Why do 1911 style guns still have grip safeties?

[Totem Polar]

My problem with 1911s is that when I grip them, all I'm really getting solid pressure on is the front and back straps. Grip safeties aren't my issue.

It's almost like people come in all different shapes and sizes.

This is, of course, true. My hands actually work well with a traditional mil-spec GS and spur hammer. One less thing to worry about, I suppose.

[YVK]

Form and function without drama. Totally unavailable, unless you have an access to my safe. For me, the junk carrier, this is a better option than disabled GS. Mebbe Wilson needs to talk to @Ned Christiansen about a license or something.

[Bucky]

From recollection, USPSA allows a pinned grip safety in Open and Limited, but it must be working in Single Stack.

Perfectly fine in SS to deactivate it.

8.1.2.6When applicable, the grip safety may be disabled provided that the primary safety as described in 8.1.2.5is operable. Production and Carry Optics division handguns are explicitly excluded from this rule (See Appendices D4and D7, item 22.1).

[GearFondler]

This is, of course, true. My hands actually work well with a traditional mil-spec GS and spur hammer. One less thing to worry about, I suppose.

I can't imagine but don't doubt you... But I'd be better off just staying home and stabbing the web of my hand repeatedly with a screwdriver.

[Tokarev]

1911s have grip safeties. Is it really a 1911 without a grip safety?

Might as well call it a Colt 1905 or something. Or maybe a Ballester-Molina.

Sent from my SM-A505U using Tapatalk

[Dave Williams]

Form and function without drama. Totally unavailable, unless you have an access to my safe. For me, the junk carrier, this is a better option than disabled GS. Mebbe Wilson needs to talk to @Ned Christiansen about a license or something.

How about some more pics and description in the 1911 pic thread?

[YVK]

How about some more pics and description in the 1911 pic thread?

OK, done.

[TCB]

From recollection, USPSA allows a pinned grip safety in Open and Limited, but it must be working in Single Stack.

Nope, it can be pinned. The 1911 I just had made is pinned, my gunsmith asked if I wanted it to function and I told him I didn’t care as I’ve never had an issue with it, he pinned it.

ETA: Looks like someone else already answered this...here is a pic of my gun to make up for it.

[secondstoryguy]

I've carried, built and used 1911s since the early 90s. I have had a few that needed work on the GS but once it was tuned I never had a issue. My though is that if it's tuned right its a non-issue. Unfortunately building 1911s is an art form and not many know how to build them right.

[okie john]

It is hardly a big hurdle to either have it pinned, or to cut off the arm on the grip safety to deactivate it.

Jeff Cooper used to advocate pinning.


Okie John