Carry Condition which model?

[handk]

I just received my CCW after 3 weeks of waiting.
I started to carry my HK45C on the way to the range.

I started out condition 1 - I carry in an AKER Flatside hip holster, however I noticed that if I hit the holster where the safety is, it then knocks the saftey off.................is this a holster issue?

I then switched to 1 in chamber, decocked, safety on, due to the above issue.(condition 2?)
While at the range I practiced removing the HK from the holster and doing a double tap in this condition, however I couldn't get used to having to deal with the 1st pull, and then having to follow it up with a much lighter pull.(my 1st shot was way high, and my second the timing was off.(so ended up high as well)

So I actually switched to - safety off, empty chamber. (condition 3)
practiced a bunch this way and seemed to work well
Remove from holster
Rack slide
Double tap
my first shot was low, (this got gradually better with more practice) and my second was dead nuts on at 25yrds(~ 8" target)

Just wondering which condition and model people prefer to carry.

[SIGtrarian]

USP9c, V1, condition one, never a problem. I have read of others having the same problem as you. I use a Bianchi M100, size 11, IWB. Though not conventional, you could keep one in the chamber, hammer down, safety off, and thumb the hammer back when ready to shoot.

[Shakey]

I carry my USPf 9mm V1 in condition 1 all the time and have never had an issue with the safety. I use a Matt Del Fatti ISP/LP IWB. Sounds like you have a holster issue. JMHO

[mills11b]

I have the HK45 in V1 and V9. I was weaned on 1911's in condition 1 and have decided to continue that with my HK. Have no problems so far and am thinking of getting rid of my V1 since I don't really use the decock feature anyway.
Just my .02

Bob

[Talon66]

Sounds like a holster issue to me. I use USP40 in a Raven Concealment Systems Phantom holster (molded in Condition One carry) with soft loops IWB in Condition One (cocked & locked). My second option - if I absolutely had to because I was not competent enough - would be Condition Two (hammer down on a loaded chamber). I wouldn't even give Condition Three consideration because in my opinion, it's not practical.

Whatever method you choose, you need to be competent at it. This requires alot of training to build muscle memory (2,000-3,000 repetitions properly executed) so that you deal with the external safety as part of your draw and not a conscious thought.

Can you diagnose why the safety is being "bumped" off while it's in your holster in Condition One?

[Phalanx1]

I use a Rave concealment for condition 1 also. I tried Galco and others but the molded holster is the only one that consistently kept the safety on.

[benderx4]

That's one of the things so sweet about carrying a P7M8. Very safe! Chambered round but no need for a safety and/or decocking lever. That gun isn't "cocked" until you "squeeze" and that only takes a split second. (If, due to pucker factor, you happen to pull the trigger first, before you squeeze, that's okay too! It will still go BANG!) Love this thing!

[kdogg]

HK P2000 .40 caliber V3 SA/DA with a Comp-Tac "The Infidel" holster.

One in the chamber with the hammer decocked. Nothing to fiddle with, all you gotta do is aim and pull the trigger.

[EdMan63]

That's one of the things so sweet about carrying a P7M8. Very safe! Chambered round but no need for a safety and/or decocking lever. That gun isn't "cocked" until you "squeeze" and that only takes a split second. (If, due to pucker factor, you happen to pull the trigger first, before you squeeze, that's okay too! It will still go BANG!) Love this thing!

+100

[orfeo]

Sounds like a holster issue to me. I use USP40 in a Raven Concealment Systems Phantom holster (molded in Condition One carry) with soft loops IWB in Condition One (cocked & locked). My second option - if I absolutely had to because I was not competent enough - would be Condition Two (hammer down on a loaded chamber). I wouldn't even give Condition Three consideration because in my opinion, it's not practical.

Whatever method you choose, you need to be competent at it. This requires alot of training to build muscle memory (2,000-3,000 repetitions properly executed) so that you deal with the external safety as part of your draw and not a conscious thought.

Can you diagnose why the safety is being "bumped" off while it's in your holster in Condition One?

Plus 1 :)

Holster issue!

[bushmasta]

round in the chamber, safety off, the only way to carry for self defense. When you need it, you will need it quick, no fumbling w/ safety. just like LE, its fast and keep your finger off the trigger until ready to do damage.

[jondoe297]

I carry condition two, in a Blackhawk Serpa holster.

[AWD]

I just received my CCW after 3 weeks of waiting.

First, I would just like to say (as I am on my fourth month of waiting for my CCW) that I hate you! :D

I have Variant 1 HK's and could carry in Condition 1, but I like the DA and would prefer Condition 2, not having to fumble with the safety. Just my $0.02

AWD

[Talon66]

... would prefer Condition 2, not having to fumble with the safety. Just my $0.02

AWD

If you find yourself "fumbling" with the safety, you're making a wise decision to carry in Condition 2.

