Manual safety or de-cocker

[Jimma]

I am looking at a 75D PCR or a 75B compact for my wife for conceal carry. I want a gun that she can chamber a round and when needed be able to fire as double action and also be able to manually cock the hammer and fire single action. Which would be better safety wise for her to have and allow her to fire as SA or DA: the manual safety or the de-cocker?

[SoCal]

I'm a fan of safeties but what you describe (if I understand correctly) sounds like you need the decocker.  With the safety model you must pull the trigger while holding the hammer and then easy the hammer forward, doable but not as easy as the de-cocker.  Just my opinion!

[Tanners Owner]

I prefer the decoker over the safety. Simpler to employ IMHO.

[IFFV68]

I also prefer the D-Cocker.

One less step to remember if it happens.
I'm down to one Striker Fired. It's a H&K VP9. H&K's are great Handguns.

[cntrydawwwg]

OP, welcome to the forum.
   Without knowing background such as how much experience with firearms your wife has, I would recommend the decocker. That being said, with practice, either one is safe. FWIW, if your able to find either in person, I'd let her decide. After all she's the one shooting it. [emoji6]

[Bret]

I want a gun that she can chamber a round and when needed be able to fire as double action and also be able to manually cock the hammer and fire single action.

Based on the way you describe it, I agree with everyone else that the decocker model would fit your requirements best.  However, I have to ask.  Why do you want her to be able to fire it as double action?  Double action pulls are often hard for women.  When she chambers a round, the pistol will be in single action mode.  If she pulls the trigger and the hammer falls with no resulting bang, she can then pull the trigger again in double action mode. 

The way I look at it, you have three options:
1) Manual safety with single action pull on every shot (unless it fails to fire in which case you have a double action pull).
2) No manual safety with double action first pull and every shot after that single action (with the same caveat above).
3) No manual safety and single action pull on every shot.

If you want (1), get the manual safety model.  If you want (2), get the decocker model.  If you want (3), then you'll have to buy something other than a 75.

[Moondancer]

Take this as advice from someone with 40 years experience with revolvers and 20 years experience with single-action pistols (1911s) and until a month ago, no experience with owning a DA/SA pistol.

I had reached a point where I decided it would behoove me to own a double-stack 9mm.  It's important to me (vain, I know) that the weapon actually look good, so no Glocks were under consideration.  With my decades long experience with 1911s, I was sure the 75B Compact with a safety was the gun for me.  Cocked and Locked carry was going to be my method so as to keep the same actions that I am used to with the 1911s, you understand.

Then I actually got my hands on one.  Background: I have wide, stubby hands.  Short fingers if you will.  Small gloves fit correctly for length, but most do not allow me to even get them on due to width issues.  So, the reach to the safety was just too far to be comfortable.  I actually had to release my firing grip and reposition to reach the safety.  This is NOT optimal. 

So, next to the 75B Compact sat a P-01, which as you probably know, is a decock version.  The decocker sits right at the pad of my thumb, a perfect placement for me.  1/2 hour later, I walked out the door with my first double-stack 9mm ever. 

Long Story Short: have her try both to see which actually fits.  My bet will be she ends up with a decocker version.

[larryflew]

Also keep in mind the compact is all Steel and heavier than alloy PCR but that also means a little less recoil if she doesn't mind the weight.

[Bret]

And also keep in mind that both are pretty wide as far as pistols go, but the PCR is a bit wider than the Compact.

[Jimma]

I am still analyzing the models but am leaning toward the 75D PCR compact with the de-cocker. I see the de-cocker as being a better safety for the gun being carried in a purse or on the body. I like the idea of having a chambered round with the hammer down for a safe carry. Does the de-cocker or any thing else prevent the hammer from being manually cocked after having been de-cocked and then fired in SA? I would like for the PCR to be able to be de-cocked and then either manually cocked for SA firing or DA firing by leaving the hammer down. I would like to have that option with the gun. Does the PCR allow for this action.

[Swamp ash]

Does the de-cocker or any thing else prevent the hammer from being manually cocked after having been de-cocked and then fired in SA? I would like for the PCR to be able to be de-cocked and then either manually cocked for SA firing or DA firing by leaving the hammer down. I would like to have that option with the gun. Does the PCR allow for this action.

Yes, it does.  It is a safe and versatile system.

[CZ Aficionado]

Here is a thread from a few months ago on this forum......just some different view points

http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=82775.0

[Smitty79]

Didn't one of those come in Omega trigger?   Get that and try both safety and decocker.

[blackhillsken]

I've got a 75B Omega and it came with the de-cocker installed.  I'm thinking of changing it to the safety.  If I'm missing something here, let me know as it seems to me when de-cocked, the DA pull is just slightly shorter than not de-cocked. Double action de-cocked or not.  What I'm saying is if I install the safety instead, I would then have a safety option cocked as well as the DA pull very close to the pull from a de-cocked position.
Is the benefit of a de-cocker the ability to lower the hammer after a round is chambered without having to do it manually chancing a slip and hammer fall (if you wanted to carry loaded DA)?  That the real benefit ?

[SoCal]

Yes, it blocks the hammer from hitting the firing pin when the hammer is lowered.