All About Pocket Knives

Seems to be the 50 year debate amongst the 1911 crowd - "hammer down" or "cocked, locked, ready to rock".
The 1911 I carry on rare occasions is a series 80. So I can carry cocked and locked, with safety on. The firing pin block protects against accidental discharge if the weapon is dropped. Then there is always the grip safety as well. I think the EMP is a modified model 70. Protection against discharging due to impact is by way of a lightweight titanium firing pin, and a heavy spring on the front side of the firing pin. This of course requires an even heavier firing pin spring to overcome the new safety spring.

Most of the time I carry a Glock of some variation. That's a whole different ballgame. As they say, just as long as I "keep my booger hook off the bang switch", I'm O.K.

Just Plain Dave wrote:My aunt gave us this last time we visited her. It has been mistreated but is solid.
Colt Cobra 38spl.

Nice old Colt Dave. If you are so inclined, PM me the serial number and I may be able to find year of manufacture in my old Colt hand serial number book when I locate it after my recent move.

Jerry

TwoFlowersLuggage wrote:I'm no expert, but I thought a 1911 is difficult to carry hammer down because there is no decocking lever? So, you have manually lower the hammer, which can be dangerous, no? Sorry if these are silly questions, I don't own a 1911 pattern pistol.

Of course, the rage these days is striker-fired pistols, not SA/DA. So, you get a consistent trigger pull without the issues of a SA-only. But, then you have to be OK with the feel of a striker-fired trigger pull.

Yes, no decocking lever on a 1911. Yes, manually lower hammer as you pull the trigger if you have a round chambered. Dangerous yes if you happen to be a moron and pointing at someone or yourself when you manually decock it.

Striker fire pistols may be the rage for some but not me. To each his own and I respect that. SA/ DA works perfectly for me because as I said, my SIGs have no external safety and the difference in trigger pull between SA/ DA or simply pulling back hammer on first shot is no big deal. You realize a SA/DA firearm is only DA if you do not cock the hammer back on first round only? All subsequent rounds and magazine are SA unless you decock it.

And not a fan of the DA spurless hammer firearms either. Like seeing where the hammer is at personally.

rangerbluedog wrote:Seems to be the 50 year debate amongst the 1911 crowd - "hammer down" or "cocked, locked, ready to rock".
The 1911 I carry on rare occasions is a series 80. So I can carry cocked and locked, with safety on. The firing pin block protects against accidental discharge if the weapon is dropped. Then there is always the grip safety as well. I think the EMP is a modified model 70. Protection against discharging due to impact is by way of a lightweight titanium firing pin, and a heavy spring on the front side of the firing pin. This of course requires an even heavier firing pin spring to overcome the new safety spring.

Most of the time I carry a Glock of some variation. That's a whole different ballgame. As they say, just as long as I "keep my booger hook off the bang switch", I'm O.K.

Hey Blue, I hear ya. I respect that, just not for me. I might carry cocked and locked but the P938, although all 1911 controls does not have a grip safety. Only difference I can tell from a 1911.
As I said, to each his own.

Jerry

rangerbluedog wrote:.... As they say, just as long as I "keep my booger hook off the bang switch", I'm O.K.

Cardinal rule right here .... regardless of the firearm....
or how you tote it .......

I have a Sig P290 9 MM DAO, it's one of the first made. I made some upgrades with new parts and it's a dream to shoot. I don't care for restriker fired pistols. ftd

I don't have one anymore and may never again but 1911 for the win baby!

If you'll notice in the pic, the safety is on in the up position. I carry hammer back, one in the hole, safety on and that's why I chose this particular pistol. It has the handle safety along with the traditional ambi safety. I consistently use 1911 models and am at the range at least monthly, so I'm probably over confident in my firearms and my knowledge and skill. Most pistols nowadays are pretty safe to carry cocked and chambered, but to each his own. Also, this pic was taken immediately after I took it out of the box for the first time, so completely empty.

Just Plain Dave wrote:I don't have one anymore and may never again but 1911 for the win baby!

God made man.
Samuel Colt made man equal.
John Browning made some men more equal than others.

