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School Me In Wilson Drop-In BeaverTail Grip Safeties...Please
7/14/2011 7:13:11 PM
I have a Colt Commander (pic below) that I bought not to long ago. Great shooter. The only thing I want to do to it is add a beavertail grip safety. I am leaning towards the Wilson drop-in model and I am looking for some feedback from you folks before making the purchase.
The main thing I like about the Wilson drop-in is that it is a modification that is easily reversed if you want to return to stock set-up. Unlike the Ed Brown or even the Wilson fitted safeties that require frame modifications. What are some of the other things I should consider?
My Colt Commander...
The main thing I like about the Wilson drop-in is that it is a modification that is easily reversed if you want to return to stock set-up. Unlike the Ed Brown or even the Wilson fitted safeties that require frame modifications. What are some of the other things I should consider?
My Colt Commander...
7/14/2011 7:42:33 PM
I did not have luck with mine. I have a Colt Commander 1991 I bought new in November 2010, and bought the Wilson Drop-in. I don't know if I got the Wilson at one end of the tolerances, and the Colt at the other, but it took a tremendous amount of grinding on the safety to even get it to mate with the frame (around the thumb safety that the grip safety pivots on). Then, it took even more grinding to the engagement surface. I never got it to work well enough that I would trust it. When I am ready, the Commander will go back to the factory for a beaver tail install.
If you choose to go forward, good luck to you. It didn't work for me, and I am now out the cost of the safety and a bunch of time fiddling.
Nice looking Colt in the pic...
7/14/2011 10:17:09 PM
I have used Wilson drop-ins on my New Agent, Defender, and Gold Cup Trophy. All went on with only slight filing to engagement surface at the trigger bow. No filing to the frame needed. Fit is not custom by any means but I was very satisfied.
7/14/2011 11:45:08 PM
Originally Posted By dtrosch:
I did not have luck with mine. I have a Colt Commander 1991 I bought new in November 2010, and bought the Wilson Drop-in. I don't know if I got the Wilson at one end of the tolerances, and the Colt at the other, but it took a tremendous amount of grinding on the safety to even get it to mate with the frame (around the thumb safety that the grip safety pivots on). Then, it took even more grinding to the engagement surface. I never got it to work well enough that I would trust it. When I am ready, the Commander will go back to the factory for a beaver tail install.
I did not have luck with mine. I have a Colt Commander 1991 I bought new in November 2010, and bought the Wilson Drop-in. I don't know if I got the Wilson at one end of the tolerances, and the Colt at the other, but it took a tremendous amount of grinding on the safety to even get it to mate with the frame (around the thumb safety that the grip safety pivots on). Then, it took even more grinding to the engagement surface. I never got it to work well enough that I would trust it. When I am ready, the Commander will go back to the factory for a beaver tail install.
If you choose to go forward, good luck to you. It didn't work for me, and I am now out the cost of the safety and a bunch of time fiddling.
Nice looking Colt in the pic...
This was my experience in regards to the fitting but I went slow and it turned out nice. I really like mine.
7/15/2011 8:36:52 AM
Any chance that you guys have pictures that show the fitment of the Wilson drop-in safety that you could post here? This would be a good reference thread for someone searching this topic in the future.
Were the installation / adjustment instructions adequate from Wilson? Any tips or special tools you might suggest?
BTW, thanks for the feedback so far!!
Were the installation / adjustment instructions adequate from Wilson? Any tips or special tools you might suggest?
BTW, thanks for the feedback so far!!
7/16/2011 1:26:06 AM
The beavertail will leave a gap that you may or may not mind. I put one on my SA Mil-Spec a long time ago and it works like it should but I would just shape the tang to the model of beavertail chosen at this point and avoid the drop-in all together.
Another option I've used that is a drop-in to reduce bite and provide a wider surface area is from Pachmayr: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=639454
Neither are going to be 100% drop-in since fitting is still needed on the lug that blocks the trigger.
Another option I've used that is a drop-in to reduce bite and provide a wider surface area is from Pachmayr: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=639454
Neither are going to be 100% drop-in since fitting is still needed on the lug that blocks the trigger.
7/16/2011 6:49:06 AM
Wilson "Drop-in" on a Colt M1991A1 (ORM)
7/16/2011 9:19:53 AM
Finally. Still figuring out how to post pics.
7/16/2011 11:18:53 AM
Jeez, I must of had the only ridiculous gap with my Wilson drop-in beavertail. I don't remember the Springfield Mil-Spec having that short of a tang though.
Every other picture here is almost flush in comparison.
Every other picture here is almost flush in comparison.7/16/2011 2:50:56 PM
Those are some excellent fits. I was expecting it to be more of a gap. Oh well, it's not too expensive to give it a try!!
7/28/2011 8:51:08 PM
Originally Posted By Nakanokalronin:
Jeez, I must of had the only ridiculous gap with my Wilson drop-in beavertail. I don't remember the Springfield Mil-Spec having that short of a tang though. Every other picture here is almost flush in comparison.
Jeez, I must of had the only ridiculous gap with my Wilson drop-in beavertail. I don't remember the Springfield Mil-Spec having that short of a tang though.
Every other picture here is almost flush in comparison.Colt Commanders have shorter and more rounded frame tangs than the Gov't models. The Wilson drop-in bevertail is available for both tang styles.
8/1/2011 5:41:52 AM
Originally Posted By Dogma:
Colt Commanders have shorter and more rounded frame tangs than the Gov't models. The Wilson drop-in bevertail is available for both tang styles.
