Let me begin with a disclaimer: I have long been a fan of striker-fired pistols, particularly the Glock series equipped with a trigger-safety lever, also known as a “drop safety.” During my time as a deputy and later as police academy commander and lead firearms instructor at Columbus State Community College, I specified and carried models like the Glock 31 and Glock 19. I’ve been certified multiple times as a Glock factory armorer and still own a Glock 17 and Glock 27. But when it comes to split-second decision-making under pressure, especially in a manual safety pistol self-defense scenario, my thinking has evolved.
I’m not suggesting that striker-fired pistols with trigger safeties are unsafe. In fact, I specified and carried models like the Glock 31 and Glock 19 for years, and I still own several today. My perspective has simply evolved, especially for those new to concealed carry or reassessing their defensive handgun choice.
Why I Switched to Manual Safeties After Decades of Carrying
As you grow older and gain experience, your perception of risk changes. You start to sense how a particular course of action might result in unintended consequences. With over 40 years as a law enforcement officer, SWAT team member, firearms instructor and author, I’ve developed a more cautious approach to handgun use.
That caution led me to favor handguns that include a manual safety as part of their operation. Over the last 15 years, I’ve transitioned away from carrying pistols without manual safeties in favor of those that offer additional safety mechanisms — sometimes even redundant ones.
A Breakdown of Manual Safeties on Semi-Automatic Pistols
Before Glock revolutionized the market in the mid-1980s, nearly every semi-automatic pistol in common use came equipped with a manual safety. Today, you’ll still find a variety of handgun safety mechanisms — either built into the pistol or available as add-ons — though Glock pistols remain an exception.
Several types of manual safeties are commonly used in semi-automatic pistols, each offering its own method of operation and benefits.
1911-Style Thumb Safeties: Cocked, Locked and Proven
First used on John Moses Browning’s superb 1911 “Colt .45 Automatic” semi-automatic pistol, the slide- and hammer-locking thumb safety is almost always referred to as a “1911” type safety. In its original format, this manually operated safety is located on the left side of the pistol frame. Some of today’s updated 1911s, such as the Girsan Brat 2311 I recently tested, feature ambidextrous thumb safeties.
The original 1911 thumb safety functions by locking the hammer in the cocked position and cannot be applied when the hammer is down. As a result, traditional 1911 pistols are safely carried “cocked and locked.” The safety is then swept off just before firing.
True 1911s are also equipped with a grip safety, which must be depressed by a firm shooting grip to allow the gun to fire — even if the thumb safety is off. Other pistols, such as the Springfield Armory SA-35 and the original Browning P-35 Hi Power, rely solely on a thumb safety. I feel equally confident carrying either design.
There are also 1911-style thumb safety systems available as options on modern pistols like the Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Compact, which comes standard with an articulating trigger safety. Unlike traditional 1911 designs, this thumb safety can be engaged whether the pistol is cocked or uncocked, since it does not lock the slide as part of its operation.
I own one of these M&Ps and appreciate the extra layer of firearms safety it provides. One practical advantage of this design is that it allows users to safely chamber and clear live rounds while the thumb safety is engaged — a task that’s not possible with pistols like the 1911 or SA-35, where the thumb safety also locks the slide and hammer. For those seeking adaptable handgun safety mechanisms, this setup offers valuable flexibility.
Decocker/Safety Levers: Safe and Proven Double-Action Control
The ingenious decocker/safety lever was popularized by the Walther PP/PPK/PPKs series —exposed hammer double-action/single-action pistols that are still in production today. This combination device serves as a manual safety when the lever is in the “safety on” position, preventing the pistol from firing.
When the safety is switched to “off,” the pistol is ready to fire. In double-action/single-action pistols like the PPK, the first shot is typically fired in double-action mode with the hammer down. As the slide cycles, it cocks the hammer for lighter single-action trigger pulls on subsequent shots. (Learn more in this overview of single-action and double-action pistols.)
Pushing the lever into the “on” position safely drops the hammer onto a live cartridge, allowing the shooter to return to double-action mode without manually lowering the hammer.
One of the key benefits of this type of handgun safety mechanism is that the firearm can be safely charged and cleared with the safety engaged, reducing risk during routine loading and unloading. Smith & Wesson adopted this system in the 1980s for its well-regarded series of stainless steel double-action/single-action semi-automatic pistols.
My department-issued Smith & Wesson 4506 was one such pistol. But it was Beretta that truly brought the decocker/safety lever into the spotlight with the Beretta 92 Series. This model became a standard issue for law enforcement agencies across the U.S., including the Los Angeles Police Department.
Decocker-Only Levers: Streamlining Firearms Safety
The decocker-only lever — while not technically a manual safety — significantly enhances the safe operation of many double-action/single-action pistols. I first encountered it on the still-in-production SIG Sauer P220.
When firing the P220, the first round is discharged in double-action mode. As the slide cycles, it cocks the exposed hammer for subsequent single-action shots with a lighter trigger pull. Once the shooting stops, the hammer can be safely lowered back into double-action mode on either a loaded or unloaded pistol by simply pushing down the decocker lever.
This feature eliminates the need for a more manual and risk-prone method — holding the hammer with the support-hand thumb while pulling the trigger and easing it down gently, as one must do with a standard 1911 or double-action revolver. As a handgun safety mechanism, the decocker-only lever offers a more intuitive and consistent method for enhancing firearm safety in both training and real-world scenarios.
