1911 Thumb safety Issues?

[bp10]

Ok I apologize in advance if this has been covered already, but I looked and looked again without any success of previous posts relating to my issue.

This is not my first 1911, but its the first time I've had this issue with a 1911.

Any replies will be greatly appreciated.

Here is the issue its simple:

After each round is fired through my colt 1911, the thumb safety is activated.

I've only owned this gun for thirty+ years, and have never been one to "ride" the thumb safety. Though maybe my thumbs have recently gotten fat (fatter).

I can also mimic this about 70% of the time when I manually grab and open the slide with full force, then let it slide forward (mimicking a live fire).

I am the only owner of this gun, and have replaced things as needed (although not much has needed replacing), and bought new.

IF anyone has any ideas, maybe there is something Ive over looked or whatever, please help!

Thanks in advance.

[SILENT GUNMAN]

Maybe the detent spring is worn out. I would start there. I'm talking about the spring and plunger in the tube above the left grip panel that helps retain the safety and slide stop.

[jfifer]

Seems like the plunger tube spring, or the pin needs replacing? Maybe the spring is just worn, and not applying enough pressure.

[jfifer]

Detent!!! Thats the word I coupdnt remember. Nice.

[stormvet]

Agree with above, but if you did "ride the thumb safety",you would not have this problem.

[jfifer]

Riding thumb safety isn't for everybody.

[9mmepiphany]

Riding thumb safety isn't for everybody.

That may be true, but since the technique is specifically designed to prevent the problem being brought up, it would seem to be the most obvious solution to avoid stoppages

[jfifer]

I didnt know that!

[limitdown]

Riding the thumb safety is the best way to prevent unintentionally re-engaging the thumb safety. It is also helps in controlling muzzle flip for faster follow-up shots.
If you place your thumb under the thumb safety, it's too easy to unintentionally flick your thumb upward during muzzle flip.
Also as mentioned above, replacing the detent spring should help keep the thumb safety in place a bit better.

[Uglyduck]

Send it back to Colt.

[redcliff]

Shoot it left handed and see if it self applies then. That will eliminate your thumb as the possible cause of it self-applying.

I do always teach those that I'm introducing to the 1911 platform (or helping them shoot them better) to only use a riding the thumb safety grip on 1911's. The thumb on top of the safety facilitates disengaging the thumb safety when needed-its in fact the only thumb position that allows that, as well as prevents inadvertent application of the thumb safety. Having your thumb under the safety only facilitates one action-applying the safety and preventing the firearm from shooting.

As others have mentioned it could be also be the detent hole on the safety needs to be slightly deeper, or the spring/plunger in the tube is encountering an obstruction preventing proper pressure from being applied or they are worn.

[gsparesa]

Maybe its not the spring at all but a worn thumb safety notch (detent)???I know my Colt 1911 is a bear trying to turn safety OFF/ON with my thumb. Sometime's my aging thumb doesn't have the "horse power". I would replace all three things, the plunger, spring and thumb safety lever.

[Corbin Dallas]

Proper grip on a 1911 would dictate for a right handed shooter your thumb on top of the safety.

Why would you use your thumb to disengage the safety then physically move it underneath?

As soon as you break leather your thumb should press down on the safety and then keep it there until you need to engage the safety where you make a conscious effort to put your thumb underneath and apply upward pressure.

[brassburnz]

Check to see if your plunger tube is loose. The plunger tube is staked into the frame and over time they do become loose. It's only a very small amount of metal and the top of the left grip panel that holds it in. Check the left grip panel to see if it is also loose.

[9mmepiphany]

As soon as you break leather your thumb should press down on the safety and then keep it there until you need to engage the safety where you make a conscious effort to put your thumb underneath and apply upward pressure.

I would recommend that you not flip off your thumb safety until you get to Count 2 of the 4 count draw.

Besides being safer (for the shooter), there is no speed penalty (it can actually be faster) and it is more natural as the gun rotates to the horizontal.