American Mercenary jumps in with both combat boots to a debate about which I was unaware.
Either I didn’t think of it as an issue (closed-mindedness) or wasn’t paying attention (Condition White).
My apologies.
This issue involved Condition Three carrying and use.
(Condition Three: Chamber empty, full magazine in place, hammer down.- Jeff Cooper, Wikipedia excerpt)
Apparently, AM, Robb Allen and Tam have all weighed in. A suggestion has been made that using Condition Three carry slows down your OODA loop, allowing for more prudent decisions when under stress. A counterpoint is, what if your slide-cycling hand is not available, injured, or it’s immobilized?
Having trained with double-action revolver (where this debate is unnecessary) and with double-action, DAO, and single-action semiautomatics (where I never considered it an option) I don’t know what to think.
Col. Cooper said that Condition Three was necessitated for military sentry inspection, and that carrying with an empty chamber was simply an unsafe practice, as one’s sidearm wasn’t immediately ready for action.
What do you guys think?
h/t AM, Robb Allen, Tamara Keel
Not an issue for me. I’m a revolver guy.
Posted by WSF | May 16, 2012, 7:10 amJohn Browning (PBUH) intended the M1911/1911A1 to be carried cocked, locked and loaded – and said so. Any other mode is unnecessary. Anyone who thinks it might go off by itself is invited to carry one cocked & locked, although completely unloaded, for a week – and once they see it cannot drop its own hammer (even if you throw it down the stairs), they should load up & have fun.
Posted by Rev. Paul | May 16, 2012, 7:26 amCompletely agree!
Posted by guffaw1952 | May 16, 2012, 7:27 amIf it’s not ready to go, why bother carrying it?
Posted by bluesun | May 16, 2012, 7:30 amYep.
Posted by guffaw1952 | May 16, 2012, 7:52 amWhat I’ve learned in my limited training is that it’s quite likely one (or both) hands will be tied up fighting off knives, bats, and/or fists, so if and when the gun is accessed, it had better be ready to run with one hand, RIGHT NOW!!
And of course, if you’re carrying a 9mm, there’s no point of even drawing, ’cause everyone knows only a .45 works.
Posted by Tango Juliet | May 16, 2012, 7:36 amHAHAHAHA!
“Stopping power BEGINS at 12 gauge.” – Jim Cirillo
Posted by guffaw1952 | May 16, 2012, 7:53 amYeah, but…
Posted by Tango Juliet | May 16, 2012, 1:39 pmAnyone who can’t trust themselves (or be trusted) with a gun, absolutely ready to go, needs to be in a cage or professionally supervised at all times. There really isn’t much in between.
The idea that we must all tie one hand behind our backs to prevent aggression problems under stress is nonsense, and a silly projection by people who don’t trust themselves. They are perfectly free to go unarmed…
Posted by MamaLiberty | May 16, 2012, 7:51 amDon’t sugar-coat it. Say what you feel!
:- )
Thanks for joining in!
Posted by guffaw1952 | May 16, 2012, 7:54 amYes indeed… I tell it like it is. The book should be available at Amazon in a week or so.
http://www.thepriceofliberty.org/08/09/22/editor.htm
The Man I Might Have Killed
By Susan Callaway, Editor
September 22, 2008
The dedication page of my new book reads: To the man I had to shoot to save my life.
Yes, you read it right. I’ve already had to shoot a man in self defense. Here’s the story.
Posted by MamaLiberty | May 16, 2012, 8:16 amI wouldn’t normally leave promotions on the blog, but in this case…
Posted by guffaw1952 | May 16, 2012, 11:32 amOh, I’m sorry! No need to leave it if it violates your policy.
I can understand that. I’m just excited to get this book into circulation. I’ve given away many hundreds of copies over the years and used it in my self defense classes for a long time. It needed some major rework to be a stand alone book, and I’m pretty proud of it.
Do as you will, my friend. I understand.
Posted by MamaLiberty | May 16, 2012, 11:59 amNot a problem. You’re a friend.
Posted by guffaw1952 | May 16, 2012, 12:41 pmUnfortunately, publishing has been delayed.
Posted by MamaLiberty | May 19, 2012, 9:25 amSorry
Posted by guffaw1952 | May 19, 2012, 9:24 pmCocked, locked, and loaded. Anything else is scary.
Posted by CoolChange | May 16, 2012, 9:51 amIndeed!
Posted by guffaw1952 | May 16, 2012, 11:32 amCorollary 1: It has to be big enough to stop an Alaskan mosquito; anything smaller is a waste of space
Corollary 2: I have to get to it fast enough to stop said mosquito. Anything slower is dangerous
If I can cover those two, I’m good for anything else I might come across
(Corollaries because “Rules” are already taken)
Q
Posted by Quizikle | May 16, 2012, 2:50 pmCocked and locked… Nuff said…
Posted by Old NFO | May 16, 2012, 9:11 pm