Thumb Safeties?

HawaiiMark · Feb 24, 2015

Why are thumb safeties so rare on handguns? There have been numerous incidents lately where handguns have been discharged from reholstering and a jacket toggle knob catching the trigger or kids reaching into mom's purse.

I will never have a handgun without a safety, I want to hear your thoughts on the topic.

lx1x · Feb 24, 2015

Its not the gun safety issue.. Its human factor.

Accidents happen when gun safety is ignored. Even with mech safety.. Still not 100% human error proof.

mdram · Feb 24, 2015

used to be standard, kinda like hammers
then glocks came out and things starting changing

HawaiiMark · Feb 24, 2015

I am thinking about a new M&P9c and I was just looking at the M&P Porn thread and it seemed that 1 out of 10 had the thumb safety option. I know that it is the human factor but an additional safety would seem to prevent a lot of accidental discharges.

Boom Boom · Feb 24, 2015

I'm ready to get a full-size M&P 9. I want the thumb safety version. I'd rather have it there with the option to not use it versus the other way around.

Name Taken · Feb 24, 2015

Thumb safety...a useless tool to make a person feel safer.

There is NOTHING a thumb safety is going to do that proper gun safety won't.

There are plenty of articles where thumb safety guns have had ND's.

If you keep your finger off the trigger it's not an issue.

toddtrain · Feb 24, 2015

I prefer one also. it is purely a comfort thing for me.

DGI · Feb 24, 2015

As a 1911 shooter, I am comfortable using pistols with external safeties. I do not agree they would "lessen" the chance of a ND. Training cures all shortcomings.

Plenty of people die driving under the speed limit when other factors act on them. Plenty of people die taking over the counter drugs when other factors act on them. Etc, Etc...

If you dont clear your cover garment, or get your keys stuck in the trigger guard, or countless other issues that could pop up... something could pop off.

I carry a Glock 19 every day and its pointed at my nuts. Not once have I worried myself about shooting myself in my Femoral. I've carried 1911s in the same fashion. Some people have Darwin following them around...

MikeTF · Feb 24, 2015

I carry my SIG P938 cocked and locked. Is that what you mean by, 'Thumb Safety'?

Mooseman · Feb 24, 2015

I do not care for a safety. My index finger not on the trigger is my safety.

vgplayer · Feb 24, 2015

A safety is a mechanical device and can fail. I have seen the "well it has a safety" as a I don't need to follow the 4 rules.

Pinecone · Feb 24, 2015

Hmm, I only have one semi auto pistol without a thumb safety.

So I would not say they are rare.

Only rare if you think that pistol = glock. :lol2:

jimbobborg · Feb 24, 2015

Thumb safeties have saved quite a few people when their pistol is taken from them and the taker tried to shoot the original owner with them. I only have one pistol without a thumb safety, it's a smaller carry piece. The holsters I have for it are not accessible unless I'm in the process of drawing it. The full sized pistols I own have a thumb safety. For me, they keep the slide from moving when I'm reholstering.

Gryphon · Feb 24, 2015

I don't think there is a magic answer here - except a thumb safety is obviously a must for single action, cocked and locked. Otherwise, it depends on how the rest of your pistol is built, i.e. internal safety, grip safety, trigger safety, combinations of each or lack thereof - and your personal preference.

Keystone70 · Feb 24, 2015

I'll throw my 2 cents in here.

I have a M&P9 full size and a 9C. Neither have a thumb safety. I also have a 1911, which of course has a thumb safety. I would never not want a safety on a 1911, but on striker fire pistol, don't need it. As others have said, its about training.

For some, they are used to a thumb safety and expect it when they pull their firearm. That's fine. That is what they are used to have experience setting and resetting it. I started with the M&P9 and learned with no safety. That is what I am used to. If you follow the standard gun safety rules, you should never have a problem. There is no such thing as an accidental discharge. Those are negligent discharges. The only dependable safety is the one between your ears. Train with what you got until you have mastered it.

I shoot IDPA matches on a regular basis where we are drawing our fully loaded firearm from holster and engaging targets. I have never had a problem or even come close. I practiced a lot at home to get used to the safety issues. (Now where is that trigger finger?)

You mentioned about accident during reholstering. Never should happen. Look that gun into your holster and make sure nothing can get in the way. What's your hurry?
I know there is a video of a police captain firing one off into his leg because of part of his jacket getting into the way. That is negligence. I'm sure he would agree.

If you have a thumb safety, you need to practice releasing in on the draw and resetting before reholstering. Forgetting to release the safety on the one time you really need to defend your life will not go well.

Bottom line: practice with what you have until you have it down perfectly. Then practice some more. Never be overconfident when it comes to safety.

501st · Feb 24, 2015

HawaiiMark said:
Why are thumb safeties so rare on handguns? There have been numerous incidents lately where handguns have been discharged from reholstering and a jacket toggle knob catching the trigger or kids reaching into mom's purse.

I will never have a handgun without a safety, I want to hear your thoughts on the topic.

Lack of demand.

How many PD's have guns with a thumb safety? Individuals? (modern designs)

Only the military has an interest in it.

montoya32 · Feb 24, 2015

Safety is just another obstacle to operating a gun. How about a safety on a double action pistol? Insane. I think they are put on guns now a days to satisfy laws and liability more than actual safety.

I own several 1911s and even carry them when able. The simplicity of a striker fired handgun is very relaxing to me. It takes one step out of the equation and allows me to focus on the target and not taking the safety off, when to take it off, putting it back on when reholstering......

jimbobborg · Feb 24, 2015

montoya32 said:
Safety is just another obstacle to operating a gun. How about a safety on a double action pistol? Insane. I think they are put on guns now a days to satisfy laws and liability more than actual safety.

I own several 1911s and even carry them when able. The simplicity of a striker fired handgun is very relaxing to me. It takes one step out of the equation and allows me to focus on the target and not taking the safety off, when to take it off, putting it back on when reholstering......

In my 30+ years of shooting, I've never had a problem with a safety on any firearm. My CZ-75B is double-action and has a thumb safety. If you have to focus on switching the safety to the off or on position, that's a training issue......

HawaiiMark · Feb 24, 2015

I am relatively new to handguns and I own a 1911 so I have gotten used to the safety. It seems weird to have a gun without a safety. That said, I want to get a S&W M&P9c and I am trying to decide on the thumb safety issue.

montoya32 · Feb 24, 2015

jimbobborg said:
In my 30+ years of shooting, I've never had a problem with a safety on any firearm. My CZ-75B is double-action and has a thumb safety. If you have to focus on switching the safety to the off or on position, that's a training issue......

So you're saying a 5 step process is not anymore complicated than a 4 step process?

Thumb Safeties?

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