Can I carry my 1911 .45 on the "half cock" position?

Question

I know they say that you are not suppose to, but we all do things that we're not suppose to sometimes. I want to carry with one in the chamber, but don't like the idea of having the gun fully ******.

Answer 1

The 'half-******' position of the hammer on the 1911(and ANY other auto-loader) is there for ONE purpose ONLY, to catch the hammer and prevent it from discharging the chambered cartridge in case the hammer slips. It is entirely UNSAFE to carry any pistol with its' hammer in this position! There have been MANY documented cases over the years of pistols being dropped on 'half-******' hammers, breaking the hammer or the notch, and firing the weapon, MANY of which resulted in serious injury, and even fatalities!
The only safe ways to carry a pistol with a chambered cartridge is either 'Condition One', with the hammer at 'FULL-******', and the safety ON, or 'Condition Two', with the hammer resting on the firing pin plate.
"Condition One' is for pistol owners who are entirely familiar with the operation and use of their weapon, NOT a novice or an otherwise new owner.
I have safely carried my H-K .45ACP USP Tactical in this manner for several years, and 1911's, among others, before it.

Answer 2

How To Carry A 1911

Answer 3

Contrary to what everyone else trying to second guess John Browning s design will tell you, there is no doubt that Browning fully intended the half-cock to be the safety position. It was used as such on every other gun Browning ever designed, except those with concealed hammers, and there was usually no other safety up until the inclusion of the grip safety on the M1907. The frame mounted sear & slide lock safety was at the request of the military for wanting a safety which could lock the slide, so it would not be pushed out of battery when being holstered. Those in need of further assurance, need only look at any other Browning design (original design) for a manual safety, such as the Winchester 92, Winchester 94, Winchester 97, and Colt dual link automatics that succeeded the failed sight safety design. On a Browning design, if it had an exposed hammer, the half cock was the safety, and the only safety.
Browning apparently did not suffer fools gladly and believed that the half-cock was all the safety any sensible person needed. Needless to say he hadn t met our new breed of fools and their greedy lawyers.

Answer 4

No, the half cock position is not a safe way to carry the 1911 pistol. The half cock notch isjust something to catch the hammer from falling in case the hammer slips while cocking the gun, if you have a round in the chamber and hammer down.

Answer 5

Just another vote for ****** and locked, that's how it's meant to be used. My Kimber has a firing pin safety as well as the regular safety and the grip safety (what else can they add, I've never shot myself with the Glock) and it's perfectly safe to carry ******. I also use a holster that has a strap across the back of the slide which would also prevent it from firing.

By relying on the half ****** notch you risk wearing it and maybe eventually dropping the hammer unexpectedly.

Answer 6

Your 1911 has two safeties that make it possible to safely carry it in the "****** and locked" condition. There is no value in keeping it in the half ****** condition because you still have to bring it to full cock before it is ready to fire. Many people carry ****** and locked and it is safe to do so. In order for the 1911 pistol to fire, you have to have the grip safety depressed and the safety button in the off position. It is NOT safe to carry a revolver ****** because you have no safety on a single action revolver and only one safety on some double action revolvers and none on others. Carrying a 1911 model in the "****** and locked" condition makes the pistol more easily brought into the combat condition if the need arrises. If you choose to carry it in the condition where there is no round in the chamber, you will have to operate the slide before it is ready to fine. The last options will cost you time if you ever need to use your pistol for self defense. My personal chioce is to carry in the ****** and locked condition. I and many experts feel that it is perfectly safe to do so.

Answer 7

The 1911 is meant to be carried fully-roostered (I avoid the **** with this synonym) with a round in the chamber and thumb safety on. It is easy to flip of the safety as you draw the pistol. It is not meant to be carried on 1/2- rooster. That is unsafe. I have been shot in the foot, abdomen and chest in gunfights. If you want to learn how having a shot foot feels, carry your 1911 on half- ****, but I can tell you that being on crutches for 6 weeks is inconvenient.

Answer 8

If you carry for self defense, your safety is at stake when you carry.
Try this with your unloaded pistol. Pull it from the holster, cock the hammer and fire. How long did that take?
With it ****** and locked, pull from the holster, releasing the thumb safety at the same time, and fire. How long did that take?
If you don't feel competent carrying the right way (****** and locked) get something else, or become proficient with your weapon.

Answer 9

As a 14 year USMC vet I have to agree with GrizzlyII. I carried the 1911A1 and still do. It is among the safest to carry by design. Jon Browning was no fool and neither is the US govt. when it come to choosing a service weapon.
Well, there was that thing with the 9mm but they came back to their senses on that.

Gunny 2 Guns

Answer 10

CIH and Grizzly II gave the answer the the best all time gunner with a 1911, Colonel Cooper, advocated. They got it exactly right according to the best, so listen to them.