Manual safety question

[rpxr400]

So, are the manual safety guns available with single side safety, or only ambi?

If ambi - can the opposite side safety lever be safely removed (by a gunsmith) without affecting the integrity of the gun?

I realize the advantages of an ambi safety, but I like my safety inside, so it can't accidentally be knocked off.

 

[chuck s]

I don't see any reason the right side lever can't be ground off. No need to pay an "gunsmith" to do the work though.

Accidentally "knocked Off" is not the problem as this pistol needs no frame safety at all and is normally furnished without one, just like a Glock.

Accidentally put On is a major problem (with any safety) unless you train to ride your thumb on top of the lever at all times the pistol is in your hand (as if this was a M1911). At least this is a frame safety and not in the slide!

If you're not riding the safety it's best to remove it. It comes right out during detailed cleaning and need not go back.

-- Chuck

 

[Dragon6]

I bought my 40c with the thumb safety. After decades of 1911 shooting I found myself fishing for the non existent safety on a Glock. If you aren't going to train to the point of automatically dropping the safety at presentation, remove it. I've had no issue with the safety being knocked off in the holster. I use a MTAC from Comp-Tac.

 

[chuck s]

Trained M1911 shooters know the drill. Thumb is always on top of the lever while the pistol is in hand.

-- Chuck

 

[rpxr400]

Trained M1911 shooters know the drill. Thumb is always on top of the lever while the pistol is in hand.

-- Chuck

Chuck and Dragon, I currently carry officer's 1911, and like the (single sided) thumb safety - hence the question.

 

[chuck s]

I don't see any reason the external part of the right lever can't be removed. As I look at photos I'd leave a short tab there but remove the lever outboard of that point.

But this is from inspection, not experience. My M&P9 neither has a safety nor any way to fit one (there are no holes in the frame).

-- Chuck

 

[IraIII]

I had a 40c with thumb safety, and was considering crimson trace grips, which will not fit with the ambi safety. I bought a spare thumb safety, and cut off the right side thumbpiece. I did not buy the crimson trace grips, and the 40c is now gone. It was not hard to install the new safety, just push out one pin, and lift out the sear block. I might still have the single sided thumbpiece here somewhere.

 

[sna0403]

My 40FS came with a TS. $6.00 later and it was off. I carry an issued G-word on duty and the M&P is my off-duty weapon. Without the safety, it's as safe or safer than the gwock and a lot slimmer for CC. Take the safety off, plug the holes and move on down the road.

 

[myanof]

While researching on the net I saw a video of an M&P with a safety that was modified as a single, so yes it can be done. This guy had his gun smith do the work.

 

[myanof]

Trained M1911 shooters know the drill. Thumb is always on top of the lever while the pistol is in hand.

-- Chuck

You are correct Chuck, and I am a 1911 guy for the past 20 years, but unfortunately I can not adapt to the thumb high hold on my 45C due to my short fingers, and position of the safety.

I solved this problem with my 1911s by using a Gun Site Lo Mount Safety. So far this has not been a problem shooting my 45C without the thumb high hold. I'm still in the testing period.

 

[SMMAssociates]

myanof:

Chuck talked me into trying the low mount safety on one of my small 1911's. Couldn't stand it .... But YMMV.

The thumb safety on the M&P's is more of a "we'd better offer one" than anything else. If you're not a 1911 guy, though, either toss it, or modify it for a very positive on/off state. (Pretty easy to do.)

There's no harm in cutting off the extra lever, and you can get covers for the cutout in the slide. I would cut it back to just forward of the cutout, but you probably could remove more.

Just me, maybe, but the thumb safety on the M&P is in the wrong place , but at least it's not backwards like the old M39....

I put one on (swapped a 9C frame, actually) my 40C because I prefer to train with it there as a 1911 guy. But, while it actually does work, it's kinda useless.

Regards,

 

[Flame Red]

I ground mine off when I installed a Crimson Trace LG. Easy to do, but I would remove it. Take like 15 minutes.

 

[chuck s]

The only issue I have with the Gunsite Low Thumb safety on my M1911s is shooting left handed where the safety tends to get set by how I hold the pistol. Everything is a compromise.

-- Chuck