Gripping a 1911

[creekman]

recently got 1911. Last night read that one should ride the safety with right thumb (if right handed)...rather than the two thumbs forward - one on top of other most of us use.

Tried that today, and shot terrible...and my weak hand wanted to come off the gun after a few shots.

Can anyone help me with this?

 

[Kanewpadle]

Tuck your left thumb under the safety. Both thumbs forward.

 

[lrrifleman]

Most of my 1911 shooting is one-handed. While I would like to have my thumb ride the safety, I tend to shoot better when my thumb is lower on the grip close to the magazine release.

 

[Tom_R]

The recommended grip on a 1911 is to ride the safety with h your right thumb. Some thumb safeties make that harder to do than others. I have a 1911 with a standard Dan Wesson thumb safety and it killed the web of my hand. I have a different 1911 with a Wilson Combat Tactical safety which is smaller and not as wide. It feels 10x better.

So that is the first part, does the safety that you have work wi H your hand?

You should still be using a thumb forward grip with your left hand as well. Even with your right thumb riding the safety.

 

[Goldstar225]

I followed the conventional wisdom of riding the safety for quite some time. Finally dropped my thumb below the safety and began shooting and controlling the gun much better. For some or maybe most people riding the safety works better but not for me.

 

[Imissedagain]

While there are several ways to hold your most useful thumbs with 1911s it just dawned on me ...... is that why the Yakuza only chop the little fingers?

 

[creekman]

don't you mean right thumb under the safety ?

Tuck your left thumb under the safety. Both thumbs forward.

then the grip would be like my grip on other autos?

 

[Kanewpadle]

It should yes. The 1911 for most people is one the easiest guns to shoot. I shoot all my guns thumbs forward with the exception of my revolvers.

 

[ExcitableBoy]

Everyone's hands are different: long fingers, short fingers, thin finger, fat fingers, in between fingers, long thumbs, short thumbs, big beefy palms, slim palms... you get the drift. The physiological makeup of your hands, wrist, forearms, etc., and your physical strength are the prime considerations in what kind of grip is "right" for you

The "thumbs forward" grip is a fairly recent development in the semi-auto pistol world, mostly brought about by competitive shooters within the varied "games", of which there is the great consideration for speed, down to the thousandths-of-a-second. In many of these competitions, the loads are powered down from full-house defensive rounds that one might pack in a daily carry weapon. There is considerably less recoil thus allowing faster recovery times and faster course times. Most semi-auto competitors swear by the thumbs forward technique as being superior to "locking" your thumbs downward, as in two-handed revolver shooting, which is (still the proper grip for wheel guns.

That being said, thumbs forward is not necessarily the best practice for truly defensive purposes. do whatever feels best and works best for you.

As for myself, I have large hands with thick, medium-length fingers, and a have lot of body strength. I shoot both semis and revolvers the same way, with thumbs locked while two-handing. I have tried thumbs forward; it feels alien, and just doesn't work for me. Those thumbs hangin' out in the breeze don't feel right, and I ain't too darned worried about a few thous' of a second recovery time in a defensive situation. Being quickest out of leather, having a strong, comfortable grip and getting sights on target pronto are my priorities.

But, hey, to each his own.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Everyone's hands are different: long fingers, short fingers, thin finger, fat fingers, in between fingers, long thumbs, short thumbs, big beefy palms, slim palms... you get the drift. The physiological makeup of your hands, wrist, forearms, etc., and your physical strength are the prime considerations in what kind of grip is "right" for you

The "thumbs forward" grip is a fairly recent development in the semi-auto pistol world, mostly brought about by competitive shooters within the varied "games", of which there is the great consideration for speed, down to the thousandths-of-a-second. In many of these competitions, the loads are powered down from full-house defensive rounds that one might pack in a daily carry weapon. There is considerably less recoil thus allowing faster recovery times and faster coarse times. Most semi-auto competitors swear by the thumbs forward technique as being superior to "locking" your thumbs downward, as in two-handed revolver shooting, which is (still the proper grip for wheel guns.

That being said, thumbs forward is not necessarily the best practice for truly defensive purposes. do whatever feels best and works best for you.

As for myself, I have large hands with thick, medium-length fingers, and a have lot of body strength. I shoot both semis and revolvers the same way, with thumbs locked while two-handing. I have tried thumbs forward; it feels alien, and just doesn't work for me. Those thumbs hangin' out in the breeze don't feel right, and I ain't too darned worried about a few thous' of a second recovery time in a defensive situation. Being quickest out of leather, having a strong, comfortable grip and getting sights on target pronto are my priorities.

But, hey, to each his own.

