[rwilli]

I CC a Springfield EMP in 40 Cal. I absolutely love this pistol. It's a great CC pistol, shoots well, feels good, all of the things I like in a pistol. Out of the box this pistol comes with a ambidextrous safety, which is new to me and by most accounts is an upgrade to the standard 1911 safety.

Now, I have been carrying this pistol for a few months but have come to realize that the ambidextrous safety is something I am not a fan of. On several occasions I have noticed that the safety goes off safe when carrying---usually due to a seatbelt rub or something similar on the right hand side safety lever---needless to say, this makes me very uncomfortable because I carry with the hammer locked and cocked.

So I have two questions:

1. Do you find the ambidextrous safety an advantage or a safety issue on a 1911 platform.

2. Will a standard 1911 safety work with a Springfield EMP ?

Any discussion is appreciated.

Thanks,

Bob

 

[wags2161]

In regards to the safety, I like the ambi. If one hand gets hurt you can still use the other. Not sure on the standard safety fitting the EMP. Maybe try a holster change or modify it for the ambi. Not sure what holster you are using.

 

[Hgunner]

I would think a single side thumb safety for a 1911 would work, of course it would have to be fitted.

What kind of holster are you using and how easy to manipulate is the thumb safety.

As far as ambi-safeties I can take them our leave them, personal preference if for strong side safety only.

 

[m1476251]

I am a lefty, and I think that the ambi safety on a 1911 just plain sucks. Like you said, either it gets bumped off or snags on clothing going in or out of leather. I really despise the "surf board tactical extended" 1911 safety levers, and even more the ambi versions. Maybe a cut down low profile ambi safety would work - or just stay with the single side because it is all you really need.

 

[DennisMc]

I use an ambi-safety for IPSC and IDPA but not on a carry pistol just for that reason. Call Springfield or try to match one up at a gun shop if you can.

 

[Enfield]

I have a Colt Series 70. Along with upgrades for competition I had ambi safety installed. It does not protrude to interfere with CC. I carry it all the time. It has never ever disengaged by accident. I would not have a 1911 without one.

 

[neiltus]

Depending on your gut size…the strong side safety can be moved as well through movement in/out of cars.

My edc 1911 has ambi, but it takes noticeable effort to move it.

 

[sfoxwell]

I CC a Springfield EMP in 40 Cal. I absolutely love this pistol. It's a great CC pistol, shoots well, feels good, all of the things I like in a pistol. Out of the box this pistol comes with a ambidextrous safety, which is new to me and by most accounts is an upgrade to the standard 1911 safety.

Now, I have been carrying this pistol for a few months but have come to realize that the ambidextrous safety is something I am not a fan of. On several occasions I have noticed that the safety goes off safe when carrying---usually due to a seatbelt rub or something similar on the right hand side safety lever---needless to say, this makes me very uncomfortable because I carry with the hammer locked and cocked.

So I have two questions:

1. Do you find the ambidextrous safety an advantage or a safety issue on a 1911 platform.

2. Will a standard 1911 safety work with a Springfield EMP ?

Any discussion is appreciated.

Thanks,

Bob

I have the same pistol and really like it. However, I don't carry cocked and locked so I practice drawing and racking the slide in one motion. Invariably, I find the ambi safety getting in the way and I'm considering removing it.

 

[rwilli]

I would think a single side thumb safety for a 1911 would work, of course it would have to be fitted.

What kind of holster are you using and how easy to manipulate is the thumb safety.

As far as ambi-safeties I can take them our leave them, personal preference if for strong side safety only.

Currently I use two different holsters. One open top IWB, which is where most of the problem comes from and my Galco Leather with thumb break OWB---not much problem with this one since the safety is covered by the top strap. Unfortunately, The Galco isn't always the best for concealment .

 

[Quicksilvergoat]

I have removed the ambi safety on both my Colt Rail Gun and my Colt XSE Commander. Carrying the commander the damn safety would come disengaged too often for my tastes. Fit a standard thumb safety and problem solved.

