Well.... Color Me Stupid

[karder]

No reason to be embarrassed sawdust. That is what range time is for. You have a very valid concern in regards to self-defense situations when we carry pistols which have varying controls and functions. As others have pointed out, lots of range time and practice with whatever you do chose to carry is paramount. I am very comfortable with the 1911 operating system, so that is what I typically carry. When I don't carry a 1911, I opt for an H&K usp which can be carried in a cocked and locked manner, very similar to the 1911. I would recommend keeping your carry set up as consistent as possible for the very reason you describe. I am also a very big fan of the double action revolver. They all operate in the same basic manner, so you can switch between guns and they all operate the same way. There really is no other answer than lots of practice and maintaining consistency with your carry setup. Thanks for you post, it is good food for thought.

[phrogg]

Ok, my turn .... first time shooting an automatic, I think in the 1980s, I had my weak hand wrist directly behind the slide.... learned fast that slide goes backwards nearly as hard as the bullet goes forward ... X-Rays were needed

My turn then. I was shooting a friend's 1911 at the range one day after having taken a long time away from handguns. I kept shooting low and to the left so I started looking for why I was doing that. Decided it was my hand placement and where my thumbs were going. So I tried right (strong) over left and was working to make that work, but my right thumb kept having placement issues because of where the safety was on this pistol. So in a moment of stupidity I tried putting my left thumb over the right and behind the other hand. I retain a scar on the knuckle of my thumb to this day from where the slide bit me . I was literally sucking my thumb at the range right after that one.

[Ol Zeke]

After 30+ years of shooting 1911's, I have found that I will 'thumb' the side of the slide on any pistol, as I bring it up. Doesn't slow me down, if the safety isn't there. It's just habit.

However, one day at the range with my brother, I finished a round and while heckling him I absently reached for a loaded mag and inserted my spare mag for the Kimber Ultra Carry (on my hip). "CKICK". It took a couple of 'slap and racks' to realize my mistake (shorter mag). It also reminded me of my concious decision to carry the Kimber. All of my 1911 mags fit it.

[Embalmo]

Here is my answer to your question, and I say it without a trace of malice.... ....Pay Attention!

About 14 years ago, I had a negligent discharge with my .44 magnum, in my bedroom. It happened because I thought I had emptied the cylinder before trying out the single action let-off on the trigger. I opened the cylinder, dumped the rounds into my hand, and thought to myself, "yeah, that looks like six." I pointed the barrel toward the ceiling, right next to my left ear (I'm left handed) and started cocking and dry-firing the pistol. That worked fine 3 or 4 times, but not so well on the next one.

I shot a hole in the ceiling, and deafened myself for the next couple of weeks.

Praise Jesus nobody got hurt. But ever since then, I've been a fanatic about making sure the pistol I'm picking up is either loaded, or unloaded, according to my purpose. An embarrassing lesson taught me to pay attention. The most important safety on any of my guns is the one between my ears.

I was lucky-My only one was with a .22 pointed to the floor. It was a miracle that I didn't kill my cat. She is particularly fond of all my guns because she associates them with the laser dot.

[Excaliber]

I got stupid yesterday. Actually, I may have been stupid for a long, long time. Yesterday just provided more evidence.

But first, a little background.

I consider myself an analytical troubleshooter. No pun intended.

I also consider myself somewhat aware of the psychological/neurological condition of the human mind/brain.

I was lurking on this site for a few months before I enlisted. This coincided with the decision to get my CHL and to acquire a pistol. In monitoring the various postings, I took notice of two things: 1) When things happen, they happen fast, 2) in stressful situations, cognitive functions become limited, and 3)many members speak of the many and various handgun models and brands that they carry or have at hand. As a pilot, I am well aware of 1) and 2).

Each handgun has a myriad of differing options - safety/no safety, safety down/safety up, yes/no to magazine interlock, DAO/SA-DA, left/right-hand oriented controls, etc. You get the picture. While I am fully aware of the adaptability of the human brain, in having so many handguns, I questioned the wisdom of always having to figure out which handgun, with all of the possible combinations of differences, one was carrying. Given 1), 2), and 3) above, it seems that additional difficulties are created at the very moment of greatest need.

I'm not sure exactly why it happened, but I did wind up owning 2 pistols. Same brand, same design. The one difference was that one came with a higher-capacity 17-round magazine, and the other pistol was a smaller version, with a 13-round capacity.

Finally , I'm getting to the story. I was at the range yesterday, with the smaller pistol. In getting set up, I inserted (with vigor) the magazine into the pistol. It jammed about about 3/4 of the way in. From that point, I couldn't push it in any farther, nor could I extract it, even with considerable force applied. I was able to rack the slide to empty the magazine and called an instructor over. He looked at it, pushed and pulled, and all of a sudden the magazine fell out. "What'd you do?", I wanted to know. "I pushed the magazine release button," he replied.

Duh. I had inserted the longer, high-capacity magazine. Since I didn't know that I even had it with me, it never occurred to me to think along those lines. The magazine had "jammed" and that was my focus. In a tight situation, with the aspects of 1), 2), and 3) in effect, I would have been many steps behind.

For me at least, I have once more established what I have long known to be true: In a time of stress of any kind, initially there is only reaction, and when the steps of a process happen as anticipated (hoped for), all is well. However, in the type of situations that are normally discussed here, it seems that any hesitation or hiccup - anything that takes your attention away from the normal process - can be immediately dangerous.

