Proper 1911 Grip & Draw

[Ak Guy]

Could you recommend a good video re: proper initial grip and draw w/ 1911 ? I'm trying to use a "high thumb" and ride the thumb safety, but I'm finding the draw very awkward and uncomfortable. (And I REALLY don't want to torch one off down my leg.......it must hurt when it comes out the bottom of your foot).

 

[1KPerDay]

Doug Koenig's competitive handgun tips series is a good place to start IMO



Etc

 

[Zerodefect]

The 1911 often needs fitting to the shooters hand. I usually trim the rear of the thumb safety paddle to fit my thumb, to allow it to sit more forward on the safety and less pointed up. Sometimes its easier to just use a GI safety. I also adjust the grip safety so it's not prone to blocking the trigger of a bad, rushed grip. But it still functions.

There's plenty of messed up 1911's out there that are very awkward to draw.

 

[JTQ]

Gunsite's Ed Head demonstrates the draw early in this GunTalkTV video

I'm trying to use a "high thumb" and ride the thumb safety, but I'm finding the draw very awkward and uncomfortable.

Do you have a big sweat shield on your holster?

 

[ATLDave]

I'm trying to use a "high thumb" and ride the thumb safety, but I'm finding the draw very awkward and uncomfortable.

So you feel comfortable riding the safety once you're shooting, but are having a hard time establishing that grip in the first place? Or you're having a hard time getting the gun out of the holster with that grip? Or you're just "missing" the grip a lot? Can you elaborate on what precisely you're experiencing?

 

[rdtompki]

Trigger finger discipline is #1 for any handgun out of the holster. You can discharge "one" into your lower body unless your finger enters the trigger guard.

The thumb safety fit and manipulation is an individual thing. My wife and I both shoot SA 9mm 1911s in competition. The stock ambi safety paddle proved quickly to be too high to establish a good thumbs forward grip. Harrison, for one, makes some thumb safeties that are excellent options. My wife's EDC is a Kimber Pro Carry and the stock thumb safety worked for her

 

[Ak Guy]

Thanx all. I think the issue really is that it's difficult for me to ride the thumb safety (high thumb) AND deactivate the grip safety AND have a proper grip. I think what I'm going to try is building up the bump on the grip safety so it's "taller". (I've had good luck doing similar things w/ JB Weld). Can't hurt, might help.

 

[jrmiddleton425]

If riding the thumb safety isn't comfortable for you, then stop trying to ride the thumb safety.

 

[AZAndy]

Thanx all. I think the issue really is that it's difficult for me to ride the thumb safety (high thumb) AND deactivate the grip safety AND have a proper grip. I think what I'm going to try is building up the bump on the grip safety so it's "taller". (I've had good luck doing similar things w/ JB Weld). Can't hurt, might help.

Try a poster-mounting square with only one side peeled. Cheap fix.

 

[Ak Guy]

I've got a pretty high "tacky" limit.......but I'm afraid that might exceed it. But thanx !

 

[tipoc]

People's hands are different. Not everyone can work well with a high thumb grip that rides the safety. If you can't don't.

The point of the high thumb grip is to have more control over the pistol and to have the ability to quickly disengage and engage the safety with minimal movement of the hand. For many the high grip does that though they may need to change out the thumb safety to suit them. Fortunately there are many choices there.

But the low grip also works. Use what works best for you. In a couple of years you may change.

 

[george burns]

Clear the holster before touching the safety, or get on target and click off the safety and insert the trigger finger. Cops do it one way and military do it another, you can Google it and get a hundred variations, but once you are on target you should be able to do both with practice almost like one action, press off safety and fire. If you need a memory bump on you grip safety , then that may do the trick.

 

[ATLDave]

I would disagree with those who say to give up on riding the safety if is it "uncomfortable" for you... unless you are talking about a gun that will be used soley for slow-fire bullseye or just as a pure range toy. Since we're talking about holsters and draws, it sounds like we're past that.

Learning to do something the better way is often uncomfortable. The advantages of riding the safety on a 1911-type gun (or any gun equipped with a frame-mounted, down-to-fire safety) are numerous. Do not give up on it because it is "uncomfortable." It was "uncomfortable" for me when I learned to do it. Now I won't buy semi-autos where I cannot ride the safety. It's worth the effort. Figure out the memory bump/grip safety thing, but do not give up riding the safety. That way lies unintended failures to fire.

 

[JTQ]

I would disagree with those who say to give up on riding the safety if is it "uncomfortable" for you... unless you are talking about a gun that will be used soley for slow-fire bullseye or just as a pure range toy. Since we're talking about holsters and draws, it sounds like we're past that.

