I always here different here-say about condition 2 and what it really is, and where it came from, and what weapons it still applies to.
The best one I've heard is that condition 2 started from old services revolvers with fixed firing pins on the hammer itself, and the weapon would be carried with 5 rounds in the cylinder and the hammer sent home on the empty chamber.
Anybody care to lay down some real knowledge?
sounds like the probable origin of it…
with automatics, full mag, empty chamber is kind of a good way to idiot proof the gun if you’ve got to get a lot of guys armed with fairly minimal training, like in israel.
In the early days if the modern state of Israel, the newly formed IDF found itself armed with an array of handguns- 1911’s, P-38’s and many others. Additionally, there was a large disparity in the level of individual training that IDF soldiers possessed. Some had served in the British Armed Forces in WW2, some in the Irgun, Palmach, etc. As a result of this, it became customary to carry any issued handgun in Condition 2, until ready to use.
IIRC, this practice has been abandoned in Tier 1 IDF units today.
back when the standard pistol was a double action revolver, they were trained to shoot primarily single action,and uncock the revolver if threat decreased. When they first got the 1911 they treated them like revolvers- round in chamber cock on the draw. too many neg d/c’s when going to uncock loaded 45. they went to con 2 after that. the only reason for the manual safe was due to the cavalry man needing a quick way to put pistol on safe if horse got out of control etc.it was not originally inteded to be carried cocked and locked. you need to look into historical accounts to verify and understand this. My clausen book on the 1911 has several excerpts on the early testing and design of the 1911 which support this
This was what I was told as well in the military, though without the history lesson. None of us were issued 1911’s but the period of instruction was going over all the weapons issued to our convoy team via Powerpoint.
I was also told that it applies to the M2 MG.
Condition 0: round chambered, hammer cocked, safety disengaged
Condition 1: round chambered, hammer cocked, safety engaged
Condition 2: round chambered, hammer decocked, safety disengaged
Condition 3: chamber empty, loaded magazine inserted, safety engaged
Condition 4: chamber empty, magwell empty, safety engaged
so we’re all on the same page.
i haven’t heard any “origin” for the use of Condition 2- my guess is that those answers given so far are all true, plus many more. in other words, as the 1911 became a weapon given to units, different units came up with their own SOPs for weapon carry status. Cav might have done it one way, infantry another, marines a different condition, etc, and probably with some variance between even those, as well as with individuals, shooting teams, LEAs, etc. there’s only a few different ways to carry the thing, and condition 2 makes sense in some regards. i carried my 1911 condition 2, because my safety would constantly flip off on me throughout the day.
one more reason i’m so glad i eventually switch to strikers.
well that should put the “carry with one in the chamber?” question to rest on all the internet forums. thank you sir. 