Protected One
Member
When shooting your 1911 with a two-hand grip, where is your "strong hand" thumb after you flip the safety off and begin shooting?
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A question for 1911 shooters
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forindooruseonly
Member
Mine rests alongside the safety pointed forward. Flipping the safety back on or off is very quick and natural, so long as you practice with the safety when you shoot - my safety is on when I bring the gun up or down, I disengage it only when actually shooting.
Mostly, just get a good nataural grip and let your thumb go where it goes. Everybody's hands are different. It also depends on whether your gun has a drop safety or a factory style safety.
Mostly, just get a good nataural grip and let your thumb go where it goes. Everybody's hands are different. It also depends on whether your gun has a drop safety or a factory style safety.
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misswired
Absent Comrade
Under the safety pointing forward. Doesn't feel right riding on top of the safety.
I had to pick one of mine up to actually know what I do. I've shot 1911's for so long that I wasn't really conscious of where my thumb was!
Oh, it was under the safety.
Recently coaching some novice shooters, I think another great question is "where is your OTHER thumb?" That thumb seems to have a mind of its own sometimes.
Oh, it was under the safety.
Recently coaching some novice shooters, I think another great question is "where is your OTHER thumb?" That thumb seems to have a mind of its own sometimes.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Thought I knew the 1911 pistols pretty well, having trained in the Army (qualified 'expert') and carried one through two tours in Vietnam. Along about 1990 I had the opportunity to attend one of John Farnum's defensive pistol classes (excellent training program at the time). I was coached into a higher grip than I had used for years, strong hand thumb resting on the weak hand thumb and both thumbs extended up and away from the pistol, with just the tip of the trigger finger on the trigger, all combined with the "push-pull" hold to maximize control.
My scores went up right away, and after that it was unusual for me to shoot less than a "possible" (perfect score) on regular qualification shoots.
My scores went up right away, and after that it was unusual for me to shoot less than a "possible" (perfect score) on regular qualification shoots.
OP
Protected One
Member
I will have to try that during my next range session and see what impact it has on my accuracy.
Do you use that method for ALL pistols, or just 1911's?
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Extended safety or standard safety? Improved safety or original safety with a tiny (but sufficient to the purpose) tab?
The thumbs forward grip works for some, can result in operator induced malfunctions depending upon size of your hand, location/size of controls and your grip.
IIRC and with an extended safety, on top. Standard safety, underneath. I've found better tools since then.
The thumbs forward grip works for some, can result in operator induced malfunctions depending upon size of your hand, location/size of controls and your grip.
IIRC and with an extended safety, on top. Standard safety, underneath. I've found better tools since then.
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A lot of folks fire 1911s, and indeed all semi autos, with thumbs pointing towards the target. Not me. I'm old school. Right hand thumb pointed slightly down, under the safety, crush gripping the gun. Left hand thumb over right thumb, locking it down. Creates a very stable grip that fights recoil, and on 1911s, keeps that right thumb away from the slide release-- don't want to cause premature slide lock! This grip is not popular with the "in" crowd, but it works.
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Bacon
Member
Thumb on top of the safety, the other thumb along side of the receiver. First tried it 20 years ago and it seemed odd at first. Got used to it and now it's the only way for me. Provides better control.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Push-pull with all handguns. Thumbs stacked, up and away from the pistol with all semi-autos. Finger-tip trigger engagement with single-action pistol triggers; double-action trigger pulls (revolver and semi-auto) I like my trigger finger on the trigger right at the first knuckle for better leverage and control.
Another technique that has worked very well for me with all handguns is to keep both arms slightly bent at the elbows. By avoiding full extension of the arms we overcome the tendency for tremors that comes with locked joints under stress. Also, the arms function as a shock absorber during recoil, with recoil coming more straight back at the shooter and it is easier to regain the sight picture for a follow-up shot.
Mine tends to be over the top of the safety. It isn’t deliberate, just where it naturally falls as it is just how I shoot 1911s.
On top of safety while shooting. Also allows a person to use the weak hand thumb to create a trigger finger "stop" (weak hand thumb covers trigger guard opening) so you do not get to deep into the trigger and remember to pull the trigger straight back to the center of the body. Hope that makes sense ...
Clarke Hammer
Member
All of my 1911s have beaver tail grip safeties and extended thumb safeties. My two-hand grip involves pushing my strong hand as high as possible up against the beaver tail and trigger guard, and riding my strong hand thumb on top of the thumb safety. My goal is to get the mass of my strong hand as high as possible on the gun. My weak hand thumb is pointing forward, but not touching the gun. This works for me.
My strong hand thumb on top of the safety when shooting. Underneath the safety when moving or holstering pushing up. Unless of course I’m moving and shooting simultaneously. I want to know by feel what position the thumb safety is in at all times. It avoids accidental discharge when holstering or not shooting. And also avoids a gun that doesn’t shoot when you need it to go bang and accidentally bumped the safety on to safe.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Standard warning for anyone employing a firearm with a manual safety:
DO NOT RELY ON THE SAFETY! REPEAT: DO NOT RELY ON THE SAFETY!
Mechanical devices provide wondrous benefits, but none are without failure. DO NOT RELY ON THE SAFETY.
Hope I have made myself as clear as possible. If not, go ahead and rely on the safety until a failure occurs.
DO NOT RELY ON THE SAFETY! REPEAT: DO NOT RELY ON THE SAFETY!
Mechanical devices provide wondrous benefits, but none are without failure. DO NOT RELY ON THE SAFETY.
Hope I have made myself as clear as possible. If not, go ahead and rely on the safety until a failure occurs.
I was taught this method a few years ago and my scores all went up too. I use the front 1/2 of the pad of the trigger finger but might just try modifying it to the tip to see how it goes. Theoretically I can see that it should result in more straight back trigger pull and no pushing off to the left.
I don’t always push/pull properly, that’s when my shots go astray
Also agree with you later post about the bent elbows.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I carried 1911's "cocked and Locked" for so long, I automatically thumb sweep the safety off when I draw any handgun, even revolvers! I EDC a model 49 for the last 8 years and still sweep the thumb safety off. It is a good habit to have!
Ivan
Ivan
OP
Protected One
Member
That's nice, but the question is: Where does your thumb go when shooting?
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