Posted: 3/5/2013 10:27:07 PM EDT
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Bought a commander-length from another member here just recently, and it has GI controls on it.
I'd like to replace the slide stop & thumb safety with extended versions. I was thinking about getting a Colt Ambi safety & a WC extended slide release. How hard is it to fit a new grip safety? There's a little more lateral play in this one than I'd like; nothing that interferes with function, it just bugs me. I could pull it out, remove the finish one one side, and throw some tig weld on there and refit/finish. Would that be a better option vs. $40 for a new one? |
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Rarely on any 1911 does any part just drop in with no fitting. If a part works ( like the grip safety you describe) do not mess with it, take your OCD meds and move on.
Extended safeties serve no purpose I can figure out - it is on safe on drawing your thumb is on top of the safe and pushes it down to take it off safe with the thumb remaining on top of the safety all the time. Slide stop can be hard to reach but developing a personal technique and practice is going to get you farther than swapping parts |
| I have to agree. The more I shoot 1911 designs the more I like the original set-up for simplicity and non-interference with holsters and such. A stock slide stop, single sided grip safety of either post WWII tear-drop or earlier tab is preferred, it does not work "off" in a holster like an extended will occasionally do. 20 years ago I was into moding all my guns with ambi, extended, etc. and I have slowly put them back to stock as I've learned what works for carrying and shooting. If you are going to "game" the gun then trick pieces will indeed help. |
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I like, use, and would recommend an extended thumb safety.
I'd stay with the standard slide stop. The 1911 isn't a lego gun like Glocks, it will generally require fitting of any parts you want to change. Let a good gunsmith do the work unless you want to teach yourself to be a gunsmith the hard and expensive way. |
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Quoted:
I like, use, and would recommend an extended thumb safety. I'd stay with the standard slide stop. The 1911 isn't a lego gun like Glocks, it will generally require fitting of any parts you want to change. Let a good gunsmith do the work unless you want to teach yourself to be a gunsmith the hard and expensive way. This. I need an ambi (lefty) and prefer the extended safties. All the rest is a waste IMO. I've had extended slide stops (even tried an ambi one, what a mess!). And extended mag releases (counter productive for a lefty). Only item I run on my current 5 1911s is the extended ambi safties. No other extensions required or even desired IMO. |
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I just got a regular Colt thumb safety to replace the huge one that cut into my grips on my Springfield Loaded. It is extended enough for me. It also required less fitting than I thought (which was a lot of careful filing rather than SO MUCH). The grip safety I picked up at the same time however required some frame reshaping and was too much work for me. It was supposed to be the same radius but it goes to show you nothing is drop in. I hated the bump at the bottom of mine. If you just don't like the lateral play then TIG welding would probably be a little easier than fitting a new one. |
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Well, as an update, it's still got the GI thumb safety & slide stop on it, I didn't get around to ordering anything yet.
Did throw some TIG on the grip safety though; used some 0.035" ER70S-6 mig wire as filler metal, since it's the smallest stuff we had around the shop. Threw about 0.030" of it on there; I only needed like 0.015" worth but I'd rather have too much and have to work it a bit extra instead of not having enough, especially since I won't have access to a TIG machine until the monday after next. |