How 1911 safetys work...

John Holbrook · October 29, 2006, 04:54 PM

Replaced the pictures that disappeared. Click to enlarge.

Photos courtesy of John Holbrook.

Signed:
Your friendly neighborhood Tuner

BigG · October 29, 2006, 05:00 PM

Thanks for the clear lesson, John.

shield20 · October 29, 2006, 05:11 PM

Question - if the sear should break, does the thuimb safety block the hammer from falling?

PhillyGlocker · October 29, 2006, 06:04 PM

Great pics of how the 1911 safety system works.

littledoc · October 29, 2006, 07:03 PM

Good picture, they do help with understanding how the various safeties work.

What'd you do to your gun for those pictures, man?

**1911Tuner** · October 30, 2006, 05:52 AM

Excellent Pictures John, and thank you VERY much! A man would wear out a keyboard tryin' to describe what you just showed us with those cutaways.

The question:

>Question - if the sear should break, does the thuimb safety block the hammer from falling?<
********************

shield20...No. It will slow it a little...depending on how positively the plunger engages the safety...but it won't stop it.

Iggy · October 30, 2006, 07:39 AM

Thanks for posting. As Tuner says.. it would take all night to explain what your pictures show.

Keep it up...

adweisbe · October 30, 2006, 11:42 AM

Thank you for posting, I am going to attempt to fit a new safety in a few days, and that really helped me visualize the surfaces I am working with.

hurrakane212 · October 30, 2006, 12:55 PM

This should be a sticky!~Nathan

Dave P · October 30, 2006, 01:13 PM

Thanks John, but did you really have to cut away the sideplate just for these pictures?!?

Coronach · October 30, 2006, 02:59 PM

He has a 1911 that has been cut away for display purposes.

Mike

XavierBreath · October 30, 2006, 03:05 PM

Thank you John! Do you mind if this picture is distributed as needed?

**1911Tuner** · October 30, 2006, 03:32 PM

Anybody noticed that it also shows a very good view of a secondary/breakaway angle on the sear?

If nobody objects, I'm gonna copy and sticky this one on the smithing forum.

batoy1911 · October 31, 2006, 12:25 AM

Another lesson learned. Thank you, John.

adweisbe · November 1, 2006, 12:59 PM

What file would you recommend for fitting the pad of the thumb safety? A local gunsmith recommended a chainsaw file, and when I looked that up it was a round file which seems like it would not be suitable for make the pad square against the sear.

I have a set of hobby files with 5 different shapes, would that be suitable?

[EDIT]Apparently the round shape is correct[/EDIT]

rmgunsmith · December 26, 2006, 07:40 PM

The afore mentioned safeties on a 1911 are correct unless you install a Cylinder & Slide Safety Fast Shooting System. See their web site for details on the operations.

SniperStraz · December 26, 2006, 07:49 PM

Thats a very cool, clear, simple way to show how it works.

U.S.SFC_RET · January 2, 2007, 01:50 PM

This proves that the internet IS the Bomb. Thumb safety blocks the sear. Grip safety blocks the trigger. WOW!

Wastemore · January 8, 2007, 02:17 AM

Hammer hooks appear a bit negative in the 2nd & 3rd pic.

Two Shot · July 26, 2007, 03:28 PM

Hi John,

You seem to be very knowledgable on this subject so I have a question. I'm trying to remove a S&W 1911 ambi safety and don't know how to get it out. I have most everything else out but the grip safety, hammer, and sear/disconnector. and of course the trigger. Can you help me? This ambi safety is driving me nuts.

Thanks for any information you may have.

Regards,

John Gafford
210-422-4822
gafford@wildblue.net

adweisbe · July 26, 2007, 03:32 PM

Field strip the gun and remove the right grip panel. Pull the right side of the safety out of the gun while wiggling it up and down. It can difficult because the safety is stuck in there good. Once you have the right side out you do the same thing with the left side. It will come out when it is raised all the way to the top.

Two Shot · July 30, 2007, 09:31 AM

Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it. Sorry for the late reply, I have been out of town for a few days.

John

Two Shot · July 30, 2007, 01:50 PM

I tried the suggestion but to no avail. That safety just won't come out. I don't want to break the arms off it. They are the skinny tactical type.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,

John

adweisbe · July 30, 2007, 01:57 PM

If you are doing it by hand you will not break the gun or damage the safety unless you are the man of steel. It will put up a big fight and it can take some struggling and cursing if the fit is tight.

