1911 - Thumb on top of safety?

TwoTone

TwoTone

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Brandon401401 on youtube shoots the 1911 (well) with his on-hand thumb on top of the safety lever. It makes for higher grip I suppose and it should provide some leverage against recoil, but it feels odd to me, just holding the gun.

I haven't tried actually firing this way but I might just for kicks. I think my trigger is too long to do this well though.

Anybody shoot the 1911 this way?
 
I do, but because my thumb tends to push upward on the safety if I don't. So I won't say my thumb is ON the safety (like pushing down on it) but it is definately on the side of the lever.
 
Thumb on top is common. With the thumb on top it is very easy to defeat the grip safety and actually keep it in the "safe" position. It was because of this that a raised pad is offered on many of the beavertail safeties to help move the safety to the "fire" position.
 
i do this as well when i shoot the 1911. the high thumb lets me control the firearm better and feels very natural for me.

i unconsciously shoot all my firearms this way. unfortunately my sig's don't like this as the slide release is in a similar spot. just have to adjust.
 
When I was qualified on the M1911A1 I was instructed that as you put your hand on the butt of the pistol the webbing of your thumb should fully nestle into the hollow below the beaver tail, ensuring a high grip and activation of the grip safety when the weapon is drawn from the holster. Once you have done this, you should draw the weapon and as it clears the holster your thumb on the firing hand should begin to rest on top of the thumb safety. As the weapon clears the holster the thumb safety should be fully depressed and the thumb rest on top of the safety to ensure positive actuation and ensure the safety remains off during the firing cycle. If done correctly the webbing of the thumb provides excellent weapon-grip alignment cues to ensure a proper grip straight from the holster and ensuring accuracy.
 
High thumb is better for managing recoil for sure. The newer grip safeties work with the high thumb grip as has been mentioned and lots of people pin the grip safety in to defeat it. I have a piece of tape on a collector piece that I refuse to alter but like to shoot high thumb.
 
There are wide thumb-safeties available for this purpose. Since concealment is not an issue, the extra width doesn't become a problem, while enabling a more stable and comfortable thumb rest.

I switch them out on all my 1911s.

edbrown.com/cgi/htmlos.cgi/001528.1.953785146222257457?

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Not only does it give you a higher grip and prevent unintended engagement of the safety, but riding the safety will also make you far less likely to forget to disengage it.
 
A high grip on a pistol prevents muzzle flip and keeps the recoil in a straight rearward direction. If you use a high grip with your thumb under the safety, the safety will slip into the on position. Therefore the thumb over safety grip is the only correct way to shoot a 1911.
 
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