Extermely un-nerving encounter.....

[speedsix]

I always carried my M9 locked-and-loaded. Most of the base didn't, but I was on a Detached Team and didn't have to play the silly-games that the rest of the FOB did.

Come to think of it; I wore shoulder-rigs, normal holsters and those funky holsters that you wrap around your thigh (when on a mission). Never had any issues with negligent-discharges.

...you don't mean you carried it cocked, though, do you? normal carry for a DA/SA is to carry it hammer down on a live round...first shot normally DA...I've never known anyone carry one cocked for a SA first shot...on most, the safety decocks it and that'd be like carrying a 1911 cocked safety off...with no grip safety...tell me I need another cuppa coffee to understand what your meant...

...nebbermind...I forgot "normal" military carry of a pistol is empty pipe...been a long time....when I was in, they let the bullets finish growing to full size before pickin' 'em...

[Purplehood]

I always carried my M9 locked-and-loaded. Most of the base didn't, but I was on a Detached Team and didn't have to play the silly-games that the rest of the FOB did.

Come to think of it; I wore shoulder-rigs, normal holsters and those funky holsters that you wrap around your thigh (when on a mission). Never had any issues with negligent-discharges.

...you don't mean you carried it cocked, though, do you? normal carry for a DA/SA is to carry it hammer down on a live round...first shot normally DA...I've never known anyone carry one cocked for a SA first shot...on most, the safety decocks it and that'd be like carrying a 1911 cocked safety off...with no grip safety...tell me I need another cuppa coffee to understand what your meant...

...nebbermind...I forgot "normal" military carry of a pistol is empty pipe...been a long time....when I was in, they let the bullets finish growing to full size before pickin' 'em...

No. I carried a round in the chamber with the hammer down. Locked and Loaded, not Locked and Cocked.

[Keith B]

While I understand some concern as psychologically no one wants to stare down a gun barrel that they are not in control of, a properly operating holstered 1911 in Condition 1 does not present any safety problem. It is no different than having your 1911 IWB holstered in the same condition.

[speedsix]

...to carry a 1911 IWB only puts yer own - personage - at risk...to carry the same in a horizontal rig is more risky...to others'...

[Scott in Houston]

...to carry a 1911 IWB only puts yer own - personage - at risk...to carry the same in a horizontal rig is more risky...to others'...

I'd say that's true, but only when holstering or unholstering. When it's just sitting properly in a proper holster, nobody is at risk.

[speedsix]

...in a snapped, leather-under-the-hammer holster, I'd agree...which most of them are...but I don't like 'em at all...call me old-fashioned...ancient...doddering...oh well...

[PUCKER]

I guess this question could be turned around and put "the other way," - ie, supposing we were in an open-carry state (like Arizona) and one of us was carrying this way (in a horizontal shoulder rig) and we were sitting down and the barrel was pointed at LEO, how would that work?

[RHenriksen]

I look at a pistol in a quality holster like a vicious dog with a muzzle over its snout.

I'm not scared of a mean, powerful dog if it's muzzled. Why feel differently about a pistol in a holster? Once the pistol comes out of the holster, then the four rules apply.

Just my take...

[Texas Dan Mosby]

Was I overreacting?

Nope.

Would you have moved as well?

Yup.

[fishman]

I probably would have gotten on the ground and put my hands behind my head.

[chuckybrown]

... at a great barbecue dive near......someplace. (you'll understand in a minute)

Why the reluctance to say where it happened?

...and then he's posting about black helicopters following him everywhere...I don't blame him...you know how "they" are...and they're watching...

Well, in case they're members here, or have someone that says "hey, look what this guy wrote".

"I ain't fraid of no black copters", LOL....just being respectful to the men that wear the uniform. "WHERE" specifically doesn't matter.

Of course, you can do the math on how many departments have helicopters, figure out where they park 'em, and probably narrow things down.

But, my post wasn't to call out a particular department, simply the fact that I did not like watching that barrel wag at me while the fine officer ate his lunch....

[LikesShinyThings]

I probably would have found another table at which to finish my meal. True, probably unnecessary, but still probably what I would have done. Similar to when hubby and I changed tables at a local fast food place when the kid on the booth seat behind hubby kept bouncing and bumping and thumping - he couldn't relax and enjoy, so we moved. Granted, not the potential harm factor, but still - you're uncomfortable, you move.

Now, let's play devil's advocate. Yes, the gun was holstered. Could you see the condition of the holster on the inside near where the trigger was? Could you guarantee there wasn't a piece of rigid leather (or other) that had somehow gotten folded over and was pressing against the trigger, waiting for just a TINY bit more pressure to activate the trigger? Could you tell that the gun's safety was on? Sure, we presume all is good and safe, but safety's fail, holsters wear, and stuff just plain goes awry. While you likely wouldn't have had any harm come to you, how would your widow feel if all the stars aligned and you didn't move and the gun/holster failed and went off and you ended up in the morgue.

It's a balancing act. But I see no sense, once aware of the situation, to ignore the potential. Just like when hubby has finished cleaning his gun and just finished reassembling it - he doesn't aim it at me while testing the function before reloading (darn straight he doesn't!). We both know the gun is empty and harmless, but we still don't take unnecessary chances, especially when it is so easy to prevent them.

[Fangs]

Would I have known that it was most likely safe? Yes.

Would I have moved anyway? Yes.

I also look both ways when crossing one-way streets.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

For some reason I can't get this VIDEO to embed from my phone so I will just post the link. It is about chest rigs but the same premise is true for shoulder rigs.
I won't say you overeacted, everyone has their own comfort level. I would not have reacted as you did though.

[Oldgringo]

Why not point out to the guy that his gun was pointing at you?

Whadda' ya think, he would have shot you?