Beavertail Grip Safety

[cbuswell]

I have a series 70 Combat Commander in very good condition. I shoot +/- 300 rds. each month and carry it on occasion, (allowed in Oregon). I am finding it desirable to install a Beavertail Grip safety as the back of my hand, between thumb and forefinger, is getting roughed-up.

I look to Wilson Combat for the replacement part. The one I like there requires that the frame be cut. They do offer a "drop-in" style but I am told by them, (W.C.), that it doesn't look as good.

My question:
Will the value of my Colt plummet if I make this modification?

Remember, I own this gun to shoot. Preserving its present and future value is interesting, but not paramount, if it means I must own a gun that I do not particulary care to shoot. Also, if I do proceed with the installation it will be done by a competent gunsmith.

Thanks to all!!!

[Hawkmoon]

I'm a bit confused as to why you would ask about the value if that doesn't matter to you, but ... the answer is "yes, the value of the pistol will go down." I wouldn't say "plummet," but it will be reduced from the value of the same pistol in unaltered, original configuration.

I'd suggest you look at photos of the Wilson drop-in before rejecting it. Not looking "as good" as the fitted part is a subjective evaluation. Mine isn't in a Commander, but here's a photo of the Wilson drop-in on a Caspian Government-sized pistol:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/AguilaBlanca/100-0097_IMG.jpg

I think it looks decent, and it works fully as well as the fitted ones.

[Hersh]

Hawk beat me to it! Here are some pics of the Wilson part that does NOT require filing of the frame tangs. It doesn't mate as well as a smith fitted part, but it's definitely worth a look before you rule it out completely.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d172/Hershel_Van/DSC00105.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d172/Hershel_Van/DSC00106.jpg

[lindermant]

Another option is to have a standard government grip safety notched for the commander hammer. It doesn't look it - but I get no bite/pinch/what-have-you; and I keep the classic look without cutting the frame...

http://mysite.verizon.net/tlinderman/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/pdp_lft_1.jpg

[elijdub]

Lindermant, i like your approach. That is one sweet lookin' commander. The more pics i see, the more i've got to have one. What exact model is that, if you don't mind my asking? ..and how did you go about getting the "notch" done? Thanks...

BTW, i think the Wilson's look nice on the two above. It seems as if both are quite viable options.
Eli

[lindermant]

elijdub,

thanks, she's a '78 Combat Commander 9mm; all work done by Pistol Dynamics (Paul Liebenberg).

They took a garden variety steel grip safety from a Series 70 Colt government model and notched it (not sure if it was milled or dremeled) to fit the commander ring hammer.

My inspiration was the Pachmayr Combat Special Commander shown here:
http://www.louderthanwords.us/forum/viewtopic.php?t=140&highlight=picture

[Hawkmoon]

I've made two modified grip safeties just like that (from standard GI grip safeties) using a small bench vise and a half-round bast*rd file.

[Joni Lynn]

Thanks for the pic of the Wilson grip safety. I've been wanting something like that for one of my 1911's but didn't know what it really looked like.
There's so many different varieties of grip safeties, I found it a bit of a task to decide on which one to use on some guns.

[clughog]

The Wilson Drop-In beavertail is what I'm using for my Caspian framed 9mm project. I'm totally impressed with the way it fits with absolutely no frame cutting. Cbuswell, you might even want to try installing it yourself!

[wichaka]

Here's a drop in on my duty Commander.......


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

[JustinTime]

Those are some beutiful commanders.

[wetidlerjr]

Wilson Drop-in

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/wetidlerjr/Colt%201911/1991BVRTL.jpg

[elijdub]

elijdub,

thanks, she's a '78 Combat Commander 9mm; all work done by Pistol Dynamics (Paul Liebenberg).

They took a garden variety steel grip safety from a Series 70 Colt government model and notched it (not sure if it was milled or dremeled) to fit the commander ring hammer.

My inspiration was the Pachmayr Combat Special Commander shown here:
http://www.louderthanwords.us/forum/viewtopic.php?t=140&highlight=picture

Lindermant, I just have to comment again. That is one absolutely gorgeous gun. I love the "notch". I think i may have seen this in the custom section too, right...?
Maybe i'll do like Hawkmoon and give it a try myself on some practice safety's. Either way, the beavertail looks like it'll drop in just fine, task-wise and look-wise!

[elijdub]

Here's a drop in on my duty Commander.......


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

The drop-in looks great here!
...is that a commander frame? it looks shorter almost like an officer..?
Eli

[lindermant]

...I think i may have seen this in the custom section too, right...?

yep, that's her.

I'm going to have to try it with a file like Hawkmoon recommended; I tried once a junk safety with a dremel and it looked just like someone who shouldn't have a dremel in his hand did it :o

[elijdub]

Yeah it does seem like you'd have more control with the file. I'm going to give it a try. I'll post some reports after i do. ..maybe this weekend. I'll have to a relatively inexpensive safety to start. Any thoughts? Guess there's always Brow's. and Midway...

[Mr.9mm]

FWIW: I also have a Wilson drop-in grip safety on my 1911. No problems with installation and it looks great. I installed it on a RIA 1911 as a test, and am now going to order one for my Colt Officer's Model.

[wichaka]

The drop-in looks great here!
...is that a commander frame? it looks shorter almost like an officer..?
Eli


It's a Commander, must be the angle of the pic. It was made in 1978

[elijdub]

That's two '78's on this page...and they both look great!!

[lindermant]

elijdub,

I checked my spare parts box, and I have a take-off blue gov't grip safety. PM me your address and I'll ship it off to you to hack on.

[elijdub]

On the way!!
...thanks

[chugwater]

Guess I’m the exception. I bought a Wilson Combat “drop in” and tried two days to drop it in. Ended up taking it to a Smith and low and behold $70 later it dropped in. He told me WC does not make anything and the quality control from their suppliers is zip. His suggestion is Ed Brown and yes they have to be fitted.

Just my thoughts and experience, hope it helps.

Chug

[Hawkmoon]

The Wilson drop-ins probably DO have to be fitted, in order to function, but they do NOT require modifying the frame tangs.

Remember, tolerances. All 1911s are not identical in all dimensions. The tolerances are sufficient that a grip safety that would literally drop into EVERY pistol might have a leg that's too short to effectively block rearward movement of the trigger on some pistols. I have installed two of the Wilson drop-ins. The first went into a Caspian-framed Government pistol, the one I posted the picture of. Although the Wilson instructions say that fitting of the finger is required, and they show you exactly where to file, that one did drop in with NO fitting required.

The second one went into a Colt Combat Commander. The finger was too long and had to have a small amount of filing performed on the two places shown in the Wilson instructions. This is to be expected, and is no different from replacing a stock grip safety or a thumb safety. The drop-in designation refers to the fact that these units don't require any modification to the frame tangs.