 

[Mocos]

I CC a Springfield EMP in 40 Cal. I absolutely love this pistol. It's a great CC pistol, shoots well, feels good, all of the things I like in a pistol. Out of the box this pistol comes with a ambidextrous safety, which is new to me and by most accounts is an upgrade to the standard 1911 safety.

Now, I have been carrying this pistol for a few months but have come to realize that the ambidextrous safety is something I am not a fan of. On several occasions I have noticed that the safety goes off safe when carrying---usually due to a seatbitelt rub or something similar on the right hand side safety lever---needless to say, this makes me very uncomfortable because I carry with the hammer locked and cocked.
So I have two questions:

1. Do you find the ambidextrous safety an advantage or a safety issue on a 1911 platform.

2. Will a standard 1911 safety work with a Springfield EMP ?

Any discussion is appreciated.

Thanks,

Bob

an ambi for carry is not good as you have experienced...you can grind it flush or to the point you can still use it but has less chance of being accidentally swiped off....

 

[JoshN]

an ambi for carry is not good as you have experienced...you can grind it flush or to the point you can still use it but has less chance of being accidentally swiped off....

Exactly. For some reason, safeties have grown really too large for normal circumstances. I like the ambi's but the larger, modern, paddle styles need trimming which would require more deliberate force to operate it.

 

[Hgunner]

Currently I use two different holsters. One open top IWB, which is where most of the problem comes from and my Galco Leather with thumb break OWB---not much problem with this one since the safety is covered by the top strap. Unfortunately, The Galco isn't always the best for concealment .

First I'd determine if it really is the fault of the Ambi safety or more of a carrying in the IWB problem. Because carrying IWB the safety could also be the getting manituplated by the strong side lever and not be the ambi portion causing the issue at all.
You might also try a different IWB, try one with an extended piece of leather on the stong side/body side that extend past and covers the safety, this will press against the safety and make it harder to manipulate by accident.

As for for top strap holsters, I have never had one that would not work the safety off, I won't use them anymore.

 

[Buelligan]

1. Do you find the ambidextrous safety an advantage or a safety issue on a 1911 platform.

I typically carry a Glock, but I had to borrow a GI style 1911 for carry use a few years ago. I'd never carried a pistol with a manual safety before and spent many hours training and acquainting myself with this new-to-me pistol. One of the things I spent time on was the scenario where I had to use my weak hand (left) to draw the pistol and hit the safety with my index finger. It wasn't a natural movement, but I got the muscle memory down quite good.

 

[huntinghawk]

I've two Browning Hi Power MKIIIs with ambi safety. Haven't found a use for them. Removed it from one & will remove it from the other.

 

[Enfield]

A pic of my 1911 left side safety. Forty years old. On and off tens of thousands of times. Still a crisp operation, and only intentionally. I carry it IWB, condition one.

 

[M1A's r BEST]

Every 1911 I own has ambidextrous safeties. No issues. Ever.

Oh, wait a minute. My 1917 Colt 1911 US Army doesn't have them. But the other four do.

Mine are for using. Hopefully in my right hand on targets. Practicing left handed sucks without ambidextrous safeties.

 

[sfoxwell]

A pic of my 1911 left side safety. Forty years old. On and off tens of thousands of times. Still a crisp operation, and only intentionally. I carry it IWB, condition one.

The safety on my Sig RCS is just like that. Non ambi, either.

 

[BDH]

Here's the unit you want. I use the Colt version on my .38 Super Light Weight Commander and it works like a charm. You will need to fit it or have it fitted.

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/safety-parts/safeties/1911-auto-ambidextrous-safety-prod9213.aspx?psize=96

You don't need extended safeties on a carry gun unless the rig you carry it in hold it safely without interference or the possibility of disengaging.

Bruce

 

[Snyper762]

I have never cared for the ambi safeties. I practice using my left hand every time I go to the range. Flicking the safety off with my thumb or index finger is no trouble at all. That's my routine anyways.