An important consideration in pistol selection is whether a pistol with a manual safety best fits your intended use and level of training and experience. The SIG SAUER pistol product line includes pistols that are available in three configurations regarding manual safeties: (1) pistols only available with a manual safety, (2) pistols that are available only without a manual safety, and (3) pistols that are available both with and without a manual safety. A manual safety – when engaged – is designed to mechanically prevent the firearm from discharging when the trigger is pressed, either intentionally or unintentionally. You should consider whether a manual safety on a handgun is right for you based on your experience level and intended use, keeping in mind best practices for safe firearms handling. It is possible for the trigger to be unintentionally pressed even under normal handling circumstances.

A manual safety is designed to augment, not replace, safe firearm handling practices. You are responsible to protect against unintentional trigger movement while carrying any firearm. Even if you elect to purchase a pistol equipped with a manual safety, you must ensure that the trigger is not contacted in any circumstance other than when you intend to fire the pistol, particularly if you elect to carry your pistol with a round in the chamber.   If you have a round in the chamber and the trigger is pressed to the rear, the pistol will fire, absent an engaged manual safety. 

Another important factor in safely carrying your pistol is holster selection. Properly designed holsters should protect your trigger from being contacted inadvertently. However, different holsters provide different levels of trigger security, and it is your responsibility to ensure the holster you select adequately protects the trigger when the firearm is holstered. For example, holsters designed to accept firearms equipped with a tactical light generally have large openings to accommodate the bezel of the light, rendering the trigger area of the holstered firearm accessible to foreign objects or fingers.  Make sure you are familiar with the protections your holster provides before you carry your pistol, and familiarize yourself with all warnings and instructions that are provided by the holster manufacturer.

If you carry your pistol while seated in a vehicle, whether you are the driver or the passenger, you must ensure that the holster protects the pistol from any surrounding features or devices in the vehicle that could interfere with the safe carry of the pistol. For example, ensure you can enter and exit the vehicle without the seat belts becoming snagged on the firearm or the holster.