February 1st, 2024
7minute read
What are the 1911 carry conditions?
He later supplemented it with a fifth.
Coopers terminology has become virtually standard, and it applies to every other bang out of semi-automatic pistol.
A 1911 pistol like the new Springfield Armory TRP is excellent for personal defense. Do you know what carry condition you should choose for it?
This became known as cocked and locked.
Condition Twodescribed a loaded magazine in the pistol, live round in the chamber, but the hammer lowered.
Condition Threesaw the loaded magazine in place but the hammer down on anemptychamber.
In Condition 1 carry, this Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 1911A1 .45 has a full magazine in place, live round in chamber, hammer cocked, thumb safety “locked” in the on-safe position. Image: Gail Pepin
Condition Fourmeant a pistol completely unloaded, with a full magazine hopefully somewhat readily at hand.
Lets examine each method, in the order presented above.
What Is Condition One?
On the draw, the thumb of the firing hand is placed just above the thumb safety lever.
Anotherhugeadvantage of cocked and locked carry is its proprietary nature to the user.
What Is Condition Two?
This TRP is shown in Condition 1 with the hammer back and safety engaged. Cocked and locked is often considered the best way for most people to carry a 1911 for self-defense.
If youve been carrying hammer down, the hammer became cocked because you thought youd have to shoot.
A self-defense shooting is likely to trigger fight or flight response, in which adrenaline courses through the body.
Thats true if even at that point both hands are free to perform the procedure.
In Condition 2, the pistol’s hammer is down on a live round in chamber with a full magazine in place. It is not recommended by the author for single-action autos such as 1911. Image: Gail Pepin
What Is Condition Three Carry?
Indeed, Israeli carry is a synonym for Condition Three.
There is not a single domestic law enforcement agency I know of in the U.S. that carries Condition Three.
The author demonstrates how the shooter has to break his hold to thumb-cock a 1911 from Condition 2. It is slow, awkward, fumble-prone and not recommended by the author. Image: Gail Pepin
This should tell us something.
The best advice is to trade into a pistol that is drop-safe.
What Is Condition Four?
Lowering the hammer on a live round is dangerous, awkward and fumble-prone with single-action autos. It can lead to negligent discharges, and it is therefore not recommended. Image: Gail Pepin
Condition Four is when the gun is completely unloaded, with a full magazine hopefully in readiness nearby.
Adulthood took me to another location or two where the rule was the same.
In my opinion, Condition Four is NOT RECOMMENDED UNLESS NECESSITATED BY LOCAL LAW.
In Condition 3, the 1911 chamber is empty with full magazine in place. The slide will have to be racked before the pistol can be fired. Image: Gail Pepin
In this case Condition Four is a whole lot better than Condition Helpless with your gun left at home.
NO genuine expert will tell you that carrying a loaded 1911 that way is safe.
The 1911 remains an excellent defensive handgun.
In Condition Four, the pistol is completely unloaded with a full magazine readily available. Image: Gail Pepin
Those uncomfortable carrying a pistol with its hammer back have many other handgun designs to choose from.
And yes, itisthat simple.
Go to forum thread
1911Series
Shown above is carry condition 0 with a fully loaded magazine, a round in the chamber, the hammer cocked and safety off. The author doesnot recommendcarrying in this way. Image: Gail Pepin
