BelRiose Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 I just made the leap from striker-fired guns to a 2011 platform (6” custom STI), and I’m having some issues with the slide not returning to battery. The problem seems to be that my right thumb, which is resting on the safety, is brushing the slide and slowing it down just enough to prevent it from going all the way forward. Any recommendations on equipment or techniques that could help out? My current thoughts are: 1. Get a safety that keeps my thumb off the slide (if such a thing exists) 2. Get a heavier spring to return the slide with more force 3. Change up my techique/grip somehow (TBD) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSandMan491 Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 I run a Limcat Shielded safety to prevent this. It also doesn't take much practice to just roll the thumb outside a little more and get it away from the slide, but easy route is a shielded safety. Definitely don't change the recoil spring for this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 Limcat, PT, and Swenson shielded safeties will prevent this. Sandman's Limcat shielded safety is awesome and feels way better than the Swensons. I would trim the ledge significantly with my grip. They feel... weird if you're used to having your thumb right in line with the top of the grip, since they'll push it out to the side a little. But you can hug nice and tight and never fear for touching the slide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheers623 Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 In addition to the ones listed above, CK Arms just released a shielded Ambi as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooterj Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 The Swenson is a cast part and I’ve had one break and leave a huge gash in my knuckle. The CK safeties are machined billet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyScuba Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 I have one of these https://www.doubletapsports.com/doubletap-custom-products/dts-ambi-thumb-safety-with-shield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelRiose Posted February 18, 2019 Author Share Posted February 18, 2019 Thanks guys. I’ll take a look at shielded safeties. I figured there was probably something out there, but I didn’t even know the name of the part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rnlinebacker Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 I just made the leap from striker-fired guns to a 2011 platform (6” custom STI), and I’m having some issues with the slide not returning to battery. The problem seems to be that my right thumb, which is resting on the safety, is brushing the slide and slowing it down just enough to prevent it from going all the way forward. Any recommendations on equipment or techniques that could help out? My current thoughts are: 1. Get a safety that keeps my thumb off the slide (if such a thing exists) 2. Get a heavier spring to return the slide with more force 3. Change up my techique/grip somehow (TBD)I had the same exact issue because of my big hands. Went to a single sided safety and problem solvedSent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balakay Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 20 minutes ago, Rnlinebacker said: I had the same exact issue because of my big hands. Went to a single sided safety and problem solved Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk Huh?? A single sided safety does nothing to fix dragging the strong hand thumb on the slide. Needs a shield. Another vote for DoubleTap here but the Limcat version looks good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corrado_kid Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 Just be aware that any safety you go with will need fit to the gun, they aren’t just drop in and go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Th3Un4givin Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 9 hours ago, MikeyScuba said: I have one of these https://www.doubletapsports.com/doubletap-custom-products/dts-ambi-thumb-safety-with-shield Just put these on my limited gun, so far they’ve been awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelRiose Posted February 19, 2019 Author Share Posted February 19, 2019 How much fitting do they typically require? Gunsmith fit, or amateur dremel enthusiast (i.e. me)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooterj Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 There was very little fitting required for the CK I recently installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyScuba Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 8 hours ago, BelRiose said: How much fitting do they typically require? Gunsmith fit, or amateur dremel enthusiast (i.e. me)? Not sure. Doubletap is just 15 minutes from me so I get all my work done down there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 14 hours ago, BelRiose said: How much fitting do they typically require? Gunsmith fit, or amateur dremel enthusiast (i.e. me)? It's different for every gun, every time... Lol You won't know how much fitting it'll really need until you've got the part, your frame, and your ignition. Generally I'd say machined parts will be easiest to fit because the tolerances are better, and they'll probably last longer. If you can understand how the part is intended to function, you'll be well positioned to fit it. Use sharpie, check often, and go slowly and you'll probably be fine. Brazos