Anyone not shoot a 1911 with a thumb on the safety?

[MidnightSon117]

Having just seen the Todd Jarrett video posted on another thread, I have a question. I see a lot of people shooting a 1911 with their right thumb riding the safety. Since I've been shooting a 226 for so many years, I'm used to my right thumb on my middle finger instead--otherwise, I might prevent the slide from locking back when going dry. I've given the thumb-on-safety a try on my 1911, but I don't like the feel.

All my co-workers who own 1911's shoot thumb-on-safety as well, and I understand why...there's a possibility of engaging the safety during very fast shooting, or even during slightly fast shooting. I just think if I ever need to transition to a one-hand shot, having my right thumb down gives me a much stronger grip than thumbs up (better recoil control), and is better for handgun retention if it ever got that close. I don't think my thumb will engage the safety by accident either since I don't shoot that fast, but I never saw that as a problem anyway. I do fine handling recoil with the thumb down, even with my 10mm.

Any opinions or thoughts?

[The SoCal Gunner]

I don't like riding the safety with my thumb. Just isn't comfortable especially with the serrations on the safety.

[adamsreeftank]

Most modern 1911s have large safety levers and if you use a proper high-hold, you should put your thumb over the safety. This is the way I shoot my Valtro and it just feels right. That said, I also have a Springfield that is a copy of the original 1911A1 and I shoot it with my thumb down since it has a small safety lever and a sharp non-beavertail grip safety so I use a lower hold. I also like the nostalgia of shooting it the way the GIs were trained in WWII, which is why I bought it. The Valtro is a much better gun and much more fun to shoot.

[randy]

Yeah well in a nut shell you're wrong. If your hands are big enough you should have your thump on top of the safety.

Having your thumb on top of the safety drives the gun deeper into your hand lowering the bore axis for one. Lower bore less recoil. Shooting fast has nothing to do with hitting the safety moving and shooting does.

I was shooting a stage where you had to shoot through a hi port then go prone and shoot through a low port. (I was a new handgun shooter then) I shot my targets from the hi port then dropped to the low port hitting the ground so hard my hand knocked the safety on. I pulled the trigger and no go.

I took one of the ITTS classes and Scotty explained to the class the proper technique of using the safety on a 1911. Thumb on top of safety when you move on and off the sites your trigger finger and your thumb move at the same time. Off the sites your finger comes off the trigger and your thumb engages the safety then your thumb go back on top. When you go back on target you're finger goes to the trigger and your thumb disengages the safety.

Your weak hand should have your wrist straight and when you open your grip your fingers pointing at a 45 to the ground.

You don't often see the good shooters run dry. On some of my guns I've cut down the inside of the slide stop so it can't stay open.

On 1911's doing a reload using a 10 round single stack mag at slide lock more than once I've seen them get inserted so far it jams the gun. Same with many guns using a mag longer than the grip. On a reload the mag I'm going too is down loaded one round to make it easier to seat the reload.

Or do what you are comfortable with have fun and enjoy your day at the range.

[MidnightSon117]

Yeah well in a nut shell you're wrong. If your hands are big enough you should have your thump on top of the safety.

Having your thumb on top of the safety drives the gun deeper into your hand lowering the bore axis for one. Lower bore less recoil. Shooting fast has nothing to do with hitting the safety moving and shooting does.

I was shooting a stage where you had to shoot through a hi port then go prone and shoot through a low port. (I was a new handgun shooter then) I shot my targets from the hi port then dropped to the low port hitting the ground so hard my hand knocked the safety on. I pulled the trigger and no go.

I took one of the ITTS classes and Scotty explained to the class the proper technique of using the safety on a 1911. Thumb on top of safety when you move on and off the sites your trigger finger and your thumb move at the same time. Off the sites your finger comes off the trigger and your thumb engages the safety then your thumb go back on top. When you go back on target you're finger goes to the trigger and your thumb disengages the safety.

Your weak hand should have your wrist straight and when you open your grip your fingers pointing at a 45 to the ground.

You don't often see the good shooters run dry. On some of my guns I've cut down the inside of the slide stop so it can't stay open.

On 1911's doing a reload using a 10 round single stack mag at slide lock more than once I've seen them get inserted so far it jams the gun. Same with many guns using a mag longer than the grip. On a reload the mag I'm going too is down loaded one round to make it easier to seat the reload.

Or do what you are comfortable with have fun and enjoy your day at the range.

Wow, start off rude, and end off condescending. Makes me not give a damn about whatever you said in between.

0-for-2, whoever the hell you are, Mister You're-wrong-and-I'm-right.

