Please sticky this for a while ( thumb safety )

[Ezra Smack]

I just got my first XD today. It is the 5" tactical model with a thumb safety. I have been intrigued with the XD design for a while now but held off on buying one because they lacked a positive safety. I read somewhere that back in the 1970’s when revolvers were still in vogue in law enforcement that one out of every five cops who were shot, were shot with a snatched service weapon! For a carry gun I want something with a safety. Many times I have handed a loaded 1911 to people at the shooting range to try with the safety on. Unless they are familiar with that pistol, I have to show them how to take the safety off. Conversely, if you hand a Glock to a gorilla he will shoot it. Why, because it is shaped like his hand. After working as a bouncer in a bar for five years I can attest that most fights start at much closer range than you have been led to believe. Your first indication that you are being assaulted might be when you find yourself in a head lock. You do not want to find yourself on the ground scuffel wresteling over a pistol without a safety.

[1970Ronnie]

I had a real good friend of mine was a local COP in a very small force and he stopped a guy one night the guy had warrants in another town and while he asked the guy out of the car because he smelt liquor. he leaned over to look in the car the guy picked up a beer bottle on the side of the road and hit him accross the front of his head they struggled and Mitch was carrying a GLOCK 22, the BAD GUY got his gun and shot Mitch one time in the shoulder.Then wile Mitch was begging for His Life the guy shot him 2 more times in the fore head and eye.Killed him instant.The investogators and SBI all said the same thing if the gun would have had a external safety just a few seconds time could have made the difference.So yes i agree with the safetys for carry. that is why i am looking or a compact mP 45 with the safety or the new xd with safety.

[ocbruin]

Anyone have an idea of when these XD-45s with thumb safety will be made available (listed) for California? I was in a shop earlier this week, and they said not yet, and didn't know if/when it would be.

[fatmax2]

thanks - there is some good info there

[Naughtynina]

You guys are right. I can never understand when the "gun veterans" always get offended or angry when someone wants a manual safety. They always say "your mind is your real safety, the thumb safety is only going to get you killed because its going to stop you from shooting your target in a heated siutation." While of course I agree your mind is your number one safety, I think that a manual safety will only make guns safer. If Glocks had manual safties, I really believe they would have had more accidential shootings than all other gun makers combined. Remember, if you dont like a manual safety, YOU CAN ALWAYS LEAVE IT OFF!!!

[mich3210]

Originally Posted by Naughtynina

Remember, if you dont like a manual safety, YOU CAN ALWAYS LEAVE IT OFF!!!

This probably isn't the greatest suggestion. If you've got one you should use it and train with it often so you can develop muscle memory.

Think of it this way... you have a manual safety but never use it. It accidentally get's "turned on" and you don't realize it. You end up in a situation where you need to use your gun but aren't used to flicking off the safety... you draw, pull the trigger and nothing happens. In that split second it takes you to realize your safety is on you're dead!

Just a little food for thought. I'm sure you could argue it any way you want, and that isn't what I'm trying to start.

[slugger6]

Thanks for posting the link.

[ADA]

When I got my first Glock I carried it as a service pistol. I have to admit it was a little spooky at first. I had always used DA/SA pistols and some revolvers prior to that and I imagined all sorts of scenarios where this thing was going to go off.

After awhile I became accustomed to being crazy careful and realized this gun wasn't anymore dangerous than a DA revolver.

Bottom line: I have only one pistol with a manual safety and that is my Beretta range gun. I would not buy another carry gun with a manual safety. Just my opinion. Even my Sig has only a decocker. Maybe for those who are uncomfortable with striker fired, no manual safety guns you might look at DA/SA guns with a decocker. The DA trigger pull might give you a little more peace of mind.

[Oldgringo]

Thanks for this thread.

I am glad I got a XD .45 Service with the Thumb Safety - contrary to the manual safety denouncers on the .45 acp forum. I wish my XD 9 SC had a Thumb Safety but I guess I'll have to depend on the safety in my head when carrying the 9mm.

[SA40.]

Great link. Lots of good info in there.