FireBirdDS
Expert
I would like to hear a discussion and input from you folks on INGO who own and operate Berettas as your choice for your concealed carry platform. The 92fs and PX4 series appear to follow the same design philosophy with the overall shape of the slide, double action trigger and safety switch function. I would like to hear discussion and input regarding preferred carry methods for the two platforms:
· Condition 1: Chamber loaded, hammer cocked, safety off
· Condition 2: Chamber loaded, hammer uncocked by safety on
· Condition 3: Chamber empty, magazine loaded, safety off
· Condition 4: Chamber empty, magazine loaded, safety on
Condition 1 is obviously the preferred method for speed and accuracy. It allows going from holster to rounds on target with a lighter trigger pull for first shot accuracy, but with increased risk of an accidental discharge, is it safe enough to carry?
Condition 2 is safer and almost as ready. The double action will have more pounds to break leading to a possible decrease in overall first shot accuracy. A single step of disengaging the safety to ready the weapon, but can it be done intuitively in high-stress active shooter situations when fine motor skills are wiped out? (and they will be)
This is especially a concern with the PX4 safety switch as it is smoother and flatter than the 92fs safety switch. The 92fs safety switch is far easier to single-handedly disengage.
Condition 3 is equally safer, again requiring only a single step to ready the weapon for action. Also it affords a lighter initial trigger pull for increased first shot accuracy. Regular training needed to program one’s self to automatically rack the slide upon drawing from the holster, and is less of a fine motor skill as having to disengage the safety switch.
Condition 4 is obviously the “safest” as far as being as far away from an accidental discharge as possible, but requires two steps to ready the weapon in that the safety must first be disengaged and then the slide racked. Either one of which could be easily forgotten under high stress unless one trains with this carry condition RELIGIOUSLY!
The slide on both the 92fs and PX4 do not quite have as much side surface area as other platforms (1911, XD/XDM, Glock, M&P, etc.). There is a significant slope on the sides leaving only about 1/4-3/8” wide of any textured grooves in which to grab. This is further complicated by the presence of the safety switch on the rear thus cluttering the rear of the slide. During a slide racking action under stress such as readying the weapon from condition 3 or 4 or clearing a type 1 or 2 malfunction I could easily see the safety switch being inadvertently manipulated. There are basically 2 methods of racking the slide:
· Grabbing the rear of the slide between the thumb and index finger (the harder of the two without a strong thumb and index)
· Top overhand, grabbing the slide with the palm and most or all of the fingers . (my preferred method with my XD by far as it guarantees no finger slippage under stress and is the most “cave man” action under stress)
The top overhand method could avoid unwanted manipulation of the safety by grabbing the front of the slide, however at the risk of blocking the ejector port when clearing a malfunction.
How do you train with this platform to overcome these possible issues? Or are they even issues at all? (to those with experience)
· Condition 1: Chamber loaded, hammer cocked, safety off
· Condition 2: Chamber loaded, hammer uncocked by safety on
· Condition 3: Chamber empty, magazine loaded, safety off
· Condition 4: Chamber empty, magazine loaded, safety on
Condition 1 is obviously the preferred method for speed and accuracy. It allows going from holster to rounds on target with a lighter trigger pull for first shot accuracy, but with increased risk of an accidental discharge, is it safe enough to carry?
Condition 2 is safer and almost as ready. The double action will have more pounds to break leading to a possible decrease in overall first shot accuracy. A single step of disengaging the safety to ready the weapon, but can it be done intuitively in high-stress active shooter situations when fine motor skills are wiped out? (and they will be)
This is especially a concern with the PX4 safety switch as it is smoother and flatter than the 92fs safety switch. The 92fs safety switch is far easier to single-handedly disengage.
Condition 3 is equally safer, again requiring only a single step to ready the weapon for action. Also it affords a lighter initial trigger pull for increased first shot accuracy. Regular training needed to program one’s self to automatically rack the slide upon drawing from the holster, and is less of a fine motor skill as having to disengage the safety switch.
Condition 4 is obviously the “safest” as far as being as far away from an accidental discharge as possible, but requires two steps to ready the weapon in that the safety must first be disengaged and then the slide racked. Either one of which could be easily forgotten under high stress unless one trains with this carry condition RELIGIOUSLY!
The slide on both the 92fs and PX4 do not quite have as much side surface area as other platforms (1911, XD/XDM, Glock, M&P, etc.). There is a significant slope on the sides leaving only about 1/4-3/8” wide of any textured grooves in which to grab. This is further complicated by the presence of the safety switch on the rear thus cluttering the rear of the slide. During a slide racking action under stress such as readying the weapon from condition 3 or 4 or clearing a type 1 or 2 malfunction I could easily see the safety switch being inadvertently manipulated. There are basically 2 methods of racking the slide:
· Grabbing the rear of the slide between the thumb and index finger (the harder of the two without a strong thumb and index)
· Top overhand, grabbing the slide with the palm and most or all of the fingers . (my preferred method with my XD by far as it guarantees no finger slippage under stress and is the most “cave man” action under stress)
The top overhand method could avoid unwanted manipulation of the safety by grabbing the front of the slide, however at the risk of blocking the ejector port when clearing a malfunction.
How do you train with this platform to overcome these possible issues? Or are they even issues at all? (to those with experience)