Pastor's Daughter Accidentally Shot at Church Dies

[Lasher]

170. I was trained by the Army to use a Model 1911 .45 caliber semi-automatic.

I like the gun and qualified as expert. I now have one that's the same model government-issue handgun. It is my primary home defense weapon.

In the Army our standard method of carry was Condition Three (chamber empty, full magazine in place, hammer down). A combat situation is different. There you would be in Condition One (A round chambered, full magazine in place, hammer cocked, safety on). Noise is an issue, you see. Then you would turn the safety off if you were to engage an enemy. I was never in a combat situation though.

I usually release my safety with my left hand (I am right handed). I have found this method to be more reliable, particularly in a stressful situation. And with the safety inadvertently left on, Mr. Gun cannot be your advocate. But I'll admit, I have sometimes released the safety with the gun hand.

I am concerned about your one-handed scenario. While it is possible one-handed shooting might be appropriate, the two-handed Weaver Stance is used by all competent shooters I know. To facilitate this, I normally ask a friend to hold my beer while I'm shooting. I encourage you to use the Weaver Stance if at all possible, and it almost always is. And for the love of God, please tell me you don't hold your gun sideways and shoot one-handed 'gangsta' style.