[Crazed_SS]

He's right though. Here's a good video explaining how to hold the pistol.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQgLm...eature=related

Brad Pitt even gets it right (at about the 6:12 mark) .. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzAIZN9HuFg

[Sgt Raven]

Wow, start off rude, and end off condescending. Makes me not give a damn about whatever you said in between.

0-for-2, whoever the hell you are, Mister You're-wrong-and-I'm-right.

I saw a couple of people see the light come on about having the thumb on top of the safety when they engaged the safety during recoil. It brought the point home rather fast for them. Jeff said to shoot that way and it was GTG for me.

[WolfMansDad]

Back in the eighties I used to shoot with my thumb down. Learning to ride the safety improved my shooting dramatically.

[rix]

My thumb rides the safety on my Kimber. For me it's more comfortable with my hands high on the grip. I shoot my G17 with my thumbs just under and parallel to the slide. Again, my hands are high on the grip. I've been struggling with my grip on my sig220 (recent purchase ),my thumb rides the slide stop which doesn't engage on the last round.

[bobfried]

For me it has nothing to do with engaging the safety during recoil or anything that silly. I have a nice safety on my 1911 and my hold is good enough not to shift under any duress.

I actually hate shooting with my thumb riding the safety. But when I am serious about shooting fast and accurate guess where my thumb goes? Like the above posters have said, it gives you a nice high hold and drives the gun down hard for faster follow up shots. This is extrmely important when doing double taps and the infamous "Mozambique" drills.

It is definately there to tame the recoil, but your statement about you being able to shoot a 10mm is a completely mis-perception of the kind of recoil you want to tame. Anyone can shoot a 1911 or something in 10mm, being able to take that kind of "recoil" is kinda like saying you can walk backwards. With a small amount of practice and acclimation almost anyone can do it. The kind of recoil people are talking about when "riding the safety" is the recoil energy between fast string of shots.

If you want to try it for yourself go out and compare how fast you are able to shoot with the thumb on and off the safety. Double taps and mag dumps are the easiest way to tell why riding the safety is so effective.

As for shoothing one handed, I have yet to see anyone really effectively ride the safety. But I and others simply induce an inward cant to compensate for the recoil.

[apbrian112]

i shoot my bul with my thumb on the safety... i do this cus it feels comfortable there. that and plus, when i draw from my holster, it saves that little bit of time from switching the safety off and then repositioning my thumb. this is for uspsa so if you're just plinking on the range YMMV.
i shoot my xd with my thumb right thumb not touching anything. kinda sticking off to the side.

[The SoCal Gunner]

Most modern 1911s have large safety levers and if you use a proper high-hold, you should put your thumb over the safety.

This is exactly how I am with my Gold Cup vs. my Para. The Para has an extended safety lever which my thumb can ride more comfortably. The serrations are still rough though. My Gold Cup has the stock safety lever so my thumb would extend over the lever and feel the sharp corner.

[Sniper3142]

BULL

There is no ONE correct way to shoot a 1911 or any other pistol.

Use what feels and works best for you.

I spent over a decade in the USMC and shot my first 1911 back then. Qualified high expert and have just gotten better over the years since then.

I don't ride my thumb on top of the safety and I do just fine. In fact, I'll go up agaisnt anyone in slow or rapid fire competition.



Come on down to the On Target range in Laguna Niguel if you want a demonstration.

Because Internet talk is Cheap.

[ccwguy]

There is no ONE correct way to shoot a 1911 or any other pistol.

Use what feels and works best for you.

I spent over a decade in the USMC and shot my first 1911 back then. Qualified high expert and have just gotten better over the years since then.

I don't ride my thumb on top of the safety and I do just fine. In fact, I'll go up agaisnt anyone in slow or rapid fire competition.



Come on down to the On Target range in Laguna Niguel if you want a demonstration.

Because Internet talk is Cheap.

AMEN


Marksmanship technique has turned into a 'religion' somewhat. Some follow certain ways while others follow their own. In a nutshell; it's mostly in the 'thumbs' : where are they, how are they positioned etc...

I have trained many who can shoot great with their thumbs held quite awkward, and others who shoot better with the thumbs held in paralel to themselves along paralel the barrel. I have never had an incident from not riding the safety on my Kimber Ultra. A 3" .45 1911 kicks like a mule and riding the safety makes it more awkward than not. I shoot over 3k rounds a month and never an issue. Now; improper grip can cause 'thumbing' that causes performance to drop drastically, and folks can't figure out why the gun shoots crooked! It's never the gun! It's the shooter. Formal training and coaching is essential to performance, few seek this tool though; very odd.

[bruceflinch]

I have big hands, & a wide body Para, so the right thumb on the safety is comfy, + I have room to tuck my left thumb under the right.

Floats my boat!