Reholstering Safetyless DAO's

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Dashunde

New member
Lately I've come across several people commenting on their worries about carrying a DAO with no safety.
Personally I think they're great - no chance of it going off unless the trigger is pulled - the spring energy to fire the round simply is not there.

There is only one concern I have with carrying DAO pistol - Reholstering it.
I'm wondering what the rest of you - who actually carry a safetyless DAO - do about it?

With my LCP and PM9, I make a concentraited effort to carefully put my index finger behind the trigger while reholstering to ensure that it doesnt go off because of a obstruction like a shirt tail, jacket zipper, etc..
The finger not only blocks it from being pulled, but you'll also feel something out of the ordinary pushing on the trigger.

I do the same thing with my G27, its a tighter fit but it works.

I feel that my only exposure to a FAIL is while putting my finger behind there, and if I cant get that right every time I probably shouldnt be carrying anything...
 
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BerettaBuckeye

New member
My solution is to carry XD's( when I'm not carrying a 1911:cool: ) and grip them so as to NOT activate the grip safety while reholstering
 
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TunnelRat

New member
When I carry a revolver I don't really worry about it tbh. Keep your finger off the trigger and make sure your holster is firm enough that nothing will bend into the trigger guard. Even if it did the amount of force needed should at least give you pause to see what is wrong. That said I do watch the trigger guard as I holster.
 
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Walt Sherrill

New member
First of all, the LC9, PM9, and Glocks aren't true DAO guns. They are (to use Glock's terminology) a "safe action" design; the firing mechanism has been partially cocked by slide movement. As long as there's a round in the chamber, the firing mechanism is partially cocked.

Putting your finger behind the trigger as you holster the gun is arguably far less safe than just keeping your finger AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER!!

You're not being MORE SAFE by doing what you're doing -- you're being less safe!! Having your finger around the trigger while holstering it is increasing the risk of a negligent or accidental discharge, not reducing it!.

Just assure yourself that the holster is clear (nothing in it that could catch the trigger), keep you finger out of the trigger guard, and holster the gun.
 
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Dashunde

New member
the LC9, PM9, and Glocks aren't true DAO guns.. the firing mechanism has been partially cocked by slide movement. As long as there's a round in the chamber, the firing mechanism is partially cocked.
Click to expand...

True. But none of them are cocked enough, or have enough spring pressure to fire the round without it being pulled further back by the trigger.
The firing pins are also blocked if the trigger is not pulled.
My point is they are nearly impossible to make fire without the trigger being pulled.
 
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longcall911

New member
I agree that placing the trigger finger behind the trigger is *not* a good idea. Finger goes on the slide, guiding the barrel into the holster . When you feel the holster with the finger, lift it and seat the gun.

That said, you should avoid holstering/unholstering as much as possible. When getting dressed, holster before any top layers of clothing.
 
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Walt Sherrill

New member
True. But none of them are cocked enough, or have enough spring pressure to fire the round without it being pulled further back by the trigger.
The firing pins are also blocked if the trigger is not pulled.

My point is they are nearly impossible to make fire without the trigger being pulled.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Make sure the holster is clear and keep your finger away from the trigger when holstering or unholstering.
 
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vvanders

New member
This is why I like comptac's leather/kydex holsters. No chance for the holster to fold in on the trigger guard.

Like others have said, just keep your finger out of the trigger and visually make sure the holster is clear when putting away.
 
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DPris

Member Emeritus
If you have a triggerguard and a correctly functioning holster with nothing that protrudes into the triggerguard on holstering, just holster the gun.
No need to over-think it, and good reason to KEEP YOUR FINGER OUT OF THE TRIGGERGUARD while you're holstering.

If this is an obsession with you, you're probably right in not carrying anything.
Denis
 
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RC20

New member
It's DAO, not DOA. I don't think there is any safer action type.
Click to expand...

Like he said. It scare me you have your finger in the trigger area.

Worst case if you are concerned about things getting in there would be to cover the side of the trigger guard with your finer, keep it OUT of the inside of the trigger guard area. It will not stop all, but it will fully from one side and you should feel anything that stick through to that side.

