Need has nothing to do with it. For the 544th time...It's a matter of choice. The design of the gun allows that choice.
After watching this and certain other arguments unfold...and taking part in a few...I've noticed something interesting. A distinct line gets drawn, and there are many who take the stance:
"This is the way that I do it and if you don't do it that way, you're an idiot."
The only hard, fast rules for gun carrying...gun handling...and gun shooting are:
1. The gun is loaded.
2. Don't point it at anything that you don't want a hole in.
3. If you don't want it to fire, don't pull the trigger.
4. Be sure of your target, and what is behind it before you point the gun and pull the trigger.
Beyond that, it's pretty much an open field. If Joe wants to carry a 1911 in Condition 2...who am I to decide what is right or wrong for Joe?
Some people carry their 1911s in Condition 2 or 3. Get over it.
Yes. Really. If one doesn't have the manual dexterity to lower a hammer without shooting himself or somebody else, maybe he should take up needlepoint and leave the guns alone.