Is a manual safety on your concealed carry a must-have or just an extra hassle? In this post, we’re going to discuss manual thumb safeties on different pistols and, ultimately, touch on when they’re essential based on design and when they might not make much sense.
Manual Safety vs. Passive Internal Safeties
What’s a safety on a gun, anyway? A “manual safety” is typically a lever or button you actively switch to the “off” position before the firearm can fire. On the other hand, passive safety mechanisms are built-in features that don’t require additional intervention. Take Glock’s “Safe Action” system, for instance. It has three layers of protection including a trigger safety, firing pin safety, and drop safety—but no manual safety to flip on or off.
So when we talk about “manual safeties,” we’re referring to safeties that a user deliberately engages or disengages, like the thumb safety found on classics like the Colt 1911 or the SIG M17 military pistol.
Advantages of Having a Manual Safety
For shooters who might feel uneasy about carrying a loaded chamber, having a manual safety adds peace of mind acting as one more layer of protection to prevent accidental discharges.
For example, think about the instinctual reaction to grab something you’ve dropped, perhaps your phone or, in this case, a gun. If your firearm doesn’t have a manual safety, you might accidentally pull the trigger while trying to catch it. A manual safety helps safeguard against those errors.
Also, a manual safety can add peace of mind during re-holstering, particularly in situations where clothing or incidental objects might snag the trigger. Engaging the safety before holstering mitigates this concern.
There’s also a psychological comfort that comes with knowing your gun won’t fire unless the safety is intentionally disengaged. For people who carry in crowded places, close quarters, or around kids, this added level of reassurance can be invaluable.
Downsides of Manual Safeties
Of course, there are arguments against using manual safeties, especially for defensive / carry pistol. Some shooters feel manual safeties complicate a system that should remain straightforward. Under stress, fine motor skills degrade. That tiny delay to disengage the safety could slow your response in a life-or-death situation.
There’s also the chance of forgetting to disengage the safety altogether. For seasoned shooters who train regularly, this might not be an issue. But for less experienced users, it could lead to critical mistakes. Additionally, a poorly designed or difficult-to-manipulate safety might hinder more than help.
This is why modern striker-fired pistols have become incredibly popular, especially among concealed carriers. Brands like Glock, SIG Sauer, and many others have designed firearms intended to fire as soon as the trigger is pulled, with built-in passive safety features that operate seamlessly in the background. Their simplicity and reliability make them a go-to choice for shooters who don’t want to worry about flipping a safety during high-pressure moments.
Handgun Action Type & Safeties
If you’re new to guns, it’s important to know that modern pistols come with different action types, which affect how the gun cycles rounds. This also plays a role in deciding whether or not a manual safety on the firearm is necessary.
Single-Action (SA)
Single-action pistols, like the iconic 1911 or the Browning Hi-Power, are designed with a light, short trigger pull. This makes them extremely accurate and easy to fire. However, because the trigger requires so little pressure, there’s a higher risk of accidental discharges if the firearm isn’t handled properly. For this reason, manual safeties are considered a must on SA pistols.
When carrying an SA pistol many carriers prefer the “cocked and locked” method. This means the hammer is cocked back (ready to fire), a round is in the chamber, and the manual safety is engaged.
This setup allows for a fast response (simply disengage the safety and pull the trigger), but it relies on the manual safety to prevent unintended firing in case the trigger is pressed accidentally or the firearm is jostled.
Some SA pistols, such as the 1911, are specifically designed with safety in mind. They often feature both a thumb safety and a grip safety for added protection. This tandem system appeals to shooters who value extra security features on their firearms.
Double-Action/Single-Action (DA/SA)
In DASA pistols, the trigger functions in two modes: a longer, heavier double-action pull for the first shot, followed by a lighter, shorter single-action trigger pull for subsequent shots.
When it comes to safety, opinions about DA/SA pistols vary depending on user preferences. For instance, many carriers prefer a decocker-only configuration. The decocker lever allows the user to safely lower the hammer without firing the gun.
