I have a pistol dilemma ?

[Armored farmer]

I got my hellcat with a safety.
Edc guns get handled alot. In and out of cabinets , safes and consoles. Left on the floor beside the bed still in the holster on your jeans...like mine is right now.
A safety isn't a bad thing to have on such a gun.
My trapgun that only gets fired on the traprange....? No safety .

 

[Old Dog]

My worst fear would be fumbling to switch it off in a life saving scenario.

All due respect, I think this fear is overblown. Regular training, or simply practicing with the safety on the static range, should go a long ways in alleviating this concern.

I'm gonna go with, depending on one's mode of carry, maybe the manual safety is for you.

My opinion is just that people way overthink this.

If you train routinely with a frame-mounted safety, taking the pistol off-safe with a thumb swipe pretty much becomes ingrained in one's draw stroke. In the military, we trained with 1911s for pretty much 80 years and didn't worry about the safety. Look at the early years of USPSA/IPSC -- everyone shot 1911s, and shot them very, very fast. Does taking the safety down add any extra time to one's presentation of a pistol ready to fire? No, none, nada, zero. Not when it's done as one acquires one's grip on the holstered pistol and draws the pistol. Is taking a pistol's frame-mounted safety down a motion that can somehow experience catastrophic failure? I think not, under normal circumstances. Unless you've had your shooting hand's thumb shot off, perhaps. Of course, I came up on 1911s and have packed and trained with that platform, regularly, or on and off, for forty-odd years. so I'm probably a bit biased ..

If having a manual safety makes one feel more confident in one's choice of carry pistol, I say, go for it. Manual safeties on striker-fired pistols? Not my preference, but we own a couple. Wife has a 365 with the safety, but she's sometimes forced into off-body (purse) or pocket carry, so sometimes, it's a good idea.

 

[CapnMac]

My opinion is just that people way overthink this.

^^^ Bears repeating, and not just on this issue.

@joneb These things wind up being very individual, there's no one, universal, answer. The Goldilocks answer various for each of us. So, if you can, see if there is a rental range where you can check out how the XL "fits" you. Like if the presence--or the lack--of a safety is something that nags at you enough to "break"your "normal."
You, and only you, can answer that.

 

[Howland937]

I prefer a thumb safety with the intention of swiping the safety as the gun is coming to bear. That's what I practice, but I'm not trying to be a quick draw record holder. My reasoning is probably flawed. In fact, I'm sure it is since nobody's mentioned it as a factor. But here it is.

In the event I'm ever disarmed in a struggle, I don't want my gun being used against me by someone simply picking it up and pulling the trigger. People voicing concerns about themselves having to manipulate a safety are what convinced me.

 

[JR24]

If you are already used to the safety and the 365 location is similar to what you are used to, I don’t see why not grab the safety and try it. It it doesn’t work, it’s apparently not very hard to remove.

Personally I don’t think the 365 needs one, and don’t use one for mine.

I’ll say this again, since I’ve seen it suggested in this thread, I don’t believe only using the safety for handling the gun and leaving it “off” in the holster is a good idea. Years of carrying 1911s has taught me to never trust the safety will stay “on” in the holster over the course of a day, it’s come off enough times to teach me that, not often but enough. I would never trust a safety set to “off” to stay that way and not be prepared to swipe it off on the draw.

My philosophy is if it has a safety, train and practice to use it on your draw and try to mitigate Murphy as much as possible.

Just about the first thing I did with my HK45c was get the plate that removed the safety and made it decocker only, before I carried it (after I decided that I didn’t like the safety for SAO, despite the quite nice SA trigger it has).

 

[Alllen Bundy]

In the event I'm ever disarmed in a struggle, I don't want my gun being used against me by someone simply picking it up and pulling the trigger. People voicing concerns about themselves having to manipulate a safety are what convinced me.

I watched a Warrior Poet Society video on YT that was arguing AGAINST manual safeties. John Lovell's argument against a manual safety is what convinced me that I NEEDED a safety.

The argument that you might forget to switch off the safety is a lame one. If you can't train yourself to switch off the safety, then you can't train yourself to use proper trigger discipline, so you should just cut off your forefinger so that you don't have a negligent discharge.

 

[12Bravo20]

If you are already used to the safety and the 365 location is similar to what you are used to, I don’t see why not grab the safety and try it. It it doesn’t work, it’s apparently not very hard to remove.

Yes what he said.

