Don't ride the safety with a BHP?

[MK11]

I understand that riding the safety is "the way" when shooting a 1911. When I try it with my Browning Mark III, I'm constantly knocking the slide out of battery. Granted, this is with the relatively small and close-to-the-slide factry safety.

For you BHP shooters, are you riding the safety or not?

 

[Billy_H]

I never do/have.

 

[buzz_knox]

You probably don't need to. It's unlikely that any BHP safety would be inadvertently knocked on by your grip, given their size and relative stiffness.

 

[jonnyc]

I don't think riding the safety is "the way" for every pistol or person. I keep my thumb down with any pistol I shoot and I don't think I shoot any worse than any of my usual shooting buddies who shoot thumbs-up.

 

[Marshall]

For you BHP shooters, are you riding the safety or not?

Not I.

 

[ACP230]

No.

I don't do it on the various 1911s I shoot either.

 

[10-Ring]

The safety's size & shape is such that I don't really ride it like I do my 1911. In my experience, it's not an issue.

 

[Kestrel]

Nope.

 

[carebear]

Not on the Browning (or the Colts).

 

[Fletchette]

I don't think riding the safety is "the way" for every pistol or person. I keep my thumb down with any pistol I shoot and I don't think I shoot any worse than any of my usual shooting buddies who shoot thumbs-up.

I shoot thumbs-down too. Years ago I was trained to shoot thumbs-up, but it never felt right to me - it always felt like someone could easily snatch the gun out of my hand because I had less leverage with my thumb up - so I went back to my old ways. Doesn't seem to have any disadvantage and gives me more control of my gun.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I shoot Hi Powers thumbs down.

Best.

 

[carebear]

Yeah, but what the heck do you know about it Camp?!

www.hipowersandhandguns.com is just about the best dang BHP site on the net.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hahahahhahaha! The MAIN thing I "know" is how to find the dinner table when it's time for supper!

Best.

 

[STAGE 2]

Why would anyone ride the safety on either a HP or 1911

 

[ugaarguy]

He knows nosing! nosing at all!

Arrghh Prussians!

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello Stage 2.

I think that the idea is that the safety cannot be inadvertently bumped into the "on" position during firing if the thumb is "riding" it. I've got shooting friends who shoot high thumb and do quite well. I just learned low thumb decades ago and have stayed with it as it is more "natural" for me.

Best.

 

[1911user]

Why would anyone ride the safety on either a HP or 1911

I don't shoot a HP (hammer bite), but do shoot a 1911 45 quite often. I use a high thumb grip with the right thumb over the (extended) thumb safety. I find it comfortable and the safety will not be accidentally popped on due to recoil. The main advantage of a thumb over the safety is reduced muzzle flip (in theory anyway). With a stock safety, that would be much harder with the smaller surface to press down.

 

[Kestrel]

Another reason I don't shoot high thumb (on 1911s) is, I shoot a variety of platforms. On the Sig, a high thumb can cause the pistol to not lock back. If I have to grab a pistol in a hurry, I don't want to add another problem into the mix (whether it'a a 1911, BHP, Glock, Sig).

 

[HankB]

I've never had a malfunction induced by riding the safety on my own BHP Mk III.

 

[Golddog]

I'm not comfortable with a high thumb grip, in part because I primarily shoot S&W revolvers. A high grip there drives the thumb piece into my flesh, and it may also drag on the cylinder.

HOWEVER, since cocked and locked CZ's are my other interest, a high thumb, safety-riding hold there has a major benefit. It's a reminder to snick the safety off and could be a lifesaver.

You've got to weigh your muscle memory on that score against the very real danger of impeding the slide and causing misfeeds.

 

[huntershooter]

I shoot "high thumb" on both 1911's & P-35's (with extended safety's). The higher the web of my hand is in relation to bore, the less muzzle hop or more control I have.

 

[jacketch]

40 years here with low thumb on 1911's and BHP's and never a problem.

 

[Cliff47]

Thumbs up on 'thumbs down' (pardon the pun).

 

[Kestrel]

I've never had a malfunction induced by riding the safety on my own BHP Mk III.

That's not what I was referring to. However, if you get used to shooting high thumb with a HP and 1911 and then quickly shoot a Sig or Beretta, without planning it ahead, you will have a malfunction... (Unless your thumbs are short enough, that they don't press against the slide stop on those two.)

 

[GroovedG19]

Unless I'm engaging or disengaging it, I like to keep my thumb completely off the safety of my FN Hi Power.Thumb tucked underneath the safety is very natural for me.