how you hold a 1911?

correct way to grip a 1911

  • like any other pistol, thumb over thumb towards target

    Votes: 124 58.2%

  • thumb rest over safety for support

    Votes: 89 41.8%
  • Total voters
    213
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i was having a debate with some guy on how to hold a 1911. he was saying it should be held like any other semi auto pistol- thumb over thumb and not ride the safety, and i argue that the thumb should rest over safety. so i just want to know how most people hold their 1911s.

his debate was against thumb over safety was:
- slide would cut the thumb.
- it affect the accuracy (because the side rubs against the thumb)
- in defensive shooting , use thumb over thumb method instead of competitive shooting method. (he is from the states)
-defensive shooting require a different grip than "fancy" IPSC shooting.

my argument to his argument was :
- the thumb simply wouldnt make contact to the slide when the thumb is on the extended safety
- the bullet left the barrel before the slide retracts so it has nothing to do with accuracy.
-thumb over safety helps locking the gun in hand and keep the hand holding up high against the beavertail
-thumb safety as reference point for the hand to feel so the gun is held the same place each and every time i grab the pistol in competition , combat , one handed or two handed
-just about every pro like jarrett and leatham use this grip ( then he called me a tool for fallowing the pros, oh yes, it's a restarted internet argument )
 
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He can do whatever the hell he wants but...

I use the thumb on safety grip method - both thumbs pointing forward - just like you. I've never cut my thumb. Doesn't seem to affect accuracy and in my opinion it allows for a more positive grip on the pistol.
 
CZ has the safety in the same spot so my thumb rests there as well. This is why I don't get along too well with Sigs: My thumb sits on the slide release and the slide never locks back.
 
I don't think there are any rigid rules. Hold it the way you want to. I just dont feel comfortable with my thumb on the safety so I shoot it the other way.
 
thumbs pointing towards the direction the gun is pointing,...strong hand thumb riding safety...this is the best way. Just recently someone posted a link to the Todd Jarrett video on proper grip. I also remember an article that featured Todd,..TGO, Brian Enos and Dave Sevigny,...they all point thumbs forward.
 
maurice said:
thumbs pointing towards the direction the gun is pointing,...strong hand thumb riding safety...this is the best way. Just recently someone posted a link to the Todd Jarrett video on proper grip. I also remember an article that featured Todd,..TGO, Brian Enos and Dave Sevigny,...they all point thumbs forward.
Click to expand...

That is what I do and I haven't been cut yet!
 
Strong hand thumb over safety, and the thumb is still pointing forward by using a high grip. With this grip I can't get my thumb under the safety without kicking the safety up.

I have never noticed if the slide ever touches my thumb, never had any marks/cuts on my thumb.

EDIT: Found the Todd Jarett video

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4584332856867071363
 
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the poll says other wise. lot of people hold it thumb over thumb. maybe the poll wasnt clear enough.or people are holding it wrong. thumb over safety and should still point towards target.
 
Riding the safety has a number of advantages:

-It allows a higher grip and thus better recoil control
-It prevents inadvertent engagement of the safety
-As you grip the gun in a drawstroke, you automatically release the the safety when you put your thumb on it
 
On the other hand, I remember there being a debate over people unholstering their 1911 and forgetting to dissengage the safety then pulling the trigger to no effect(I believe TDC was saying so)... the poll would seem to indicate that could be a fair possibility.
 
Contondant said:
On the other hand, I remember there being a debate over people unholstering their 1911 and forgetting to dissengage the safety then pulling the trigger to no effect(I believe TDC was saying so)... the poll would seem to indicate that could be a fair possibility.
Click to expand...

As I mentioned above, this is one of the reasons you should ride the safety. When you grasp the pistol, you place your thumb on the safety, pushing it down automatically as a part of assuming a proper grip.
 
actually,..the choices are confusing,....I picked thumb over safety,...but meant with strong hand thumb over safety pointing towards target. (so that would be thumb over safety with weak hand thumb just under that pointing in the same direction)

if you implied by the first choice thumb over thumb not on safety, than I would pick choice number 2....your thumb should always be riding the safety-with thumbs pointing towards the target.
 
some people make the mistake of holding an auto like a revolver is most times held,..thumb over thumb or thumb behind thumb,..curled downwards.
 
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