I apologize if this is a dupe

I notice too frequently that my Sc 1911 thumb safety has been "knocked off" while I CCW....I have found myself now frequently checking to make sure it is on safe
has anyone else encountered this issue?
suggestions?
thanx in advance

That's something S&W can fix for you. A safety doesn't need to be easy or hard during the movement to engage or disengage, they can be set up at any point comfortable for you but once fit it may not be possible to alter. Call S&W, perhaps they'll take care of you.

It shouldn't come off unless there is "something" pushing it off. My first question would be what type of a Holster are you using?

typically a Galco Silhouette, snapped as to block the hammer from falling
it seems to happen regardless of what holster I use>. Rafters open top, Galco, Or Kirkpatrick TCC

Question 2: How easy does the Safety move when you use your thumb? It should be a very "Positive" type of pressure to move it either up or down. If it doesn't then I'd give the Service Department a call and likely they'll take care of this issue for you. I've sent many S&W's back to the Factory over the last 40 odd years and they have always been very helpful.

I do Gunsmithing on both S&W's and 1911's except for suggesting that you try sticking with one Holster to see if "it" is part of the Problem. Also, as a Firearms Instructor I can tell you that it can be very important to use the same carry method as much as possible. Changing from one holster to another - especially for Concealed Carry - only sells more holsters for the Holster Companies. It isn't a good idea.

it feels too easy to swipe off>> very little effort required ...where say my (dirty word) Kimber feels solid - proper??

Things that can effect the effort required to move the safety lever are:
Spring ension on the plunger assembly,
Cam area on the thumb safety,
Fit of the safety to the sear.
If the spring is too weak, you could stretch it just a little bit to see if it improves the feel. I doubt that would make that big a difference though.

quote:

Originally posted by kaw77:
it feels too easy to swipe off>> very little effort required ...where say my (dirty word) Kimber feels solid - proper??

Dirty word accepted! The folks at Detonics(see I've got one - dirty word - too) did a bit of 'improving' on Old John M.'s design mainly by changing the way the Thumb Safety works "inside" the gun. I haven't had one of the new Smith's apart but from what I got at the Factory a couple of weeks ago, they weren't aware of the 'change' that the Detonics folks did.

Not surprising, not many people are/were and many of their later guns weren't done using this internal change. It requires fitting by a qualified person and by the time many of the later - Seattle(actually Bellevue built) - guns were made, many of the early employees who were actual trained Gunsmiths, had left the Company.

And, yes, the Safety should have a fairly positive feel to it when it is both in the "On" and in the "Off" position.

RE: Joni_Lynn comment about the Plunger Spring being too weak. Question: Does the Slide Stop go up properly and does it require a reasonable amount of pressure to push down??? It should be about the same as your Kimber and if it is then the Spring is 'fine' since it is the same one.

Again, I think a call to the Factory Service Department is in order and likely they'll be happy to take care of this issue for you. Just my opinion, but, it is a "Gunsmithing" issue and I don't recommend you try to 'tinker' with it.

Hey O.P. - Don't you mean you have a
S&W 1911SC - the "SC" suffix which has
changed to PD, means Scandium frame right?

FWIW - 1) I was thinking of changing
my thumb safety on my Stainless Steel S&W
1911 to the WIlson Combat extended model
but the stock safety is so sure and positive why change it when it isn't broke. 2) I carry
it in a MIlt Sparks #Axiom OWB - it's never
wiped off.

my .02 - call S&W and send it in.

R-

yes I'll probably just call.. I just HATE having it out of my "hands" and in transit somewhere
Oh , BTW KKG
I bought mine in Kirkland , while living in Redmond 2 yrs ago.

I have to agree with the previous posts, if it were mine I'd call S&W and tell them it's unsafe to carry, let them fix it. It's the best answer to the problem.

quote:

Originally posted by kaw77:
yes I'll probably just call.. I just HATE having it out of my "hands" and in transit somewhere
Oh , BTW KKG
I bought mine in Kirkland , while living in Redmond 2 yrs ago.

Are you still in this area?

I've got the same problem with my Kimber CDP II and I've learned to watch it like a hawk.

Dusty;

I'd suggest you also talk to the Customer Service folks at Kimber but I don't have any idea about what they will say. I haven't had any business with them in a number of years. None, since they came out with the 1911 line of guns but likely they will also take care of this issue. Sounds to me like somebody did a bit of a sloppy job when they put your gun together. It happens.

One of the common causes is that the right hand ambi safety lever is easily bumped off because it sticks out in a right side holster. I had a similar problem, and my cure was to install a single sided safety, just the way John Browning originally designed it. I've never understood the reason for using ambi safeties. The other problem, that of the shirt wiping the safety off, I solved by buying a Kirkpatrick pancake style holster that has a shield that covers the lever and prevents contact with clothing.