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darkangel07760
MemberPosts: 182 Member
ambi safety on a handgun
darkangel07760
MemberPosts: 182 Member
Yay! I finally got my permit to purchase my first handgun. being a lefty, I was trying to look up pistols with an ambi safety. I did some research online and fired a few, and I am looking for a full metal frame 9mm in a full size or compact.
I love the Sig 226, but the particular one I am interested in does not have an ambi safety. The ones I fired didn't either, and it didn't seem to be a huge issue, but I tried searching around onli e for some ideas and I am not knowledgeable enough to know if the handguns I was reading about were polymer or metal. Some I know are polymer, like the Glock of course.
What ambi metal frames do you folks recommend?
Thanks!
I love the Sig 226, but the particular one I am interested in does not have an ambi safety. The ones I fired didn't either, and it didn't seem to be a huge issue, but I tried searching around onli e for some ideas and I am not knowledgeable enough to know if the handguns I was reading about were polymer or metal. Some I know are polymer, like the Glock of course.
What ambi metal frames do you folks recommend?
Thanks!
Replies
No safety
Revolver
No safety
Just something to keep in mind. The pistol guys will steer you better, Im notta ambi safety user.
AKA: Former Founding Member
Only issue I found was you cannot unload the chamber without the grip safety depressed, not a big deal because the trigger safety is still working..
i was thinking about the 226, since i am getting a double action. i am not worried about whether or not i have a safety, though i was thinking for my 1st handgun it might be a good idea. that is why i was thinking about a DA because that might be enough for me. is anyone here a lefty that can provide some feedback on using a right side safety?
I am left handed (sort of). I have used pistols with a right hand safety. I just don't use it when shooting at a range. Load, shoot, pull magazine, clear....... Religiously keep it pointed down range at all times.
AKA: Former Founding Member
- George Orwell
Polymer with no safety (separate from maybe one on the trigger) at all, with a uniform trigger pull on first and subsequent shots seems to be the current rage. Glock, Springfield XD, S&W M&P, Sig P320, the new Ruger, Remington, and HK options, etc...
The aluminum frame "children of the '80's" with a DA first shot SA for subsequent shots (Sig 220 series, Beretta 92, S&W 59 descendants, Ruger P89/90/91) seem to be going away They don't offer any real durability advantage over polymer; they cost more to make; two trigger pulls to sort out under stress is regarded by many as a negative - and they and many of the polymer variants of this family (Ruger P95/97) are tapering away because of it. The polymer HK USP family hangs on because it's trigger system can be formatted to allow a DA or SA first shot, or for DA only, which gives the operator consistency.
Then you've got all-steel for those of us who like or insist on it. More expensive to make, so therefore the options are more limited. These will mainly be the SA-only 1911 and Browning Hi Power, whose histories speak for themselves and the excellent CZ-75 family, which is originally set for DA or SA first shot with no decocker, and can be had in SAO, or DA/SA/decocker models. Current versions of these can all be had with at least some ambidextrous controls.
What are your concerns regarding either features or materials?
"Nothing is safe from stupid." - Zee
https://www.classicfirearms.com/cz-82-pistols
The CZ-82 is a Czechoslovakian military surplus pistol chambered for the 9X18 cartridge- - - -halfway bewtween a .380 and a 9MM Luger. It has a double-stack magazine and an ambi safety, and can be stored or carried safely with the hammer down on a chambered round and the safety disengaged. It can also be carried "cocked and locked", hammer back and the safety on, your choice. The first round from the hammer down position is double action- - - -"point and click". I've got one, and it's a good shooter, accurate, with a pretty decent trigger pull either single or double action. The price is right, too!
Jerry
Has no safety- it is carried de-docked
Wonderful metal alloy frame with steel slide and 14+1 capacity
Easy peasy to carry
I have seen quite a few recommendations for the CZ. I will take a look at it, I didn't check those out the last time I was at my gun shop. The Sig feels the best in my hand so far, and the sights were awesome.
Having a long hard double action pull does negate having to use the safety, but so does keeping one's finger off the trigger.
Some 1911's come with ambi safeties already installed, but one must remember to disengage the safety under extreme duress when the need is immediate.
Most S&Ws I've seen can be ordered with an Ambi Safety. My old Model 469 was made with both ambi and right handed. Mine's a straight right hand safety. But that pistol needs a big hand to hold it. It's got a double wide magazine in the grip. I don't think they make em anymore either. But if you don't mind a fat grip, it would be the ticket for you. I think you can have a right hand version switched to the left side. Or you can buy an ambi part and have it installed. And it's pretty accurate for a 2 inch barrel. You can probably find one used for under $300.
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
If you aren't going to conceal carry, a 1911 is impossible to beat. The 1911s design is over 100 years old and I can't think of anything that beats it. If you can adjust to a right hand safety, you will be miles ahead, in my very limited opinion. They just work.
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
The idea of "no safety" is foreign to many folks, but basically a Glock's safety is on the trigger. There are many designs like it, too.
If you're going to just take it to the range, about any pistol or revolver will work fine if you keep your fingers off the trigger. No quality handgun will fire unless you pull the trigger. I THINK my S&W Shield has a thumb safety, but I don't know since I don't use it. Same with my .380 Bodyguard.
A 1911 is a fine handgun but probably not one I'd recommend as a first pistol. It's heavy and recoil can be substantial for a new shooter. Takes training to be safe and while you can get that training through use, the learning curve is fairly steep for new shooters. When I was in the Infantry back in 1911 days, we trained on the 1911 for a couple of days and unintentional discharges weren't entirely uncommon.
here are several great 1911s on the market with ambi safeties, RIA, Kimber, colt, Ruger, Remington, I could go on. I guess you get the idea
that I am a 1911 man. I carry a 9MM Hi Cap 1911, and recoil is not bad
but, my back up carry is an R51 Remington. All steel guns. I like steel, not plastic. If you run out of ammo, you can beat the
thug over the head with a steel gun. :<}
Blackie
A 1911 in 9MM is a fine first firearm, and the recoil is not bad. I carry a 9MM 1911 Hi Cap and the recoil is not bad at all.
Blackie
In IPSC and IDPA competition, one is occasionally called upon to shoot a stage "weak handed" and the ambidextrous controls facilitate that. My significant other is left handed and I wanted her to have a firearm that she can control easily. She didn't have the benefit of nuns beating her to force her to become right handed as you likely did.