Posted: 5/13/2007 6:59:47 PM EDT
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replace a regular 1911 thumb safety with an ambi one and install a beavertail grip safety? Are there any drop in parts that I can use? I am left handed so a right hand only safety sucks for me. I was given a Rock Island 1911 as a gift, and other than the thums safety I really like it. I've only had Glocks and DA revolvers before this, so I am totally ignorant. For the price, the RIA seems like a good gun. After shooting it though I realize it needs three things: an ambi safety, a beavertail grip safety (the factory one digs into the web of my hand) and some modern fixed sights. How hard/expensive are are these upgrades? I'm on an extremely tight budget. |
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i am not to hip on the safety work, i can build a AK from scratch and i had a heck of time fitting my Ambi safety, thats one of those parts you don't want to mess up, and you don't want to hurt your internals and have to buy a new sear, disconnect and hammer. i have learned i let the professionals do my work on 1911, its not worth the trouble i put my self threw when i try to do it. Ronald |
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Fitting a 1911 thumb safety is pretty straightforward. Take it slow and if you're prudent, pick up the Jerry Kuhnhousen book on 1911's. Again, take it SLOW, test frequently and accept nothing short of perfection. If you go too far and take off too much metal, trash the part and get a new one. |
| Thanks for all the input. So does anyone make a ambi safety that is not extended? I really like the stock safety, it's just on the wrong side. As I'm used to Glocks, I'm used to having parts just drop in. I'd like to not have to cut metal to make these modifications, especially the frame. Modifying the frame also means refinishing it, which works against my budget. |
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gkieser92: The Mueschke safety is the old "Colt-type" safety which is not extended: www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=9213&s=22907 It's retained by a longer, slotted sear pin, and is usually a pretty good, snug fit. Note that when fitting "drop-in" parts, they can be a little harder than you might think, and the instructions often don't cover everything. I just got done installing a Wilson "drop-in" grip safety and thumb safety for my nephew. The safety was no problem, but the grip safety required removal of metal from the FRONT of the safety stud before it would seat in the frame. If I'd removed metal only from the instructed areas, the safety would have been ruined. You have to pay attention and look EVERYWHERE when things don't fit to find the problem areas. However, if you have normal hand skills, you can install these parts. |