Why good for carry? Well, in DA/SA pistol, the long, deliberate DA pull serves as a built-in safety mechanism. Although, modern decocker systems, like those on SIG and CZ pistols, are engineered with safety features such as firing pin blocks to make the gun even more safe to carry and handle. So, with a decocker instead of manual safety, you don’t have to worry about manually lowering the hammer, which might otherwise introduce user error. This design eliminates that risk entirely, making decocker-only pistols a safer and more user-friendly alternative.
The argument in favor of the manual safety on a DASA instead of the decocker, is secure reholstering. Reholstering can be risky if an object, like a piece of clothing, unintentionally pushes the trigger. So a manual safety provides an extra layer of protection by physically blocking the trigger from moving.
Double-Action-Only (DAO)
DAO handguns are designed so that every trigger pull performs two actions: cocking the hammer and releasing it to fire the round. Unlike DA/SA pistols, DAO handgun don’t feature an SA mode. This means the trigger pull remains consistently long and heavy for every shot. The additional effort required to fire each round is often seen as an inherent safety feature, reducing the need for a manual safety entirely.
Striker-Fired Pistols
This is the type that sparks much debate. Striker-fired pistols, like the Glock platform, S&W M&P pistols, or SIG’s P365 and P320 pistol series, operate without a traditional hammer. Instead, the striker mechanism provides a consistent trigger pull that’s typically lighter than DA pistols. Additionally, most striker models lack an external manual safety instead featuring internal safeties (trigger safety lever, firing pin block, drop safety); combined, internal safeties ensure the gun won’t fire unless the trigger is intentionally pulled.
So, striker pistols are very easy to use thanks to consistently light trigger pull and no manual safety to fumble with. This simplicity makes them popular pistols for carry.
Still, many people consider carrying a striker pistol without a manual safety unsafe due to the inherently light trigger pull comparable to SA mode pull. They point out that a manual safety can reduce accidental discharges caused by clothing, holsters, or other unintended objects pressing the trigger.
Additionally, while striker-fired pistol enthusiasts often trust internal safeties considering thumb safeties excessive and redundant, some believe adding a manual safety provides more peace of mind. For this reason, SIG, S&W, Springfield and many other brands include models with manual safeties in their striker pistol lineup.
So, there’s no universal right answer to whether striker-fired carry guns should have manual safeties – some like it, some don’t. Both approaches have their merits, and the decision is ultimately a balance of personal preference, training, and comfort.
How to Carry Striker Fired Pistols without Manual Safety Safely
One consensus remains clear among seasoned firearm users and instructors alike: muscle memory and consistency are key to safe and effective use.
Establishing Routine Consistency
Consistency in training and carry habits ensures that your response becomes automatic in high-pressure scenarios. In particular, switching between handguns with and without safeties can result in hesitation or mistakes. For example, if you’re accustomed to disengaging a safety during your draw, your thumb might instinctively perform the motion even when a safety isn’t present. This isn’t an issue. However, forgetting to disengage a safety in a high-pressure moment is a whole different story. This could have fatal consequences.
To prevent confusion or hesitation, many carriers prefer firearms with identical manual operations.
Also, some instructors recommend practicing “muscle override,” where you make the safety disengagement motion with your thumb, even when using pistols that don’t have external safeties. This habit minimizes hesitation and ensures consistency.
Use Proper Holster
A rigid, high-quality holster is non-negotiable. Make sure your holster fully covers the trigger guard to prevent accidental discharges caused by clothing or other objects coming into contact with the trigger. Also, make sure your holster securely retains the handgun to prevent it from slipping out during movement.
Trigger Discipline
Trigger discipline is equally essential. A firearm with no manual safety relies entirely on the user to ensure the firearm is only discharged intentionally. Always keep your trigger finger extended along the frame of the pistol, outside of the trigger guard, until you are ready to fire. This seemingly simple habit is one of the most effective ways to prevent negligent discharges and is critical, especially under high-stress situations where adrenaline might influence muscle memory.
