[Guest]

i have read in Nov/Dec 2010 "American Handgunner" magazine that the single side thumb safety can be accidentally knocked off safety. i have questions.

http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanHandgunner/AHND10/?page=40

1. What exactly does that side safety disengage/block/ stop etc.?
2. How does one accidentally knock this off?
3. Is this even a real issue, or is it just something to deter 1911 purchases?
4. How does that safety work? (Do you push it up to fire, or down to fire?)
5. How can this issue be nullified?

 

[BeauBeaux]

1. Safety blocks the sear, so it can't move out of the hammer notch.
2. Body movement, most ccw holsters hold the weapon in tight to the body for concealment. In the case of an ambi-safety arm movement can knock it off.
3. Yes its a real issue. But not something to turn you off to buying a 1911.
4. Up is safe, down to fire.
5. The safety can be corrected. Sometimes as easy as getting a different style holster. Other times it takes some hand fitting by a gunsmith. Usually they are to wide imo. Sometimes its a plunger problem. Maybe even a sloppy fit to the sear from the factory.

 

[jbpmidas]

I have never encountered this problem, although I have only limited carrying time with my 1911.

 

[miker84]

It's possible to knock it off, but you still have to get past the grip safety to fire it.

Its possible to accidentally cock a DA revolver while carrying it, but you don't hear as much noise about that as you do 1911's.

 

[rigrat]

1. What exactly does that side safety disengage/block/ stop etc.?

Blocks the sear as said.

2. How does one accidentally knock this off?

My guess would be body movement?

3. Is this even a real issue, or is it just something to deter 1911 purchases?

No this is not a real issue go to some of the 1911 forums and read up never heard of it happening on any of them. Doesn't mean it can't or hasn't happened just that it definitely isn't a common thing.

4. How does that safety work? (Do you push it up to fire, or down to fire?)

Down is off safety or ready to fire.

5. How can this issue be nullified?

This is not a issue as said above. I have 2 1911's and haven't had this problem. If you did come across this problem it would more than likely be because of the spring being weak and would need to be replaced. IMO

 

[jakeg823]

I carry a compact 1911 everyday that I can for the past few months that I've had my permit. It has an ambi safety. Never once unholstered at the end of the day to find the safety off and I routinely check throughout the day cuz I'm paranoid. It rides in a milt sparks vm2 holster. The holster has a detent in it for the left side thumb safety. I've tried to flip the safety off with it in the holster just to see if it was possible(unloaded of course). And without feeling like I was close to breaking the safety off it was extremely difficult. With my gun/holster combo I'm not too worried about it.

 

[Doug Bowser]

I know a BOZO that used to carry a 1911 cocked and locked in the back of his trousers, under the belt. He sat in a car and it fired and made him a new a$$ crack. Not quite in the middle.

OUCH

Doug

 

[DBChaffin]

A good holster is key. Like the VM2 Jake mentioned, most of the better ones are molded to keep or even wedge the safety up or "on". A thumb safety can be adjusted to be harder to flip on and off by a gunsmith or someone that knows what they are doing if needed, but generally it is not an issue in my opinion.

 

[jakeg823]

Yeah on the vm2 I wouldn't holster my pistol without the safety in the on position due to there not being a detent for it to be off and holstered. Just goes to show you that is how the 1911 is meant to be carried. A good belt to keep the gun high and tight to the body helps too cuz Im a big guy and bump into EVERYTHING...ask my pocket knives....I have to keep extra clips on hand

 

[crossedcannons45]

I carry a 1911 every time I walk out my front door and I have never had this problem. It does still concern me so I plan on changing from an ambi safety to a regular righty one day.

Doug, I may have misinterpreted your post but it is my understanding that Condition 1 (cocked & locked) is the way a 1911 is intended to be carried.

...or perhaps you meant he was a bozo for carrying "gangster style" .

 

[jakeg823]

I think mr Doug was talking about the guy carrying it without a holster

 

[crossedcannons45]

I think mr Doug was talking about the guy carrying it without a holster

Oh...nevermind then

 

[Joe S.]

the 1911 i had was DIFFICULT to move the safety to fire. i dont see it happening accidently if you have a good holster...

 

[IslandTimes]

No kidding, it takes more than just a bump to move the safety on mine. I have to use some good effort to click it down to fire.

 

[bonedust75]

On all the 1911s I have owned which is quite a few I have never had just a plain and easy safety that will just easily come off. But I did have a 1911 once where I had to use two hand sometimes to get that thing to come down but instead of throwing it out I did just a little bit of filing and fixed that problem. I also agree that it is not very likely for something like that to happen but again it is possible.