Love the M1911!

rangerbluedog wrote:Seems to be the 50 year debate amongst the 1911 crowd - "hammer down" or "cocked, locked, ready to rock".
The 1911 I carry on rare occasions is a series 80. So I can carry cocked and locked, with safety on. The firing pin block protects against accidental discharge if the weapon is dropped. Then there is always the grip safety as well. I think the EMP is a modified model 70. Protection against discharging due to impact is by way of a lightweight titanium firing pin, and a heavy spring on the front side of the firing pin. This of course requires an even heavier firing pin spring to overcome the new safety spring.

Most of the time I carry a Glock of some variation. That's a whole different ballgame. As they say, just as long as I "keep my booger hook off the bang switch", I'm O.K.

You're correct. The EMP is a completely different patented design for the 1911 built around the 9mm cartridge, not just a scaled down 1911. It's the only 3" barrel 1911 I've come to trust. All others I've used have feed issues.

Yehuda wrote:

rangerbluedog wrote:Seems to be the 50 year debate amongst the 1911 crowd - "hammer down" or "cocked, locked, ready to rock".
The 1911 I carry on rare occasions is a series 80. So I can carry cocked and locked, with safety on. The firing pin block protects against accidental discharge if the weapon is dropped. Then there is always the grip safety as well. I think the EMP is a modified model 70. Protection against discharging due to impact is by way of a lightweight titanium firing pin, and a heavy spring on the front side of the firing pin. This of course requires an even heavier firing pin spring to overcome the new safety spring.

Most of the time I carry a Glock of some variation. That's a whole different ballgame. As they say, just as long as I "keep my booger hook off the bang switch", I'm O.K.

You're correct. The EMP is a completely different patented design for the 1911 built around the 9mm cartridge, not just a scaled down 1911. It's the only 3" barrel 1911 I've come to trust. All others I've used have feed issues.

Check out the SIG P938. A great 3” 1911. Never had any feed issues or any of my other SIGs after literally 10s of thousands of rounds. Never a FTF or FTE or jam. Will never own a gun that has to be fed a specific brand ammo IE: “ammo sensitive”. Never had an issue. Trust my life with it.

Nice gun you have there.

Jerry

zp4ja wrote:

Yehuda wrote:

rangerbluedog wrote:Seems to be the 50 year debate amongst the 1911 crowd - "hammer down" or "cocked, locked, ready to rock".
The 1911 I carry on rare occasions is a series 80. So I can carry cocked and locked, with safety on. The firing pin block protects against accidental discharge if the weapon is dropped. Then there is always the grip safety as well. I think the EMP is a modified model 70. Protection against discharging due to impact is by way of a lightweight titanium firing pin, and a heavy spring on the front side of the firing pin. This of course requires an even heavier firing pin spring to overcome the new safety spring.

Most of the time I carry a Glock of some variation. That's a whole different ballgame. As they say, just as long as I "keep my booger hook off the bang switch", I'm O.K.

You're correct. The EMP is a completely different patented design for the 1911 built around the 9mm cartridge, not just a scaled down 1911. It's the only 3" barrel 1911 I've come to trust. All others I've used have feed issues.

Check out the SIG P938. A great 3” 1911. Never had any feed issues or any of my other SIGs after literally 10s of thousands of rounds. Never a FTF or FTE or jam. Will never own a gun that has to be fed a specific brand ammo IE: “ammo sensitive”. Never had an issue. Trust my life with it.

Nice gun you have there.

Jerry

My wife got a P238 and I didn't think I'd like to shoot it, but I do. Sig is making great pistols, just not my taste. I'm a traditionalist I suppose. The P938 seems to be a whole new design, I just prefer the old school look.

I hear ya Yehuda and respect your decision, choice and preference. We all do it differently.

As far as a new design, not sure as I am not a 1911 guy.

As far as looks, I prefer reliability over that any day. That said, the Springfield Armory and SIG SAUER are both pretty good looking if you ask me. I am just a SIG guy to the core. Doesn’t mean other makers are not up to snuff. Never failed to go boom when I wanted it to. My personal preference.

Jerry

zp4ja wrote:,,,,,,,,,,,..... I am just a SIG guy to the core. ,,,,,,,, My personal preference.

Jerry

Me, too. I bought a compact 1911 by Sig and I was a little concerned about recoil due to the reduced size. I was amazed at how comfortable it was to shoot. Couldn't have been more pleased with it.

