Owner's Manual

12 13
GRIP “SAFETY”
The grip “safety” is located on the
rear of the grip, just below the
hammer, and blocks the trigger from
moving rearward (Figure 5). To
disengage the grip “safety,” hold the
pistol grip securely with your hand
in a normal shooting position.
MAGAZINE “SAFETY”
This handgun is equipped with a
magazine “safety” that is designed to prevent the trigger from being
pulled unless a magazine is inserted into the magazine well. Unless
firing is imminent, only use an unloaded magazine to disengage the
magazine “safety.”
THE MAGAZINE “SAFETY” IS A MECHANICAL “SAFETY” DEVICE. LIKE ANY
MECHANICAL DEVICE, IT MAY FAIL. ALWAYS KEEP THE “SAFETY” IN THE
ON SAFE POSITION AND THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE WARNINGS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS
INJURY OR DEATH.
OPERATION OF THE HAMMER
The Browning 1911-22 and 1911-380 are single-action pistols featuring
an exposed hammer with dropped, half-cock and full-cock positions.
The hammer spur is serrated to help ensure positive control while
manually cocking and lowering the hammer. In order for the trigger to
operate the hammer, the magazine must be inserted in the pistol.
DROPPED POSITION
The dropped position on an empty chamber is the recommended
position of the hammer at all times except when shooting is imminent
(Figure 6, page 14). In the dropped position, the hammer is fully
forward and resting against the firing pin, however, the firing pin is not
in contact with the cartridge.
Browning 1911-22 A1 pistols feature a manual thumb “safety” located
on the left side of the firearm and a grip “safety” located on the upper
rear portion of the pistol grip.
Black Label models of the Browning 1911-22 and 1911-380 feature an
ambidextrous manual thumb “safety” that can be operated from either
side of the firearm and a grip “safety” located on the upper rear
portion of the pistol grip.
For the pistol to fire, the thumb “safety” must be in the off safe
position and the grip “safety” must be depressed.
THUMB “SAFETY” — ON SAFE POSITION
To place the “safety” in the on safe position, push the “safety” lever
upward into the recess located in the rearward portion of the slide
(Figure 3). The “safety” lever cannot be placed in the on safe position if
the hammer is in the dropped or half-cock positions.
THUMB “SAFETY” — OFF SAFE POSITION
To place the “safety” in the off safe or ready-to-fire position, move
the thumb “safety” downward from the recess in the slide (Figure 4).
With the grip “safety” depressed, a cartridge in the chamber and the
magazine inserted, the pistol is now ready to fire by pulling the trigger.
FIGURE 5
The location of the grip “safety.”
FIGURE 4
Thumb “safety” shown in the off safe position.
FIGURE 3
Thumb “safety” shown in the on safe position.