Larger thumb saftey for S&W 1911

[Quasi Moto]

This post may belong under gunsmithing but since it is specific to Smith & Wesson 1911s I thought this would be appropriate.

I am beginning to participate in USPSA and IDPA events for practice and fun. Took an introduction class and ran a few stages this week for the first time. Trying to correct my grip to a thumbs high position is causing me some difficulty. Basically I am cursed with short fingers which prevents me from getting a comfortable position with my right thumb on the safety lever. Ideally a safety with a pad area starting closer to the rear (fulcrum point) of the thumb safety would give me more area to engage. I looked at Brownells, EGW, and Wilson but most of those thumb safeties appear to be longer towards the muzzle end of the pistol. Some may be wider which may be enough help but I still wanted to ask for help here. I would prefer to have ambi safety since I will not be carrying this pistol concealed and will be shooting off hand as well.

Also I have read that Smith & Wesson 1911s have some parts that vary compared to the "standard" 1911 design so some parts may not work. Does anyone know of a thumb safety that would help me? Will it be difficult to find a thumb saftey for the S&W? I would like to find something soon so I can have several things done on my Smith at once instead of piecemeal to reduce the time without the pistol. Thanks in advance for any info/help.

[brownie]

The SW1911 safety is a standard part. I replaced mine with a Kings with no problem. You might want to look at GunSite's low mount thumb safety. The lever is mounted lower on the pad, which makes it easier to reach. Brownells sells it.

--Bill

[rollback88]

I highly recommend the Ed Brown wide thumb safety. I think it is a full 1/4" wide, very comfortable for the high hold thumb rest. It is wider than the Wilson wide and others that I've seen.

--jcd

[RickB]

King's is one of the few that extends rearward toward the pivot point. The single-sided safety that I've seen on most S&W 1911s is a Wilson part, and it does extend toward the rear, very much like the King's, but both of Wilson's ambi's (which are also used on S&Ws) have the lever extending mostly forward.

[Quasi Moto]

Thanks for the input. Decided to get a Wilson since it has equal size pads on both sides of the safety. The Kings had a huge pad on the left side, but much smaller on the right side. Since I will be shooting off hand as well I wanted both uniform.

I like the GunSite low mount and will try that on my carry 1911PD inthe future.
Thanks again.

[brownie]

If the Wilson doesn't work out, look at King's model 201A; both pads on it are the same size, and, as RickB pointed out, extend further back toward the pivot point.

[sprice1973]

The Wilson is very nice,as is the Kings.Cant go wrong with either!