Welcome to The Centerfire Firearms Training Academy's

Basic Firearms Course Section 1 Page Semi-automatic safeties

 

 

There are so many different types or variations of internal and external safeties that we couldn't possible explain them all here. We will explain the most common:

There is "Cocked and Locked" which is common with the single action 1911 style handguns. Simply with the handgun loaded ( one in the chamber and a loaded magazine) the hammer must be pulled ( or cocked) all the way back and the safety engaged ( locked).

Hammer Drop Safety:  Found on double action semi-auto's such as the Beretta 92- You put in a live magazine into the bottom of the handgun - pull back and release the slide loading a round into the chamber and the hammer remains cocked back- You engage the safety lever and the the hammer falls down to a safe position ( usually a block engages in front of the firing pin preventing the handgun from discharging) When ready to shot - you must disengage the safety. It is like an off and on switch.

De-cock Safety: Similar to the Hammer drop safety the hammer falls into a safe position - however the manual safety then flips back off. The handgun is ready to fire by simply squeezing the trigger. You thumb down the safety lever - the hammer de-cocks on falls to a safe position and the manual safety flips back up.

Lastly you have the Glock style safety which is primarily all internal like a revolver - Don't squeeze the trigger in and it won't go off. The Glock and similar style semi-autos have internal safeties like revolvers that help to prevent accident discharge should the handgun fall to the ground.

Please note: DO NOT trust a safety, always point your handgun is a safe direction when engaging and disengaging the handgun's safety. The safety is a mechanical device and like all mechanical devices there is a possibility of failure.

If you have any questions you can email ( info@popguns.com ) us prior to the class or ask the instructor on the day of the range portion of the course.

 

 


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