commander hammer with standard grip safety

[angryman]

My friend just bought a RIA 1911 and has been getting hammer bite. I have an extra commander style hammer and wanted to install it for him. I vaguely remember reading a post here that said you couldn't use that hammer with a regular grip safety. Why not? What can we do to solve his problem if that's not possible (trying to save as much $$ as possible).

thanks

[1911Tuner]

My friend just bought a RIA 1911 and has been getting hammer bite. I have an extra commander style hammer and wanted to install it for him. I vaguely remember reading a post here that said you couldn't use that hammer with a regular grip safety. Why not? What can we do to solve his problem if that's not possible (trying to save as much $$ as possible).

thanks

Won't work with a standard grip safety. The shape of the tang won't allow the hammer to make it to full cock. You'll either need a safety compatible with the hammer or modify the existing safety.

Not a very good angle on this picture, but you can see the basic shape required unless you go with an upswept ducktail safety. This one is a modified standard tang.

EDIT: The second photo in this spread will show a better angle.
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?p=92560#post92560

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e243/1911Tuner/Commander.jpg

[Eleckster]

I just saw this Beavertail Safety (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=16464&title=1911+AUTO+DROP-IN+BEAVERTAIL+GRIP+SAFETY) in a Brownells flyer for new stuff. It is $35, but it does not require any frame altering.

[MarineTech]

I just saw this Beavertail Safety (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=16464&title=1911+AUTO+DROP-IN+BEAVERTAIL+GRIP+SAFETY) in a Brownells flyer for new stuff. It is $35, but it does not require any frame altering.

I think you'll find that more than a few "drop-in" parts..... aren't. I've been fiddling with 1911's for about 4 years now, and have never had a "drop in" part just drop right in without at least some minor fitting work. Also, even if they do go onto your frame, the fit of a "drop-in" beavertail leaves much to be desired. Would would be much better served getting the gun to a qualified gunsmith to fit a proper beavertail for you.

I would also recommend leaving any hammer work to a qualified gunsmith. A few months ago, I was looking at working over an RIA. A lengthy conversation on another board with Tuner and a few others quickly convinced me that I'd be over my head in fitting a hammer and sear together. The process is not a simple one, and the potential for safety issues is quite great if you don't get things right.

[Ericthenorse]

If you don't want to mess with the frame, the drop in is the way to go.. I went with a Wilson beavertail, and it went in perfectly... Your results may very... I have found that the older your gun, the more likely it will "drop in"
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c132/ericthenorse/newpix015.jpg

[Navy87Guy]

I, too, had good luck with a Wilson Combat drop-in for my RIA. Pics of my install are on my wesbite, here: http://users.adelphia.net/~navy87guy/RIA45.html (Scroll to the bottom of the page).

Jim

[Hawkmoon]

I used a Wilson drop-in beavertail in my Frankengun (built on a Caspian frame). I didn't need to do any fitting at all. It literally dropped in, and looks decent IMHO.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/AguilaBlanca/100-0092_IMG.jpg

The hammer is a McCormick.

[Helstrm]

I milled out my stock grip safety and it works great. I just didn't want the beavertail look on this pistol.
http://gunsmithusa.com/files/1911_007_552.jpg