Question regarding "halfcock" on Beretta 92 series

[oboe]

The Beretta 92 series pistols have a half cock notch for the hammer. Three questions: What is the intended purpose of the half cock notch? What are the possible affects of the half cock position? DA/SA pistols frequently don't have safeties, and even those that do are frequently carried decocked with the safety off. Is there any compelling reason why such a gun should not be carried in halfcock with the safety off?

 

[mr2guru]

It keeps the hammer off the firing pin. Technically if the hammer is resting on the firing pin and you smack it hard enough it could fire a chambered round. It's an added safety feature.

 

[rklessdriver]

The Half Cock Notch is there for the same reason there is a Half Cock Notch on EVERY modern semi auto pistol.

To prevent the pistol from slam firing and going "full auto" in the event the full cock notch breaks on the hammer.

The internal Firing Pin Block prevents the firing pin from moving forward enough to hit the primer in the event the pistol is dropped on the hammer.

Will