While I'm generally in the "do what works for you" camp, there is a lot of validity to ATLDave's post.

This and other forums are chock full of "I'll never use a gun with a manual safety because it's another thing I could forget in a stressful situation."

If you're always on the thumb safety, from getting a "full firing grip" as Ed Head demonstrates in the video I linked above, I think it is extremely unlikely you'd forget to disengage the thumb safety. Heck, I'm more likely to forget to pull the trigger than disengage the thumb safety as my thumb spends more time on the thumb safety than my finger spends on the trigger.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

While I haven't carried mine I will chime in. I do not ride the safety while shooting. It's not that it's uncomfortable it's just not natural to me.

The main concern most folks have with not riding the safety is that it could somehow get knocked back on once disengaged. While I suppose it's possible that could happen I would think it highly unlikely from my experience.

If not riding the safety works for you then do it and be aware of the condition of your gun. If you are willing to try and change your shooting style with that particular gun then by all means go for it.


I wouldn't call it a "proper" way to draw and use a 1911 to ride the safety. As others have posted and myself included, that's kind of a matter of opinion.

 

[Mizar]

I believe the problem comes mostly from today's fashion of oversized safety levers, and not because of some sort of "unnatural" grip - after all, modern shooting technique closely mimics the "ride on the safety" thumb position. If one is not comfortable with that grip I can suggest first to look at the options of aftermarket safety levers, or modifying the existing one to fit - many times even a slight bevel at the right spot makes a night and day difference.

it's difficult for me to ride the thumb safety (high thumb) AND deactivate the grip safety AND have a proper grip.

1911A1 GI style thumb safety, head of the thumb (the part after the first joint) pointing down - that combo will make a big difference. Also, modern upswept grip safeties contribute to higher, more recoil controlling grip, but do shift the palm of your hand away from that sweet spot for the grip safety pad to be disengaged with authority.

P.S. Yes, some people have different hands, short thumbs, whatever - just buy a gun that fits you better if that is the case.

 

[Ak Guy]

Good comments all.....thanx. I do want to continue to ride the thumb safety. Toward that goal, I did add some JB WELD to the grip safety "bump" and I love the result. It raised it up about a 1/4" and I think that will make all the difference I needed. Although I haven't shot it yet, my draw and dry fire testing results have been just what I'd hoped for. .............instead of concentrating on depressing the grip safety, I can concentrate on front sight, target, press, etc. It seems like even w/ a sloppy grip I can easily depress the grip safety. My next USPSA match is next week, and I will try it out......... I expect good results !! Thanx for your assistance .......

 

[JDGray]

I love 1911s, but there are far better choices, with less quirks for carry. I had a Kimber UCII with an out of time grip safety, found that out while doing quick draw exercises. I just prefer a simpler carry gun with no safties besides a drop safety... Hope your fix works for you

 

[drband]

If a GS IS “out of time” then it needs to be repaired or replaced. Chances are your Kimber would have worked perfectly with a properly fitted GS.

Every person’s hand size fits a gun grip differently. I have no doubt that a persons hand geometry may make gripping a 1911 properly difficult. I would think smaller hands would have the most trouble.

 

[IlikeSA]

I agree with others in saying it may be a fit thing. My duty 1911 has an extended thumb safety and memory bump on the grip safety. I ride the safety on it and extend my left thumb along the frame. When I learned to do that, my accuracy improved substantially. I changed out the trigger to a short trigger and left the flat MSH on it. A 1911 is as adjustable, if not more adjustable, to the hand as the new polymer pistols with the replaceable backstraps.

My other 1911 is a traditional WWII GI type model, and I hold and shoot it differently. Since I don't ride the safety on it, my left thumb sticks off to the side rather than along the frame. I think you have to adjust the firearm to you.

 

[Ca survivor]

I for one can't ride the safety, thumb safety hit once gun clear leather and thumb goes tight under the safety.

 

[expat_alaska]

I for one can't ride the safety, thumb safety hit once gun clear leather and thumb goes tight under the safety.

I agree entirely.

 

[george burns]

I had posted this during another discussion on the draw, it still rings true as much now as then.

 

[Ak Guy]

I shot my 1911 yesterday in a USPSA match, with the grip safety bump built up w/ JB Weld, and it worked just great ! I could ride the thumb safety, and not be concerned about dis-engaging the grip safety. AND with a pretty comfortable feeling grip. SO much better.

 

[ATLDave]

That's great. Good for you for sticking it out and figuring a way to make it work. There are so many good things that come from learning that grip... and it will improve your grip even on non-1911 pistols. Once you learn the feeling of getting your right thumb out of the way and getting a huge portion of your left hand on the grip up high, you'll wonder how you ever stood doing it any other way.