both revolvers and SA pistols. The key words to remember when using a SA is DAO and/or safety. I agree that cock and lock is very dangerous. Also always perform a thorough careful inspection of the chamber when clearing the weapon. The next best bit of advice to anyone is to practice proper gun safety 100% of the time.
Agreed...In a stress situation of firing at someone you could lose count and/or forget another bullet has been chambered.
It is very simple to open the action, lock it open and then inspect the chamber to confirm there is nothing there.
With the magazine removed, you can see light from two directions confirming it is empty.
I know you know that but with experience and practice it becomes second nature.
‘Even after I had cleared the weapon I was always afraid i had screwed up and still had a round chambered.’
I dont see how it would be diff for a wheel gun or autoloader.
Its simple really...keep your finger off the trigger until youre ready to shoot and dont point the weapon at anything youre not willing to destroy.
First, it’s a semi-automatic, not an automatic pistol.
Second, 90% of SA Pistols are unsafe. Why? Because they lack a real safety, and an indicator of a round in the chamber.
Both the Taurus PT709 slim and the some of the Kahr models offer a REAL safety and a loaded chamber indicator you can see/feel in the dark. This, along with training, make these SA Pistols safer than a revolver, and easier to carry. Both pistols mentioned are < 3 x 5 inches and less than one inch thick.
What I mean by “real safety” is a safety that is NOT disengaged simply by gripping the gun in a normal manner. (grip interlocks, trigger safeties, etc).
They are great for the professional (police) use, but because the citizen does not use/shoot his gun on a daily basis, they more often lead to accidents.
BTW, for those of you glock lovers out there, no we are not in the old west quickdraw competitions. In fact, any competant gun trainer will tell you not to draw your concealed weapon unless there is at least 10-15 feet between you and your assailant.
With all due respect, it’s a semi-automatic and it’s a tool just like any other tool. Learn to use it and respect it, just like you would any other tool.
My husband and I were NRA certified in pistol and rifle (we let the certs slip, although we still teach). If someone is shot in a gun safety class, then it was not being taught correctly. No live ammo in the room. We use cute pink and blue replicas for the gun handling part. Even with the fake guns we demand the safety rules be followed — particularly KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER and DON’T POINT THE MUZZLE AT ANYONE OR ANYTHING YOU DON’T WANT TO DESTROY. If you can’t follow the rules with a fake gun - we ain’t letting ya shoot a real one. At least, not around us.
Someone one got really sloppy.