Ray

The damage is downsizing the 1911 platform. It's made for .45acp, preferably 230g. They do well in Government size down to a 4" barrel, but below that size, they get sketchy. The cc market created the need for smaller frame 1911's for folks like me who just know and love the pistol, but it just doesn't feed properly without a re design. The Kimber Micro 9 is a good example, just a smaller 1911 that won't eat. I sold mine after getting fed up with it. As for Sig, what little experience I have with it is positive and they make a cool full size 1911. The P238 my wife has is technically a 1911, but I don't see it. It's a different design. Still a good pistol and I'm thinking on one for my summer carry. The recoil for such a small gun was indeed mild, I was shocked. The Rosewood Engraved P238 looks really nice. Looks count!!

Hard core Colt fan, the 1911 has been my favorite for 50 years. I prefer full size or commander, they handle heavy loads better.
My bulleye's gun, a Clark heavy slide for wadcuters and a Clark heavy barrel for everything else. Both gun's will shoot exceptionally
well, just wish I did..

Took a class years ago at the Gunsite Range in Arizona, cocked and locked is how we were trained to carry. Yes, it is the safest way.

Yehuda wrote:The damage is downsizing the 1911 platform. It's made for .45acp, preferably 230g. They do well in Government size down to a 4" barrel, but below that size, they get sketchy. The cc market created the need for smaller frame 1911's for folks like me who just know and love the pistol, but it just doesn't feed properly without a re design. The Kimber Micro 9 is a good example, just a smaller 1911 that won't eat. I sold mine after getting fed up with it. As for Sig, what little experience I have with it is positive and they make a cool full size 1911. The P238 my wife has is technically a 1911, but I don't see it. It's a different design. Still a good pistol and I'm thinking on one for my summer carry. The recoil for such a small gun was indeed mild, I was shocked. The Rosewood Engraved P238 looks really nice. Looks count!! :lol:IMG_20180313_150227.jpg

That’s a good looking SIG Yehuda.

WelderBob wrote:Hard core Colt fan, the 1911 has been my favorite for 50 years. I prefer full size or commander, they handle heavy loads better.
My bulleye's gun, a Clark heavy slide for wadcuters and a Clark heavy barrel for everything else. Both gun's will shoot exceptionally
well, just wish I did..

Took a class years ago at the Gunsite Range in Arizona, cocked and locked is how we were trained to carry. Yes, it is the safest way.

If it ain't cocked and locked, it's a brick. Nice pistolas! My Baer shoots 1.5" groups at 50yds. To bad I don't! I feel your pain! Having a straight shooter means I can't blame the gun!

zp4ja wrote:

Yehuda wrote:The damage is downsizing the 1911 platform. It's made for .45acp, preferably 230g. They do well in Government size down to a 4" barrel, but below that size, they get sketchy. The cc market created the need for smaller frame 1911's for folks like me who just know and love the pistol, but it just doesn't feed properly without a re design. The Kimber Micro 9 is a good example, just a smaller 1911 that won't eat. I sold mine after getting fed up with it. As for Sig, what little experience I have with it is positive and they make a cool full size 1911. The P238 my wife has is technically a 1911, but I don't see it. It's a different design. Still a good pistol and I'm thinking on one for my summer carry. The recoil for such a small gun was indeed mild, I was shocked. The Rosewood Engraved P238 looks really nice. Looks count!! :lol:IMG_20180313_150227.jpg

That’s a good looking SIG Yehuda.

I'm just about sold on it. Didn't think I'd ever have a use for such a small gun but it shoots well.

WelderBob wrote:Hard core Colt fan, the 1911 has been my favorite for 50 years. I prefer full size or commander, they handle heavy loads better.
My bulleye's gun, a Clark heavy slide for wadcuters and a Clark heavy barrel for everything else. Both gun's will shoot exceptionally
well, just wish I did..

Took a class years ago at the Gunsite Range in Arizona, cocked and locked is how we were trained to carry. Yes, it is the safest way.

How exactly does one quantify “safest way”. Accidental
discharge, time to firing, based on gun design, etc?

Sorry but one in the pipe and hammer down seems safer to me but I am open to other views. Take a split second to cock the hammer which is about same duration to release the safety.

I normally carry a SA/ DA SIG. DA first shot is fine if I choose.

Life long habits die hard.