Again, it only takes a fraction of a second to sweep the safety off as you draw from the holster. I have done this for so long with my SA hammer fired pistols that I still automatically sweep the safety off on my striker fired pistols that do not have a safety. And sweeping the safety when there isn't one does not slow me down one bit.

In the end it is the individuals choice on whether to have a safety or not. Go with what you are comfortable with. And no matter what, Tain as much as you can with what ever choice you make.

 

[joneb]

Anyone have a dream were you need to fire your gun and it wouldn't? I've had those and they are troubling.

 

[Howland937]

Nope, but I had the reality of it yesterday. Which proves that practice trumps features. Got a P228 back from a friend who had it a couple of years. Every few rounds I get a click-no fire because the long trigger reset isn't something I'm used to. That's why my buddy ended up with it and why I've had enough of it again, already.

Not a knock on the gun or design...just that if you don't put in the time, you can't have the expectations of positive results.

 

[joneb]

Nope, but I had the reality of it yesterday. Which proves that practice trumps features. Got a P228 back from a friend who had it a couple of years. Every few rounds I get a click-no fire because the long trigger reset isn't something I'm used to. That's why my buddy ended up with it and why I've had enough of it again, already.

Not a knock on the gun or design...just that if you don't put in the time, you can't have the expectations of positive results.

Never had that issue with a DA revolver, DA/SA semi auto or SA semi auto. I carried a J frame 38 spl and 9x18 PM for many years, I've had 1911's for longer than that. I mostly carry a a Sig 938 Legion now. I have not had a trigger reset issue with any of the before mentioned handguns.

 

[JR24]

Nope, but I had the reality of it yesterday. Which proves that practice trumps features. Got a P228 back from a friend who had it a couple of years. Every few rounds I get a click-no fire because the long trigger reset isn't something I'm used to. That's why my buddy ended up with it and why I've had enough of it again, already.

Not a knock on the gun or design...just that if you don't put in the time, you can't have the expectations of positive results.

Either you were seriously riding reset or you shoot fast. I had a 228 and had to get down below .2 second splits before I started short stroking the reset. Usually closer to .18, which is about as fast as my fingers can work and forget about aiming, for me anyway.

 

[gila_dog1]

If you have a safety you can use it if you want to, but if you don't want to use it just leave it in the "fire" position all the time. I've carried a 1911 for a long time and using the thumb safety is just part of my instincts now. I also carry a DA revolver sometimes. It's a lot easier to fire a striker fired semi auto with pressure on the trigger than it is a DA revolver with the hammer down. So I have a the thumb safety on my S&W Shield and I'm glad it's there. I only want that gun to be able to fire if I've flipped off the safety. That's just me.

 

[Old Dog]

Every few rounds I get a click-no fire because the long trigger reset isn't something I'm used to. That's why my buddy ended up with it and why I've had enough of it again, already.

Haven't considered putting the SRT in it? SIG has a package where you can send the pistol in, get it cleaned, refurbished, new SIGLITE nightsights and an SRT installed -- all for what I consider a really reasonable price. Seriously, it's like getting a brand new pistol.

On another forum, the TFB/Clint Smith "1911 vs. Glock" video thread has run several pages and I was called out by a couple guys, apparently they thought I totally favored a frame-mounted safety lever and was bashing their sacred G pistols. Why this issue gets so contentious sometimes bewilders me. As I said before, it's a simple choice, but whichever way you go, practice, practice, train but don't try to tell everyone else that your choice is the best.

 

[Howland937]

Either you were seriously riding reset or you shoot fast.

Too much of both really, which is what I ran into when I owned it previously and decided against spending the time to learn it.

considered putting the SRT in it

I've got one in my cart on the SIG website. If I don't trade the gun for one of the few things I'm looking for, the SRT will be a necessity.

Like I'd said, I'm sure with enough practice I could overcome my shortfalls operating this gun, not trying to shoot it like I do my other guns...the same way someone can learn to instinctively flip a safety off. I just have to be willing to put the time in training myself.

 

[FL-NC]

I have a S&W shield 9 with a off switch that I didn't want. My solution is to not activate it.

 

[JR24]

Too much of both really, which is what I ran into when I owned it previously and decided against spending the time to learn it.

I've got one in my cart on the SIG website. If I don't trade the gun for one of the few things I'm looking for, the SRT will be a necessity.

Like I'd said, I'm sure with enough practice I could overcome my shortfalls operating this gun, not trying to shoot it like I do my other guns...the same way someone can learn to instinctively flip a safety off. I just have to be willing to put the time in training myself.

