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Keeping your gun cocked?

Red Baron

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I got a fingerprint gunsafe for quicker access to my handgun in the ER. Do you leave yours cocked? I also thought that a subcompact in my changer might be a good bet, so if the bad guy asks me to get the money from he changer...
 

Eric H

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Do you have a web link to this fingerprint gun safe?
I thought there was no crime in Texas because everyone carried?:D
BTW: No to keeping a gun in the changer. What happens when they rip the changer out of the wall taking your gun with them?
 

Reds

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Do you mean cocked or keep one in the chamber. Semi-auto's with no external hammer are always cocked - that's why I don't like them. The only semi that I know of with an external hammer and hammer let-down lever is a Beretta Storm. Right now I keep a S&W J frame with one in the chamber, but being a double action revolver it is never cocked unless I choose to cock it before firing rather than just pull the trigger. I try to keep my pistol handy, but only carry it if I feel I am in a dangerous situation (pulling money at the wash Friday night after dark). Hopefully I will never need it.
 

Greg Pack

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I have an AMT backup that might be a good changer gun because of it's size. However, I carry a Glock 19 in a holster when I feel the need to carry. This is admittedly the wrong philosophy. I had an employee robbed back in 2002. It was at an unlikely time. He got robbed at 6am in the morning while there for his morning cleanup. The guy had his gun drawn when he walked in and put it to the employee's head My employee had no choice but to comply. I guess my point is that I probably won't have my gun on me when I need it-it'll be in my truck.

To answer the original question, I feel that double action would be my preferred way of handling a gun in a stressful situation, especially in close quarters.

BTW, my Sig 226 has a De-cocking lever.
 
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Jim Caudill

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The short answer is yes. My Colt 380 Government Pocketlite is chambered and cocked with the safety "On". All I have to do is drop the safety and pull the trigger.

Longer answer, I don't leave it this way. When I leave, I actually unload and decock - when I arrive, I insert the magazine and chamber a round.

At home, my P95 Ruger allows you to decock with a round in the chamber. The first round is fired "double action" and all the rest are semi-auto. I prefer the Ruger's design, but like the smaller & lighter Colt for concealed carry. I'm leaning towards the Ruger LCR ("R" is for revolver) as my CC gun. They also make an LCP ("P" is for pistol) that is small and compact and very popular with the CC crowd right now.
 

Red Baron

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The short answer is yes. My Colt 380 Government Pocketlite is chambered and cocked with the safety "On". All I have to do is drop the safety and pull the trigger.

Longer answer, I don't leave it this way. When I leave, I actually unload and decock - when I arrive, I insert the magazine and chamber a round.

At home, my P95 Ruger allows you to decock with a round in the chamber. The first round is fired "double action" and all the rest are semi-auto. I prefer the Ruger's design, but like the smaller & lighter Colt for concealed carry. I'm leaning towards the Ruger LCR ("R" is for revolver) as my CC gun. They also make an LCP ("P" is for pistol) that is small and compact and very popular with the CC crowd right now.
My aim isn't good enough to rely on a revolver. lol

The research/reviews on the Barska fingerprint safe suggested it was very dependable. I've tested it numerous times trying to develop a habit, and it's been pretty easy and quick.
 

MikeV

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I would tell you that my Springfield XD-40 is locked and loaded, but then the big O might send his storm troopers after me. Then all I'd have left is my little .25.
 

Red Baron

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I would tell you that my Springfield XD-40 is locked and loaded, but then the big O might send his storm troopers after me. Then all I'd have left is my little .25.
I've read a lot about SA's new XD-40(M) model: www.springfieldarmory.com
I have been buying el cheapo S&W Sigma 9mm because I need 3 of them for various places and wanted familiarity. But I'm in the process of getting my CHL and wil want something better to carry. Prolly go with a Sig or Glock.
 

bigleo48

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Up here in Canada we don't have hand guns (I mean only the bad guys and cops do). Although our cops are getting good a killing people with the tasers...five or six jolts usually will stop the heart!

