Kimber 1911 safety

[Bill Steele]

I personally think it is pretty important to learn to shoot the 1911 with your thumb resting on top. With your thumb under the safety, it is just too easy to engage it.

Of course, do whatever works for you, as long as it works flawlessly.

[getafterit]

Guys, thanks for the great info. My safety detent is barely noticeable when engaging/disengaging. Perhaps as Brian mentioned it is flawed from the factory.
Hopeton, if you read my replies to those that offered help you would have understood that I infact have tried riding the safety. I'm starting to think that you are one of those that truly believe that you are the only one with viable answers. Your statement to roger somewhat leads me to believe this.
Although I love my kimber perhaps it is the wrong gun to use as my carry gun. But the fact that my grip is causing the safety to engage is no reason for me to abandoned this pistol and this is surely no cause for you to be frightened.

[getafterit]

Hope ton, where have you seen the ultra coverts for $1000? If I could have had mine for that I would have bought two.

[redcliff]

From a historical perspective it should be noted that "riding the thumb safety" didn't really become a recommended technique until the early 1970's when Jeff Cooper's teachings became widely known. I'm old enough to remember some of the changes in technique that came about in the 70's and 80's with IPSC shooting and the golden age of 1911's.

Prior to that countless police officers, civilians and soldiers defended themselves quite well without the techniques we take as gospel today. I doubt that very many of the 56 soldiers who used a 1911 during the actions for which they were awarded the Medal of Honor rode the thumb safety.

[rogervzv]

But the OP does.



And just because you've been doing it for 40 years doesn't mean you've been doing it the right way. Maybe you've just been lucky.

Just the type of snide comment that increasingly gives Calguns a bad name among forums. Thanks for the friendly comment, bub.

I've found that the most opinionated guys on these forums mostly don't shoot much. I just this morning put 150 rounds through my Kimber Eclipse Target II 1911. Didn't ride the safety, got good groups, and the gun performed magnificently.

FWIW I shoot the way that the US Army taught me, and I qualified sharpshooter, which is above marksman but below expert. I think that the US Army knows how to train shooters on the 1911 and I'll stick to how they trained me.

[getafterit]

Hopeton, much of this back and forth could have been avoided if perhaps you used the word concerning rather than frightening.