[Gene Pool]

My new SIG C3 is due to arrive tomorrow. It will be only the 16th 1911 in the stable but I plan to carry it much of the time, assuming it proves reliable.

One of the features that sold me on the C3 is the absence of an ambi sefety. Call me old fashioned if you wish, but I carry cocked-and-locked (in a leather holster) and prefer only one traditional size safety, on the traditional side of a 1911. Plus I prefer the safety to require "authoritative" pressure to disengage.

I have often wondered how others prefer the safety on 1911 carry guns, and why. Would you mind sharing your preferences and why?

Thank you,
Gene Pool

[mrsurfboard]

I don't like the ambi either. When I used to carry my 1911 off duty, sometimes the car seatbelt would disengage the safety. For a 1911 I just used at the range and didn't carry, I probably wouldn't care either way.

[okie]

I also dislike the ambi safety, and I carry cocked and locked with a round chambered, because it is 100% safe to do

[awpk03s]

I'm a lefty, so I like the ambi. I have a Wilson Bulletproof ambi on my VBOB and it's a great part.

[ronin.45]

The ambi hits my knuckle so it's out for me.

[faawrenchbndr]

Do not care for an ambi-safety at all

[ca survivor]

being a right handed, do not like/need an ambi-safety

[Jason D]

The only safety I like on a 1911 is the GI one.

[Rinspeed]

Unless you're left handed ambi safeties are a very poor option.

[happy seal]

I am truely ambi. I mostly shoot righty but shoot just as well lefty. Lefty suits me well because I am left eye dominant. I love the ambi safety!

I am going for rotator cuff on my right shoulder so am really stoked I can switch up and carry lefty!

[banger]

Originally Posted by Jason D

The only safety I like on a 1911 is the GI one.

^^^^This X100^^^

Now, something that no one has mentioned yet.

Personally, I like a FIRM and positive engagements.
(nothing soft or mushy).

[bac1023]

Unless you're a lefty, there is no need for it.

[Ruggles]

Two of my last three 1911s have the amb safetyi, none of the others do. The Baer PII came with it and the Remington R1 does not. Those were bought off the shelf with the ambi. The last 1911 I ordered to my liking (12 months and waiting!) was the first one I had a ambi safety put on. Not sure why other than I just had a "urge" to have a ambi on it.

I really don't mind the ambi on the Baer, I have carried it and really do not see in my daily carry that a ambi would be a big hindrance. That being said if I was to order a new CCW 1911 it would be a single sided safety.

[ancient_serpent]

Don't think there's a need for it, but they don't bother me. If I ever replace the safety on either of my Kimbers, I'll probably go with a traditional, extended thumb safety.

[mleroux21]

If you are not left handed I find no need for an ambi safety. Even if my right arm was shot. I would still be fine with a strong side safety.

Marc

[gunsmoke92]

I originally thought they were cool, but I have a high grip and fat fingers that interfere when I disengage it, so they're gone. The standard works great for me.

[fnfalman]

I like the standard left side Colt thumb safety just fine. I don't find the need for extended safety lever of any kind. If anything, they get in the way and irk me more than help me. Some of my Colts come with those extended thingiemabobs and I just replaced them with the regular ones from the cheaper Colt models. Slim, out of the way but plenty enough for my thumb to positively engage it.

[deadite]

I like a single sided safety, but I either want a tiny original Colt style or one that's big enough to drape my thumb over.

Smaller extended safeties, like Wilson Combat, just force me to inadvertently drag my thumb on the slide when I shoot. If it's original Colt style, I shoot without my thumb on the safety. Thumb on the safety if it's a bigger one like Ed Brown...if that makes any sense.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[QNman]

Originally Posted by Gene Pool

<snip> but I carry cocked-and-locked (in a leather holster) and prefer only one traditional size safety, on the traditional side of a 1911. Plus I prefer the safety to require "authoritative" pressure to disengage.

For a carry piece, this exactly. For a range piece, extended, but otherwise the same; single-sided (disassembly is easier) and "authoritative".

[sna0403]

I'm a leftie that learned the platform with only the standard safety. On a whim, I decided to try an ambi ($24.00 for the one from Rock Island with the sear pin) and now I won't go back. It didn't take long for the muscle memory to adapt and now I won't go back; just made an already wonderful platform that much more comfortable.

[countrygun]

I dislike an ambi greatly. Dragging through the "pucker brush and finding the safety disengaged itself is not nice. I didn't like it. With proper handling and the grip safety I wouldn't worry about safety, per say, but what about the hesitation when you try to wipe the safety off and get no tactile feedback? You might try a couple of times before realizing what happened. Not something I want to do when I need pistol in a hurry.

I never had a standard safety, with a positive "click" do that.

[mnhogrider]

My Springfield Loaded came with extended ambi safeties. I'm not left handed and I didn't like looking down the gun at "wings" so I got rid of them. Replaced with a standard GI safety.

[Nakanokalronin]

Single sided and extended since I shoot thumbs forward and ride my thumb on the lever.

[rebby]

I shoot ambi but HATE ambi-safeties. I outfit the majority of my guns with either Wilson Combat or Ed Brown single sided safeties and simply train to manipulate them with the trigger finger of my left hand when shooting lefty. It's really not that difficult and, if you train and practice, it becomes second nature.

[jakebrake]

i don't like ambi. i grew up with 1911s, and never had one until a couple years ago, and hated it so much i sold the gun.