Carry safe method 22 autos

[Mootpoint]

My most used gun is a first series Colt Woodsman. It’s so easy and enjoyable to fire 10-20 rounds after work without having to go to a range. Or get the dogs barking with a louder gun. I have a good holster, leather, also from around 1941. I want to take the Woodsman hunting.
Would you consider a Colt Woodsman (clean and mechanically correct) to be carried in a safe manner if it were holstered, loaded, cocked/chambered, safety engaged? Or would you carry with an empty chamber? Would your opinion extend to any similar pistol(Ruger standard/Mark I, etc)? Thanks
Moot

[Outpost75]

Woodsman safety is too easily disengaged and gun has no.grip safety as backup. I would carry the chamber empty, but hammer cocked to ease racking and chambering a round.

[jdgabbard]

It's been so long that I've even seen a Colt Woodsman I wasn't aware they still existed... But as mentioned above, the safety on those things disengage very easily. I wouldn't carry it with one in the chamber.

[BearBio]

I agree with the above. I was shot as a young man when a safety disengaged on a High Standard auto. I even carry my EDC with the safety on and an empty chamber.

[Bazoo]

You mentioned Ruger, I've carried a Ruger 22/45 with a round in the chamber. The safety button on it was solid and not likely to disengage from a bit of movement in a holster. The other Ruger autos I've been around had similar "hard" safeties as well.

[jdgabbard]

You mentioned Ruger, I've carried a Ruger 22/45 with a round in the chamber. The safety button on it was solid and not likely to disengage from a bit of movement in a holster. The other Ruger autos I've been around had similar "hard" safeties as well.

That is exactly the same as my 22/45. The safety is quite stiff. You'll know if you disengage it.

[Mootpoint]

Thanks guys.
Moot

[jsizemore]

Prove it to yourself by carrying it with a spent case in the chamber while you go about your activities.

[lightload]

Some Woodsman will fire when the safety is disengaged.

[JRD]

Another vote for an empty chamber in a Woodsman here. Racking in a round if your hammer is already cocked shouldn't be too difficult.

[MrWolf]

I agree with the above. I was shot as a young man when a safety disengaged on a High Standard auto. I even carry my EDC with the safety on and an empty chamber.

Two different scenarios but as for the EDC, I believe not having one in the chamber is a mistake. I don't mean to hijack the thread but just representing another view on EDC.

I have never fired a Colt Woodsman but they do look interesting. Good luck with whichever way you decide.

[centershot]

I agree with the above. I was shot as a young man when a safety disengaged on a High Standard auto. I even carry my EDC with the safety on and an empty chamber.

Eeeekkk!!! Jeff Cooper would severely chastise you, no joke!!!

[jdgabbard]

I definitely believe in carrying loaded chamber when I am talking a defensive round. But a woods pistol in 22lr for taking small game is a different story. Especially when we're talking about the Woodsman... It just isn't safe in my opinion. But I haven't shot one since probably 2005, so what do I know...

[pietro]

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IME, the mechanical sound of charging an empty chamber will cause most small game into hiding or fleeing. ( jes' say'in )


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[jdgabbard]

Depends. Used to go camping and take my Ruger Mk III for hunting squirrels. At 30-40 yards out from the squirrels they are not concerned. If I needed to get closer I could quietly approach them. I've taken Rabbits as far out as that and haven't startled them either. Sure they could be scared off. But in my experience that isn't necessarily the case.

[Texas by God]

I carried the plainer grade Huntsman many a mile as a teenager on the farm. No holster; Mexican carry with one in the chamber and safety on.
Luckily, no mishaps but I do see the cautionary point.


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[schutzen-jager]

fwiw - the elite Israeli units carry concealed with empty chamber + rack slide as part of the draw - works for them -

[Outpost75]

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IME, the mechanical sound of charging an empty chamber will cause most small game into hiding or fleeing. ( jes' say'in )


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Carrying with hammer cocked, with practice you can learn to do silently.

[45workhorse]

fwiw - the elite Israeli units carry concealed with empty chamber + rack slide as part of the draw - works for them -

Not trying to start an argument.
If you train like them then no problem.
They have other team members with them!

What happens when you have a incapacitated limb, having to pull and rack the slide on your belt.....

I don't know how train.
Just something's to think about, like I said not trying to start an argument.

Carrying a .22, no round chamber, if the safety is easy to slip off then carry it empty.

[schutzen-jager]

45workhorse - do not recall any documented incidents of any problems with their methods - iirc the U.S. military also carried the 1911 with an empty chamber by regulations -