1911 and being a lefty issues..

Plink

Plink

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I have a question. I want to start using my 1911 for service pistol this summer instead of my M&P, but I have a small problem.

When I'm shooting, the end of my thumb will bump against the slide release pin on the right side of the frame, thereby causing it to slide out just enough that it jams the pistol as it is cycling.

This would be a show stopper for the service pistol matches as timing is everything.

What can I do, outside of changing my hand position, to prevent this from happening?




Also.. anyone got an ambi safety they want to sell me?!? :D
 
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Well, it only moves when the slide cycles, so I think it gets pushed to the left as my thumb is pushing against it and the slide moves past the take down notch. I mean it only moves a fraction of an inch, but it's enough to stop it from cycling.

I'm going to the gunroom now to see if I can duplicate what you are talking about on my grip.
 
the other way to do it would to be shorten the slide stop pin so that it sits flush on the frame- although, i'd like to see your grip- i've been shooting a 1911 over 30 years left handed and have fairly large hands( i take a 13 glove) and have yet to get my thumb anywhere near the end of the slide stop projection- either that or put some sort of padding or something on the grip safety so it doesn't sit so deeply in the web of your hand- a glove built up in the web area would accomplish the same thing
 
t-star said:
the other way to do it would to be shorten the slide stop pin so that it sits flush on the frame- although, i'd like to see your grip- i've been shooting a 1911 over 30 years left handed and have fairly large hands( i take a 13 glove) and have yet to get my thumb anywhere near the end of the slide stop projection
Click to expand...

Ya, I think you're right... I just went and messed with it... sloppy grip. Needed to tighten it up a bit and now I've got lots of room.

Thanks for the input folks.:cool:
 
Is this a real problem, or just a theoretical one?

Have you actually experienced a jam in a 1911 that was caused by a thumb-caused, left-displaced slide stop?

I suspect that it is really a non-issue, but, if I'm wrong, a pistolsmith could recess your frame at the slide stop hole and shorten the end of the slide stop. Following is a pic:

bwc-large.jpg


The real solution, as you know, is in technique.

This is the book:

b.book.jpg
 
Wendell said:
Is this a real problem, or just a theoretical one?

Have you actually experienced a jam in a 1911 that was caused by a thumb-caused, left-displaced slide stop?
Click to expand...

Yes.. :) I have..

I bought the pistol from Hungry... We took it to the range and after about 2 rounds, it jammed. Just as I was saying it did... Barney was nonetheless left scratching his head until we figured out what had happened, and then we went on shooting. But for some reason, at some point during shooting, I must be relaxing my grip to allow this to occur again.

Which is why I am beginning to realize here, the solution is to be cognizant of the grip. When I get sloppy, I'm going to have this type of issue again, and can't afford that when I'm on a timer.
Not to mention, I'll probably improve my score......
 
I had a nasty jam on my P14 caused by my right thumb pressing on the end of the slide stop. It can easily happen with medium to large size hands and a grip that turns the right wrist forward extending the thumb along the frame.

To prevent recurrence I had a gunsmith shorten the slide stop, it worked well and the only side effect was needed something to push it out for takedown.

I agree a grip that keeps the thumb back behind the slide stop is a better solution and have been practicing that with other 1911 style pistols that have the stock slide stop.

Snapshot
 
you might also look at changing over to something like pachmyr signature grips, that rised but on the left panel changes the way the gun sits in the web, at least it does for me-the LAST thing you want to do is modify the frame- slide stops are relatively cheap and easily replaced
 
Plink said:
Yes.. :) I have..

I bought the pistol from Hungry... We took it to the range and after about 2 rounds, it jammed. Just as I was saying it did... Barney was nonetheless left scratching his head until we figured out what had happened, and then we went on shooting. But for some reason, at some point during shooting, I must be relaxing my grip to allow this to occur again.

Which is why I am beginning to realize here, the solution is to be cognizant of the grip. When I get sloppy, I'm going to have this type of issue again, and can't afford that when I'm on a timer.
Not to mention, I'll probably improve my score......
Click to expand...

that's PRACTISE,more than anything else- do the old dryfire in front of the mirror thing, ( draw the drapes first) until you get tired, then do a couple more-
 
The risk of it happening again while under the timer will still be there.

I haven't read much about this being a big deal for other left hand shooters so it may be that the pin on your particular gun is overly long. I think I'd have it cut down a little or do it yourself. It's not a hard mod after all. Don't worry about the recess, just use something to push it out as that previous poster said he did. That keeps it simple
 
BCRider said:
The risk of it happening again while under the timer will still be there.

I haven't read much about this being a big deal for other left hand shooters so it may be that the pin on your particular gun is overly long. I think I'd have it cut down a little or do it yourself. It's not a hard mod after all. Don't worry about the recess, just use something to push it out as that previous poster said he did. That keeps it simple
Click to expand...

I may look at this as a Saturday project here... Dremel, here I come.. :D
 
My thumb touches the pin on my 1911, but doesn't put any pressure on it. I use it as a guide to finding a consistent comfortable grip. Lefty as well.
 
T&G said:
In anycase, you should NOT be applying pressure with the thumb to the pistol, or are you doing this with your offhand/support hand in a two hand grip?
Click to expand...

It's not that I'm putting pressure, it's more that as my grip shifts, the end of the pin sticks out far enough that I hit it enough with my thumb that I push it tot he left that tiny bit that it needs to cause the stoppage.

Thinking the best thing to do would be to grind the pin down a bit.
 
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