I find myself amused when I see the defense gun reviewers examine a sample firearm and say “I’d prefer it not to have a safety.” The mob in the comment thread often follow that line with “I wouldn’t have that gun, because it has a manual safety.”
A contrary position appeared in social media recently when a discussion of the “guns (which) ‘panic buyers’ most often returned” to a gun shop mentioned only guns that “have no safety.”
How critical an issue is it … or does it matter at all?
The guns mentioned in the “trade-ins” media post were all GLOCK brand; this made me wonder if a Ruger American Pro model, a S&W M&P without a lever, or perhaps a SIG P320 or FN509 was traded in along the way – because a new gun owner, one who’d never shot before, selected a pistol based on advice.
The potential new gun owner just believed what a family member, friend, associate told them about the “best gun.” Often, it’s because “all the cops use (fill in the blank-type of pistol).” That’s not horrible reasoning, though the civilian law enforcement mission isn’t exactly like ours.
What is the best defense gun? I’ve been asked. I turn the question around: “What do you think?” That often turns into “Which is your favorite?”
I reply, “The one closest to hand when I need it.”
As to safety levers, “it depends.” On the 1911 and pistols like it, I’m a fan. I used the safety on the S&W 645 and 4506 autos issued to me for uniform service and was told it was “meant to be carried safety off.” I enjoyed the weapon retention advantage of the system and used it as I wished.
I’m glad I never had to test that use of the safety, but others did face that very test operationally, with some success.
As to guns without manual safety levers, I carried GLOCK pistols from 2001 onward without great concern about safety levers. I’ve used M&Ps with-and without them. If the guns have them, I often use them.
For my close concealment use, the Smith & Wesson Shield line has provided good service since they were introduced. Nearly all had the safety. I use the safety when the gun is off-body -- when retiring for the night -- flicking it “off” before holstering for the day.
The most recent example, a Shield Plus doesn’t have the factory installed safety lever. When asked if I preferred the gun with a safety or with night sights, I thought “Why not both?” Apparently, the gun isn’t shipped that way, so I stuck with the night sights.
Am I anti-safety lever? No. In fact, I added the Tau Development Striker Control Device to my most commonly used GLOCK pistols, a compact and a micro – just for that added bit of comfort. But I’ve carried without such devices for many years.
The general rule with a safety-lever equipped gun is “do all the practice – the draw and from “ready” – with the safety on, sweeping it off as you engage in dry practice or in live fire.” That way you’ve prepared for the worst-case scenario for safety-quipped autos: trying to shoot when it’s locked.
I don’t care what your preference is and I trust you enough to have thought it out. If a potential new gun owner asks for your advice, be willing to explain before they buy that some pistols don’t have a safety lever. Some do. There are at least hundreds of thousands in common use by pistol-packing cops every day.
More critical than gadgets and gizmos is mindset; the two main physical safety checks – muzzle discipline and finger off the trigger – are essential. All the safeties in the world don’t prevent accidents. Serious users prevent accidents. Keeping your head out of your duffle bag and activating all your discipline before the gun gets into your hand is “safety.”
It’s a machine – and won’t go off by itself. As I was told so many years ago, “you have to be smarter than the tools you use.”
-- Rich Grassi