So, I ask those of you with the multiple pistols and their differing designs, "How do/would you truly counter those effects?"

There are legitimate reasons for using different guns for different situations. What I carry when walking in shorts and a T-shirt in my quiet neighborhood is different than what I wear in the border towns. However, your point about the very real possibility of confusion over operational steps is very well taken.

For that reason my guns follow two patterns - 1911 and point and shoot guns (e.g. XD) with no manual thumb safeties. The manual of arms for them has no contradictions, and slide stops, mag releases, etc. are all in the same place. If I try to wipe off a nonexistent safety on an XD or Glock, that action won't stop the gun from firing. I would not add a gun like the S&W 59 series autos that have a manual safety that must be placed in the "up" position to fire for exactly the reasons you have outlined.

[boomerang]

I'm not sure exactly why it happened, but I did wind up owning 2 pistols. Same brand, same design. The one difference was that one came with a higher-capacity 17-round magazine, and the other pistol was a smaller version, with a 13-round capacity.

I have no problem switiching between different models of Glocks, even if they're different sizes. No confusion when I shoot my J-frame either. When I point in an AR it's ingrained to work the selector but that's different enough there's no confusion.

I suppose if someone had 20 different guns with 20 different sets of controls, it could be confusing. Good reason for me to stick with Glocks.

[sawdust]

I suppose if someone had 20 different guns with 20 different sets of controls, it could be confusing.

I rest my case.

[KD5NRH]

I have put in empty mags at the range myself. If the paper target you are shooting at is a particulary vicious one and you are truly under attack, throw the malfunctioning firearm at the target, grab your trusty Gerber pocket knife and prepare to repel intruders.

Even Superman had to dodge thrown guns after letting the bullets bounce harmlessly off his chest. Big and slow works.

About 14 years ago, I had a negligent discharge with my .44 magnum, in my bedroom. It happened because I thought I had emptied the cylinder before trying out the single action let-off on the trigger. I opened the cylinder, dumped the rounds into my hand, and thought to myself, "yeah, that looks like six." I pointed the barrel toward the ceiling, right next to my left ear (I'm left handed) and started cocking and dry-firing the pistol. That worked fine 3 or 4 times, but not so well on the next one.

Yeah, you just think nobody heard the "do ya feel lucky? Well, do ya, ceiling?"

That would be why I always count the rounds slowly, then count seven empty chambers going past - even on a five shot revolver. That way, I've got a bit of miscount safety margin. If I ever get my hands on one of those 8-shot .357s, I guess I'll have to start counting nine empty chambers on every wheelgun.

[RHenriksen]

One thing I have learned, too, is to NEVER use the slide release to chamber a round. Use your other hand to pull the slide back and have it go in to battery. In a defensive situation, you lose valuable time trying to fidget around to release a slide that is in a locked position, when you can just pull the assembly back. I do this all the time now and have gotten it engrained in my head to the point that it is muscle memory.

Another benefit is that ALL semi-auto pistols will work w. this technique, while the slide lock lever can vary in size & location.

[mkosmo]

Even Superman had to dodge thrown guns after letting the bullets bounce harmlessly off his chest. Big and slow works.

That's why we have .45

[srothstein]

That would be why I always count the rounds slowly, then count seven empty chambers going past - even on a five shot revolver. That way, I've got a bit of miscount safety margin. If I ever get my hands on one of those 8-shot .357s, I guess I'll have to start counting nine empty chambers on every wheelgun.

You would really have a problem when you came up with the nine-shot .22 revolvers, huh?

[Rifleman55]

Be careful with full length mags in a short butt 1911, if the slide is locked back when you do and you do a combat reload you will jamb the mag just far enough into the pistol that the slide will not close amd the mag will be difficult to remove. Been there and done that.

[KD5NRH]

You would really have a problem when you came up with the nine-shot .22 revolvers, huh?

Actually, I avoid those for now; I don't want to get used to the idea of having that many shots in a wheelgun unless I do actually start carrying an 8-shot. I have been thinking about one of the Heritage 6-shot .22LR/.22WMR single actions though; the Blackhawk burns up a lot of expensive ammo when I'm down in the creekbed (my 360-degree range) having fun.

[Kevinf2349]

I have been thinking about one of the Heritage 6-shot .22LR/.22WMR single actions though;

I have been mulling over getting one of those too. I would be interested to hear if anyone has one and what they think of it. I was actually only thinking of plinking with it rather than using it as a carry weapon.

[Humanphibian]

I have multiple pistols (arsenal, cache, etc in lib speak) but I only carry 1911's. For example, flipping a Beretta 92 up is for fire but will lock a 1911, not good in a defensive situation.

LOL...RM9792...this point is EXACTLY why the Safariland 6004 I put on the "pay it forward" thread still has the hang tag on it. The 92 was issued, but I had carried a 1911 for years, and had the good fortune to be allowed to carry a 1911 if I so wished. Buh-Bye 92....

I don't wish to sidetrack from the excellent question posed by the OP, but the Beretta 92 safety is more easily disengaged by pressing down as demonstrated here:

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As to the original question....I do have several different handguns with different features and manual of arms. The only ones I carry are free of manual safeties and DAO. They are carried with a round chambered so I know that to bring any one of them into action all that is needed to to depress the trigger. I feel this limits any possible stress induced confusion.

now.......try that left handed..........