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Thread: AIWB and the 1911

  1. #1

    AIWB and the 1911

    Quote Originally Posted by LittleLebowski View Post
    I think it would make it less necessary, but still, being able to positively control the striker/hammer is something I and many others desire for AIWB carry. I and several other SMEs/Staff had a great conversation with ToddG about how he sees the 1911 as near perfect for AIWB given the thumb safety, the grip safety, and the hammer you (should) ride with your thumb as you reholster.
    LL, I don't have 1911 AIWB experience. Is it best practice to ride the hammer, or hold the thumb safety in the "safe" position?
    Likes pretty much everything in every caliber.

  2. #2
    Gray Hobbyist Wondering Beard's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GJM View Post
    LL, I don't have 1911 AIWB experience. Is it best practice to ride the hammer, or hold the thumb safety in the "safe" position?
    Not LL, but safety on and thumb on hammer was my habit.

  3. #3
    Quote Originally Posted by GJM View Post
    LL, I don't have 1911 AIWB experience. Is it best practice to ride the hammer, or hold the thumb safety in the "safe" position?
    Put it on safe, ride the hammer as you reholster.
    #RESIST

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by LittleLebowski View Post
    Put it on safe, ride the hammer as you reholster.
    I'd add that this is not nearly the same as riding the hammer on a double action pistol when reholstering, since in that case the hammer should be in the de-cocked position. In the case of a 1911 if somehow the safety mechanisms fail and some event occurs that would cause the hammer to fall and the only thing keeping it from doing so is your thumb, as soon as you release the hammer the gun is going to fire (unless you become aware of it and take measures to prevent it). Of course such a failure is unlikely and would mean something really bad happened like an internal parts failure -- but probably not impossible.

    My apologies if this discussion is muddying up the thread.

  5. #5
    Personally I put gun on Safe and ride my thumb under the hammer while reholstering. A bit different than when I aiwb my P2000 I then actually do place my thumb on top of the hammer.

  6. #6
    Hokey / Ancient JAD's Avatar
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    With a beavertail I can't ride the hammer without seriously compromising my grip. I lock my thumb under the safety; it may be hubris but I feel like I have enough reps to know if the safety isn't on when my thumb is in this position. Most of my holsters have a feature which won't allow the pistol to be seated with the safety off, so I essentially "hand off" to this feature.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by JAD View Post
    With a beavertail I can't ride the hammer without seriously compromising my grip. I lock my thumb under the safety; it may be hubris but I feel like I have enough reps to know if the safety isn't on when my thumb is in this position. Most of my holsters have a feature which won't allow the pistol to be seated with the safety off, so I essentially "hand off" to this feature.
    That makes sense, my holsters have the same feature. But based on other comments I guess I was assuming the purpose of riding the hammer on a 1911 would be in case the safeties fail mechanically somehow and that causes the hammer to fall? Perhaps I assumed wrongly and the real reason is in case the thumb safety is not in the on position and somehow the trigger is pulled -- in that case riding the hammer would keep it from falling (at least temporarily) and might also cause the grip safety to engage since you pretty much lose your firing grip.

    So far I am not in the habit of riding the 1911 hammer during reholster, but I have not converted to AIWB yet.

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by JAD View Post
    With a beavertail I can't ride the hammer without seriously compromising my grip.
    Neither do I. I have an ambi thumb safety specifically for AIWB holstering. I keep it engaged with my trigger finger.
    Doesn't read posts longer than two paragraphs.

  9. #9
    Site Supporter Matt O's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JAD View Post
    With a beavertail I can't ride the hammer without seriously compromising my grip. I lock my thumb under the safety; it may be hubris but I feel like I have enough reps to know if the safety isn't on when my thumb is in this position. Most of my holsters have a feature which won't allow the pistol to be seated with the safety off, so I essentially "hand off" to this feature.
    Out of curiosity, what grip are you trying to maintain when holstering? This could certainly be a function of hand size, but for 1911's I usually take the web of my hand off the grip to ensure the grip safety is active, thumb the hammer while holding the frame curled under my fingers and holster as such. Like you, I generally only use thumb safety-engaging holsters.

  10. #10
    Hokey / Ancient JAD's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Matt O View Post
    Out of curiosity, what grip are you trying to maintain when holstering? .
    A not dropping the pistol grip. Tried it a few times, felt insecure.
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