1911 safety

wddodge

The subject came up in the Ronin thread and I didn't want to derail it.  I'm curious the reason some guys prefer the left side safety vs the ambidextrous safety?

Both my 1911s have ambidextrous safety's on them. I shoot IDPA and PPC style matches and use the rt side release when shooting weak hand. Maybe I should flick the safety off before switching hands?

 Is it because it's another area that could fail if it came apart??

Denny

Diver43

There are folks here that know a whole lot more about 1911s than myself, but I would say a couple reasons.  First of all because Mr. Browning did not design it that way.  Next with an ambidextrous safety 
the one side would rub on a holster and possibly turned off, if the holster was not cut for it.
I am sure @Bigslug will chime in soon

Jayhawker

I've been shooting 1911s for a long time...and while I find ambi safeties handy I don't have them on all my 1911s....I don't have a problem manipulating the stock safety with my weak hand...I just reach over with my thumb and knock it off...it's a bit awkward at first but it becomes second nature after a bit...

breamfisher

As the guy who posted he didn't like an ambi safety...

I don't like 'em because:
A.  On a carry gun they have to be real slim on the off-side, else they might get bumped off in daily use.  
B.   Not a fan of how most are held together. Over time I've had the notch loosen and then had to gently squeeze it tighter to get a good grip.  This isn't with cheap parts, either.  Wilson and OE Springfield.  Looking at HK USPs and Browning Hi Powers, the off-side safety is held on with a small roll pin.  It can make takedown and detail stripping a bit more problematic, but I'd rather have that for the additional security.

Note: I used to be an ambi-safety fan for 1911s.  My ideas have since evolved.  I really don't care about the JMB designing it that way or not, as I want a 1911 with better sights and a beavertail compared to a GI stock.  

Zee

I go both ways.

Diver43

Zee said:

I go both ways.

TMI   

ilove22s

fwiw,

i have guns with safety, without safety's, left side and both side.

i dont use most of them for EDC.  I use a revolver for carry if/when i do.

if it was me, i would just do what you like or dont.   

teh good friend that got me into shooting, would not use the slide release either to chamber a round.  He would use the slingshot method.  I asked about this, but forgot his answer.  Also, note he believes that the simplest way is good and to have every shot the same...that goes for trigger too.

note im a righty too.  my good friend is a lefty...

GunNut

I have both and have no preference.  But I’m not removing an ambi if it’s on a gun already.  My wife is a lefty and she likes/needs the ambi.

earlyagain

If anyone has a plunger tube coming loose. And can't locate a staking tool. Some grip pannels offer more support of the tube than others.

Don't ask me how I know......

Jayhawker

ilove22s said:

fwiw,

i have guns with safety, without safety's, left side and both side.

i dont use most of them for EDC.  I use a revolver for carry if/when i do.

if it was me, i would just do what you like or dont.   

teh good friend that got me into shooting, would not use the slide release either to chamber a round.  He would use the slingshot method.  I asked about this, but forgot his answer.  Also, note he believes that the simplest way is good and to have every shot the same...that goes for trigger too.

note im a righty too.  my good friend is a lefty...

Using the "slingshot" method versus the slide release utilizes all (most of) the power in the spring as the slide strips a cartridge from the magazine. 

breamfisher

I believe slingshot works on all autoloaders.  Some handguns don't have a slide release.  

wddodge

It's interesting ready the different opinions of the safety. I think my left thumb would be upset if I got rid of the rt side lever so I'll just keep it there. After 20 years I'm used to it.

 I know better than bring the subject of the full length guide rod up but here it goes. My Springfield Loaded has the flgr and it has never once given me a problem. I guess I've never had to field strip it at a match so I didn't have to use the allen wrench in my bag. I clean and lube it after about 200 rounds and it goes bang every time.

My RI doesn't have to flgr and it shoots just as good as the Springfield. I'm guessing the real purpose of the guide rod is to have something to argue over.

Denny

Spk

breamfisher said:

I believe slingshot works on all autoloaders.  Some handguns don't have a slide release.  

Or the factory slide release button/ledge is really small.

The slingshot method works even with big goofy gloves on (winter time).

The idea being, learn one method that works for everything, at least all autos anyway.

All of my autos load reliably from the slide release button so I still use it, even in competitions.

Ambi's, I use them or not, doesn't matter to me. As long as they fit well in the holster.

