ToddKS Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 When you draw your 1911 how do you manage your strong side thumb with regard to the safety? For years I have established my grip with the thumb below the safety and then once the pistol is clear of the holster I move the thumb around to the top of the safety. I disengage the safety as I am indexing the pistol to the target. Because of the extended thumb safety on my Springfield, the move with the thumb has always seemed akward. I am wondering if there is a better way. I tried to search for some video on the topic but the word "draw" brings up art videos. Not exactly my thing. I have been shooting 1911's for 20 years, just wondering if I have been doing it wrong all this time. Feedback or link to videos would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegionShooter Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 (edited) On 1911s I've always indexed the safety with my thumb as I establish my grip on the gun (position 1). Then as I draw and clear the holster I disengage the safety (at position 2) and "roll" my thumb off the lever into shooting position for lack of a better term. By the time I'm at position 3 safety is off, I'm on the trigger and starting to push out while looking for the front sight. By the time I'm at position 4 I'm engaging targets. No links to any video though, sorry. Edited September 30, 2014 by LegionShooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Th3Un4givin Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 On 1911s I've always indexed the safety with my thumb as I establish my grip on the gun (position 1). Then as I draw and clear the holster I disengage the safety (at position 2) and "roll" my thumb off the lever into shooting position for lack of a better term. By the time I'm at position 3 safety is off, I'm on the trigger and starting to push out while looking for the front sight. By the time I'm at position 4 I'm engaging targets. No links to any video though, sorry. My draw is very similar to this except I don't take the gun off safe till it's pointed down range as I'm pushing out and I don't take my thumb off the thumb safety, I ride it while shooting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trent1k1 Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Very similar for me too. Thumb goes on the safety while in the holster. For me, as soon as the gun is pointed downrange (about the time my weak hand is on the gun) the safety goes off. I also ride the safety while shooting. Always. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supermoto Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 I draw with my thumb up, draw the gun, weak hand comes into the grip as I am pushing out. Then thumb comes down on the safety Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAC702 Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Thumb is ready on safety during the draw. After rotation, it is disengaged as the gun is pushed forward and the weak hand comes in. Safe and natural. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Grip, Click, Slap, Bang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris1911 Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Draw with thumb on the safety, disengage safety when extending and leave the thumb on top of the safety until you want to engage it again. No chance you will accidently engage safety during fire that way. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToddKS Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 Thanks to all who replied. I have been working to see what I need to change in my approach to allow me to comfortably establish my grip with the thumb already on top of the safety. It is not comfortable (not unexpected as I have been using a differnt technique for 20 years) but I will keep working on it. I may need to change out the safety. There is a Wilson model that puts the paddle lower that looks like it might be more comfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitvpr Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Draw with thumb on the safety, disengage safety when extending and leave the thumb on top of the safety until you want to engage it again. No chance you will accidently engage safety during fire that way. Cheers. like this :tup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwc5 Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Draw with thumb on the safety, disengage safety when extending and leave the thumb on top of the safety until you want to engage it again. No chance you will accidently engage safety during fire that way. Cheers. Ditto !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Part of riding the safety forces your grip as high as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtychemist Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Here is where I learned to hold the gun. I have my thumb on/above the safety at draw and disengage the safety right before squeezing the trigger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snootworks Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 I had the opportunity to take a class with Todd a couple years ago. Having just switched to a single action gun in Standard (Limited) after starting and shooting in Production for 3 years, I make every conscious effort (which I'm sure will become second nature after some time on the gun) to disengage the safety after my support hand is in place, shortly before I'm ready to break the shot. Todd has a very sombre story explaining why he uses that method, and it stuck in my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackhawk Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Draw with thumb on the safety, disengage safety when extending and leave the thumb on top of the safety until you want to engage it again. No chance you will accidently engage safety during fire that way. Cheers. Ditto !!!Yeap... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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