No, the grip safety is not necessary. Earlier designs by JMB leading up to the 1911, did not have a grip safety. It was at the request of the U.S. Calvary that led to the grip safety in case a trooper lost control of his pistol and it was dangling from the lanyard. The Browning Hi-Power a later design of JMB, which was finished by another, does not have a grip safety. No issues there... Lots of single-action semi-auto pocket pistols, so to speak, as mentioned above, don't have a grip safety. They can be carried safely in a pocket holster, condition 1, as long as nothing else is carried in the pocket. I see it all the time. No issues.
Yes, the Col. had some of the grip safeties pinned. Some in the vault do not have them pinned. As referenced above, "The Answer" by Wayne Novak, is a viable option. Now, deactivating a safety device on a defensive firearm is another issue/topic all together. Game guns, no issue.
The thumb should ride the thumb safety. 1). It prevents accidentally re-engaging the safety under recoil. 2). It forces a slightly higher grip, which in turns helps to completely dis-engage the grip safety. and keeps it dis-engaged. 3). Keeping the thumb on the safety acts a lever to counteract muzzle rise under recoil. The only time the thumb comes off the safety is to re-engage before returning to the holster.
Just my humble opinion.
Respectfully to all,
Dave