Elk creek

For a carry gun I prefer the left side safety only, like said before, there is a slight but real chance of the safety being disengaged. Same can be said of poorly designed holsters..... I’m not opposed to ambi’s just don’t think they are good for carry guns. 

GunNut

I know it’s a theoretical possibility but in all my years carrying a 1911 I have never had an ambi safety swept by anything but my thumb.  

But in thinking about it more, even if it somehow something did, that would not really mean all that much.  You still have a grip safety to keep you from a ND and as long as the trigger guard is covered and you don’t have a habit of doing anything silly like putting your finger in the trigger while drawing nothing bad will happen.

Bigslug

I have ambi safety 1911's, but really, for purity of design, I like the original "SCREW THE LEFT HANDERS!" model.

When the gun comes out, the safety comes off, and it probably isn't going back on until it's getting put away, therefore the scenarios in which the lefty-paddle is needed are pretty slim.

A GI spec 1911 can be torn down pretty much all the way using only its own parts as your toolkit.  The ambi versions typically throw a handful of sand into that neat aspect.

The halves dovetailing together in the middle is a weak point and a complication.

At the end of the day:


 

Jayhawker

I had a high end leather holster that had an annoying habit of knocking off the stock...left hand safety of my 1911...just a poor design that was cured simply by amputating the area that that was causing the problem....In the intervening years I have taken to making my own EDC holsters so I don't have those kind of issues anymore...

earlyagain

I've never shot an ambi safety 1911. Or a full length guide rod version. Or a external extractor version. Or an arched mainspring pistol. Or one in 9mm. Or a small frame short barrel model.

Its a great big world out there.........

Elk creek

GunNut said:

I know it’s a theoretical possibility but in all my years carrying a 1911 I have never had an ambi safety swept by anything but my thumb.  

But in thinking about it more, even if it somehow something did, that would not really mean all that much.  You still have a grip safety to keep you from a ND and as long as the trigger guard is covered and you don’t have a habit of doing anything silly like putting your finger in the trigger while drawing nothing bad will happen.

It can happen, all you have to do is roll on the ground trying to handcuff a drunk.... not me another guy I worked with. 

GunNut

Elk creek said:

GunNut said:

I know it’s a theoretical possibility but in all my years carrying a 1911 I have never had an ambi safety swept by anything but my thumb.  

But in thinking about it more, even if it somehow something did, that would not really mean all that much.  You still have a grip safety to keep you from a ND and as long as the trigger guard is covered and you don’t have a habit of doing anything silly like putting your finger in the trigger while drawing nothing bad will happen.

It can happen, all you have to do is roll on the ground trying to handcuff a drunk.... not me another guy I worked with. 

I don’t do that…. Oh wait, does my wife count?!?!? 😁

Elk creek

GunNut said:

Elk creek said:

GunNut said:

I know it’s a theoretical possibility but in all my years carrying a 1911 I have never had an ambi safety swept by anything but my thumb.  

But in thinking about it more, even if it somehow something did, that would not really mean all that much.  You still have a grip safety to keep you from a ND and as long as the trigger guard is covered and you don’t have a habit of doing anything silly like putting your finger in the trigger while drawing nothing bad will happen.

It can happen, all you have to do is roll on the ground trying to handcuff a drunk.... not me another guy I worked with. 

I don’t do that…. Oh wait, does my wife count?!?!? 😁

You never know what happens....but odd are good you will never have to, until margarita Monday...🤣😂

breamfisher

Elk creek said:

GunNut said:

I know it’s a theoretical possibility but in all my years carrying a 1911 I have never had an ambi safety swept by anything but my thumb.  

But in thinking about it more, even if it somehow something did, that would not really mean all that much.  You still have a grip safety to keep you from a ND and as long as the trigger guard is covered and you don’t have a habit of doing anything silly like putting your finger in the trigger while drawing nothing bad will happen.

It can happen, all you have to do is roll on the ground trying to handcuff a drunk.... not me another guy I worked with. 

Or working on a vehicle or vessel, crawling around under a house doing work, or any work that might require you to get down on the ground....

wddodge

breamfisher said:

Elk creek said:

GunNut said:

I know it’s a theoretical possibility but in all my years carrying a 1911 I have never had an ambi safety swept by anything but my thumb.  

