1911 safety
- Thread starter kestak
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dancitizen
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I've only ever heard of it once, a result of having the 1911 thrown during a struggle. The pistol skittered about 10 feet on rough pavement and the safety came off in the process.
I do recall a man some years back complaining that he would knock the safety off when holstering/unholstering his 1911, but he had a very long extended ambidextrous safety that was designed for race gun use, rather than self defense carry, and the guy was pretty uncoordinated and under trained. He ended up switching to a glock which was much more suited to him.
I do recall a man some years back complaining that he would knock the safety off when holstering/unholstering his 1911, but he had a very long extended ambidextrous safety that was designed for race gun use, rather than self defense carry, and the guy was pretty uncoordinated and under trained. He ended up switching to a glock which was much more suited to him.
RetiredUSNChief
Member
No. I've never had the safety on any of my handguns ever disengage during carry. The one I've carried most is a 1911 frame (Colt 1991A1).
If you've encountered this, I'd highly recommend you take a close look at the holster you use as well as checking the operation of your safety. Your safety should crisply "click" into position whenever you cycle it. If ther is ANY slop or play, or if it operates very easily without that "click", get it looked at and fixed.
And your holster should be built to adequately protect/cover the safety.
If you've never had this problem, then you're probably doing things right. Still, not a bad thing to check these two items anyway.
If you've encountered this, I'd highly recommend you take a close look at the holster you use as well as checking the operation of your safety. Your safety should crisply "click" into position whenever you cycle it. If ther is ANY slop or play, or if it operates very easily without that "click", get it looked at and fixed.
And your holster should be built to adequately protect/cover the safety.
If you've never had this problem, then you're probably doing things right. Still, not a bad thing to check these two items anyway.
1911 guy
Member
I carry only 1911 pistols and rotate between several. One of them has an ambidextrous safety. It has on occasion been inadvertently moved to the "off" position. I have made it a habit to consciously check it when I can do so without drawing attention to myself. If grip safety were not functional, I would remove it from carry rotation. However, with the trigger covered in the holster and grip safety preventing actuation of the trigger, the handgun is safe, even with the thumb safety disengaged.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
It's a little unnerving, but it's not as bad as it seems on the face of it.
The trigger still has to be pulled in order to fire the gun, and the grip safety has to be depressed before the trigger can be pulled.
The thumb safety only blocks the sear. It doesn't lock or block the hammer.
If the sear were to suddenly disintegrate, the hammer would fall, and it would wipe the safety off faster than you can do it with your thumb...and the odds of that happening are about as good as winning the powerball three times in a row.
If the hammer hooks were to fail, the sear would grab the half cock and stop the hammer.
If the sear crown cracked, the sear would still grab the half cock and stop the hammer.
And if it happens to be equipped with a Series 80 or Swartz system...the firing pin is blocked unless the trigger is pulled or the grip safety depressed...respectively.
So, breathe easy and keep your finger off the trigger until you want the gun to fire.
The trigger still has to be pulled in order to fire the gun, and the grip safety has to be depressed before the trigger can be pulled.
The thumb safety only blocks the sear. It doesn't lock or block the hammer.
If the sear were to suddenly disintegrate, the hammer would fall, and it would wipe the safety off faster than you can do it with your thumb...and the odds of that happening are about as good as winning the powerball three times in a row.
If the hammer hooks were to fail, the sear would grab the half cock and stop the hammer.
If the sear crown cracked, the sear would still grab the half cock and stop the hammer.
And if it happens to be equipped with a Series 80 or Swartz system...the firing pin is blocked unless the trigger is pulled or the grip safety depressed...respectively.
So, breathe easy and keep your finger off the trigger until you want the gun to fire.
I had a Charles Daly with an ambi safety. I would always find the safety off.
Getting in my truck turned out to be the culprit. The right back bolster, whether with coat on or off, was catching enough to click it off.
I switched to a single side safety. Problem solved. It never happened again.
Now if you have a single safety, get a holster with a sweat guard. If leather it will quickly
mold to the safety preventing the safety from clicking off.
Getting in my truck turned out to be the culprit. The right back bolster, whether with coat on or off, was catching enough to click it off.
I switched to a single side safety. Problem solved. It never happened again.
Now if you have a single safety, get a holster with a sweat guard. If leather it will quickly
mold to the safety preventing the safety from clicking off.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
No, not in 50 years.
But mine have only standard safety's.
You couldn't make me carry a 1911 with an ambi-safety hanging out in the wind, and the brush, and the car doors.
And they have carried in GI flap holsters, or Safariland, Bianchi, Wilson, or handmade holsters that lock the safety on while holstered.
But mine have only standard safety's.
You couldn't make me carry a 1911 with an ambi-safety hanging out in the wind, and the brush, and the car doors.
And they have carried in GI flap holsters, or Safariland, Bianchi, Wilson, or handmade holsters that lock the safety on while holstered.
X-Rap
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Bianchi Pistol Pocket (their Summer Special copy) Kimber Ultra Carry.
Been years since I've conceal carried a 1911 but that was the only holster and case in which I ever drew the gun and found the safety off.
Carried in El Paso Tortilla, and similar Galco, Bianchi, and Blackhawk OWB's without issue.
Been years since I've conceal carried a 1911 but that was the only holster and case in which I ever drew the gun and found the safety off.
Carried in El Paso Tortilla, and similar Galco, Bianchi, and Blackhawk OWB's without issue.
littlelefty
Member
I had it happen once with my Springfield Loaded (ambi safety) while out scouting. Climbed back in the truck and noticed the safety was off/condition 0. My response was exactly as 1911Tuner described; a little unnerving at first until I stopped and considered the grip safety, then I settled down pretty quickly. I had probably caught it on something while tromping through the brush and muck. I was wearing the 1911 owb in a Fobus paddle. Still have the paddle and still like to use it when I can go owb comfortably, like in the woods.
herrwalther
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The only firearm I ever carried where the thumb safety was swipped off was a Ruger SR9c. Which has ambidextrous safeties. I never determined whether it was the outboard or inward safety that was being switched, it was sold before I bothered to track it down.
My 1911s all have single sided safeties, I buy them for that reason. In particular they are all standard length singles. I want to make it a conscious effort to take off a 1911 safety and my thumb has never needed the extended flaps.
My 1911s all have single sided safeties, I buy them for that reason. In particular they are all standard length singles. I want to make it a conscious effort to take off a 1911 safety and my thumb has never needed the extended flaps.
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