The Final Safety Mechanism is YOU
At the end of the day, no amount of safety mechanisms can replace responsible firearm handling. Whether or not your striker-fired pistol has a manual safety, it’s your discipline, training, and respect for the weapon that ensure safe operation. By adhering to proper handling techniques and choosing the right holster, you can carry a striker-fired pistol without a thumb safety with confidence.
A manual safety on a pistol is a physical mechanism, like a lever or switch, that must be engaged or disengaged by the shooter to prevent or allow the firearm to fire. Unlike internal safeties that operate automatically, manual safeties require deliberate action and provide an extra layer of control. Common examples include thumb safeties and grip safeties found on 1911 pistols. Some pistols, like the Sig Sauer P365, offer models with or without a manual safety to suit user preferences. While manual safeties can add peace of mind, they require consistent training to ensure quick and reliable disengagement when needed.
A thumb safety is a type of manual safety operated by the shooter’s thumb, usually located on the rear of the slide above the trigger guard. It must be disengaged before the pistol can fire.
No. Not all guns have a manual safety. Some rely on other safety mechanisms (such as trigger safeties, grip safeties, or heavy trigger pulls), and some older or simpler firearms may have no external safety at all.
The location varies by model. Manual safeties are typically found on the frame near the thumb (thumb safety), on the slide, or sometimes as a grip safety on the backstrap. Always consult your firearm’s manual for the exact location.
- Extra layer of protection: Helps prevent accidental or negligent discharges.
- Added security: Useful if the gun is dropped or accessed by someone unfamiliar with firearms.
- Peace of mind: Some carriers feel more comfortable knowing there’s a physical barrier to firing.
- Slower deployment: Forgetting or fumbling with the safety under stress can delay response.
- Potential for failure: Mechanical safeties can malfunction.
- False sense of security: Relying on a safety might reduce focus on fundamental gun handling skills.
Neither is objectively better; it depends on your preference, training, and how you plan to use the firearm. Some value the extra layer of control, while others prioritize speed and simplicity.
A trigger safety is a lever or tab built into the trigger that blocks trigger movement unless it is intentionally pressed. It is designed to prevent accidental discharges if the trigger is bumped or snagged.
A manual safety is a separate lever or switch that must be engaged/disengaged by the user. A trigger safety is integrated into the trigger itself and prevents the trigger from moving unless it is deliberately pressed. Trigger safeties are common on striker-fired pistols like Glocks.
A trigger pull weight of 5–6.5 pounds is commonly considered safe for concealed carry DAO/DASA pistols without a manual safety or internal safeties. Lighter triggers can increase the risk of accidental discharges, while heavier triggers can make accurate shooting more difficult. Always follow manufacturer recommendations and train accordingly.
Popular pistols with a thumb safety include 1911-style pistols, Beretta 92 series, Springfield Armory SA-35, Browning Hi Power, as well as manual safety versions of Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Compact and SIG Sauer P365.
Popular choices include the Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Compact (thumb safety version), SIG P365 and P320 (thumb safety versions), SIG P229, Springfield Armory XD series, and 1911-style 9mm pistols.
Glock pistols do not have a manual safety lever. They use a trigger safety and internal safeties to prevent accidental discharge.
Standard Glock models do not come with a manual safety. Some law enforcement or military contracts have requested custom versions with manual safeties, but these are not available to the general public.
Most modern revolvers do not have a manual safety. They rely on heavy double-action trigger pulls and internal safety mechanisms to prevent accidental discharge.
If the pistol is designed to be safely carried with the safety off (such as many striker-fired pistols with internal safeties), and you follow proper trigger discipline, it is generally considered safe. For pistols with a manual safety, it is recommended to use all provided safety features and train accordingly.
For pistols with a manual safety, most experts recommend carrying with the safety on and training to disengage it during the draw. For pistols without a manual safety, safe handling and a proper holster are essential.
Yes, mechanical safeties can fail. Never rely solely on a safety; always follow the fundamental rules of firearm safety. Also, clean and inspect your handgun regularly.
Leave a Reply