Are my hands too small for a 1911?

[rkh]

THR:

I have smallish hands, and although I can grip and control a 1911 auto, I can't reach the slide release with my thumb without rotating the gun in my hand.

Is this a sign that the gun is too big for my hands?

 

[2TransAms]

Not at all...you shouldn't need to hit the slide stop when you're pullin' the trigger!

Notice I said slide stop,not slide release. The (debated) proper way to insert a fresh mag is to keep your right hand still and rack the slide with your left hand without ever touching the slide stop.

 

[Mandirigma]

No, just pull back on the slide to release it. Its a slide stop, not a slide release.

 

[XavierBreath]

Your hands are not too small. No normal human's right thumb is long enough to reach a standard 1911 slide release, and the extended slide releases lead to malfunctions due to their weight and bulk. Avoid them.

If you want to use the slide stop to release the slide, that is perfectly OK and understandable. You can get into the fight faster after a reload by using the 1911 slide stop as a release rather than slingshoting the slide if you use the right technique.

After you insert a full magazine with the palm of your left hand, you will find your left thumb crosses your right thumb on completion of the insertion. Rotate your left hand and fingers to assume the thumbs forward firing grip as you reacquire your sights. You will find your left thumb passes alongside the slide release. Mash it down with your left thumb as you rotate your left hand into firing position. Voila! The slide goes forward, stripping the first round from the magazine and chambering it. You pull the trigger as your sights align on target.

 

[Quoheleth]

I have VERY small hands - I'm a lefty, so the slide stop isn't an issue for me.

To give you an idea of my hand size:

Pointing my hand with finger tips straight down 90 degrees to a table top, I can stand my checkbook in front of my palm, and my palm extends 1/2 inch past the checkbook edge. As another reference, my fingers aren't even as long as the checkbook is wide. My right hand has a birth defect - the palm is slightly smaller than the left hand, and my right fingers are only 1 - 1.25 inches long. Can't grip a pistol or manage a trigger at all right handed.

I can shoot a 1911 OK. I'll never win the Bianchi cup, but I have fun with it. Actually my 1911 feels more comfortable than my Taurus PT92.

Moral of the story...don't let your perceived weakness get in the way. Try it. You may have to adapt a bit from "classic" or "textbook" grip styles. I do. But, I've figured out what works for me.

...And if anyone wants to pay for me to meet Mr. Jarrett, I would be happy to take his advice

Good luck, friend.

Gotta run...
Q

 

[sgb]

Use your support thumb to release the slide stop.

 

[Hoppy590]

as stated, your not really supposed to reach the slide stop with your thumb. it doesnt hurt the gun to do so. but its just not in the geometry. personaly. when i bring the gun closer to by body to snap in a new mag i rotate it so that my thumb can reach the stop. left hand pops a fresh mag in. right hand thumb hits the stop. both hands come together, and the slides momentum moving forward seems to help swing the pistol back into firing position.

 

[rkh]

Alright everybody, thanks for the input!


I think I might give Nighthawk Custom a call on Friday.

 

[1911 guy]

How to effectively use the slide stop.

John Browning called it both a stop and release in his patent papers and drawings, and I use the slide stop a lot. It's perfectly acceptable to do so. The only reason it has gone out of favor is the advent of plastic guns with vestigial external controls.

When inserting a fresh magazine, use the left hand thumb to trip the stop after locking the magazine in place. This will also place your thumb close to where it belongs when firing, on the frame below the slide.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I have smallish hands, and although I can grip and control a 1911 auto, I can't reach the slide release with my thumb without rotating the gun in my hand.

I can't do that with any of my semi-autos except my 1903 Colt hammerless and then the slide lock is also the thumb safety. The 1903, however, does not lock back on empty.