[Kodadek]

Well heck, how do you feel about taking it off safe at the range?

 

[Kodadek]

This is a valid point Kodadek.

For me, in my own circumstances, there is a difference. On the range, I thumb the safety down only when ready to shoot ... I'm already aligned with a downrange target.

But if I'm preparing to unload a chambered round at home, I'm facing an entirely different situation; one in which any discharge would be in violation of law (not to mention the safety risks of firing a 45acp round in a residential area).

Naturally, I point the 1911 in the safest possible direction (typically towards the full length of a mattress) ... and first and foremost, I almost never disengage a Condition One 1911 to begin with. But it is a different situation at home versus immediately prior to firing on a range.

But for people in remote rural areas, there's probably not much difference.

Well, I promise you after taking 1911s off of safe to unload more than once I have NEVER had the hammer fall. The thumb safety keeps the hammer from falling by blocking the sear, not the hammer. Really, tear her apart and look. Unless you've really, really shot a lot and have a worn out sear, you or someone else unfamiliar with it modified the sear in some way, or you have a faulty sear it's pretty much a non-issue.

Could it go off? As in some freak of nature thing? A butterfly flaps its wings in fresno and a safety device fails? Yeah, sure I guess but it's inherent risk. You have more chances of slipping and breaking your neck in your bathroom today: are you going to quit bathing and only do your business out of doors? I'm not making fun of you, just trying to sum it up in a sensible manner.