How long did it take you for the thumb safety operation to become automatic?

[Snakebite Nixon]

It finally happened for me! I bought my SA GI in January and today, for the first time, without conscious thought I flipped on the thumb safety after loading the mag. It was a cool feeling for it have finally clicked. Finally having incorporated that as a reflex makes me a lot more comfortable carrying my 1911.

[Rich-D]

If you carried a DA as I did for decades, revolvers and Sig 229. There is always the tendency to want to draw and pull the trigger in a confrontation.

I switched to the 1911 platform in March, and I still practice almost daily dropping the safety. And I most likely will continue to practice until it is second nature, in order to perform under stressful conditions.

[Frank]

I've shot 1911s a lot over about the last 10 years -- in informal practice, formal training and competition. Operating the thumb safety seems to have become automatic by now, but I can't put my finger on when I'd say that really happened.

DVC

[Snail50]

Hasn't happened for me yet...the Glock influence is still strong.

[Tom]

For me it is so automatic that I cannot remember a time that I wasn't doing it. I'm not conscious of doing it; it just happens.

[DanR]

I agree with Tom that it is now automatic with either my 1911 or my Hi-Power. Just keep practicing and it will come.

[Old Guy]

It has taken a while for me. My biggest problem has been because of my Beretta 92FS, the safety/decock is basakwards. (you'd think they'd standardize these things...)

[Tom]

t has taken a while for me. My biggest problem has been because of my Beretta 92FS, the safety/decock is basakwards. (you'd think they'd standardize these things...)
I don't shoot or even use our Taurus PT99 all that much, but I just checked it and its thumb safety seems to be the same way as the M1911 - up for on, down for off.

It does feel a lot different, though.

[Ping Ping]

For me it is so automatic that I cannot remember a time that I wasn't doing it. I'm not conscious of doing it; it just happens.+1

Great question, but it does take me back to before the foundations of Middle Earth, before the age of Elves... I have no conscious knowledge of it at this point. Somehow everytime my gun is unholstered, the safety is magically switched off. Somehow, everytime my gun is holstered, the safety is magically switched on. Same when handing someone a pistol. Strange.

Full presentations and Dry fire. Dry fire. Dry fire. Dry fire... It will come faster than you think.

[prophet42]

having learned on a 1911 24 years ago i have more trouble getting used to a weapon without a safety!

[prophet42]

It has taken a while for me. My biggest problem has been because of my Beretta 92FS, the safety/decock is basakwards. (you'd think they'd standardize these things...)

it was a cold day when the army took away our beloved .45's and forced that 9mm wondergun on us.
they said, but it holds 15 rounds, we said do you plan to miss that much.
we also said the round was only big enough for girls and the air force.......sorry couldn't resist!
I loved all those first class C130 rides

[redjeepgirl]

My first pistol was a lowly BB gun that had a slide release in the typical 1911 safety location on the top right. I think it was an old zinc crossman. It made a satisfying "clank" when flipped, and you would then cycle the slide for each shot.

At least for me, this proved to be useful later one when I fired real guns. While it wasn't a safety, it was something I had to do before I could shoot. Also the constant cycling of the slide worked well, kicking in automatically when I got a stove pipe or bad cartridge early on into learning how to shoot.

Since I'm an almost entirely self-taught shooter, I think this worked out well for me. I don't seem to have any issues searching for the safety on my glocks, likely because I'm used to it just going bang, and when it doesn't, then you look for the problem.

Who says BB guns are useless?

[prophet42]

My first pistol was a lowly BB gun that had a slide release in the typical 1911 safety location on the top right. I think it was an old zinc crossman. It made a satisfying "clank" when flipped, and you would then cycle the slide for each shot.

At least for me, this proved to be useful later one when I fired real guns. While it wasn't a safety, it was something I had to do before I could shoot. Also the constant cycling of the slide worked well, kicking in automatically when I got a stove pipe or bad cartridge early on into learning how to shoot.

Since I'm an almost entirely self-taught shooter, I think this worked out well for me. I don't seem to have any issues searching for the safety on my glocks, likely because I'm used to it just going bang, and when it doesn't, then you look for the problem.

Who says BB guns are useless?

I was only joking about the 9MM, actually most of the women ive taught to shot I started on 22lr then they would try my .45 and I would not get it back till the ammo was gone!

[Tom]

... actually most of the women ive taught to shot I started on 22lr then they would try my .45 and I would not get it back till the ammo was gone!
Sounds like my daughter. :(

[Dean Gibson]

Even if you are not all that interested in competitive shooting, just a small bit of participation in IPSC shooting will get the habit well ingrained. I presume the same is true for IDPA shooting.

[Frank]

I personally consider competition (IPSC and IDPA) primarily an extension of training and practice. It's not a place to learn self defense and tactics. It is an excellent way to learn and practice skills like safe gun handling, moving safely with a loaded weapon, shooting from unconventional postures, target acquisition, shooting fast and accurately, reloading, etc., all under the stress of competition.

DVC

[saltydog]

My problem, if it is one, is the 'UP' to fire slide mounted safety.

salty.

[automan]

My first pistol was a lowly BB gun that had a slide release in the typical 1911 safety location on the top right. I think it was an old zinc crossman. It made a satisfying "clank" when flipped, and you would then cycle the slide for each shot. Who says BB guns are useless?

I still have my Crossman 1911 as you described above. As a matter of fact, I took it out a few months back to fire the .177 BBs and had to fire from 25 feet to the target before I'd get a flat trajectory. :)

[Tom]

My problem, if it is one, is the 'UP' to fire slide mounted safety.

And the solution to that "problem" is becoming familiar with any firearm you plan to use and/or carry. To be honest, I'd be very leery to be shooting with anyone who didn't know which way the safety worked on any gun he/she was brining. So if that means a slide-mounted safety goes up on Pistol A, and the frame-mounted safety goes down on Pistol B, so be it.

[DSgt31]

Not to say I'm real smart, however, the first time at the range when you mash the trigger and NOTHING happens because the thumb safety is engaged is a learning experience in and of itself. It may even be "existential" in nature.

That experience will teach you what the thumb safety is for. As far as a repetitive exercise, possibly after the 30th presentation from the holster did I become enlightened as to the operation of the thumb safety.

DSgt31

[chimkayu]

Halito, all. Being as the 1911 was the first hand-gun ever fired by me, the safety was learned quite rapid...after a little brow-beating by some well-intentioned drill instructors. It has become so ingrained that I have to deliberately remember the opposite when I am carrying "other" semi-auto weapons. I think the 1911 is the most intuititive of the whole lot (yes, IMHO). Love the 1911, Alabamer (got some friends living there) and this forum.

C........