With thumbs forward , your thumbs are not hanging in the breeze. The should be in contact with the gun. Thumbs UP, then yes, they’re hanging out there.

You won’t always be strong enough to get by without applying good technique. The more surface you can come in contact with your hands, the better you will be able to control recoil.

 

[stansdds]

Thumb position when gripping the 1911 depends upon the individuals hand size, the size and shape of the thumb safety, the shape of the grip safety and the shape of the grip frame where it meets the trigger guard.

The original design is best gripped with both thumbs on the grip panel. With an undercut trigger guard, a high swept beaver tail grip safety, and a thumb safety with wide shelf, the high grip with the thumb on the safety becomes doable. When I was competing in IPSC/USPSA matches with a customized 1911, it became second nature to draw the pistol, thumb high and as the pistol was pointed down range, the thumb dropped onto the safety, putting the pistol in fire mode, and the thumb stayed on top of the safety until I finished the course of fire. With an original pattern 1911, that is not really practical, but it was fast and controllable with a customized 1911.

 

[M29since14]

recently got 1911. Last night read that one should ride the safety with right thumb (if right handed)...rather than the two thumbs forward...

I understand what they are up to. They don’t want you to inadvertently snick the safety lock to safe when the gun recoils. It’s a nice thought, but it doesn’t work for me. I have only one bit of advice for holding a 1911: as high as possible, or even higher.

To do that, in my case I prefer the A1 version, with beavertail and Commander hammer added. A checkered front strap is invaluable, also.

I have been shooting 1911s a LONG time now, and many, many of them. I have never accidentally engaged the safety lock. My thought would be, if that ever happens, the safety lock needs adjustment.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

I understand what they are up to. They don’t want you to inadvertently snick the safety lock to safe when the gun recoils. It’s a nice thought, but it doesn’t work for me. I have only one bit of advice for holding a 1911: as high as possible, or even higher.

To do that, in my case I prefer the A1 version, with beavertail and Commander hammer added. A checkered front strap is invaluable, also.

I have been shooting 1911s a LONG time now, and many, many of them. I have never accidentally engaged the safety lock. My thought would be, if that ever happens, the safety lock needs adjustment.

Yep, I was told to ride the safety just to make sure you flipped the safety off and dont inadvertently engage it while shooting.
Otherwise, just train to snick it off when drawing and you will be fine.
If you have a very serrated slide, like on the newer Kimbers, the thumbs up hold could cheese grater you while shooting

 

[jlrhiner]

Here ya' go;

YouTube

 

[Bayou52]

Everyone is a bit different as has been said. For me, with the pistol beaver tail firmly setting against the webbing between the thumb and index finger, it's right thumb over the safety and left thumb on the face of the slide stop.

But then again, I'm using the SR1911 which has a rather generous amount of surface space on the safety. I've shot several Colts that had safeties with noticably narrower surfaces. And on these, it was very uncomfortable (for me) to ride the surface of the safety. So, it was thumb under the safety on these Colts.

Bayou52

 

[CA Escapee]

I find that when I ride with my thumb up on top of the safety I don't always depress the grip safety. (Small paws + older series '70 pistols = no joy.) But all of my 1911s will go bang when I shoot with my thumbs below the safety. Use what works for you.

Trivia question: Who started shooting with thumbs forward?

Hint: The Combat Grip - Handguns

Bill

 

[CA Escapee]

With thumbs forward , your thumbs are not hanging in the breeze. The should be in contact with the gun. Thumbs UP, then yes, they’re hanging out there.

You won’t always be strong enough to get by without applying good technique. The more surface you can come in contact with your hands, the better you will be able to control recoil.

One of the gun writers, (and a cop, Duane Thomas(?)) shoots with his thumbs forward and not touching the frame. Do what works for you.

Bill

 

[tg4360]

The safety is a control, not a thumb rest... Unless it's one of those gigantic thumb rests/safeties.

You're grip and your control of the firearm are personal...

Try various things and keep what works.

 

[Grayfox]

Most people don't realize just how adaptable the 1911 grip is. Standard, thick or thin grips, arched, flat or bobtailed MSH, standard, long, short triggers, grip safeties and beavertails. Then there are all manner of thumb safeties and slide releases. With a little experimentation, the 1911 can be custom fit to your hand.
As for thumb position, go with whatever works for you.

 

[BAM-BAM]

You're grip and your control of the firearm are personal...

Try various things and keep what works.

^^^^^^^ Ditto......After 50 years with a few grip changes along the way......I tried but didn't adopt the thumbs forward grip which IIRC only appeared about 10-18 years ago..... did not feel natural nor instinctive to me.

..... IIRC development of instinctive muscle memory requires 2000-4000 reps.