jcabolt2’s thread on pistols with ambidextrous controls got me to wondering what everyone thinks of ambidextrous safeties on 1911 type pistols. They were the thing to have, either from the factory or added on by a gunsmith. Then, a few years ago I started seeing people mentioning they forgoing the right side safety, in some cases replacing it with the previous style single sided one and occasionally it was mentioned that they cut off the right side safety and dressed the shaft down to a flush fit. So, needed? Not needed? Necessary evil?

On the 1911s I owned with ambi safeties, I had a couple of episodes where the right side snagged, rubbed or caught on something and was clicked off.
Right side only, now.

If I were left handed, I could see getting an ambidextrous safety.

I'm not left handed, so no need for them on my guns.

Ever since the Corps, I've made sure I can work all of my guns weak-side one hand. The 1911 is not difficult in that regard to me.

I am left handed so I have no choice if I want to be able to actually use the thing for more than range practice.

On a SD pistol, I think it is imperative that you learn to use it with your non-dominant hand, and that it is fully functional. On a 1911 and most other pistols, I can hit the mag release and slide stop with my left index finger. Slingshotting the slide works if the slide stop is not easily reached.

Get a holster that covers the safety and prevents it from snagging.

What I'd really like to find as an ambi GI style safety that isn't the modern extended kind.

quote:

Originally posted by Lefty Sig:
What I'd really like to find as an ambi GI style safety that isn't the modern extended kind.

That’s an interesting idea, I know a number of people don’t like and change out the extended slide stop.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:

Right side only, now.

You're left-handed?

I routinely replace the ambidextrous safeties on my 1911 pistols.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
On the 1911s I owned with ambi safeties, I had a couple of episodes where the right side snagged, rubbed or caught on something and was clicked off.
Right side only, now.

This is my experience as well. Guess you meant left side only.

Before my accident I used to do a lot of shooting from both sides, so I liked them on the couple guns that had them. (though I didn't go out of my way to add any more) Shooting matches that required drawing and shooting weak hand, I definitely preferred them to the guns that didn't. (It's amazing the conversations you can have with yourself in the span of a second or so.. (draw gun, disengage safety, transfer gun from right hand to left and think "careful.. why didn't I ever add an ambi safety to THIS gun?")

On most of the guns I do have them on, I ground/polished down the off side to minimalist dimensions.

I own a couple of 1911s with extended ambi safeties. These are not for self defense, but for fun and as reference pieces for my collection.

But, I've never had a problem with them snagging or catching on anything. I would guess it just comes down to having the proper holster, and the proper training.

Other than that, I prefer self defense type pistols without any form of safety to have to worry or think about. I'm not sure if this is legal in competition though.

H&K-Guy

I have I believe 2 1911s with ambi safeties. I ride high on the gun and have found that the right side lever digs slightly into my knuckle but its nothing terrible. In fairness my 1911s are BBQ guns currently so its not something I really think about.

I am left handed and think they are wonderful. I have a few older 1911s that I do not shoot much that don't have an ambidextrous safety.. But I would not purchase a new 1911 that did not have one. Altho I would be quite content with a 1911 that just had a safety on the right side. But I have never seen one and do not know if any one makes a right side only safety for a 1911.

I used to think they were almost a necessity. Then I actually got a couple 1911 style pistols and carried them. On multiple occasions my 1911 with ambi safeties has been rubbed against something that swiped the safety off. This was with a couple different belt and IWB holsters.
This has not happened with a shoulder holster.
I still have the ambi safety pistols. And honestly, the safety getting swiped off doesn’t bother me a whole great big bunch. The trigger is still covered and the palm safety still has to be depressed.
So these days I’m mainly indifferent to ambi safeties.
They cause more holster issues, IME, than anything. Getting a new holster strap stretched around that right side safety can be a chore during break in.

Yep... I mean left sided! Thanks!

I have a couple of 1911'a with ambi safeties. I did a build many years ago and put one one; they weren't common back then. My thinking has evolved somewhat, and I prefer a left side safety only, especially for carry.

The ambi safeties come in several flavors, but tend to have some play between right and left. I never liked that. The plunger is only on the right side, and the left side ends up the weak side, regardless. I'd just as soon have a left side only on a 1911. I can snick it on or off using my left hand by throwing the thumb over, but generally, if it's been drawn from the holster, by the time it makes it to my left hand, the safety is off. Ambi safety on a 1911 doesn't do much for me.

I prefer single sided safeties, but I'm right handed. If I have to, I can pretty easily manipulate the safety on the wrong side with my left hand. If I were LEFT handed though I'd prefer the safety on the other side. My TRP is the only 1911 I have with an ambi safety and that's because it came with one.

Maybe if someone made an ambi where the right side lever was very minimalist and it attached to the pin going through the frame with some sort of set screw... <rushes to file patent paperwork on new idea>

As a left handed shooter, an ambi safety is a requirement on a 1911 for me. But I am not a fan of ambi controls as they increase the width of the gun, and can get in the way. I am waiting for someone to build a 1911 with reversible controls. Sig, Beretta, Glock,etc make magazine releases that are reversible. Now if someone would make a 1911 with a reversible safety and slide release, it would be usable by both sides.

But as a left handed shooter, I use my trigger finger for magazine release and slide release, but need a right-sided safety to carry in Condition 1.

Of my 7 1911s, only one has an ambi-safety and it is a switch caliber range toy. All the others are single thumb safety equipped.

Hate ambi’s on my 1911’s.

I carry a 1911 and have for a long time. I will not carry a 1911 with an ambi safety. They have clicked off too many times on me.

If I were left handed, I'd grind off the left side of an ambi safety only leaving the part that contacts the plunger, essentially making it a right sided only safety.