decocking method?

dm9

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My shooting experience has been cowboy mounted shooting. I have learnt and become proficient with decocking my revolvers using only my strong hand and thumb to hold and lower the hammer, whilst my weak hand holds my horse's reins. I understand a method used in other action sports where both hands are available is to use the opposite hand thumb, rolled under the hammer, to lower the hammer. In your action sport is there a particular rule that states how a hammer must be decocked? If not a rule, is the thumb roll method preferred or if you can demonstrate proficiency, just do whatever works for you is ultimately acceptable?
 
I've seen a few shooters get disqualified from IPSC matches by accidentally misfiring using the method you describe. Decocking with the weak hand thumb is the insurance policy on that. I prefer my decocking lever.
 


This is the only 99.9% way to decock a DA SA CZ pistol. The tenth of 1% allows for those who think it is 100% and get careless. Slavex will tell you he has never seen anyone have an AD using this method. I have seen three AD's using the pinch method at IPSC matches.....none using the the thumb roll method. The thumb roll method has been around for years...use it. Thanks for posting the video Rob it is going up on the IDPA Canada website.

Take Care

Bob
 
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I tried the thumb roll method last night. Works well. I can see this being a better method to avoid AD. Definitely will learn to use this method.
 
I have purposely had an ND using the above method, but it took some work to do it. I've DQ'd a number of people using the pinch method who've ND'd but none with the roll. But that said, if you start doing it casually even the roll method can bite you. Decocking should be like holstering a gun, a deliberate break, then decock, deliberately, paying attention to each step. If you do it rote (is that grammatically correct?) you're in trouble. The worst method is the strong hand thumb decock, had a guy do that at a match once, gun fired, slided came back hitting the thumb and knocking it out of the way, gun spun around his trigger finger and off, landed on the beavertail pointing straight at me, hammer cocked and obviously no safety on. He tried to claim it was a mechanical malfunction and he shouldn't be DQ'd for it. I will admit I lost my temper a small bit, I think the words "you're a fcuking idiot" were used after he started arguing.
 
On a ground Cowboy or Wild Bunch match at the reloading/unloading table a "supervised" thumb roll (strong or off-hand) is allowed but on the firing line there is no "decocking"...there is only "point down range and pull trigger" anything else is stage DQ time.
 
I grab the hammer with the thumb and index of my weak hand and pull back a bit before touching the trigger. If I don't like the grip I have, I don't pull the trigger. When I did my Black Badge course I was using the strong hand only method and got warned. They showed me the method I use now and it's been good to me.
 
I grab the hammer with the thumb and index of my weak hand and pull back a bit before touching the trigger. If I don't like the grip I have, I don't pull the trigger. When I did my Black Badge course I was using the strong hand only method and got warned. They showed me the method I use now and it's been good to me.

What you are doing is an AD in waiting. Problems occur if oil gets on the hammer and you don't notice it. Just saying it is just a matter of time.

Take Care

Bob
 
That is why I test my grip on the hammer before pulling the trigger. No method is 100%.

Yup that is what the last guy I saw get DQ'd said. Just do yourself a favour and change to the thumb roll method. There is no reason to stick to what you are doing.

Take Care

Bob
 
Thumb roll method works fine.

However your working the slide is a fine motor skill - ok for the range, but not tactically sound. Tactical uses gross motor skills.

So, for IPSC and 3 gun etc on a range, go for it especially if thats all you do.

But, for your job in the real world, hand-over and gross motor skills.
 
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Just buy a gun with a decocker. No drama.
Decocker = sh##ty trigger; No decocker = nice trigger. Hence the Drama.

Thumb roll method works fine.
However your working the slide is a fine motor skill - ok for the range boer we, but not tactically sound. Tactical uses gross motor skills.
So, for IPSC and 3 gun etc on a range, go for it especially if that all you do.
But, For your job in the real world, hand-over and gross motor skills.
I'm curious; what current job in the real world (let's limit it to Canada for now...) is using pistols that require the "operator" to lower the hammer manually?
 
Thumb roll method works fine.

However your working the slide is a fine motor skill - ok for the range boer we, but not tactically sound. Tactical uses gross motor skills.

So, for IPSC and 3 gun etc on a range, go for it especially if that all you do.

But, For your job in the real world, hand-over and gross motor skills.

The bolded statement is just, well I'll be kind just wrong in the real world as well as the tacticool world some live in. Picking your nose is a gross motor skill all the rest are just above breathing is the scheme of difficulty. Boys at about 13 learn this which is why so many need glasses early.

As to the hand over slide nonsense I have seen two instnaces where shooters went to the hospital to have brass removed from their hands due to the hands over slide (Chamber actually) to know that method is crazy. Besides Bob Vogel says using the slide release is faster = he shoots Glocks - and if speed is important playing IDPA and IPSC then I suspect it might be real important in the "real" world.

Take Care

Bob
 
Everything you do with your fingers is a fine motor skill. Flapping your arms or using your hands as flippers is a gross motor skill.

I tried the thumb roll on my CZ Shadowline to determine letting it go about half way (ish) will cause the firearm to discharge. Either way if you're sloppy you'll get a DQ.
Also, using the thumb roll causes the hammer to stick out a bit sometimes, not fully flush with the slide. That's not cool.

So don't be sloppy.
 
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