Kimber 1911 safety

[getafterit]

When firing my Kimber Ultra Covert II on occasion I incidentally activate the safety with my thumb. With practice I am able to reduce the frequency in which it happens. But, even once in a while is too many times.
I was tossing around the idea of having the safety machined down as to not protrude out as far but thought I would check here first for other solutions.
aka, aftermarket safety or factory options.
Any ideas?

[cc426]

Ride the safety with your thumb

[ptgarcia]

Keep your thumb on the safety when shooting.

Paul

[trigger945]

How do you hold the gun?

If two-handed, gotta ride the safety to prevent that from happening.

[getafterit]

I have tried this. Although it works it feels somewhat awkward for me. Going out again on Sunday. I'll give it some more time before making any permanent changes.
This is o e of my carry guns so needless to say it makes me feel a bit uneasy when it happens.
Thanks for the tips.

[SacTown]

Like others have mentioned, ride the safety with your dominant hand thumb.

[getafterit]

Thanks sac town. I will practice till that method feels right. This is the only handgun I have ever had this problem with. Primarily because the safety is rather large.
I'll get it to work for me.

[redcliff]

While I ride the thumb safety and recommend it some people just don't like to do it. A gunsmith can deepen the dimple a bit on the thumb safety so the detent pin holds it a bit more firmly if needed.

[AAShooter]

Ride the safety or get a gun without a thumb safety.

[redcliff]

What frightens me is that you're carrying a gun with no idea how to operate it. The shooters thumb is in constant contact with thumb safety at all times. Again, another example of software problems people try to fix with hardware.

Just how frightened were you? How about we stop with the hysterics and recognize this is a place people come to learn; not to be criticized for asking questions?

Not riding the thumb safety does not equal "no idea how to operate it".

[getafterit]

What frightens me is that you're carrying a gun with no idea how to operate it. The shooters thumb is in constant contact with thumb safety at all times. Again, another example of software problems people try to fix with hardware.

Perhaps a bit over stated? Not everyone shoots the with their thumb on the safety. The above suggestions are not new to me.

I was just looking for ideas or suggestions as to alleviate this minor issue.

[getafterit]

Thanks redcliff. There's one in every crowd. In this case cal guns has many. I'll never understand it. Thanks none the less.

[rogervzv]

Just how frightened were you? How about we stop with the hysterics and recognize this is a place people come to learn; not to be criticized for asking questions?

Not riding the thumb safety does not equal "no idea how to operate it".

Hear Hear. I have been shooting 1911s for 40 years, shooting them pretty well, I might add, and I do not ride the safety and I have never once accidentally activated a 1911 safety. Not on my Kimber or any of my other 5 1911 pistols.

Too many people on this forum getting hysterical and judgmental every time an honest question gets asked.

[pklin1297]

To the OP, while I agree proper training is important, I also think that you may have medium hands like me, where a high thumb hold that some have suggested is 1. Uncomfortable, and 2. Make it difficult to engage/disengage the grip safety of the 1911 style guns.

Machining down the width of the thumb safety pad can be a fix to make it less likely to be activated, or you can also try a thumb safety that has the pad lowered (placed in the middle of the safety rather than on top). John Harrison design has this exact safety, just search on his website. Check Rogers also custom make one but it is not a quick solution. Mind you, the Harrison design safety is not cheap, but it may offer a more comfortable "high" thumb ride for you... I'm getting one myself to try.

After the hardware mods are finished to where you're comfortable, then take a local class to nail down fundamentals, this is assuming you haven't already. I for one think that while proper training is important, it is only half the equation; the gun you use has to be fitted to your intended purpose.

[brian5271]

While I ride the thumb safety and recommend it some people just don't like to do it. A gunsmith can deepen the dimple a bit on the thumb safety so the detent pin holds it a bit more firmly if needed.

+1

It is possible that your safety is not properly fitted from factory. It should have a very positive click from off to on and vice versa. It should take a decent amount of pressure to activate the safety. Also you can get different safety’s that are wider or narrower then factory. They are relatively cheap and most likely will be less expensive then having you factory safety machined down.

Also, here is a link to a 1911 forum that has lots of good info: http://forums.1911forum.com/index.php

I do recommend having your thumb on top of the safety, but that does not mean it needs to be squarely on top with downward pressure. I rest (key word is rest, not push down) my strong hand thumb on the outside edge of my safety, but its primary contact is with my weak side thumb in a thumbs forward grip. If this is uncomfortable it might be worth checking into a different size safety.

Last but not least, don’t worry about people like HopetonBrown, some people just have to stir the pot.