How do you CCW folks practice?

[Adam Helmer]

Contenderizer,

You are correct in your definition of "Locked & Cocked." Many folks are not confortable with that mode of carry. I usually carry my 1911 chamber empty and cycle the slide to charge the piece if I think there will be a need to employ the piece in the immediate future. I put the thumb safety on and go about my business. There are thumb break holsters that have the retaining strap go over the rear of the slide and it is between the firing pin and cocked hammer. Those holsters give peace of mind to some folks.

The half-cock notch on the Colt 1911 hammer is not a safety. In that mode you cannot engage the thumb safety and if you drop the pistol on the hammer, you could break off the sear tip and the gun could fire.

I have know folks to carry the 1911 chamber loaded and hammer down on the live round. It works because the 1911 has an inertial firing pin and is shorter than the distance from hammer face to primer. To employ the gun, they cock the hammer and shoot. Again, do not drop the gun on the hammer because the gun could fire, if you use this mode of carry. Also, watch the muzzle when you let the hammer all the way down on a chambered round!

Adam