[Detroit Defender]

I carry my USPc 357sig chambered, decocked, safety on in a Galco Sky-ops. I have practiced ALOT with the tough DA pull followed by SA followups and have gotten pretty good with it. (takes time and patience) If you find yorself "fumbling" with the safety, train more on your draw or dont use it! Maybe you should consider the LEM trigger.

I wouldnt carry empty chamber, that extra time to rack the slide could be the one second you needed to survive! Whatever you decide, train at the range, then train at home, then train some more. If you ever need to use your weapon the time you put in training will make the difference.

[HKONBOARD]

I would never carry anything but condition one. You might as well stick a paper weight in your holster.

Do a search for 21 feet rule. It discusses how an attacker with a knife can cover 21 feet within 1.5 seconds. You DO NOT have time to chamber a round.

[AWD]

If you find yourself "fumbling" with the safety, you're making a wise decision to carry in Condition 2.

Just a figure of speech... perhaps I should have said that I prefer not having to disengage the safety if, God forbid, I need the handgun in a hurry. Point and shoot so to speak. I know that I am not alone in this preference.

Were you actually giving advice, or being condescending?

AWD

[AWD]

I carry my USPc 357sig chambered, decocked, safety on in a Galco Sky-ops. I have practiced ALOT with the tough DA pull followed by SA followups and have gotten pretty good with it. (takes time and patience) If you find yorself "fumbling" with the safety, train more on your draw or dont use it! Maybe you should consider the LEM trigger.

I wouldnt carry empty chamber, that extra time to rack the slide could be the one second you needed to survive! Whatever you decide, train at the range, then train at home, then train some more. If you ever need to use your weapon the time you put in training will make the difference.

Detroit, question for you. If you are carrying decocked, why do you prefer the safety engaged?

Also, I have never fired a LEM so I do not know if I would like that, but judging from this forum it is great. Both of my HK's are V1 as is the majority that are for sale around here... I take what I can get.

Thanks
AWD

[H&K 4 LIFE]

I carry my USPc 357sig chambered, decocked, safety on in a Galco Sky-ops. I have practiced ALOT with the tough DA pull followed by SA followups and have gotten pretty good with it. (takes time and patience) If you find yorself "fumbling" with the safety, train more on your draw or dont use it! Maybe you should consider the LEM trigger.

I wouldnt carry empty chamber, that extra time to rack the slide could be the one second you needed to survive! Whatever you decide, train at the range, then train at home, then train some more. If you ever need to use your weapon the time you put in training will make the difference.

+1 to all of this.

[Phalanx1]

I carry cocked and locked. Like anything else, if you train to take the safety off as you draw it will be second nature and you will not lose any time getting the shot off. The problem is.....nobody wants to really train drawing the weapon, they only want to practice shooting. Get some snap caps and do drawing drills. You won't regret it no matter what condition you carry it in.

[Dark Helmet]

I carry cocked and locked. Like anything else, if you train to take the safety off as you draw it will be second nature and you will not lose any time getting the shot off. The problem is.....nobody wants to really train drawing the weapon, they only want to practice shooting. Get some snap caps and do drawing drills. You won't regret it no matter what condition you carry it in.

good advice here...

[Acecool]

The P8 was so much easier when drawing to flip the safety off, because when you grip the gun right, it flips off automatically.. They drilled that into us in the military!

[Talon66]

Were you actually giving advice, or being condescending?

AWD

I was doing both. Why would one attempt to carry their weapon in a condition that they themselves were not confident with? The Tueller Drill (21 feet in less than 1.5 seconds) is an eye opener for someone that thinks they can draw, rack the slide and accurately place a round into their assailant before getting mortally cut (knife wielding attacker).

I'm praising you for knowing your limitations and choosing a mode of carry that will be safe for you. If you are unable, after spending much time and diligent practice toward presenting the gun from Condition One, to deliver accurate effective fire, then you should opt for Condition Two. I'm simply stating that it doesn't matter what I'm capable of doing. It's only important what you can do when the proverbial fit hits the shan.

I'm seriously considering purchasing a P30L and have accepted the fact that I won't be able to carry it in Condition One but I will commit myself to learning to present it from Condition Two.

[Detroit Defender]

Detroit, question for you. If you are carrying decocked, why do you prefer the safety engaged?

Also, I have never fired a LEM so I do not know if I would like that, but judging from this forum it is great. Both of my HK's are V1 as is the majority that are for sale around here... I take what I can get.

Thanks
AWD

I know that many say "my safety is between my ears" but I am just one of those people who feels like the safer the better. The safety lever is the main reason I carry a USPc instead of a p2000 oe p2000sk. I'm just more comfortable with it, that being said, with the DA/SA trigger on a USP the DA pull is so heavy I can rest my finger on the trigger without worrying about discharging accidently so I could carry witout the safety engaged but I have trained so much with drawing and flipping the lever off during presentation it has become second nature.