.45 Colt 1911 question

[DEAR_JOHN]

I know a couple of you own a 1911 or a version of one, so I have a quick question.

I had a beautiful Colt 1911, but somehow or another I just couldn't get comfortable with it. I guess it was having to put weight on the grip safety and I just couldn't aim accurately with the weapon and squeezing the grip safety at the same time.

Looking at it, it seems like it would be a no brainer because you're squeezing the grip safety while aiming, but I just couldn't seem to get the timing down.

As users of the 1911 did you have any problems with this, or did it just work itself out with practice?

[tyboy1]

You're over thinking it. I have two 1911's. My favorites to shoot. Just grip it like any gun you shot and the grip safety is engaged. Don't treat it as if it's seperate.

[O'Mike]

Couple of options.


First get a grip safety with a 'speed bump' on it. Common upgrade that should solve the issue.


Second, wrap some electrical tape over it to hold it down. It's not the primary or secondary safety for that weapon and majority of pistols don't have it.


They are great guns and I prize those that I have.




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[Unique_Carpenter]

You're holding it to high.
Your flesh web between thumb and index finger should easily hold the bottom of that safety down.
This is a common error wherein the 1911 recoil causes folks to hold the handle high. Especially if the ammo has a high grain count. I had to teach ECG this handle hold as she was used to smaller lead throwers that do not have this safety.
This is not my Vicki, but 99% close enough. Yes plated and ivory grips.

[Anonymous01]

If you place your dominant thumb (assuming you are right hand dominant) on top of the safety lever and push down and in while you are shooting, this should work for 99% of average hands.


I don't recommend taping or pinning the grip safety down, or sawing off the trigger guard a la Texas Rangers. If you have to use the pistol in a defensive situation, de-activating any factory safety could haunt you.


Remember that the two predecessors J.M. Browning submitted to the US Department of War (the Colt 1905 and Colt 1908) did not have a either a manual safety or a grip safety and the Department of War wrote both into the specs for a reason.


Before it was finally, completely taken out of service in the 1990s, millions of "GI" hands learned how to shoot the pistol with zero mods or upgrades.


Not to be picky, but your picture is a 1911A1 (circa mid 1930s), not a 1911. One of the mods in the A1 spec was to extend the tang on the grip safety to alleviate "hammer bite", not to help in deactivation of the safety.