Wilson Combat 1911 Grip Safety Training Tip

Published on November 2, 2018
Duration: 2:49

This video provides expert instruction from Larry Vickers on the critical function of the 1911 grip safety. He details how grip, hand size, and tuning affect its operation, and explains the historical context of the grip safety bump. The guide emphasizes ensuring reliable grip safety engagement for safe and effective firearm handling, especially under stress or with gloves.

Quick Summary

Expert Larry Vickers explains that the 1911 grip safety requires proper depression and can be tuned for optimal function. Factors like hand size, grip technique, and thumb placement influence its operation. He advises ensuring the safety disengages with minimal travel (around 50%) for reliable firing, especially under stress or with gloves.

Chapters

  1. 00:02Introduction and Pistol Overview
  2. 00:22Grip Safety Importance
  3. 00:40Grip Safety Tuning and Sensitization
  4. 01:09History of the Grip Safety Bump
  5. 01:23Grip Safety and Thumb Placement
  6. 01:32Optimal Grip Safety Setting
  7. 01:50Grip Safety with Firing Pin Safeties
  8. 02:12Ensuring Reliable Grip Safety Engagement
  9. 02:34Conclusion and Recommendation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary function of the 1911 grip safety?

The 1911 grip safety is a mechanical safety that must be depressed by the shooter's hand for the pistol to fire. It prevents the pistol from discharging if dropped and ensures the shooter has a proper grip before firing.

How can hand size affect the 1911 grip safety?

Smaller hands may struggle to fully depress the grip safety, especially if the grip is not optimized. Conversely, larger hands or specific grip techniques can also inadvertently prevent full depression, leading to firing issues.

What does it mean to 'tune' or 'sensitize' a 1911 grip safety?

Tuning or sensitizing the grip safety involves adjusting its internal mechanism so that it requires less travel to disengage. An optimally tuned grip safety only needs to be depressed about 50% of its travel to allow the pistol to fire.

Why is the bump on the bottom of the 1911 grip safety important?

The bump on the grip safety was added to help shooters ensure they were depressing it sufficiently, particularly during a dynamic draw from a holster. It provides a tactile point of reference.

Related News

All News →

More Training & Techniques Videos You Might Like

More from Vickers Tactical

View all →