Kings #203

[rhtwist]

Howdy Enthusiasts,
Had a previous thread about the spur hammer bite on a standard grip safety. Found a grip safety (King's #203) that states that it works with the spur hammer, doesn't mention having to bob it. Does anyone have any experience with this item?

[stumbler]

Go to www.brownells.com (http://www.brownells.com) and look up that grip safety. I believe it is a "drop-in" (IOW no frame mod needed). But, you should complete a safety check after installation or have a smith do it for you.

[rhtwist]

Thanks Stumbler,
Brownell's catalog is where I first found it. Just wondering if anyone has personal experience. Like to know if it will work with the older 1911 wide spur hammer and if it extends past the rear of the hammer or it is a wider version of the regular safety. Emailed Kings and Brownell. Usually shop for info and advice HERE. Thanks again. Take care.

[Doran]

I have the upswept one on a Commander that fits the frame pretty well.

I have a notched one I tried on a DGFM but the hammer was too long.

I swapped it over to a 1918 along with a Wilson Commander hammer. I didn't try it with the original hammer on the '18 but the original '18 hammer was shorter than the DGFM. This one has significant empty space between the safety and the frame horns.

[rhtwist]

Hey Doran,
What is a DGFM? BTW thanks for the reply. My concern is that the #203 is supposed to work with a standard spur hammer (by working I mean does the hammer hit the safety tang) , no one so far has actually tried it and reported. I sort of would like to put a wide spur hammer on a pistol and am wondering if that would work. To complicate matters there appear to be several length wide spur hammers! Brownell's reponse was that it would fit a standard spur hammer, as it states in the part description. No reponse on the wide spurs. We'll see. Take care.

[searoom]

I just removed one from an Essex frame. It worked quite well, was easy to install but I did not like the look of it. I only used it long enough to get the knowledge to do a wilson BT that I think is far more attractive. That being said, if it's operation you want and are not hung up on appearences go for the King's. I'd be willing to part with mine for a very reasonable price.

[Doran]

DGFM is Direccion General de Fabricaciones Militares
FMAP is Fabrica Militar de Armas Portatiles

The Sistema pistols built in Argentina have D.G.F.M. - F.M.A.P. stamped on the slide. These pistols have very long sharp hammer spurs which is why I was looking for a different grip safety.

There are several different lengths of wide hammers. You will probably just have to try one with your hammer. My guess is the King was designed for the A1 frame style which leaves a gap on the WWI era frame. I bought the notched one so it would work with "any" hammer style.

[rhtwist]

Thanks Gentlemen,
Doran thanks for the definition. As I'm more than a little thick, when you say that there is a gap, is the gap between the insides of the frame and the sides of the safety or between the end of the frame and where the safety flares out? I am considering the building of a early commercial style 1911a1 look something like. Maybe start with a new Series 70 or 1991 in blue. Change out the hammer to a wide type, maybe a lanyard ring MSH and have it polished and blued. Not too concerned about the markings and Slide Stop/Safety. Only have been bitten before by the hammer (rowel type) on a Commander and don't want to bleed on my pistol. This is a future thing (whenever funds allow) but I wanted to start researching it through you'alls knowledge base!
If you wan't searoom, PM me... Currently getting My Colt repaired so again cash is scarce. Take care guys

[Doran]

Between the end of the frame and where the safety flares out.

[rhtwist]

Thanks! Not too concerned with that. What was the model that you wound up using?TIA

[Doran]

I don't remember the number but it was the downswept style with the notch cut for the hammer.

[rhtwist]

Howdy Doran,
Thanks for the try. I'll do some more homework. Arrive Derci ( See ya later in Italian (( I Think)))!