1911 thumb safety problem

[Byron Quick]

I've got a Springfield 1911/A1 with a thumb safety problem. I'll check the safety during carry and it's off, push it back on, check it sometimes later and it might be off again.

The plunger tube is tight and straight. You can feel the safety engage when you snap it on.

 

[Jeff S.]

How do you carry, and in what holster?

 

[1911Tuner]

Safety

Byron...Run a quick test.

As you engage the safety, overcock the hammer slightly, and push the safety on as far as it will go. Does it move any higher this way? While still holding the hammer off the sear, thumb it into the off-safe position and see if it feels any harder to disengage.

If it doesn't change...Remove it and look at the plunger. Is it worn flat, or still look okay?

Assembled, work a shim between the back of the slidestop and its plunger to increase spring tension against the safety's plunger. More positive...or no change?

 

[XavierBreath]

When this occurs on my pistols, almost always as a result of swapping safeties, I first make sure it is engaging the sear correctly, and fitting up into the slide notch all the way. I make certain the plungers are working as advertised.

Next, I make certain the safety has about 1mm between it, in the off position, and the slide flat when the slide reciprocates. If not, I file some clearance in the upper corner.

Finally, when I am satisfied with where the safety is and how it functions, I examine the recess in the safety that the plunger engages. This recess can usually be massaged a bit to make the safety more likely to stay engaged. Usually there either is no recess in the safety, or it is in the wrong spot.

I use a small round diamond Dremel bit about the size of the plunger itself to gently wallow the recess over, or to cut one altogether. The recess should not be exactly round, but rather teardrop shaped, with a ramp going up to help ease the plunger on it's path as the safety is snicked off.

I am betting your plunger is not engaging the recess in your thumb safety, or that you have no recess in the safety. It could be a host of other problems though, especially if it is the original thumb safety. Check the function of the plungers, remove them, polish them, oil them and reinstall them before you start cutting on parts. Remember it is easier to remove metal than it is to put it back.

 

[Bill Z]

Byron,

There is a PPC match week-end after this, the 22cnd. If you are going to make it, let me know and we'll check it out. I'll bring a few spare parts just in case and see if we can get it working for you. Just try to come a bit early, I like to try to get started on time but should have the range set-up a bit early.

If it's not the pistol, it may be the holster. I almost exclusively use IWB for carry and always have those made with the sweat sheild, not so much for swaet, but to keep any movement isolated from the working parts of the pistol. You may want to see if there is any interference with the safety and your body or other items, (don't remember if your a lefty or not) that cause the safety to disengage

Bill Z

 

[Byron Quick]

I carry OWB in a Galco Royal Deluxe hoster at 3 to 4 o'clock.

The thumb safety is already against the notch in the slide when I engage the safety. It can't go any further when I over cock the hammer. There is no perceived difference in disengaging the safety when over cocked.

I don't have time to try the rest right now but thanks guys.

 

[Bottom Gun]

I think Bill Z got it right. I had the same problem with more than one of my 1911’s when I carried them in Bianchi 19L holsters. I think the seams of my shirts would rub on the exposed safeties as I moved about and would sooner or later push them over to the off position.
The problem became worse in cold weather when I wore a jacket covering the gun.

I noticed that it didn’t happen as often when I used a Galco 212 style holster so that led me try a holster with a sweat shield.

I started using Kramer scabbards which have the sweat shields molded around the thumb safety which serve to captivate it.
That did the trick for me. I haven’t had a safety push off since I started using holsters with sweat shields.

Hope that helps.