The 1911 has now been with us for a century and a decade. Throughout that lifespan, there’s been no point at which it was not beloved by huge numbers of soldiers, law enforcement agents, and civilian shooters. Astonishingly, perhaps implausibly, the 1911 remains a darling of serious pistoleros: attend any defensive pistol course, and one will find it in the holsters of students and instructors alike. Was the grip safety on the 1911 inspired, or an anachronistic mistake? Ed. Note: Never disable a safety device. For illustrative purposes only. Image: Morgan Gregory The reason is not hard to ascertain. Most of…