1911, Lefty Shooter & Ambi-Safety

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So, I'm a lefty in the market for a 1911. I'd like to hear from other lefties about how critical an ambi-safety is.

I don't anticipate carrying the 1911, that's what my XD is for. The intention is get into bullseye shooting, but you never know.

The only handgun I currently have with a manual safety is strictly a target piece, Ruger MKIII 22/45. My others have no safety, 642, or grip safety only, XD.

So, thoughts? I'm especially eager to hear from folks that are lefty and do not use the ambi safety.

Thanks all,

Tim
 
I'm not a lefty but I learned to drop the (non-ambi) safety on a 1911 when shooting weak-hand in IPSC by using my trigger-finger - no problem.
 
I wanted a lefty safety on my Sistema 1911A1 but I dislike the large aftermarket ones. I found the Meuschke(sp?) ambi that is almost as small on both sides as a GI safety.
 
lefty with an ambi safety here (don't quite fit your request of a lefty with non ambi safety). Mine's a Springfield Loaded 1911. For me it was crucial because I carry it too. I tried the 1911 platform with non ambi safety and could not get there by using only my trigger finger. Maybe if I'd tried longer, but for me the flipping of the ambi safety with the left thumb while drawing works best.
 
AndyC, how do you get your trigger finger to the safety? Is it before you grip the gun? I have competed as a lefty with non ambi guns, On the draw I bring my hands together on centerline with the top of the gun rolled to the right. I activate the safety from over top the slide with the right thumb and roll the gun to vertical while rolling my right hand down to its grip as I punch the gun out on target. Practiced enough I think it could be cut down to adding only about .10 second to your draw time.
 
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WNC;

I've added an ambidextrous safety to my 1911 & think it was well worth it. I also had my H&K USPc variant 2 converted to ambi by H&K.

I'm left handed, but practice weak hand shooting. It comes in handy.

900F
 
I a Lefty I never use them . I use like Navy Joe says. I can also get with trigger finger but not as well.
Theiir prone to breaking and I try to avoid
 
If you're not gonna carry it, then don't worry about the safety. I have ambi's on all of mine, but I carry them. (I'm a lefty) For range use and bullseye comp I wouldn't care either way. Find the one you like and don't worry about which safety is on it.
 
I am left handed and all of my 1911's have the ambi safety. Some have managed to learn a trick to dropping the safety on a non ambi gun. However I learned and trained with the ambi safety and I am not about to try changing the muscle memory that I currently have on my carry guns.
 
Southpaw here that carries 1911 for CCW. Ambisafety works just fine. I even had to have the right side safety (the side we use) bobbed to make room for CTG's and it still works comfortably.
 
>> I don't carry << so I have never used a safety on any gun. why bother? either the gun is loaded, pointed in a safe direction and ready to fire, or there is no round chambered and the gun is safe and/or unloaded.
 
Thanks all. After the responses, and re-affirming in my mind that I'm not looking for another carry piece, I'm going to consider the ambi safety a nice-to-have rather than a must-have when I'm shopping.
 
I have 2 1911 style pistols in .45acp, a 3.5" SA and 5" Kimber. Both have ambi safeties but I practice dropping it with thumb and forefinger... I guess just cause I can. For me the ambi is not a deal breaker for a purchase.
 
My SA Micro Compact 3" is my primary carry. I wouldn't carry it without my ambi safety. Last thing I need to be doing is fumbling with my grip trying to use a finger or something to get a right handed safety off when I really need to be using the weapon. Those of you who are comfortable with it, more power to you. I want the same grip and the same motion regardless of the weapon I carry.

jw
 
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