Originally Posted By Nakanokalronin:
Jeez, I must of had the only ridiculous gap with my Wilson drop-in beavertail. I don't remember the Springfield Mil-Spec having that short of a tang though. Every other picture here is almost flush in comparison.
Jeez, I must of had the only ridiculous gap with my Wilson drop-in beavertail. I don't remember the Springfield Mil-Spec having that short of a tang though.
Every other picture here is almost flush in comparison.Colt Commanders have shorter and more rounded frame tangs than the Gov't models. The Wilson drop-in bevertail is available for both tang styles.
Nah, I have a ridiculous gap on my 1991 Commander also. What is interesting is when I found a side by side picture of the Wilson cut for the Gov vs the Commander, mine looked to be for a Gov model. I thought well that makes sense, since it has a huge gap. So I tried to swap it on my Railgun, It wont go. So I guess it really is for a Commander and the picture I found on the net was wrong. I love the feel of it vs the factory S&A on the Railgun, but that huge gap looks like shit on the Commander. So when I order grip safeties for both eventually I'll be getting ones that require fitting in hopes of a cleaner look.
8/4/2011 7:17:13 PM
I had Northern Virginia Gun Works put one in my Colt Defender along with a new safety. I asked how it went and they said it took a little work. These guys know what they are doing and know Colts. Very happy. Go for it.
8/5/2011 9:31:40 PM
Nice looking Colt Commander
8/5/2011 10:00:13 PM
Originally Posted By JMR:
Nice looking Colt Commander
Nice looking Colt Commander
Thank you!
8/6/2011 11:01:02 PM
Here is a small snip from 1911forum when I installed my Wilson drop in on a stainless Colt commander. It was not a drop in. When depressed the frame edge stuck out farther than the grip safety creating a sharp edge. My frame was out of spec and had to be filed down on one side to be even. Other than that, I only fitted the engagement tab. The tab has to be fitted to the frame to allow it to pivot inward while viewing through the open thumb safety hole. After that start fitting the tab to clear the trigger bow.
Then there was the beavertail. It is marketed as a drop-in but it should be listed as an easy fit as a Kart barrel is listed. It was not difficult at all but it was time consuming. At first I thought the beavertail was out of spec. I had fitted the front of the engagement tab so that it could be installed and the thumb safety inserted. It would pivot inward but would sink into the edges of the right side frame leaving a sharp edge on the web of my hand.
The beavertail was not the culprit. The frame was proud on that side and was not even with the other side. When the MSH pin was laid across the rear of the frame it dipped to the left side. I broke out the rat tail file, and sand paper and went to work. Several hours later and some heavy masking tape I put it the blast cabinet and put the blasted finish back on the edge. It is still higher than the other side but it lines up evenly when the beavertail is pressed. The bottom of the left tang is still noticably thicker. I blasted the beavertail to a matte finish also. Hopefully a new metal MSH will close that gap a little under the memory tab. The circled areas are where I filed.
When I got all this done I was happy. My goal was for it to fit as well as the original duckbill and not make me alter the tang radius. While I did alter the backstrap edges, I think it looks very much like a factory job.
In the end I was satisfied because my goal was to leave a factory shape to the tangs. I could have fitted a real beavertail but this one is actually fit better than the factory duckbill and the reshaping of the frame was something that should have been done before it left the factory anyway.
Then there was the beavertail. It is marketed as a drop-in but it should be listed as an easy fit as a Kart barrel is listed. It was not difficult at all but it was time consuming. At first I thought the beavertail was out of spec. I had fitted the front of the engagement tab so that it could be installed and the thumb safety inserted. It would pivot inward but would sink into the edges of the right side frame leaving a sharp edge on the web of my hand.
The beavertail was not the culprit. The frame was proud on that side and was not even with the other side. When the MSH pin was laid across the rear of the frame it dipped to the left side. I broke out the rat tail file, and sand paper and went to work. Several hours later and some heavy masking tape I put it the blast cabinet and put the blasted finish back on the edge. It is still higher than the other side but it lines up evenly when the beavertail is pressed. The bottom of the left tang is still noticably thicker. I blasted the beavertail to a matte finish also. Hopefully a new metal MSH will close that gap a little under the memory tab. The circled areas are where I filed.
When I got all this done I was happy. My goal was for it to fit as well as the original duckbill and not make me alter the tang radius. While I did alter the backstrap edges, I think it looks very much like a factory job.
In the end I was satisfied because my goal was to leave a factory shape to the tangs. I could have fitted a real beavertail but this one is actually fit better than the factory duckbill and the reshaping of the frame was something that should have been done before it left the factory anyway.
8/7/2011 9:53:38 AM
Originally Posted By MoFormula:
I have used Wilson drop-ins on my New Agent, Defender, and Gold Cup Trophy. All went on with only slight filing to engagement surface at the trigger bow. No filing to the frame needed. Fit is not custom by any means but I was very satisfied.
I have used Wilson drop-ins on my New Agent, Defender, and Gold Cup Trophy. All went on with only slight filing to engagement surface at the trigger bow. No filing to the frame needed. Fit is not custom by any means but I was very satisfied.
This was my experience, too, and for the money and effect I don't think you can beat them. This was how it looked on a Colt New Agent. Far from a gunsmith's fit, but I am a long damn way from being a gunsmith. Perfectly functional and felt good in the hand as opposed to the little tang on the New Agent:
