Ambi thumb safety?

[kamagong]

I posted a few days ago asking advice regarding the Springfield Loaded and the Kimber Custom models. I've decided on getting the Springfield Loaded. All else being equal, the difference in warranty made the decision for me.

I have a question though. What is an ambidextrous thumb safety? What advantages if any, does it have on a one-sided thumb safety? I'm asking because the Loaded model I decided on, the Tactical Black Combat Stainless, only has a one-sided thumb safety. Springer Loaded models typically come with ambi safeties, but the Springfield representative I talked to said the 9154L doesn't have one because it's a combat model. Also, what is a combat model?

 

[Rob1035]

if you're a lefty, then the ambi safety is basically a necessity. If you're right handed, its not really an issue

 

[Ala Dan]

Dual safety's or ambi-safety's allow the weapon to be used by right hand or
left hand shooters; without having too switch hands. IMHO, since I am a
RH shooter I don't care for the ambi-safety's on my guns. All of my carry
semi-auto's only have the standard manual safety~!

 

[Jiml3]

The ambi thumb safety means you have one on each side. The one sided thumb safety is just that and is located on the left side since most shooters are right handed. Combat models to the best of my knowledge means they manufactured with more loose tolerences thereby not jamming up as easily due to dirt, lint, etc. and less fusy about ammo.
Hope it helps.

 

[NineseveN]

As has been said, the ambi-safety is a safety switch/level or both sides of the slide. What this does for a left-hande3d shooter is pretty self-explanatory...what it does for a right-hander is an article of discussion.

Personally, I like the ambi safety on a defensive or carry gun. True, it adds a little bulk, but not very much, and, if I have to shoot left handed due to injury or whatever, I can still manipulate the safety. Trying to take the safety down on a non-ambi 1911 with your left hand is a lesson in near-futility.

That being said, it is not a necessity for a right-hander, it comes down to personal preference.

 

[orionengnr]

FWIW

I have a friend who carries his 1911. He has an ambi safety and says that he has noted on occasion that he is carrying cocked and unlocked. His holster does not adequately cover the right hand side and the safety gets knocked to the "off" position, usually when driving. Now he makes a habit of checking the safety when getting out of the truck.

Just something to think about.

 

[Technosavant]

As a rightie, the ambi safety on my loaded only means I can check the position of the safety while it is still holstered.

Otherwise, I just need to remember to buy grips with the relief cut for that retaining tab. T'were I to ever commission "my perfect 1911" I believe I would stick with a single sided safety, but the ambi doesn't bother me enough to get a new safety lever and have it fitted.

 

[axeman_g]

Lefties rule

I need that ambi safety and it one of my main pet peeves that I have to search for guns that offer ambi controls of some sort. (CZ 85, FN HP, Beretta etc etc)

I have a SA Loaded Champion LW that came with the ambi saftey. I love this gun now, but I had to do a trigger job on it. It is Commander length with a bull barrel and alum frame. GREAT carry 1911. I also changed the rubber black grips to colt double diamond checkered grips. They were a little smoother and thinner then the OEM rubber grips. Also my shirts does not grab on them as much as the rubber grips.

You will like that gun, and unless your a lefty, you will never notice the lack of ambi safety. This will effectively keep you ignorant of the plight of the mass of right brainers in this world.

 

[Rob1035]

my only issue, and its not really a big deal, is that there aren't really any ambi safeties that look like they are GI spec or whatever, they all look 'custom', you know what I mean? In other words, it'd be hard to make a lefty friendly WWII 1911 clone. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough though

 

[Ala Dan]

My biggest issue was the fact that I was using a 5" Kimber Raptor, carried
in a Bianchi model 19 field holster with a retaining strap between the 1911's
hammer and firing pin. I noticed that with the ambi safety on the Kimber, the
strap was coming up short of the snap.

Now, I use open top holsters with my Kimber Ultra Carry II and my Les Baer
Thunder Ranch Special; and that solves my problems.

 

[Texfire]

Check Brownells for a GI style 1911 ambi-safety. I have a Mushke GI profile one on my RIA 1911 and like it very well. Looks "stock" but is more lefty friendly.

Tex

 

[Rotorflyr]

Or just click here-------> http://tinyurl.com/s9ejc

I've actually thought about ordering one for my RIA, but since Im (currently) only using it as a range gun, I have no need for an ambi on it, even though I shoot southpaw.

 

[aggie]

I'll second that!

I carry a Beretta 84 with an ambi safety in an open top holster. Thumb snaps are a very real problem since I do not have thumbs. Seriously!

Anyway, I've found the safety "off" a few times where its hit the arm of the chair and the seat belt latch in the car.

Just be aware & compensate.

 

[1wildbill]

I have a friend who carries his 1911. He has an ambi safety and says that he has noted on occasion that he is carrying cocked and unlocked. His holster does not adequately cover the right hand side and the safety gets knocked to the "off" position, usually when driving. Now he makes a habit of checking the safety when getting out of the truck.

Exactly the reason I took the ambi-safety off my latest 1911(Colt XSE), purchased, and had a regular safety put on. Besides I tend to bump into things .

Does anyone make a left handed safety for you lefties?