How do you grip a 1911?

[stiletto raggio]

I bought a custom .40 on a widebody SVI frame from a fellow GTer and took it to the range. The first shot I took, my thumb flipped teh safety up, so I adjusted my grip a little, flipped the safety back off and fired again. The safety wenty back on. Eventually I put my thumb on top of the safety to stop it from knocking the safety back on after each shot. Is this the right way to hold a 1911?

I was taught to hold the pistol with both thumbs running along the side of the pistol, but I have never shot a 1911 much before, so I didn't know if there was something different I should be doing.

[Kruzr]

Shoot with your strong hand thumb on top of the safety and the weak hand thumb along side of the gun pointing forward. Take a look here:

http://www.americanshooter.com/Features/RL1/rl1.html

[nigneil146]

I also shoot my 1911 with my strong hand thumb on top of the thumb safety.

[ddj8052]

I also shoot my 1911 with my strong hand thumb on top of the thumb safety.

Ditto

[Yo]

Originally posted by nigneil146
I also shoot my 1911 with my strong hand thumb on top of the thumb safety.

This is a good way to tame recoil in rapid fire, and it will allow faster follow shots. However, I have fairly short, thin thumbs. Using this technique I found the gun does not point as well and it is harder for me to pull straight back on the trigger. With rt. thumb under the safety I can lock it down over the left thumb and my left grip is much more secure, and the sights come up right on target. I get the best accuracy with slow-fire target loads with thumbs parallel, right thumb on top of left thumb, under the safety. With my hands, this positions the beavertail more comfortably in the web of my hand and the index finger is more directly inline with the trigger movement. I also sometimes use a Nill Master grip, which is designed for the lower thumb position, both one-handed and two handed. Bullseye shooters are more concerned with precise trigger pull and sight allignment than recoil control.

Nill (these are comfortable and secure, particularly if you thin them out a bit on the inner side):
http://nill-griffe.de/files/v2_Deko_hand_us.jpg

But no question right thumb on safety is the preferred "action shooting grip."

Here is an article with Rob Latham showing proper grip: http://www.americanshooter.com/Features/RL1/rl1.html
http://www.americanshooter.com/Features/RL1/Lea02-5sm.jpeghttp://www.americanshooter.com/Features/RL1/Lea02-7sm.jpeg

http://www.americanshooter.com/Features/RL1/Lea02-7sm.jpeghttp://www.americanshooter.com/Features/RL1/Lea02-13sm.jpeg

I suggest if you are speed shooting put rt. thumb on top of safety. For bullseye consider the alternative. I also had one CCW trainer who pointed out that the lower thumb position lets you safe the gun without moving your grip.

[Yo]

Here is Latham's grip position from rt side and front:

http://www.americanshooter.com/Features/RL2/Lea04-8sm.jpeg
http://www.americanshooter.com/Features/RL3/Lea06-6sm.jpeg

Note how high the rt hand is on the gun. Very good for recoil control in fast shooting. But the tigger finger is not parallel with the movement of the trigger, which is generally helpful for max accuracy.

[elsolo]

What works for shooter-X might not be the best for you.
Some of these 1911 safeties nowadays are too high for me to top thumb, that positions my hand too high and the grip safety is not assured to be depressed.

[Yo]

Originally posted by elsolo
What works for shooter-X might not be the best for you.
Some of these 1911 safeties nowadays are too high for me to top thumb, that positions my hand too high and the grip safety is not assured to be depressed.

Yes I experienced that very thing in a match once. Even with a raised section at the bottom of the grip safety, my hand was not making good contact and the gun didn't go bang. If I have right thumb under the lever safety, the grip safety is always engaged.

[rick458]

Strong hand Thumb on top of Safety.

[4eyes]

Originally posted by elsolo
positions my hand too high and the grip safety is not assured to be depressed.

Me too until I learned better. In the meanwhile--you ever notice those wide blue rubber bands that hold the broccoli stalks together in the produce section? I got lots of favorable comments at the local USPSA match. Modded gun, ya know.