But in thinking about it more, even if it somehow something did, that would not really mean all that much.  You still have a grip safety to keep you from a ND and as long as the trigger guard is covered and you don’t have a habit of doing anything silly like putting your finger in the trigger while drawing nothing bad will happen.

It can happen, all you have to do is roll on the ground trying to handcuff a drunk.... not me another guy I worked with. 

Or working on a vehicle or vessel, crawling around under a house doing work, or any work that might require you to get down on the ground....

I've got to agree with you on this. I'm not comfortable wearing a 1911 as an edc for this reason. My edc is a CZ 82 which I carry with one in the chamber with the hammer down. 

Denny

breamfisher

Once I switched to a single side safety, I had no issues and it's my EDC.  

GunNut

breamfisher said:

Elk creek said:

GunNut said:

I know it’s a theoretical possibility but in all my years carrying a 1911 I have never had an ambi safety swept by anything but my thumb.  

But in thinking about it more, even if it somehow something did, that would not really mean all that much.  You still have a grip safety to keep you from a ND and as long as the trigger guard is covered and you don’t have a habit of doing anything silly like putting your finger in the trigger while drawing nothing bad will happen.

It can happen, all you have to do is roll on the ground trying to handcuff a drunk.... not me another guy I worked with. 

Or working on a vehicle or vessel, crawling around under a house doing work, or any work that might require you to get down on the ground....

I don't deny that there are instances when such an occurrence is probably more likely but it has never happened to me, even while working on my boat, or training horses, or doing other physical activities so I've never had a reason for adopting a prejudice against an ambiguous-safety setup.

I guess one thing to note is that not all thumb safeties are fitted the same and when done correctly engagement should be very positive and it should take a significant amount of pressure to disengage.  Some 1911's will go off safety with just a gentle press down and when I've gotten guns like that I usually re-fit a new safety to them and tune them to my liking.

breamfisher

Yeah, you can do that and if it makes you happy, go ahead.  I just did an analysis of what works for me and, realizing that all my other firearms lack ambidextrous safeties decided the juice wasn't worth the squeeze for an ambidextrous safety.  I do avoid ambiguous safeties, however.  Those things can cause problems.

GunNut

breamfisher said:

Yeah, you can do that and if it makes you happy, go ahead.  I just did an analysis of what works for me and, realizing that all my other firearms lack ambidextrous safeties decided the juice wasn't worth the squeeze for an ambidextrous safety.  I do avoid ambiguous safeties, however.  Those things can cause problems.

Yep, and as I said, unless the gun is one my wife, the lefty, will be using extensively I do not go out of the way to seek or install an ambi-safety on any new 1911s I buy, but I've personally never had a reason to take one out either.  And yes ambiguous (I like that term) safeties drive me nuts so off they go.  I look at replacing them as a repair on a broken gun.  

And at the end of the day, even if the safety is "swept off" the only time I see that as an issue is during holstering where you could potentially have an AD.  The rest of the time, including time in the holster (as long as the trigger guard is covered) It's really a non issue.

Jayhawker

"ambiguous safety"...obviously autocorrect is your worst enema..

Gene L

Another theoretical...an ambi safety isn't as strong as a left side safety because of the way it's made...half of it is removed so it fits inside.  I don't know if this has happened though it is or isn't something to think about.  I don't have them on my 1911s, which I no longer carry so safeties aren't an issue, really.  I don't shoot weak side, either.

GunNut

breamfisher said:

Yeah, you can do that and if it makes you happy, go ahead.  I just did an analysis of what works for me and, realizing that all my other firearms lack ambidextrous safeties decided the juice wasn't worth the squeeze for an ambidextrous safety.  I do avoid ambiguous safeties, however.  Those things can cause problems.

Jayhawker said:

"ambiguous safety"...obviously autocorrect is your worst enema..

No autocorrect, it was done on purpose.  I picked the term up from Bream's post when he typed it.  I assumed he was referring to safeties that do not positively engage in the safe position and re easily swept off, and I kind of liked the term and not having a better one I rolled with it.  

But maybe in his post it was a case of autocorrect in action, so maybe he can explain if I took it the way he meant it or if he just meant ambidextrous and the autocorrect screed it up.

breamfisher

You were the first one to use it in the thread.  Post 26.

https://forums.gunsandammo.com/discussion/comment/878502#Comment_878502

My use was in post 27....