My Experience Fitting a Grip Safety and other Modifications

[Linea_de_Fuego]

I confess that I have become accustomed to the added value ‘bells and whistles’ that come with some factory models. Sometimes these features are not just what I would choose. So unless one buys a boutique brand or full custom pistol the factory stock model may not have just what is wanted? I appreciate the artistry, skill and acknowledge that this level of craftsmanship comes with a price that although deserved may be beyond what one is able to pay. So I decided to use a 1991A1 as a platform for my custom pistol. I saw enough examples, and I decided to use a Chip McCormick thumb safety and grip safety. I wanted to bob the existing hammer.

I planned to add an S&A magazine well, fit a different firing pin stop, trigger and dehorn the sharp edges. After all this the pistol will go out to a smith to hone the hammer and sear, make sight cuts in the slide for a 10-8 sight, alter the ejection port and checker the front strap. I am still deciding whether to try to do the Parkerizing or sub that out.

I started with the thumb safety which was not hard to adjust.

I moved on to the hammer which I marked and began to file. I was able to shape with the file and sandpaper strips into a shape that I liked.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/8179/hammer1yn7.jpg
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/4058/hammer2ge5.jpg
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/5462/hammer3er8.jpg

I wanted the magazine well to have a softer shape where the corner angles away from the bottom of the grip. This filing proved to be a lot of work moving the well along the file set at an angle and then shoe shining 220 and 400 grit paper to smooth the shape.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/6007/magwell1vt8.jpg
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/4489/magwell2gh9.jpg
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/7465/magwell3pb7.jpg

The filing of the frame took more courage, but the Jig does work to radius the frame as expected, but the grip still would not fit. I discovered that the inside radius of the grip needed to be worked with the Jig and 400 grit paper. This just about killed my thumb forcing the cut with numerous changes of 400 grit paper.

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5734/beavertail1zu9.jpg
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/354/beavertail2yq3.jpg

As if this grip safety wasn’t difficult enough up to now the next part of blending the frame into the curves of the grip is a real challenge. I was wrapping the 220 and 400 grit paper around various round objects to shape the curves. This is where the smiths really earn their fee for this modification. Even when blending into an acceptable curve the frame to grip fit still has a place of void with a Colt frame and McCormick grip safety.

As I go farther along on this project I will add more posts. Thanks for your attention.

[Spindly61]

Looks really nice. I can associate with the sore thumbs. You did get a nice fit and the soreness does go away. Pride of doing it yourself never goes away. Nice presentation,keep em coming,

[Linea_de_Fuego]

The trigger from EGW is fitted but needs to be bead blasted.

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/3475/egwtriggerkc4.jpg

[Linea_de_Fuego]

Fitted OS egw firing pin stop with flat bottom and radiused edge.

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/8373/fpsvs0.jpg

[garrettwc]

Excellent work. I like the bob on the magwell. Reminds me of some of the stuff I have seen Hilton Yam do.

Best cure for sore thumbs is to cool the muscles with a cold beverage while you sit and admire the fruits of your labor.

I love these build 'em yourself threads. Keeps those pics and details coming.

[OD*]

Excellent work indeed! http://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon14.gif

[Linea_de_Fuego]

Reminds me of some of the stuff I have seen Hilton Yam do.
His work is just what I was using as a model. I bought one of his sights for this project.

I just finished the dehorn.

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/4897/dehorn1lw8.jpg
http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/6775/dehorn2oy6.jpg
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/7532/dehorn3jx8.jpg

I just have to pack this to send it to a smith to finish his part and refinish.

[bearboy]

I enjoyed your pictures. Very nice work.

[Linea_de_Fuego]

Very nice work.
Thanks for the compliment.

I spoke to my gunsmith and asked him what he thought about the grip safety. His response was OKAY with the tone of voice that the esthetics could be better. I laughed :p and said to go ahead and clean up anything that he wished. I did shape the safety with the grip out rather than in which he said was not the way to do it. I thought that the examples I saw were done both ways.

I do think everything else was fine, and the dehorn is a matter of personal taste either mildly or more agressively done.

When I get the parts back from him I will continue the thread with what he has done.

I have ordered Parkerizing solution from Palmettos to complete the refinish. I do not plan to paint after the Parkerizing.

[mryu78]

nice job. I wish I had the time and patience to do it myself.

[garrettwc]

How's the project coming? It's been a little over a month since we've seen any new pics.

[Linea_de_Fuego]

How's the project coming? It's been a little over a month since we've seen any new pics.

I received the pistol back from Alan Tanaka yesterday. I just finished the Parkerizing with Palmetto Manganese Phosphate. Everything looks good.
Alan had bead blasted the parts for me.

So I am starting the reassembly now.

Amazing timing with your question.

[garrettwc]

So I am starting the reassembly now.

Amazing timing with your question.
Just luck I guess. Post some more pics when you get it back together.

[Linea_de_Fuego]

Here are a couple pictures of the project. Alan really cleaned up the grip safety. I asked him what he thought of my efforts... he said "it's ok" with the tone of voice that it could be better. I'm glad that he knew what to do.
http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/6692/gripsafety1vj6.jpg

The Parkerizing is darker on the slide and hammer than the frame. It is different as I understand from the steel alloy being different rather than chemistry or technique. The frame was the first piece that I did. I do like the way the hammer and magwell turned out. I had a 'set back' during assembly where the hammer was not cut back enough to clear the safety recess. So I had to alter it , repark and reassemble. I do like the retro look of the spur hammer and like this bobbed shape. I lowered the hammer hooks to .025 which gave a clean break about 4.5 pounds.
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/5602/leftside2pq9.jpg

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/5830/rightsideaw8.jpg

http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/1182/muzzlebq5.jpg

[garrettwc]

Sweet! It came out very nice. One to be proud of.

I love the straight trigger. Where'd you find one of those?

[Linea_de_Fuego]

Thanks for the compliment. The trigger is from George at EGW. They are oversize and have to be fitted.

[garrettwc]

The trigger is from George at EGW. They are oversize and have to be fitted.
Cool. I didn't know George made them without the "E" cut into them.

[AnthonyRSS]

Looks really good. Get some flat bottom grips from VZ and I think it will look awesome. And don't be so sure of trusting your local smith. I have met quite a few who don't quite understand what they are doing.

Anthony