An external safety which is disengaged by obtaining a firing grip on the handgun. Most 1911-pattern pistols feature a grip safety.

In firearm terminology, a grip safety is a lever or other device situated on the grip of a weapon which must be actuated by the operator's hand as a natural consequence of holding the weapon in a firing position, in order for the weapon to fire. The intention is to prevent accidental discharges through dropping the weapon or snagging the trigger on clothing etc.