Hiya plus one on all the posts, conversation about safety should keep this thread actively alive a long time. I consider myself a novice, 18 months into gun ownership. I've taken a number of courses, private lessons, and believed I operate as safe as possible, until reading this thread. My excuse, rather rationalization for not firing till the slide locks empty is that it will extend the life of the frame. So typically count rounds shot and empty the mag, and replace with another full mag. When its time to reload mags, there is one in the chamber and I decock or apply manual safety, and its on the bench till I start shooting again. If I need to leave the bench I'll lock the slide open and take the round out, and when done will lock slides open as they return to the case. Making the point about gettin distracted while one is in the pipe, on the bench made me think bout the amount of youngsters that are at my local range, and what could happen in a minute or two.
A smith and instructor, reminded me what could happen if I continued with my habit of cocking with my thumb ie. if I slipped, what direction the slide would take and the likely effect on said thumb, same goes for returning the hammer with just a thumb on a loaded chamber. Thanks for the link for the plastic barrel things, and to the thread....be well
