1911 Limp wristing?

[Holgersen]

I have several other guns but I recently bought a RIA 1911 and have been reading different posts and articles about what kind of things I can expect with different 1911's.

One thing I have run into with 1911 articles and posts that I have not run into with other gun posts and articles is limp wristing. I only seem to find this in 1911 posts and articles.

My question is what is limp wristing and why am I only hearing about it with 1911's?

My thought is that a gun should fire properly whether it is held properly or not. Whether it hits anything is another story.

 

[Rob G]

Limp wristing is basically not holding the gun tightly enough, which can cause the weapon to malfunction. If you don't have a tight grip the the recoil pushes the gun back in your loose hand instead of pushing the slide back on the gun. This typically results in a failure to feed and/or failure to extract. All semi-auto handguns (as far as I know) are susceptible to limp wristing.

You hear more about this more often with 1911s because the combination of the heavy recoiling .45, strong recoil springs, and tightly fitted parts common on most modern 1911s means a tighter than normal grip is required to avoid limp wristing with those guns.

If you want a gun that will fire properly whether you hold it properly or not I'd suggest sticking with revolvers.

 

[Caliban]

someone on here had a great link to a youtube video of a guy limp-wristing various 9mm semiautos, hopefully that gets added to this thread

i recall that the verdict was most semis will handle it fine, but the beretta 92fs would fte a few times per magazine, and the glock would actually fte nearly EVERY time

don't think he tested a 1911

 

[rrflyer]

I always hear about it more with glocks than 1911's.

I've shot my 1911 just holding the grip between my pointer finger and thumb and its always functioned normally. Same with my GF's XD 45.

But limpwristing is just bad technique and shouldn't be a problem on any firearm if somebody has proper grip on the pistol.

 

[TAB]

someone on here had a great link to a youtube video of a guy limp-wristing various 9mm semiautos, hopefully that gets added to this thread

i recall that the verdict was most semis will handle it fine, but the beretta 92fs would fte a few times per magazine, and the glock would actually fte nearly EVERY time

don't think he tested a 1911

he did test a 1911... it did not have any probs... sadly the video was removed form youtube...The only gun that did have probs with limp wristing was the glock.

 

[R.W.Dale]

you primarily hear about limp wristing with 1911's is because most 1911 are expensive guns and when an expensive gun won't run the excuse of choice is either

A a 500rd break in period is required, hopefully for the manufacturer the warranty will expire before you get through this

B You're not holdin it right stupid, again by the time you figure out this isn't the case the MFG is hoping you'll lose interest and simply unload this lemon to the next guy

Bottom line if a handgun's function is dependent on how it's held it not workin right and needs to be fixed

 

[CWL]

My question is what is limp wristing and why am I only hearing about it with 1911's?

Welcome to THR Holgerson!

With that said, I don't think you have done much searching about "limp wristing".

Limp wristing is a trait of the shooter, not the firearm. This happens with any brand of semi pistol and caliber, though larger calibers probably contribute more to "limp wristing".

 

[combatantr2]

A steel 1911 prone to limpwristing is pure horses___t. Even a low budget RIA cannot be deliberately jammed unless you alter all the timings with un-ideal springs, botched ramp and throat jobs, etc., moreso due to limpwristing.

Most polymer pistols on the otherhand are more prone to limpwrist failures.

 

[grendzy]

FWIW, I have tried deliberately limp-wristing my Para 1911, grasping it with only enough force to keep from dropping it. I found it impossible to induce a jam this way.

 

[Ske1etor]

Due to the mass of the frame of an all steel 1911, it is nearly impossible to "limp wrist".

 

[TCmofo]

I know this is a relatively common term out there, but I really don't get how you can limpwrist a gun...any gun, whether polymer or steel.

 

[RPCVYemen]

Limp wristing is a trait of the shooter, not the firearm.

Yeah - well, really on the ego/mindset of the shooter.

If the shooter spend big dollars on a weapon, and fulminates regularly on the sainthood of the John browning, then it can not possibly be a weapon malfunction. So it must be "limp wristing". So the reputation of the weapon is maintained at all costs (including the facts), and you get to use a slur with a vaguely homophobic air. This is very attractive to 1911 owners who just spent big dollars on a weapon that's not reliable.

The rest of us call a weapon malfunction a weapon malfunction, and we refuse to carry malfunctioning weapons.

We tend to think that if/when we need the weapon for self-defense, the perp will not wait patiently for us to shoot 5K rounds to make sure it's "broken in." And then wait for us to replace the now broken extractor, and then wait for us to "tune" the extractor. And then wait ...

Mike

 

[Steve C]

Generally light weight polymer or alloy framed pistols are susceptible to limp wristing. Most 1911's are steel frame and heavy enough to provide the needed resistance to function with a light grip. Lighter the spring and the heavier the ammo is loaded the less likely you will have a FTF caused by limp wristing. Its all a matter of physics, momentum, static and kinetic energy.

 

[Vonderek]

If limpwristing was an actual issue, wouldn't pistols malfunction on a regular basis in a Ransom Rest? I have never read a review where a pistol was fired from a Ransom Rest for accuracy and the pistol malfunctioned.

 

[Caliban]

doesn't a ransom rest hold the gun perfectly still? how is that limp?

 

[Steve C]

If limpwristing was an actual issue, wouldn't pistols malfunction on a regular basis in a Ransom Rest?

