Thumb on top of 1911 safety?
- Thread starter Maxim
- Start date
After you've blown more than one stage (Hmmm..don't ask how I know) because you had inadvertantly flicked the safety back on with your thumb going under the lever, you accept, and ingrain, the thumb on top 'school of 1911' dogma...
Either that, or you use a non-1911 platform.....
Either that, or you use a non-1911 platform.....
After many years of shooting and competing I finally tried thumb on top of safety and guess what ... I get better results on target. Tried this at the urging of another CGN and well known IPSC shooter who I had initially instructed a couple of decades ago when he was starting handgun shooting.
A case of full circle - the old teacher being taught by the original pupil. I guess old dogs can learn new tricks.
A case of full circle - the old teacher being taught by the original pupil. I guess old dogs can learn new tricks.
even though I seldom shoot them, the answer is yes. some people feel it gives you more recoil control ability (not so sure about that), but the big reason is so that you don't go under it and accidentally flick it back on. I've seen that happen so many times it's amazing. and not just new shooters. IPSC Nats in Barrie, I was working the trenches and a shooter with more than 30 years experience shooting a 1911, and had been shooting IPSC since it's first days in Canada, stepped up to the line, fired his first shot and had a jam. after the RO gave him his time to try to clear it, he couldn't and asked the RO for help. The RO simply said, "Take your safety off". you should've seen the look on his face. although he had a better look moments later when we went to score and saw that the one A hit he had on the only target he'd engaged at about 3ft, had been taped by one of the tape technicians. RESHOOT! needless to say he shoots with his thumb on top of the safety now.
I find it sometimes causes "stove pipe" with .40cal STI as you sometimes rub slide with thumb and resultant friction retards recoil.
I just think it's a bad habit.
there's a lot about IPSC that really bugs me ....
I think IPSC trains you to pick up a lot of bad habits.
I just think it's a bad habit.
there's a lot about IPSC that really bugs me ....
I think IPSC trains you to pick up a lot of bad habits.
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Wallace said:
I'm not IPSC, but I see a lot of M and GM shooting 1911 with thier thumb resting on the safety.
Also, I rest my thumb on the safety and have yet to have a problem with slide interaction or slide related stoppages.
Thumb on safety with 1911s
.... 'Don't shoot competitively any more; when I did shoot the 1911 a lot, 'always thumb on safety, and that gave a more comfortable grip, shooting pistols that didn't have a thumb safety, I always found that keeping the thumb high and "angled out" slightly, gave a better grip and aided quick target acquisition. (my 1911 has a cut-down thumb guard, which I have mixed feelings towards...harder to rack the slide from the rear for sure !) ....David K.......
.... 'Don't shoot competitively any more; when I did shoot the 1911 a lot, 'always thumb on safety, and that gave a more comfortable grip, shooting pistols that didn't have a thumb safety, I always found that keeping the thumb high and "angled out" slightly, gave a better grip and aided quick target acquisition. (my 1911 has a cut-down thumb guard, which I have mixed feelings towards...harder to rack the slide from the rear for sure !) ....David K.......
Who's voting for no and Why? I cant see any resaon not to have your tumb on it when shooting. Its allready ontop from pushing it off so just leave it there. If your thumbs rubbing then its a good sign of an improper grip. I'm so used to having one my thumb trys to flick it on after I load up my glock.
On a 1911, it just feels natural. Even shooting my HK USP, if I used it cocked and locked, I would rest it on top. I like to have my thumbs up so much now, that I changed my USP to have the lever on the right side, so I could have my thumbs up high.
Accuracy, safety, muzzle control, quick mag changes, drawing from the holster, safe movement, shooting under pressure, etc.....(Lots of sarcasm inserted here)
