Ambi Saftety Removal?

[LtlBear]

I have Kimber with an ambi safety. Can someone please explain how to remove the safety from the frame? I know how to remove a standard safety but have never dissembled a 1911 with an ambi safety before and have no idea how the right side is held in place.
I would like to have an idea of how this works before I attempt to do it because I understand you can mess it up pretty easily if not done correctly.
Thanks,
Paul

[warmrain]

It's funny, but I've seen two different looking ambi safeties on Kimbers. One has an extension that slips under the right grip panel (this seems to be the earlier design) and some (as my weeks old Ultra CDP II) does not. I'm not sure if the dissassembly procedure is different...

[LtlBear]

Mine is a new design. I too have only had it for about a month.
I would like to remove it and take off some of the sharp edges to make it a little easier on my thumb.
If anyone has a picture of the way the shafts connect it would be very helpful.

I would also like to say this forum is great. The technical advice and the explanations of the operation of 1911 pistols are second to none. As a new member, I look forward to sharing my experiences with the other members.
Thanks for having such a professional forum.
Paul

[LtlBear]

I went to the local gun shop and saw how the safety is hooked together inside the gun so no longer need a picture of how they go together.
I still am curious as to the best method to remove them. The guy at the shop told me to use a very flat screwdriver, pry on the safety with it in the mid position required for normal removal and pop them apart. This does not sound quit right so I am looking forward to some feedback.
Thanks.

[wichaka]

Not sure if the right side has the arm that goes under the grip panel? If so, remove the panel first.
Then pull out on the right side so you can see some daylight under it. I use a piece of card stock and lay it against the frame so it won't get scratched, then use a small screw driver and very carefully pry it up and out.

It does not matter what position the right side part is at the time of removal. Only the left side is position sensitive for removal.

[LtlBear]

Thanks,
Mine does not go under the grip panel so should not have to remove the grip. The card stock is great suggestion to prevent from scratching the frame. That coated aluminum frame tends to scratch easily as is efident by my slide release.

[LtlBear]

I figured out how to remove the new style ambi safety on my Kimber Ultra.
The Kimber ambi safety uses an extended hammer pin mated to a dovetail cut in the backside of the right safety lever for retention.
To remove the safety, the left side has to come out first.
With the hammer back, rotate the left safety lever to the mid take out position. Place a piece of card stock on the frame to prevent scratching it and using a thin object, I used my baby Gerber knife blade, pry the left side safety lever up in the back by the shaft. The left side lever should just pop out, mine did.
Rotate the right side lever counter clockwise off the extended hammer pin and pull it out of the frame.
I think the retention of the right side safety lever by the hammer pin is a good design. It provides positive retention of the right side lever and also prevents over rotation in the downward direction when the lever is used to disengage the safety. This prevents unnecessary stress on the internal hook engagement of the two shafts.
I was following my original thread, but somebody may want to move this to the Kimber section since the question relates directly to the new Kimber ambi safety design.
Thanks.