Two Shot · July 30, 2007, 10:10 PM

Adweisbe,

My hat is off to you sir. I just wasn't puttin' enough elbow grease into the job. I did exactly what you said and it came off no problem.

Thanks again for your help.

Regards,

Two Shot

October 29, 2006, 05:00 PM	#2
BigG Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Location: Dixieland Posts: 6,847	Thanks for the clear lesson, John. __________________ Hatcher's Notebook Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd Edition African Rifles and Cartridges Sixguns, by Keith M14 Rifle Winchester 1866 -1873 -1876 Rifles The Maxim Gun Wilson - Automatic Pistols Percussion Pistols & Revolvers - MEC Bob Brister - Shotgunning The Black Rifle

October 29, 2006, 05:11 PM	#3
shield20 Member Join Date: May 21, 2005 Location: New York Posts: 789	Question - if the sear should break, does the thuimb safety block the hammer from falling? __________________ "The amendments reported are a declaration of rights; the people are secure in them, whether we declare them or not" Roger Sherman, 1st Congress

October 30, 2006, 05:52 AM	#6
1911Tuner Moderator Join Date: May 22, 2003 Location: Lexington,North Carolina...or thereabouts Posts: 17,241	Pictures Excellent Pictures John, and thank you VERY much! A man would wear out a keyboard tryin' to describe what you just showed us with those cutaways. The question: >Question - if the sear should break, does the thuimb safety block the hammer from falling?< ******************** shield20...No. It will slow it a little...depending on how positively the plunger engages the safety...but it won't stop it. __________________ Speak kindly to me, beloved master. Revel in my unconditional love, and give me every minute that you can spare, for my time with you is short. -your faithful dog- [/i] http://www.collierescue.net/available/index.html To see my real work: http://www.pets-r-great.org:80/magaz...ue1/cover.html

October 30, 2006, 07:39 AM	#7
Iggy Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2,391	John, Thanks for posting. As Tuner says.. it would take all night to explain what your pictures show. Keep it up... __________________ Old Geezer

October 30, 2006, 11:42 AM	#8
adweisbe Member Join Date: July 17, 2006 Location: MA Posts: 612	Excellent photos Thank you for posting, I am going to attempt to fit a new safety in a few days, and that really helped me visualize the surfaces I am working with. __________________ I am not a gunsmith nor do I play one on T.V.

October 29, 2006, 06:04 PM	#4
PhillyGlocker Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Posts: 235	Great pics of how the 1911 safety system works.

October 29, 2006, 07:03 PM	#5
littledoc Member Join Date: July 30, 2006 Location: California Posts: 70	Good picture, they do help with understanding how the various safeties work. What'd you do to your gun for those pictures, man?

October 30, 2006, 12:55 PM	#9
hurrakane212 Member Join Date: January 20, 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 159	hey This should be a sticky!~Nathan __________________ S&W 642 Springfield XD 9mm Service Hell, I'll kill a man in a fair fight... or if I think he's gonna start a fair fight, or if he bothers me, or if there's a woman, or if I'm gettin' paid - mostly only when I'm gettin' paid. Jayne Cobb Firefly & Serenity Being in Senator Bradley's presence is like being pelted to death with marshmallows (My friend Ron)

October 30, 2006, 01:13 PM	#10
Dave P Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Location: North Florida Posts: 1,394	Thanks John, but did you really have to cut away the sideplate just for these pictures?!? __________________ < I don't need no teenage queen, I just want my em-fourteen....>

October 30, 2006, 02:59 PM	#11
Coronach Moderator Emeritus Join Date: December 20, 2002 Posts: 11,113	He has a 1911 that has been cut away for display purposes. Mike __________________ How is my M&P40 shooting? 99.78% reliable. (This is, unfortunately, out of date...it's only gotten better, I just need to put in the data). Wanted to Buy: vz24, Swedish, Siamese and various contract Mausers, in excellent condition (no scrubbed crests, please). Also, looking for a BHP in Ohio for FTF.

