I find the miniscule thumb safety on guns like the SIG 365 and the S&W Shield to be easy to miss when it's time to deactivate. A small safety is not exactly a good feature on a defensive pistol intended to be used at speed and under stress. I'm surprised there is no aftermarket for an enlarged thumb safety for these guns. Any thoughts?

P365 without thumb safety.

No chance of failing to deactivate the safety when the chips are down.

quote:

Originally posted by MWC:
I find the miniscule thumb safety on guns like the SIG 365 and the S&W Shield to be easy to miss when it's time to deactivate. A small safety is not exactly a good feature on a defensive pistol intended to be used at speed and under stress. I'm surprised there is no aftermarket for an enlarged thumb safety for these guns. Any thoughts?

Having used the P365 since it arrived, and then the manual safety model following its arrival, I find the manual safety lever perfectly sized, as well perfect in operation. It snicks on and off easily, yet positively. There are some small autos with terrible safeties, try the manual safety model of the Kahr PM9, it's terrible, almost impossibly difficult to operate and clearly added on to meet state requirements. IMO, the P365 manual safety is as integrated into the design of the weapon, and operating it is as natural as any manual safety weapon I've used. And I've used a lot of them, on full-size 1911, Hi-Powers, Berettas, compact and sub-compact guns. And I have found the P365s as good as any.

When I decided on a P365, one of my requirements was the manual safety to provide an extra bit of security when handling the weapon for waistband and other less conventional carry. I anticipated, though, that I might disengage the safety after it was AIWB holstered, or if it was being drawn from a pocket or other concealment I’d only be doing that if there was the time and opportunity to disengage the safety as well.

Since acquiring the gun, though, I have fired many timed draw from concealment drills that I started with the safety engaged. I found that the safety is so well placed and convenient to disengage that I don’t suffer any time or handling handicap. In other words, the P365 manual safety is no hindrance to fast target acquisition and engagement and I’m perfectly happy that my gun has the feature.

quote:

Originally posted by MWC:
I find the miniscule thumb safety on guns like the SIG 365 and the S&W Shield to be easy to miss when it's time to deactivate. A small safety is not exactly a good feature on a defensive pistol intended to be used at speed and under stress. I'm surprised there is no aftermarket for an enlarged thumb safety for these guns. Any thoughts?

I don't own one but have shot a couple of 365 belonging to others. I found the thumb safety to be located very well for use and would think that if it was much bigger it would compromise it's concealability.

When I think of a minuscule thumb safety, I think of the Beretta 950

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
P365 without thumb safety.

No chance of failing to deactivate the safety when the chips are down.

As much I agree, the fact is, if there's a safety it needs to be functional.

I would venture to say that there isn’t enough of a market for them.

quote:

Originally posted by MWC:

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
P365 without thumb safety.

No chance of failing to deactivate the safety when the chips are down.

As much I agree, the fact is, if there's a safety it needs to be functional.

I would be interested to see if there is anyone else out there in agreement with your take. After EDC-ing the P365 with a safety since its inception, this safety is the very definition of functionality.

quote:

Originally posted by ARH19456:

quote:

Originally posted by MWC:

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
P365 without thumb safety.

No chance of failing to deactivate the safety when the chips are down.

As much I agree, the fact is, if there's a safety it needs to be functional.

I would be interested to see if there is anyone else out there in agreement with your take. After EDC-ing the P365 with a safety since its inception, this safety is the very definition of functionality.

Sorry, my definition of functionality in a thumb safety is along the lines of the 1911. While I realize a safety of that size isn't in line with the idea of a micro-compact pistol, I do think the safety on the 365 and the S$W Shield could be bigger. I've trained with these and have missed it on several occasions; it's simply not big enough to hit reliably, and there have been times when my hands and the gun were sweaty and my thumb slide right on past. SO, no, perhaps no one will agree with me, but I don't think they are adequate.

quote:

Originally posted by ARH19456:

quote:

Originally posted by MWC:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by sns3guppy:
P365 without thumb safety.



As much I agree, the fact is, if there's a safety it needs to be functional.

I would be interested to see if there is anyone else out there in agreement with your take. After EDC-ing the P365 with a safety since its inception, this safety is the very definition of functionality.

I will raise my hand.
I was thinking about the same question Tuesday when I shot my 365.
I agree the 365 safety is great, but I find I have to shift my grip just a little. I was wondering about a larger safety, knowing that might not help, might even worsen things. But would love to see an option.