You mean that heavy vise like devise where the pistol is held in place firmly and locked in with friction resistance to dampen the recoil?

Question should be answered.

 

[rcmodel]

Due to the mass of the frame of an all steel 1911, it is nearly impossible to "limp wrist".

+1

A properly fitted 1911 can be fired with only the thumb & trigger finger holding the gun, and work perfectly.

It is the lighter and smaller guns that can become problematic, because there is not enough mass in the gun to counteract the slide recoiling.

rcmodel

 

[R.W.Dale]

It is the lighter and smaller guns that can become problematic, because there is not enough mass in the gun to counteract the slide recoiling.

I don't even believe that. I can't even get my tiny Kel-Tec P32 to malfunction when only shooting it with 2 fingers

 

[weisse52]

We tend to think that if/when we need the weapon for self-defense, the perp will not wait patiently for us to shoot 5K rounds to make sure it's "broken in." And then wait for us to replace the now broken extractor, and then wait for us to "tune" the extractor. And then wait ...

I am trying to understand this post. I have shot lots of quality 1911's for 30+ years. I have yet to break an extractor. I am sure it happens. The only one I have every had to "tune" was from a SA GI, and I let SA do that. I feel this is more of an internet rumor than fact.
Or, maybe since I shoot mostly Colts I have just never have experienced this problem.
And I am talking about a normal "carry" piece, not some of these "race" guns people insist on attemping to carry.
Oh, and I shoot every gun I would stake my life on for "lots" of rounds before it is trusted, and that even includes revolvers.

 

[Ske1etor]

I don't even believe that. I can't even get my tiny Kel-Tec P32 to malfunction when only shooting it with 2 fingers

Remember though, the kel-tec P32 has an fairly light slide also. I am talking about the poly framed big guns. .45's, .40's and the like. The slides weigh twice (sometimes more) than what the frame weighs.

I should also post that I pretty much agree with the guy above stating that "limp wristing" is an ego created problem. I do not agree with the rest of his post and actually feel disrespected by the following comment.

The rest of us call a weapon malfunction a weapon malfunction, and we refuse to carry malfunctioning weapons.

The rest of us? Seems to me like you are implying that all 1911 owners and enthusiasts are second class members of the shooting sports/self/home defense community? Not all 1911's malfunction. In fact, I would put my Kimber Custom up against any firearm owned by anyone on this here forum.

the perp will not wait patiently for us to shoot 5K rounds to make sure it's "broken in."

You mean you don't personally run all of your firearms for reliability reasons? You just purchase a gun and because the manufacturer says it is "perfection" you accept it as gold? (I may end up chewing on my toes for this, but I take you for a Glock owner/enthusiast.)

I do shoot my new 1911's to "Break" them in. For the sake of the reliability of the firearm but more importantly to build trust in that firearm. I also shot my XD-40 for a break in period... and my weatherby rifle... and my mossberg 500... Those firearms are not noted for reliability problems and they still ran the gauntlet before being carried in the field.

 

[combatantr2]

While some shooters tend to believe on break-in periods, I do too. But the most reliability and functionality test shoots i've made at the most for a new pistol is 50rounds of choice ammo. After that I decide on it with confidence. The only pistol brands I had that I thought were limpwrist sensitive were an ASTRA 9mm and a G22, which I sold both.

 

[Southern6er]

I spent some good money on a handgun and I fully admit it was ME that was the problem. A new Kimber and a new handgun owner and not knowing the best way to grip it.

When I started, I didn't hold it tightly and it happened a lot. At the same session, the rangemaster offered suggestions on adjusting my stance and showed me the proper stances and grip techniques. No more firing problems at all.

Forget the break-in period for the handgun. It is more of the break-in period for me.

This Kimber is an ALLOY frame, not a steel frame, btw.

I have a steel frame 1911 in 9mm on the way. I don't expect it be a problem. Between the grip techniques I've learned and the calibre to frame size, I think it'll be a dream to shoot.

In my point of view, you need to look at a few areas when deciding if it is a true limp-wristing situation or a problem with the pistol.
1. Check the feed paths (ramps, mags, extractors, etc) and make sure they are good to go. If you don't know what you are doing, let a professional gunsmith do the work.
2. If reloading, make sure everything is in spec. I don't reload and know very little about this aspect, but something to consider.
3. Try a different ammo. Some guns are picky about what they'll eat. This is not just a 1911 issue, but nearly all gun makes/models.
4. Have somebody better experienced than you (assuming fairly new shooter), watch you shoot. Have them look at your stance and grip and make sure YOU are not the problem.

If the problem lies with the gun, you need to decide if it is worth you keeping it or replacing it with something else.

 

[Walkalong]

I have not been able to make any of my 1911's fail from holding them loosely.

3" to 5", Steel and Aluminum framed.

 

[sturmgewehr]

Those were my video's. I deleted my old Youtube account. But I still have the video's up on my Photobucket account.

Here's one of the limp wrist test video's, this one with the G17C.



When people said the Glock was failing because it was ported, I did a video of a regular G17 along with some other handguns.

 

[sturmgewehr]

A properly fitted 1911 can be fired with only the thumb & trigger finger holding the gun, and work perfectly.

I've never been able to get a 1911 to limp wrist and I've tried very-very hard and with many pistols. If the gun is in your hand, regardless of how you're holding it, it will cycle (unless something is blocking the travel of the slide).

If a 1911 doesn't work, there's something wrong with that particular gun - not the design.