beavertail grip safety installation

[twitch]

So I've had my 1911 since August, and i love it. I decided that i wanted to look into getting a beavertail grip safety because i got to check out a few at the range and like the feel. I have a parkerized frame and slide, but would get stainles steel for the beavertail.
I assume everyone will have a different opinion about which manufacturer is the best, but i am confused about a few details:

Will the installation of a beavertail and delta hammer require me to have the frame refinished?

Is the installation very complex? I have little to no knowledge of detail stripping and if possible would like to install it myself, or at least learn how... if its not too difficult.

This might be me opening pandora's box, but i would appreciate hearing what manfucaturer everyone approves of, as long as they give a valid reason.

Thanks!

-twitch

[John]

Yes, installing the beavertail requires altering the frame. Some parts need to be filed in order to have the safety blend nicely with it. That means that you will have to refinish the frame afterwards.

As for makers, the Ed Brown one leaves the pistol a little lower in your hand, which is good for recoil control. Make your decision, knowing that once you modify the frame for one safety (for example Brown), you cannot go to another (say Wilson).

Rgds

[Jammer Six]

I wrote about the installation I did of a beavertail here. (http://www.oz.net/~jammer/Milspec/)

Good luck.

[twitch]

Thanks for the info John and Jammer... next step is to find the parts...erm.. money for the parts.


p.s. anyone have recommendations/pros&cons for the various manufacturers?


-twitch

[John]

Can't go wrong with either Brown of Wilson. But if the safety used by Jammer is indeed Brown (as I think it is), the installation process is much simpler with that safety than with the Wilsons I used. He only had to file the two tangs on the frame to round them up properly to fit the safety. When my gunsmith installed mine, he had to file in several more areas on the frame to make it fit.

Rgds

[Jammer Six]

Actually, it was a S&A grip safety.

I suppose I should put that on the page, along with ordering information and such...

I chose it because it would fit Springfield's tangs without welding. The others are cut with a .025 radius, and there's not enough tang on a Springfield to fit it without a gap.

[Jim Clark]

Hi -
I've recently done two Ed Brown Beaver Tail safetys. One on a SA Ultra Compact & another on a 70 Series government model.
Ed Brown provides instructions; but talent & tools are important. The Hammer will likely need to be changed too. Mr Brown has a good one of those too. Lowering the gun in your hand is a very good thing. And if you have chubby hands like me, you'll enjoy the non biting hammer :) .

jim