SRT is a requirement for me in a SIG if I plan to carry it or use it in HD. Like you, eventhough it took me pushing my limits, I don't like the idea of being able to short stroke a reset if I happen to need it. Same reason I eventually moved on from the Sig P250, it wasn't the long trigger pull but the long reset that annoyed me to the point that I didn't want to carry it.

 

[md7]

I don’t feel too strongly one way or the other. On stryker fired pistols I carry without safety (Glock and MP).

One 1911’s I do carry cocked/locked with thumb safety.

The main thing is carrying and practicing with what you carry.

 

[Smaug]

I've been carrying a Sig P938 Legion for a couple of years, and it has served me well.
I'm thinking of getting the Sig 365 XL but I'm having a hard time deciding with or W/O the thumb safety
Your thoughts will be much appreciated.
Thanks.

I'd go without safety. That's why you have a double-action first pull, like a revolver. (which were never considered unsafe)

The only possible harm in getting one without safety is that if you go BACK to the P938 after having gotten used to no safety, you'd have to re-train yourself.

BTW, why not go for the P365 to have a pistol as compact as your P938? I just bought one a few weeks ago and it is great. If needed to get your pinky on there, just get 12 round mags, but you'd have the option of the shorter 10 round mags. It comes with one flush-fitting 10 rounder and a 10 rounder with pinky rest. (for smaller hands) I'm playing with the idea of adding a few 12 rounders, so I can use it for action shooting and will gain proficiency with my carry gun.

The gun is very accurate and soft-recoiling for its size. (though I only shot it at 7 yards so far)

 

[WVRJ]

I went from the P938 to the P365 a couple weeks ago.My 365 doesn't have the manual safety.I also have a P320 Compact in 45ACP that doesn't have it.My M17 does have it but I haven't had any trouble going back and forth between a pistol with or without a safety.Sometimes I carry my 1911 or my SA-35 and sweeping the safety off is ingrained,but I don't try to go for a safety that's not there when I'm shooting the two guns without it.the P365 is a much easier gun to shoot than the P938,at least it is to me.Evening before last,I shot a 5 inch 5 shot group with the 365...at 40 yards.It's a great little carry pistol that behaves like a larger gun.

 

[rdnktrkr]

I carry the Shield 45 with a safety, I prefer it and every night when I put it up I disengage the safety when removing it from my holster as a training movement, I've shot the 9mm W/O the safety and when from my holster I was swiping for the safety, I feel with a little training it is no slower since you are removing it as you draw. I no longer carry my standard M&Ps unless in the woods (safety vs none?? or size?? or newer pistol??). My friend that has the 9MM shot mine a few times and was comfortable with the safety after a couple of draws.
I like the idea that it is easy to remove in the Sig so I would probably order with it and if I didn't like it I could remove it.

 

[Average Joe]

Get it with the safety, but....you don't have to use it, but there are times when you might....best of both worlds.

 

[JKP]

I ordered P365 with the thumb safety. As light as the trigger is (not as light as my P938), I like having it. A nice feature, same as on the P938, is that if cocked, you can put on the safety, insert the magazine, and rack the slide, loading one in the chamber with the saftey engaged.

 

[Alllen Bundy]

I ordered P365 with the thumb safety. As light as the trigger is (not as light as my P938), I like having it. A nice feature, same as on the P938, is that if cocked, you can put on the safety, insert the magazine, and rack the slide, loading one in the chamber with the saftey engaged.

FYI, even after polishing all of the trigger linkage contact points in of my P365, the trigger pull is within an ounce of 7 lbs. I also like the fact that you can engage the manual trigger safety before you manually chamber a round, insert or eject a magazine, or put the pistol in your holster.

 

[bnolsen]

The shield is an example of a safety that excels while handling the pistol for things like operating the slide to load/unload it. I did practice trying to disengage the safety during draw but ended up fumbling with it too much and couldn't get the swipe off very consistent and come up with a firm solid grip on the pistol. I guess a possible solution could be to modify the safety lever itself to make it protrude more. On the flip side I really do like how the safety operates on a taurus pt111 g2 mill pro/g2c/g3c.

 

[Alllen Bundy]

I guess a possible solution could be to modify the safety lever itself to make it protrude more..

I saw photos of a P365 where the guy brazed on an extension onto the manual safety lever to make it easier for him to actuate. It can certainly be done.

But that is going to be a personal preference on a tradeoff between ease of use and keeping the safety lever profile low so that it won't catch on anything. I don't have any issues actuating the P365 manual safety lever, so I'm fine with it.