Wilson Beavertail Drop-In and Thumb Safety?

[Rocket 6R]

I purchased a Colt XSE Government model about a month or so ago. I have already changed out the mainspring housing with a SS one from Wilson. I would also like to change out the grip safety and thumb safety, too.

Wilson Beaver Drop-In Safety:
I really don't want to cut the frame of the pistol to put one in. I did some looking around and found a "drop-in" from Wilson. Does anyone know how they look as compared to the stock grip safety? Meaning, does it fit closer to the frame then the stock safety of the Colt's? Attached are close ups of the Colt's grip safety. You can see there is a pretty large gap between the frame and the safety.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f382/prsalazar/Picture394.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f382/prsalazar/Picture397.jpg

Here is the link to the one I'm thinking about: http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_beavertail_safeties_di.asp


Wilson Thumb Safety:
I don't care for the safety that is on the pistol. First, it does not conceal the holes in the frame (please see my picture below). Second, it is rather large and is ambidextrous. I don't want an ambi safety. I also want a safety that is not as large as the one that is on the pistol now. I carry the pistol (I have a CCW for my state) and keep it holstered in a Galco Royal Guard. Anyway, I don't want the safety either being pushed off the safe position or to snag on my clothing. Does anyone know if this safety will "drop-in" and will cover the holes of the frame when in its safety position?

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f382/prsalazar/Picture397.jpg

Here is the link to the one I may want: http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_thumb_safeties_tactical.asp

Thanks, Rocket 6R

[scooter]

with the grip and thumb safeties installed.You be the judge.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/skooter2/DSCF0002b.jpg

[Rocket 6R]

[QUOTE=scooter]with the grip and thumb safeties installed.You be the judge.

Scooter, thanks for the reply! The parts look fitted about the same as mine.

Thanks, Rocket 6R

[John]

There is no way anyone can guarantee you that the holes of the frame will not show with another safety. I am sure that the Wilson will not allow you to see the hole through which the shaft of the safety goes, but it's impossible to tell if the other one will be visible or not.

[wichaka]

Here's a Wilson drop in on my Commander..........some fit better than others.....


http://w3.gorge.net/scshields/rearsight.jpg

[Rocket 6R]

Wichaka, thanks for the pic, nice looking Colt.

Does the Wilson thumb safety require any special fitting?

Thanks, Rocket 6R

[wichaka]

Yes, it must be fit to the sear. If you're not sure how to do it, find someone who does........or if you feel that you can do it.........come back here and we'll walk you thru it.

[Rocket 6R]

Yes, it must be fit to the sear. If you're not sure how to do it, find someone who does........or if you feel that you can do it.........come back here and we'll walk you thru it.

Well, I'll place an order tonight with Brownell's. I'm going to order a Wilson grip safety and a thumb safety. Also, I'm ordering Jerry Kuhnhausen's book "The U.S. M1911/M1911A1 Pistol A Shop Manual".

It will take a week or so to be delivered to me and then I'll attempt to put the thumb safety in. Stay tuned for a future post regarding help installing the thumb safety.

Thanks, Rocket 6R

[terabyte]

im going to break down and buy a wilson drop in grip safety myself since most of the aftermarket stuff looks like junk or the quality ones require frame mods.

[John]

I'll attempt to put the thumb safety in. Stay tuned for a future post regarding help installing the thumb safety.

When installing the thumb safety, keep in mind the followings:

Disassemble your pistol and put it back together, without the grip safety. In that way you will be able to check on things, from the opening left by the missing grip safety.

Things to check:

- First take off grip safety, hammer, sear and disco. Insert the new safety in the frame and make sure it goes up and down, all across its travel. If not, then the small notch right behind the safety plate should be slightly enlarged.
- There are two areas that need to be fitted in a thumb safety. The one which blocks the sear from moving when the safety is in the up position, and the one which allows the sear to move, when the safety is in the down position. Remember to check both.
- Remember that sear/hammer/disconnector/trigger work together and all of these parts can affect the operation of the safety. If you think that you may later want to change the hammer, do it now, or else you may end up needing a new safety after the hammer is replaced.
- The front corner of the safety's plate, should be slightly rounded.
- Finally, perform all tests after the new safety is in to make sure everything works as it is supposed to.

We'll be here to guide you, but it's good to have these in mind, before you start.

[RickB]

Be sure to order the Wilson safety for the Commander, even if your XSE is a Government Model; all XSEs have Commander-length frame tangs.

[Rocket 6R]

John, thanks for the advice!

I'm so glad I'm a member of this forum. Everyone on this forum has been willing to help and are very polite. I love you guys, in a friendship sort of way of course. LOL

I think I can do this project. I've done minor work to other firearms before. I also will be graduating from MMI (Motorcycle Mechanics Institute) on April 28th. Meaning, I've done a few engine rebuilds, including machining out cylinders, along with everything else to maintain, repair and replace parts on a motorcycle. I think I'm pretty well mechanically inclined at this point in my life.

Thanks, Rocket 6R

[Rocket 6R]

Be sure to order the Wilson safety for the Commander, even if your XSE is a Government Model; all XSEs have Commander-length frame tangs.

DAMN IT ALL TO HELL! (Planet of the Apes) or DAMN IT JIM! (Star Trek).

I order the wrong grip safety. I called Wilson to confirm this and they stated that I need a Commander grip safety. I asked why it was not clear on their website and he said he had no idea why. Although, he did say that it very clear on their paper catalog.

I called Brownell's and they stated that they can't be responsible for the product description. The woman who was on the phone was not real concerned with my frustration nor apologetic. In fact, she did not know the difference from a 1911 compared to a Glock let alone this issue I am dealing with. Anyway, I ordered the Commander grip safety. She stated that I would need to send the wrong part back and they would refund my money, but I would have to eat the shipping.

Thanks, Rocket 6R

[John]

Be sure to order the Wilson safety for the Commander, even if your XSE is a Government Model; all XSEs have Commander-length frame tangs.
RickB, apparently you have done .... your homework on these drop-in safeties. If so, could you come up with a new thread, that I would then make a sticky, which describes which Wilson model fits which pistol?

I am sure plenty of our members will find it useful.