Verify
Everyone's situation is going to be different.
Including the type of firearm, and if governed by regulations (LEO, Military, Armored Car Co. Training Facility, IDPA, IPSC, Ranges,[public/private] family, kids...)
I do NOT like front serrations. They did not have them on the 1911s I grew up with learning to shoot for instance. Then again these same 1911s did not have FLGR either.
It is MY responsibility to know condition of firearm. Now I have some folks I do trust and they trust me. Neither of us get offended if our firearms are in the care of each other, and we check the condition [Press Check] the firearm.
Examples:
One has to leave firearm in lock box. A number of situations come to mind, I am going to check my firearm after retrieving it.
I will do so even on a Revolver, I will make sure there are ctg, not cases, ctg in the charge holes and I will check to make sure the firing pin on the hammer has not been filed down - or cut with side-cutters.
For whatever reason I leave my firearm in the care of another, it might be leaving with them as I enter a NO Firearm area, such as my state regulates like a Federal, State, County or City building.
Folks I trust ...I may or may not check. Folks I do not, even if I know them, and even if I place my gun in a lock box, ( or just stick in the trunk while I take care of business) I will check.
I do not like loaded chamber indicators. Just me, just I do not want to get dependent on anything, any feature, or get complacent with a "crutch".
Learn on a crutch , and lose that crutch, one will fall down.
Neat thing about a 1911 for instance, with no front serrations, no FLGR, even with wet, sweaty, bloody, nasty, cold wet hands...
I can check the chamber numerous ways. Even one handed, even weak handed if need.
Push muzzle against a door jamb, or retract slide catching rear sight on heel of shoe and I can not only see a round in chamber - if dark/low light I can feel a round in chamber.
Training is the key, repetitions of practicing these lessons for each individual's needs is suggested with dummy ctg and Rules of Safety.
Another reason I am a proponent of knowing and carrying the same gun(s) and have multiples of same [redundancy].
Flip-Flopping and changing CCWs everyday will get one into trouble, not a matter of
if - instead
when.
If one CCWs a 1911 and J frame - train with these guns a lot!
Applicable to whatever Platform one CCWs for primary and secondary.
Front serrations : not the fact they are ugly, for me they mess up drawing , re-holstering, and chew up holsters.
Rear Serrations: I do not like the ill designed ones. They may look nice,(some are ugly!) I prefer the function of the USGI/ Colt finer serrations. For ME these work better with wet, sweaty, cold, wet, bloody and even gloved hands better.
Gun fit to shooter, Function, Training.
Makes no difference to me what the latest marketing fads is in the magazines , or what TEEM SEEL is using or Internet Acceptance Club requires.
I care about me. One needs to be selfish at times. For if one does not take care of themselves - what the heck good are they going to be for assisting anyone else?
Yes, I have seen one revolver with the firing pin on the hammer snipped off with a pair of diagonals.
I did this - on purpose.
No - the person did not check his revolver -which I was counting on.
I have also removed on purpose the firing pin from a 1911, and the person did not check their 1911 for ammunition in the mag, round in chamber or if the gun had a firing pin.
I removed MY firing pin from my personal 1911 a few times too.
All I will say on these matters.
I can hear you folks scampering to go check hammer mounted firing pins on Revolvers and them 1911s for firing pins...