[FertPro]

When I took my CCW class the instructor had a .45. It was either a Kimber or a Springfield and it had a part below the dovetail on the backstrap that was pushed in when you gripped the gun. What is the purpose of that? Safety? Recoil?

 

[James6591]

That would be a grip safety on a 1911.

 

[Spike12]

It's called a 'grip safety'. It is a feature of the original 1911 designed my John Moses Browning.

It prevents the gun from firing unless the user's hand has a 'grip' on the gun and the safety is depressed.

It is sometimes seen on other pistols not limited to .45acp in caliber.

 

[LunaticFringeInc]

The two previous posters stole my thunder! This feature is one that attracts me considerably to the 1911 to begin with. If not engaged by a decent grip of the fire arm it shouldnt fire if its properly operating. This is a great feature to have on a gun that you carry for a living like I do or if you conceal carry. The more I use a 1911 the more I am convinced its truely the working professionals gun of choice. Yeah, I went that far out on a limb and said that!

 

[James6591]

The two previous posters stole my thunder!

But it was close.
Won by a whisker.....

 

[RockDoctor]

Also, many 1911s have a raised area at the base of the grip safety (I.e. Ruger 1911) for a more positive grip for shooters who have their shooting hand high on the grip under the beavertail.

 

[actionexpress]

I think some call it: "The memory bump."

 

[USMC66]

The two previous posters stole my thunder! This feature is one that attracts me considerably to the 1911 to begin with. If not engaged by a decent grip of the fire arm it shouldnt fire if its properly operating. This is a great feature to have on a gun that you carry for a living like I do or if you conceal carry. The more I use a 1911 the more I am convinced its truely the working professionals gun of choice. Yeah, I went that far out on a limb and said that!

I am in complete agreement with you. I love a lot of different guns, but when my life depends on it, I still prefer a 1911 over anything else.