October 30, 2006, 03:05 PM	#12
XavierBreath Member Join Date: January 6, 2003 Location: Louisiana Posts: 5,054	Thank you John! Do you mind if this picture is distributed as needed? __________________ Xavier's Blog LouisianaCarry.org

October 30, 2006, 03:32 PM	#13
1911Tuner Moderator Join Date: May 22, 2003 Location: Lexington,North Carolina...or thereabouts Posts: 17,241	Pictures Anybody noticed that it also shows a very good view of a secondary/breakaway angle on the sear? If nobody objects, I'm gonna copy and sticky this one on the smithing forum. __________________ Speak kindly to me, beloved master. Revel in my unconditional love, and give me every minute that you can spare, for my time with you is short. -your faithful dog- [/i] http://www.collierescue.net/available/index.html To see my real work: http://www.pets-r-great.org:80/magaz...ue1/cover.html

October 31, 2006, 12:25 AM	#14
batoy1911 Member Join Date: August 28, 2006 Posts: 60	Thumb Safety 101 Another lesson learned. Thank you, John.

November 1, 2006, 12:59 PM	#15
adweisbe Member Join Date: July 17, 2006 Location: MA Posts: 612	What file would you recommend for fitting the pad of the thumb safety? A local gunsmith recommended a chainsaw file, and when I looked that up it was a round file which seems like it would not be suitable for make the pad square against the sear. I have a set of hobby files with 5 different shapes, would that be suitable? [EDIT]Apparently the round shape is correct[/EDIT] __________________ I am not a gunsmith nor do I play one on T.V. Last edited by adweisbe; November 3, 2006 at 09:48 AM. Reason: Talked to the Smith

December 26, 2006, 07:40 PM	#16
rmgunsmith Member Join Date: November 24, 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 31	1911 safeties The afore mentioned safeties on a 1911 are correct unless you install a Cylinder & Slide Safety Fast Shooting System. See their web site for details on the operations.

December 26, 2006, 07:49 PM	#17
SniperStraz Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 850	Thanx Thats a very cool, clear, simple way to show how it works. __________________ Quod est necessarium est licitum.

January 2, 2007, 01:50 PM	#18
U.S.SFC_RET Member Join Date: December 5, 2005 Location: The Old Dominion State Posts: 1,715	This proves that the internet IS the Bomb. Thumb safety blocks the sear. Grip safety blocks the trigger. WOW!

January 8, 2007, 02:17 AM	#19
Wastemore Member Join Date: April 21, 2005 Posts: 201	Hammer hooks appear a bit negative in the 2nd & 3rd pic.

July 26, 2007, 03:28 PM	#20
Two Shot Member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Posts: 4	Ambidextrous safety removal Hi John, You seem to be very knowledgable on this subject so I have a question. I'm trying to remove a S&W 1911 ambi safety and don't know how to get it out. I have most everything else out but the grip safety, hammer, and sear/disconnector. and of course the trigger. Can you help me? This ambi safety is driving me nuts. Thanks for any information you may have. Regards, John Gafford 210-422-4822 gafford@wildblue.net

July 26, 2007, 03:32 PM	#21
adweisbe Member Join Date: July 17, 2006 Location: MA Posts: 612	Field strip the gun and remove the right grip panel. Pull the right side of the safety out of the gun while wiggling it up and down. It can difficult because the safety is stuck in there good. Once you have the right side out you do the same thing with the left side. It will come out when it is raised all the way to the top. __________________ I am not a gunsmith nor do I play one on T.V.

July 30, 2007, 09:31 AM	#22
Two Shot Member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Posts: 4	Helpful advice Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it. Sorry for the late reply, I have been out of town for a few days. John

July 30, 2007, 01:50 PM	#23
Two Shot Member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Posts: 4	I tried the suggestion but to no avail. That safety just won't come out. I don't want to break the arms off it. They are the skinny tactical type. Any other ideas? Thanks, John

July 30, 2007, 01:57 PM	#24
adweisbe Member Join Date: July 17, 2006 Location: MA Posts: 612	If you are doing it by hand you will not break the gun or damage the safety unless you are the man of steel. It will put up a big fight and it can take some struggling and cursing if the fit is tight. __________________ I am not a gunsmith nor do I play one on T.V.

July 30, 2007, 10:10 PM	#25
Two Shot Member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Posts: 4	1911 ambi safety Adweisbe, My hat is off to you sir. I just wasn't puttin' enough elbow grease into the job. I did exactly what you said and it came off no problem. Thanks again for your help. Regards, Two Shot