The system proved popular enough that Smith & Wesson incorporated its own version into select stainless steel models, replacing the original safety/decocker combination lever used in earlier pistols.
The Hidden Advantage of Manual Safeties in Self-Defense
There’s a benefit to the manual safety that’s easy to overlook — unless you’ve stood in the kind of high-risk situation where you’re aiming a handgun at another human being while trying to maintain control. In that critical moment, the manual safety can introduce a deliberate pause. It forces you to think for one last split second before making the decision to fire. That moment of reflection can be a life-saving part of responsible firearms safety and a powerful tool in ensuring any action you take qualifies as justifiable self-defense.
A Life-Saving Moment of Hesitation
When I carried my .45 Star PD compact — a pistol that featured a superb thumb safety, both prominent and positive in operation — I often found myself covering potentially dangerous suspects with my thumb resting on the safety and my trigger finger positioned alongside the trigger. That setup gave me two deliberate steps before firing. Decision one: disengage the safety. Decision two: press the trigger.
Even though the total time was measured in split seconds, that extra layer of intentionality felt significant. The thumb safety gave me a crucial “Are you really sure?” moment before any irreversible action. I felt confident that I could still respond quickly if needed, but with the added control that comes from a deliberate defensive handgun choice. Thankfully, I’ve never had to fire the Star — or any other pistol — in such a situation.
Trigger Discipline, Training and the Cost of Rushing
During the same era when double-action revolvers and semi-automatic pistols were standard issue in law enforcement, it was common to cover suspects with our fingers already on the trigger — not resting on the frame. The heavy 10 to 12 pound trigger pull served as a built-in buffer, slowing the firing process while still allowing us to stay ready.
That’s why I would never place my finger on the trigger of a handgun lacking either a manual safety or a trigger pull heavy enough to force a deliberate decision. One incident during my time working undercover for the Department of Liquor Control still stands out.
After checking a large bar one night, my team was returning to our vehicles when the manager ran out to warn us about two men who had threatened to come back and shoot up the place. As one of them passed in front of our car, I dropped behind the passenger door, issued commands and covered him with my .380 Walther PPKs. I clicked the safety off and placed my finger on the edge of the double-action trigger — ready, but not drawing it back.
Suddenly, he reached behind his back and pulled out a black object. My finger tightened. But I had cover, training and confidence. I waited.
He was holding his wallet.
He resisted arrest but went to jail — alive. Had I been using a modern pistol without a manual safety or had my finger off-frame, I might have felt the need to rush that movement into firing position. That moment of hesitation — backed by training and thoughtful firearms safety — made all the difference. It turned what could have been a life-altering tragedy into a resolved threat without gunfire.
Why My Nightstand Gun Has a Manual Safety
I keep my Beretta 92, equipped with Crimson Trace Lasergrips, as my dedicated nightstand gun. I leave the safety engaged so that, if I’m jolted awake during a disturbance, I have a moment to collect my thoughts without risking harm to loved ones.
Once I’m up and begin clearing the house, I flip the safety off. At that point, I’m supported by the Beretta 92’s 10+ pound double-action first shot trigger pull, which still gives me that critical split second of assessment before firing. In the broader context of home defense and self-defense preparedness, it’s a balance of readiness and firearms safety.
Traveling? Choose the Right Manual Safety for the Mission
When traveling, I sometimes opt for something more compact and less penetrative — such as my Girsan MC14T X Solution, a 13+1-shot .380. It’s a practical and versatile defensive handgun choice, especially in environments where over-penetration is a concern.
Manual Safeties: Confidence, Control and Commitment
I feel far more confident carrying and operating a pistol equipped with a manual safety. In today’s environment — where lawful gun owners who have clearly acted in justifiable self-defense sometimes find themselves facing prosecution — it makes sense to do everything possible to support sound decision-making under stress.
If there’s a tool or feature that helps improve your ability to pause and assess before pulling the trigger — without compromising your safety or that of your loved ones — it’s worth serious consideration. After all, no responsible gun owner wants to ever be forced to shoot another human being.
If you choose a handgun with a manual safety as your primary defense tool, make sure to train with it regularly, including dry-fire practice you can safely do at home. In a real encounter, confidence and skill — not just the gun — win the fight.
Ready to Train With Confidence?
Carrying a manual safety pistol requires consistent, focused training. Build your skills, judgment and muscle memory with expert-led instruction. Explore USCCA concealed carry classes near you and take the next step in responsible gun ownership.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is a manual safety on a pistol?
A manual safety on a handgun provides an added layer of protection, giving the user a split-second decision-making buffer before firing. It helps prevent unintentional discharges and reinforces safe firearms handling, especially in high-stress self-defense scenarios or while carrying concealed.
Is it better to have a manual safety on your carry gun?
That depends on the individual’s training, preferences and comfort level. A manual safety can provide an added layer of control and encourage deliberate action under stress. While some shooters prefer the simplicity of striker-fired pistols without a safety, others value the pause and protection that a manual safety offers. The most important factor is choosing a firearm that supports confident and consistent performance under pressure.
What are some handguns that do — and do not — have a manual safety?
Some handguns with manual safeties include the 1911, Beretta 92, Springfield Armory SA-35, Browning P-35 Hi Power and the Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Compact (thumb-safety model).
The Glock series is an example of a pistol without a manual safety, relying instead on a trigger-based safety mechanism.