You should also be extremely sensitive to any resistance when putting the gun away. 6 llbs or so is gong to be noticeable

Better yet get a DA/SA, the DA part takes 10 lbs or so to active, and much safer than the DAO at the 6 lbs, and even more so for those tuned Glocks with their 4 or even 3 lbl triggers.

And I do not think the DAO is a good system (unless the pull is a full 10 lbs) . In the interest of consistent trigger pull, it sacrifices safety. If you can't manage the shift from DA to SA, you should not be carrying a gun.
 
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Kreyzhorse

New member
I agree that placing the trigger finger behind the trigger is *not* a good idea. Finger goes on the slide, guiding the barrel into the holster . When you feel the holster with the finger, lift it and seat the gun.

That said, you should avoid holstering/unholstering as much as possible. When getting dressed, holster before any top layers of clothing.
Click to expand...

+1.

I carry a Glock and a Ruger LCP and simply avoid holstering and unholstering. If I'm going some place I can't carry, I usually will carry a gun like the LCP that can simply be taken off in the holster.
 
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dajowi

New member
Can of worms here.:rolleyes:

I've owned 1911s, DA autos, and DA revolvers. Shoulder rigs and IWB were the usual method of carry. I've shot pistols for over 40 years. I am a NRA certified RSO and never have had an accidental discharge. I've never felt "uncomfortably safe" with a firearm...until I purchased a Glock. The nominal 5 pound trigger pull seemed light to me even considering I generally shoot SA autos. After a couple of years and a slew of "improvements" including a Ten Ring Precision manual safety installation, I got rid of it. It was the one handgun which I wish I hadn't wasted my money on.
 
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MLeake

New member
If you are that worried about it, switch from your striker guns to hammer guns, like the LC9. Keep your thumb on the hammer as you holster, and you will immediately feel it if anything starts to snag or pull the trigger.

The lack of tactile feedback, not the lack of "second strike" capability, is the main concern I have with striker types (though I do like my M&Ps).

As others have said, finger in the trigger guard is a problem waiting to happen.
 
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Kimbertron

New member
I carry a Ruger sp101 DAO and when I'm getting dressed I visually make sure there is nothing in the trigger guard as I am holstering. Biggest thing to me is just making sure you are not slamming the gum into the holster without much thought. I know the way some people carry they would not be able to see as they are holstering though but this method is what I am comfortable with.
 
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Dashunde

New member
Perhaps I should explain a bit more...
This is something I do mostly at the range while practicing draw and fire from 3-4 o'clock IWB cover with a jacket or shirt on and in the way.
I cant see a thing back around there, its all feel.

I believe that repeated drills like that pose a far greater trigger snag risk than me putting my finger on the back of the trigger (that I just fired) while reholstering for the next run.

I expected the "sky is falling" crowd to uproar loudly at the idea of violating the sacred trigger guard, but the fact is I'm damn comfortable with the practice and will no way in hell be repeatedly re-holstering over and over without keeping track of that trigger.
 
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MLeake

New member
Sounds like you need to get better cover garments.

The finger in the trigger guard is still a bad idea.
 
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Walt Sherrill

New member
Dashunde said:
Perhaps I should explain a bit more...
This is something I do mostly at the range while practicing draw and fire from 3-4 o'clock IWB cover with a jacket or shirt on and in the way.
I cant see a thing back around there, its all feel...

I expected the "sky is falling" crowd to uproar loudly at the idea of violating the sacred trigger guard, but the fact is I'm damn comfortable with the practice and will no way in hell be repeatedly re-holstering over and over without keeping track of that trigger.
Click to expand...

Of course you do it mostly at the range. Where else can you actually practice "draw and fire?" Sounds like you're trying to reshape your story a bit to make it sound less goofy. (Of course, you can practice presentations and trigger pulls with an empty gun in the safety of your home.)

If you expected the response you got, that could suggest two likely reasons for this exercise: you were either 1) trolling, or 2) trying to see if you could make converts.

If the first, you were successful; if the second, you were an utter failure.

Either way, I'm not playing any more.
 
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