1911 thumb safety question?

[FullEffect1911]

Hello,

For once this is not a question about how to get my new springfield running, it runs great. This is a question about the thumb safety. When I was shooting it yesterday it would occasionally suddenly not fire. Everything was in battery and ready, but the thumb safety go bumped just slightly up and stopped the sear. Now granted this is what is supposed to happen, but it was just very slightly pushed up and seemed sensitive to me.

What would be the best way to resolved this minor problem? Shooting grip with my thumb resting on the safety? And since I already plan on replacing the Thumb Safety with a single sided one, What would be a good replacement choice?

 

[Z_Infidel]

A lot of 1911 shooters (including me) rest their thumb on the safety just as you suggested. It seems to go well with a high hold and can help with control as well. Besides, after moving the safety to the "off" position before firing, why move your thumb lower?

 

[TheLastBoyScout]

What Infidel said. I find keeping my strong hand thumb on top of the safety helps me remember where to put my other hand for a good thumbs high grip.

 

[FullEffect1911]

Makes sense, I'll give that a whirl. Thanks.

 

[1911 guy]

Ditto what Z_Infidel said. I shoot better with a high grip and it eliminates the possibility of the safety engaging at an inopportune time.

 

[Robert Hairless]

Almost every 1911 with an ambidextrous safety has done that to me too. My solution is rather old fashioned: I replace the ambidextrous safety with one of the oldfangled kind.

To anticipate the inevitable questions:

1. Yes, I can manipulate the standard thumb safety equally fast when shooting with either hand.
   
2. No, I don't shoot with the thumb on the safety.
   
3. Yes, my shots do hit the target.

 

[CWL]

Get an Ed Brown extended thumb safety, and what everyone already said: Keep your thumb on the safety -it is a good method of maintaining proper grip index under stress.

 

[TX1911fan]

Ed Brown makes a great thumb safety. Use the high hold on the safety and you'll have no problems.