has a great guide on their website. If you've never installed a safety before, I always advise buying an inexpensive Wilson or Ed Brown single side safety and fitting that first. If you screw up you're only out 30 bucks, and if you do it correctly, you have a spare backup safety that's fit to your gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelRiose Posted February 20, 2019 Author Share Posted February 20, 2019 8 hours ago, Aiden said: It's different for every gun, every time... Lol You won't know how much fitting it'll really need until you've got the part, your frame, and your ignition. Generally I'd say machined parts will be easiest to fit because the tolerances are better, and they'll probably last longer. If you can understand how the part is intended to function, you'll be well positioned to fit it. Use sharpie, check often, and go slowly and you'll probably be fine. Brazos has a great guide on their website. If you've never installed a safety before, I always advise buying an inexpensive Wilson or Ed Brown single side safety and fitting that first. If you screw up you're only out 30 bucks, and if you do it correctly, you have a spare backup safety that's fit to your gun. Sounds like good advice for lots of the smaller, more expensive parts. I’ll keep that one in mind for this project and for the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueorison Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 On 2/18/2019 at 11:58 AM, BelRiose said: I just made the leap from striker-fired guns to a 2011 platform (6” custom STI), and I’m having some issues with the slide not returning to battery. The problem seems to be that my right thumb, which is resting on the safety, is brushing the slide and slowing it down just enough to prevent it from going all the way forward. Any recommendations on equipment or techniques that could help out? My current thoughts are: 1. Get a safety that keeps my thumb off the slide (if such a thing exists) 2. Get a heavier spring to return the slide with more force 3. Change up my techique/grip somehow (TBD) 1. They work, are low profile; if you're not sure how to install them and don't want to risk it on a $$ part; get an experienced 2011/1911 shooter to mentor you and buy him some beer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelRiose Posted February 20, 2019 Author Share Posted February 20, 2019 1 hour ago, blueorison said: 1. They work, are low profile; if you're not sure how to install them and don't want to risk it on a $$ part; get an experienced 2011/1911 shooter to mentor you and buy him some beer. Funny how nearly every shooter I know will accept payment in the form of beer! I’m definitely keeping a couple of guys in drinks, pizza, and tools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troupe Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 A good smith can make you one on what you already have as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theWacoKid Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 A thumbshield is the option I much prefer. A pain to install right and I wouldn't do it on anything other than a mill, but it's the best solution for me. http://www.speedshooter.com/product_detail.cfm?id=BCG30&n=Brazos-BCG-Thumbguard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelRiose Posted February 27, 2019 Author Share Posted February 27, 2019 To follow up on this story, I had a good friend and 1911/2011 aficionado take a look at the gun before I made any adjustments or purchases. He’s a full time shooting instructor, and thought that my grip probably wasn’t interfering with the slide enough that it would stop out of battery. After opening her up, he recommended a few “maybe this will help”-type part replacements, but his biggest find was that the ejector was installed without an ejector pin, and was likely not fitted to the gun. I’m going to go through his list of replacement parts, and have him help me out with the ejector. Hopefully that will alleviate my issue without the need for shielded safeties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Do you have a distinct smudge of what used to be your skin cells and oil on the slide after you shoot? Or is it just not returning to battery for other reasons? Blood is also a good indicator if you cut yourself on serrations. Similar question is if it returns to battery every time when you consciously move your thumb away from the slide when firing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelRiose Posted March 1, 2019 Author Share Posted March 1, 2019 The serrations definitely touch and rub my thumb, but not enough to draw blood or create discomfort (at least in a few hundred rounds). It was only happening about once every 20 or 25 shots, so I can’t say for sure if it would have happened whether my thumb was consciously moved away or not. It did not in the small sample size I have so far. My current plan is to fix the issues I know about, then take it out again for some further experimentation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelRiose Posted March 1, 2019 Author Share Posted March 1, 2019 Unfortunately I’m out of the country for about a month, so I won’t be able to do that for a little bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 Gotcha. Someone who will remain nameless in this thread has regularly left part of his thumb on one of my guns (now his). Very obvious it was happening, even if it didn't necessarily cause a malfunction. Hence the shielded safety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now