Okay so I thought real hard and considered the comments here, and got a Browning 1911-22.
The seller told me the only safe way to carry it was 'cocked and locked', i.e., the hammer back and the safety on. According to him, when the hammer is down, it rests directly on the pin, and if the pistol is dropped and it lands on the hammer, the pistol will fire.
According to the owner's manual, the only safe way to carry the pistol is with the hammer down. It explains that the hammer will be resting against the pin, but that the pin will not be touching the rim of the cartridge (this is a rimfire pistol).
Now I'll be carrying this either one way, or the other way. Just one way, so that I can develop a habit of use I can fall back on when needed, without having to diddle and fiddle.
So which way really is the way to carry? Cocked and locked, or hammer down?
In either case, there will be a round up the spout ready to go.
Thanks!