would/do you carry a DAO pistol with no safety for CCW?

[Chris17404]

Hi all,

I am considering purchasing a new S&W 3954 (9mm, DAO, no safety) for a CCW piece. Right now, the thought of carrying this with a round chambered and no lock is a bit unsettling to me. I'm sure I'd get used to it, but I was wondering how others felt about carrying a CCW piece in this condition. Having a thumb safety would make me feel better, but I guess it's not really much different than carrying a DAO revolver. Thoughts?

Chris

 

[jbm]

Been doing it for years...

I carry an HK USP Compact. It's not double action only, but I do carry it hammer down, safety off (first shot double action). Just get a good holster that fits the pistol well and covers the trigger.

 

[swingcatt]

It never bothered me as much as carrying a cocked and locked 1911 to tell you the truth, but like you pointed out, it's all what you get used to. Police officers did it for decades with their double action revolvers. As long as you make sure to follow the three rules of firearm safety, there is no need in having a mechanical safety. Mechanical safeties can and do fail, so your best safety will always be between your ears. SC

 

[salvador31c]

I Carry (open carry) a Glock 30 With one in the Chamber most would say why carry a gun without one in the chaber but its up to you get a good holster that covers the trigger gaurd if you want one in the pipe

 

[kludge]

Yes I do. And no it doesn't bother me.

What's a safety? I never use them. (OK, so my old S&W 411 has one, decocker style with a hammer block, and I used that one, but I didn't like it, too hard/wrong place to push up with my thumb.)

 

[MrTuffPaws]

Nope. Does not bother me at all. Plus some of the DAO triggers out there are better than a safety

 

[KurtC]

I switched to S&W .45's in DAO back in 1991, and have carried them daily ever since. I will also carry the Beretta 8045D mini-cougar, when I need something smaller than the Smiths.

The 3954 is an outstanding handgun, if you don't mind the little bullets.

 

[mufb]

Carried a Smith 4043 on duty for quite a while. Still have it. Very reliable. If you can shoot a Revolver in double action, you can shoot the DAO Semi Auto. Always carried one in the chamber. No reason for a safety.

 

[nelson133]

yes. both of my bugs are Kel-Techs with a dao trigger.

 

[Soybomb]

Absolutely.

 

[SJG26]

Yepper......................

Sig 225 and a Kahr PM9----------------
"We don't need no stinkin safties!"

 

[Whirlwind06]

I'm carrying an XD9 service in a a IWB right now.
Does that count? With the grip and trigger safeties

 

[revolvergeek]

Yep. I have a S&W 3954 and it was a sweet little gun. I stupidly sold it and have regreted it ever since. Good trigger, very accurate, and ate everything that I put into it.

 

[kokapelli]

Yes and this should be a poll.

 

[ezypikns]

Yes

Kahr PM9 and a couple of revolvers.

Not all at once.

I had to say that.

 

[WYO]

I am a fan of DAO autos with an external hammer (bobbed is OK) and no thumb actuated mechanical safety. The trigger pull acts as one safety, and the ability to put my thumb on the hammer as I holster acts as another. Second choice is a single action auto with an external hammer and thumb actuated safety. I won't carry two-stage-trigger SA autos with no thumb actuated safeties, masquerading as DAOs (e.g. Glock), unless forced to.

 

[brett30030]

Kel-Tec P3-AT DAO 1 in the chamber, in a trigger covering holster=100% safe

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Yes. I do it every day with a DA/SA pistol. I only use the safety/decocker as a decocker. As soon as I decock the pistol the safety comes off.

 

[Wesker]

You have absolutely nothing to be afraid of. My P2K is without a safety OR decocker and I carry with one in the tube always. The weapon will not fire unless the trigger is pressed with these guns, so there is no need for a safety feature. So long as you have a modern holster that guards the trigger, you shant have a care in the world

 

[browningguy]

Personally I like safeties, but that's just me.

And by the way,people with DAO's and safe actions have had some cares in the world after shooting themselves in the leg, including a very professional DEA agent who shall remain nameless.

 

[TestPilot]

When I lived in Washington,I have carried a SIG P229R DAK,which has a medium pressure DAO trigger.

Only way this pistol can be fired by a user is by the trigger being pulled. The firing pin is locked by AFPB when the trigger is not pulled,so unless there is a damage,the possibility of the pistol firing by itself is very low. Even with a damage,the hammer is not cocked so the probability of accidental discharge is still very low. And,if the pistol receives that kind of mechanical damage,even pistols with a manual firing inhibiting lever would also have a probability of accidental discharge.

Unless there is a need for a user to pull the trigger of a loaded gun without intent to fire the pistol,I see no reason for me to choose a DAO pistol with a manual lever that inhibits fire that may delay use of the weapon when in danger.

Reson why pistols like a 1911 needs a manual firing inhibiting lever is that the hammer is cocked back with compressed hammer spring and the only thing that is holding the hammer is the sear when the firing inhibit lever is not engaged.

Some would have noticed I use the term "firing inhibitor" instead of "manual safety." It's because that is what the device actually does. If it activates or deactivates without the user's intent,or not manipulated fast enough,it will do the opposite of keeping you safe.

 

[Snowdog]

I was a bit uneasy when I started carrying my K9 and G19 (both DAO/no manual safety). That was nearly 10 years ago and I'm completely comfortable with both these days. I found sporting a good holster that completely sheaths the trigger/trigger guard makes a world of difference to set one at ease.

 

[Chris17404]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. It seems the vast majority say that it's completely safe to carry this way. Now, I'll just need to get comfortable with it myself (if I go this way).

I believe the S&W 3954 which I'm considering for CCW uses a half-cocked hammer position all the time. That's what makes the DAO trigger pull so nice on them. I currently have a full-size 5946 that I really like, which is why I'm considering it's smaller brother as a CCW piece.

Is the half-cocked hammer something additional I should be concerned about?

 

[Green Lantern]

Got 6+1 rounds of .380 in my P3AT in my front pocket right now (Nemesis holster).

Also CCW a chambered Glock 19 in a RM Low Rider I.W.B. holster.

Suggestion - carry gun NOT chambered for a while, observe that the trigger is never to the rear and/or the hammer is never down at the end of the day.

 

[Srigs]

I only carry DAO guns! I can carry different makes models and revolvers or semi's and they are all the same action.

Very safe guns to carry! My primary is a 6946 and the 3953, 4 or 6 would be perfect guns to carry. Look at the 6946 which is the fat (double stack) younger brother but shorter grip and barrel.

Half-cocked makes for a smooth and reliable pull. I use mine for IDPA.