Grip safty question

[BillyD]

my question is pretty basic but I can't seem to find an answer, so here it is

When considering replacing the factory grip safety on my Springfield Mil Spec I am posed with the question Standard or Palmswell? well I don't know, Yes I can see the the difference but is the difference only cosmetic or dose the Palmswell serve some purpose that I don't about?

Help me clear up this simple issue :o

Thanks
BillyD

[Agent 45]

The palm swell sticks out just a smidge more so you can guarantee that you have made a positive contact with the GS and also disengage it as well. I personally like the looks of it better as well.

[BillyD]

That make sense to me, Sticks out further so it would push in a little further I guess.

[gfavaron]

Some folks who would like to grip a 1911 with thumb on the thumb safety find that there is not enough meat in the palm of their hand to consistently depress the grip safety when the gun is presented in that manner. That little bit of a bump on the grip safety can make a big difference for those folks.

[jwenum]

I'll go along with gravaron...My hands are kinda thin-sometimes the safety doesn't push far enuf.With a bump there,it works every time.

[BillyD]

would you say being as I am pretty big guy, about 6"6" and 260, with big hands either would probably fine for me,

So I could most likely get either and be just fine.

[jwenum]

Good guess--seems to me,it's the web of your hand.Don't know how to describe it---but,thin,wiry and it doesn't always want to push a normal grip safety off to fire mode;especially with a high grip on the pistol.I usually have to make a conscious effort to make sure I'm gripping tight enuf to move the safety.

[Intercessor]

I have big hands, not large tho. I never had any issues getting the grip safety to work, so I always use the GI profile version of the Smith & Alexander for the Colt. I dont like the bumped grip safety for a number of reasons

1-The bump digs into my hand after a while of extended shooting.
2-If I were to ever grip the pistol too far down the back of the frame from draw, the bump would prevent the web of my hand slipping over the rear of the grip safety and up into the proper position. (yes Im human, we make mistakes under pressure)
3-The higher profile of the bump makes it more likely to hang up on clothing or jacket.

I have taught many women to shoot the Colt 1911, none of them with their small thin hands ever had issues using my standard GI profile grip safety, so Im not really sold on them. A properly adjusted one, will extend out far enough from the frame to be activated with a proper grip on the pistol.

Just my .02

[John]

2-If I were to ever grip the pistol too far down the back of the frame from draw, the bump would prevent the web of my hand slipping over the rear of the grip safety and up into the proper position. (yes Im human, we make mistakes under pressure)
3-The higher profile of the bump makes it more likely to hang up on clothing or jacket.

Huh? The bump on those safeties is as smooth as a baby's behind, where can the clothing catch and where can your hand catch??

[Stanmerrell]

Hi Billy,
I just bought and installed a Smith and Alexander grip safety on my Officer's model. When I was contemplating which type to buy, like you, I asked the fella who runs SA what's the difference? He said that some shooters like the bump that use an ultra high hold to help control recoil. With an ultra high hold, it's supposed to disconnect more positively. I never had any problem with a standard grip safety, so that's what I ordered, but to each his own.

[BillyD]

Just want to thank everyone for the info
I have my new grip safety on the way now :) :)

I am still amazed at how much thought has gone into the different designs of the 1911 in the last 97 years. Every little thing that seems to have little to no function has indeed been designed for some reason. No one ever says "they just make it like that but no real reason for it"

Thanks again
BillyD