Probably just as well as I'm sure my death count would on the high side! LOL

Big
 

torquewrench

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Xd-40 is the way I go. Just remember it does NO GOOD if its in the truck!! Some idiot pulled a baseball bat at me,I would have blasted him but he was gone by the time I ran to the truck
 

Bud

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First, I didn't read all the posts so I may be covering some "repeat" territory. There are many double action semi-autos on the market. I would guess that most manufactured today are double action Vs. single action.To my knowledge all double actions have decocking devices. The most common way these are carried is hammer down with one in the chamber. All you do is pull the trigger. The first round is double action and each rd after that is single action. They have to be decocked after firing is done unless it is out of ammo and the slide will be locked back. There are models like the Glock that have internal hammers. They are nice for those who are not REAL familiar with semi-autos because there are no decockings and each pull of the trigger is the same. In the double action the first pull is the hard one and each after is much easier. I believe all good quality hand guns would have internal safteys also. I guess I would have to ask myself if I have to ask this question maybe I should get some firearms training. I am not being a smart a**. I just think for the saftey of all, including yourself it would be best. It can be an enjoyable sport also.
 

Red Baron

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I guess I would have to ask myself if I have to ask this question maybe I should get some firearms training. I am not being a smart a**. I just think for the saftey of all, including yourself it would be best.
I dunno there Bud, the fact that some answered yes leave it "cocked" and some said no, suggests that - like many things - there isn't a definative right and wrong way.

Regardless, your advice to get training is good and I intend to do that. Not because I don't feel I can safely handle a gun without training, but because I need to learn now to shoot with my left hand and a aim with the opposite eye.
 

Faceonglass

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I carry a 1911 cocked with the safety on. I have never had any problems with this setup.

I never put any thought into a change machine go to gun. Maybe stick a cheap taurus 38 revolver in there.
 

Red Baron

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I carry a 1911 cocked with the safety on. I have never had any problems with this setup.

I never put any thought into a change machine go to gun. Maybe stick a cheap taurus 38 revolver in there.
I swapped 2 Cobra 380ACPs for a Dan Wesson 357 revolver Monday. Got the XD/9mm a few weeks ago. Looking now for a bazooka on eBay for those mudders. :)
 
Etowah

torquewrench

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I got a fingerprint gunsafe for quicker access to my handgun in the ER. Do you leave yours cocked? I also thought that a subcompact in my changer might be a good bet, so if the bad guy asks me to get the money from he changer...
Fingerprint safes are nice and I like them also. The bad side is if someone wanted to rob something out of the safe all they have to do is shoot you and drag your dead body to the safe and press your finger on it to get it open. Having a combo safe they can't kill you cause your the only person that knows the combo.
 

cantbreak80

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Wow…I’m impressed with all you firearms owners.

I’ve never owned a firearm. I was always in fear that my wicked wife would come home all PO’ed about something and shoot me. She scared me plenty times with edged kitchen utensils and hurled missiles. Now that she’s gone, I’m reconsidering…just in case her ghost decides to come after me.

I guess its time to get moving with a gun safety course and CC permit before the revolution really gets up a head of steam. I understand that guns are plentiful but ammo is scarce???

Oh, how I love new experiences.
 

Red Baron

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Fingerprint safes are nice and I like them also. The bad side is if someone wanted to rob something out of the safe all they have to do is shoot you and drag your dead body to the safe and press your finger on it to get it open. Having a combo safe they can't kill you cause your the only person that knows the combo.
The fingerprint safe didn't work out. Turns out that if my thumb is dirty (how cold that happen in a car wash?) it doesn't work. Also, just after washing my hands my fingerprints are apparently raised enough that it doesn't work then, either. Pretty well useless for my intended use.
 

jloebker

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I would recomend anyone with any gun practice regularly. How many times do we read about a well trained police officer being gunned down by a petty punk.
 

Red Baron

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I would recomend anyone with any gun practice regularly. How many times do we read about a well trained police officer being gunned down by a petty punk.
Good point. I'm always shocked when I watch some police video show and see the cop get shot at, turn and run screaming bloody murder, stumble, get up, run some more, one arm pointing kinda back toward the bad guy and flailing wildly as he shoots in that general direction while looking in another direction. I always think, man, his training sure left him in a hurry.
 
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