"Locked and Cocked" is not ok with Mike!

[jl1966]

Adam,
I think the solution is for your buddy to get another type of weapon, be it a revolver or semi auto of a different type. I have been carrying for some years, and investigated the 1911 platform, owned a few. It was not for me. I carry a Glock 19, no more or less safe than a 1911. Any gun is unsafe if the correct level of training is not attained, and if that level is not also maintained through practice. I attend a few training courses a year, both rifle and handgun, as well as shooting competitively at least once or twice each month. I see all kinds of errors, no matter what type of gun is used. Being military or law enforcement is no gaurantee of competency. A lot of military are given only a basic understanding of the manual of arms pertaining to the weapon they are issued. Cops often tend to shoot only when they need to qualify, which mystifies me, as I would think they would train more simply because of the nature of their job. According to Massad Ayoob the 1911 was designed for military use, in a combat situation. The scenario is: a soldier in a combat situation, an attack is eminent, the weapon is made ready, safety applied, hostile forces present themselves, the safety is removed and everyone not wearing the same uniform as the user is a target. Although the gun is pressed into service for many other uses in military service, this is its primary purpose. It was not designed with the idea of holding an attacker at gunpoint while calling for help, being carried day in day out in populated non hostile situations and so forth. This is not said to down those who carry the 1911, that is your choice, and it is a fine weapon, just not one to be considered by the inexperienced, or poorly trained.