I'm not so stubborn, however, that I cannot recognize that men with greater CC experience than I might actually know something that I do not.

So, I took to the internet seeking article that address the subject of the safest way to CC a modern 1911 SA pistol.

I found this very informative and well written article:

https://www.usacarry.com/carrying-cocked-locked/

I'm convinced that I need to change my CC methods, but also that I need to train and practice.

Charlie Noyes

Spending time with a certain firearm, learning what it will and will not do, studying the safety tests for the particular model,.. loads of variables. There are certain guns I don't trust and I only own and carry ones I do for my preferred carry style. This is why I shot down the ATI. Can't be trusted to do what I need it to do.

RobesonsRme.com wrote:Life long habits die hard.

I'm not so stubborn, however, that I cannot recognize that men with greater CC experience than I might actually know something that I do not.

So, I took to the internet seeking article that address the subject of the safest way to CC a modern 1911 SA pistol.

I found this very informative and well written article:

https://www.usacarry.com/carrying-cocked-locked/

I'm convinced that I need to change my CC methods, but also that I need to train and practice.

Charlie Noyes

Good article Charlie. Thanks.

I may revisit my approach also but I never carry the SIG P938 as a primary carry. Just as a backup. Only 1911 type firearm I have. I am just not an SAO fan personally. That said, the P938 (or P238 in .380) does not have a grip safety like it's 1911 counterparts. The lack of grip safety and fixed barrel lug is the only difference I see. Again I am far from a 1911 expert.

Knowing that, I wonder how many would still carry CL without the benefit of the grip safety.

Jerry

EDIT: Besides in the case of a jam or issue on my primary carry which I have NEVER had after thousand of rounds, if I burn through 3 mags (which I carry) of 10mm or 45 for 25 rounds total, cocking the hammer on my backup is the least of my worries obviously.

I sometimes reminisce about a .45 I once owned that I wish I still had. The brand no longer exists, perhaps deservedly so once their quality control dissolved. Yet for a few too brief years it was a rising star propelled by its creator, the late great innovator Ted Szabo. Beginning as a Canadian company Para Ordinance initially began making parts but soon began producing complete .45s. Para got everyone's attention by turning out high capacity 14 round .45s. Subsequently Szabo introduced the lDA trigger. It was the finest trigger I ever experienced on either a semi-auto or revolver. Just very slightly heavier than a single action it did several things: no more need for a safety than a revolver; and, as one national champion stated, improved scores at longer range with just that tad bit of extra control the trigger provided. For you many dedicated SA shooters, I realize you would have no interest in a Light Double Action. But for the less skilled or for those who could not dedicate the time or money for consistent training, the lDA offered a superb opportunity for employing a fine .45.

Various successful defensive uses of the LDA were recorded over the years. The one I recall now is of a retired Air Force officer who was eating in a fast food restaurant. Three mutts came in and began their robbery. The officer later said that he intended to sit quietly and let the felons go about their business. But if they started moving people to a back room all bets were off. As the customers were being herded to the back he found the opportunity to draw and efficiently dispatch the bad guys.

Another innovation was the Power Extractor which lived up to its name. The brass was ejected so fast and hard that the cases were almost a threat to bystanders.

Para moved to the U.S. and Mr. Szabo died too young. For whatever reasons quality control deteriorated. Far too many guns had to be returned for fixing. Those who received a trouble free pistol generally loved them and vowed to never give them up. I regret selling mine.

Remington eventually bought Para and closed down the brand. Para went from potential greatness to extinction in less than a generation.

Back in the early 1990s I shot a rental Para .45 a couple of times at our local range. Definitely a fun gun to shoot! They were a chunk in your hand. I think you had to have fairly large mitts to really shoot it well.

I am getting my new rig set up for popping a few pasture poodles (hunting prairie dogs) in western South Dakota this coming summer. It is the Thompson Center Encore pistol with 15" barrel in 204 Ruger caliber. Just got the barrel over the winter to add to my frame. Am using a 2.5-8X Weaver scope on Weaver base and Quad lock rings. Have only fired 10 rounds so far to sight in on a day when the snow was not blowing here. I will be using Barnes 26gr. Varmint Grenade and Hornady 32gr. V-Max bullets for the most part. When the weather warms up load testing and chronograph work will begin. I hope it will be workable out to 250 to 300 yards.