Am I the only indecisive one?

[JLaw]

I've been tempted again.

I have owned two 1911's in my adult life...and sold them both. Not because I didn't like them, but I couldn't wrap my mind around having to use a safety and make sure to disengage it before use. I questioned my ability to do so during a stressful situation.

In fact, I really like the 1911. I understand the mechanics of it and have had good experiences with accuracy and reliability with both that I've had.

My background has been lots of revolvers, a handful of traditional DA/SA firearms, and one striker fired pistol. Never utilized any manual safety on the DA/SA semiautos, just carried them de-cocked with safety off.

I got to check out a friend's new Custom II and once again, I feel the "want" for a 1911. You know what that means...new gun = new holsters, lots of reloading for more often than normal range visits, spare magazines, magazine pouch, etc etc etc. In other words, new gun = LOTS OF MONEY!!!!!

Well, I guess there could be worse problems to have, right?

JLaw

[USA1]

You must submit....

[AEA]

Resistance is futile!

[SQLGeek]

If it makes you feel any better, I cant decide upon the caliber I want for my carry gun. Different kind but still indecisive.

[TLE2]

Remember: Part of draw training, is to elevate your thumb over the safety, and click it off as you raise the gun to point.

Practice, practice, practice. Don't blame the gun, blame the player (or something like that)

[gigag04]

For years swat teams flipped off their safeties as they approached an objective. What is now taught is up on target - flip the safety off, down to low read - flip the safety on. When you train like that it becomes automatic, and adds no perceivable time to your first shot.

Train like that and you'll be GTG in a gunfight with a 1911. I happen to know of a really nice commander size 1911 for sale....

[Iunnrais]

For years swat teams flipped off their safeties as they approached an objective. What is now taught is up on target - flip the safety off, down to low read - flip the safety on. When you train like that it becomes automatic, and adds no perceivable time to your first shot.

Train like that and you'll be GTG in a gunfight with a 1911. I happen to know of a really nice commander size 1911 for sale....

This works well, especially if you uses a thumbs high grip and your thumb rides the safety. As you bring the weapon up to bear and your second hand to the grip, the thumb almost naturally lowers the safety.

[Skiprr]

For years swat teams flipped off their safeties as they approached an objective. What is now taught is up on target - flip the safety off, down to low ready - flip the safety on. When you train like that it becomes automatic, and adds no perceivable time to your first shot.

Train like that and you'll be GTG in a gunfight with a 1911. I happen to know of a really nice commander size 1911 for sale....

This works well, especially if you uses a thumbs high grip and your thumb rides the safety. As you bring the weapon up to bear and your second hand to the grip, the thumb almost naturally lowers the safety.

FWIW, for many years I've been taught, and have taught, that the thumb on the dominant hand should be flagged and high as the master-grip is obtained on the handgun in the holster, regardless of the type of gun. You don't really need your thumb at that point in order to secure a grip: it just needs to be in contact with the inside of the slide for a tactile index.

If that’s the way you practice, you have to worry less about your thumb catching in clothing or behind the holster, and your hand is ready for any autoloader: a 1911-style safety, a DA/SA decocker, or a striker-fired pistol.

Extended safeties are maybe the greatest addition to the plethora of modern 1911 clones. The thumb should always be above the safety on presentation, and the top of the safety makes a no-brainer place to place the thumb when firing. The only time you need to change the alignment of your thumb is when deciding to move off-target and flip the safety back on.

BTW, JLaw, I’ve seen you shoot IDPA with a revolver. Handling a 1911 safety is nothing compared to revolver reloads in IDPA competition.

[jason237m]

If you practice enough you are not even aware of the safety coming on and off. A few years of IDPA matches and you won't even remember when the safety comes off.

[texanron]

FWIW, for many years I've been taught, and have taught, that the thumb on the dominant hand should be flagged and high as the master-grip is obtained on the handgun in the holster, regardless of the type of gun.

Could I get you to elaborate on this? I'm assuming this means the thumb would be sticking straight forward in relation to the body of a strong side draw.
To the OP. No, you're not alone. I struggle with which direction to go in my next firearms purchase everyday.

[Mike from Texas]

You must submit....

Yep, everyone should own at least one 1911.

[Skiprr]

FWIW, for many years I've been taught, and have taught, that the thumb on the dominant hand should be flagged and high as the master-grip is obtained on the handgun in the holster, regardless of the type of gun.

Could I get you to elaborate on this? I'm assuming this means the thumb would be sticking straight forward in relation to the body of a strong side draw.

Yep; pretty much. The idea is:

• The grip is obtained primarily with the middle, ring, and little fingers
• The web between the thumb and index finger makes solid contact high on the grip
• The index finger is in the usual locked-straight position and away from the holster
• The thumb is applying little pressure, but the first joint is touching the slide

This makes certain the thumb doesn't get thrust downward and pinch the holster's sweat guard against the gun; is less likely to foul in clothing, either an undershirt or cover garment; is in position above any typical safety or decocking levers; and is up and out of the way for the offhand to join in at the chest and get the most possible flesh on the gun.

If a DA/SA is carried with the decocker down, like a 92FS, the thumb would have to slip under the lever as the pistol clears the body. For a 1911, the thumb ends up right on top of the safety, where it belongs. For striker-fired guns, like the XD blue-gun in the photos, you're good to go after the offhand joins in for either a thumbs-high or thumbs-forward grip.



Now back to your regularly scheduled topic...

[raptor]

Well, I guess there could be worse problems to have, right?

Maybe. I can't decide.