Safety With Striker-Type Pistols

[HankH]

Recently, I purchased my first "plastic pistol", a Smith and Wesson M&P 40. I freely admit that I am very cautious about a pistol without a mechanical safety on the side. With the pistol, I also purchased a high-quality Desantis holster, an IWB model called "Tuck This". This holster provides a very secure protection for the trigger and I have not been successful in getting the striker to release while in that holster.

With an unloaded (checked 3 times) pistol, I practiced drawing (not fast draw) and inserting this new pistol, being careful to leave my finger out of the trigger guard. On one of the insertions I heard the audible click of the striker. From what I am able to determine enough clothing protruded into the trigger guard to release the striker.

Had that pistol been loaded, it would have discharged and I would have an unwanted hole in my leg. Now this leaves me with two choices. 1) Carry the pistol with a full magazine and empty chamber. 2) Carry with a cartridge in the chamber and the mindset never to insert the pistol into the holster, while it is on my body.

I have chosen option 2, if I ever draw while carrying, I will remove the holster and it will come to the pistol, which will be pointed in a safe direction. Once the pistol is secure in the holster, I will put it back on. Moreover, sticking the pistol in a pocket or in the wasteband is out, as are most gun bags or any other mode of carry than that which will provide absolute protection to that trigger guard area.

I am posting this only to remind all of the importance of safe handling practices and absolute familiarity with one's chosen equipment. Accidents will happen, hopefully without tragedy.

[HighVelocity]

Welcome to the forum HankH.

Yes, you are smart to be extra concerned about the safety of a pistol without a manual on/off safety. You also just learned a valuable fact about carrying a gun.

Your clothing CAN get in the trigger gaurd and fire the weapon. Now that you are aware of this potential hazard, you'll be watching for it.

[KBCraig]

Holstering is always risky, and too few people understand this.

While a "tuckable" IWB holster might have a higher risk of getting stuff in the trigger, carrying OWB doesn't give you any immunity. Even uniformed LEOs with service pistols have had NDs while reholstering, when the thumb break gets caught in the trigger.

Reholstering technique is important to practice -- and practice unloaded, for the reason you just illustrated!

Kevin

[jbirds1210]

Welcome Hank! I am glad you were practicing smart...very glad.

I have found that pulling my shirt upward and carrying a quality holster with a reinforced opening minimizes the problem. Just be careful not to sling your weapon across the room while putting your pants on if you holster first ask me how I know!
Jason

[HighVelocity]

Just be careful not to sling your weapon across the room while putting your pants on if you holster first

The same action can launch your pistola into the toilet.

[Mike1951]

Just be careful not to sling your weapon across the room while putting your pants on if you holster first ask me how I know!
Jason

The same action can launch your pistola into the toilet.

We all hope that wasn't learned from practical experience!

[phddan]

The same action can launch your pistola into the toilet. Embarassed

Sorry, but I got a good lagh out of that

Hopefully the clean up wasn't too messy

Dan

[j1132s]

Not just striker fired pistols, many pistols w/ hammers don't have external safeties. Fortunately, reholstering shouldn't need to be speedy.

[GlockenHammer]

Good info here on the reholstering process. I would be leery of trying to take off my holster and bring it to the gun while holding my gun (or letting it leave my control while I dorked with my holster). I think you have "turned the corner" by realizing the hazard and now you can find acceptable ways to control that hazard.

I freely admit that I am very cautious about a pistol without a mechanical safety on the side.

This almost sounds like you are not cautious with a pistol that has a manual safety on the side. One of the best gems I've heard on gun safety is that the only "safety" is between your ears. The rest are just mechanical interrupts and they can all fail.

You are on the right path. Continue to find what works for you and stay safe.

GH

[HankH]

[quote]This almost sounds like you are not cautious with a pistol that has a manual safety on the side. [quote]

A better way to say it would be "suspicious of a pistol without manual safety." I believe that I am cautious with all dangerous instruments, inclusive of, but not limited to firearms.

Thanks for pointing that misconception out.

[oilman]

Ensuring that nothing like your shirt gets caught up in the trigger while reholstering is a matter of practice and consciously focusing on this while reholstering. Keeping the trigger area free of clothing etc. must become second nature just as clicking the manual safety on before reholstering a 1911 or keeping your finger out of the trigger guard should also be second nature.

It sounds to me like your are not yet comfortable with that striker fired gun.


Stay safe.

[dihappy]

Nice info

I dont think i would ever own a pistol without a manual safety.

[KBCraig]

I own pistols without manual safeties. I carry one daily: a double action with a decocker.

My backup doesn't even have a decocker: it's a double action revolver.

LEOs have to worry about reholstering safely much more than CHLs do, because they have to reholster one-handed while the fight is still on. Transitioning from "subject prone at gunpoint" to "applying handcuffs" is the scariest part of a LEO's day.

A CHL who engages a BG will most likely be alone in the parking lot when the police arrive, or will still be holding the BG at gunpoint, or will be performing CPR on the BG. Of the above cases, only CPR will involve reholstering, and that can be done leisurely and safely. In the other cases, the CHL will be laying the pistol on the ground and backing slowly away with hands in the air.

I do advocate practicing safe reholstering on a regular basis, but in the real world, CHLs will generally have both hands and plenty of time to reholster safely.

Kevin

[tacticaldoc]

Reholstering technique is important to practice -- and practice unloaded, for the reason you just illustrated!

Kevin

Most people are worried about getting it out and ready to use. Most people do not practice putting it back. Know where it is and practice, practice, practice. It should be second nature.

[Scott Murray]

When holstering a pistol with an external hammer that's been decocked, or a revolver, I keep my thumb on the hammer as I slowly insert the weapon into the holster. If I feel the hammer start to move, I stop.

Scott