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DAVE.45
29th May 2007, 15:09
I am putting together a "retro" stainless commander using a new 1991a as the base. Did Colt use the old style "short" commander grip safety on the first stainless commanders. If so,do you know where one might obtain one? If not, could a regular goverment grip safety be re-contoured to look like the old "short" style? I know the goverment can be dished out to accept a commander hammer, but that is not the look I want.
One of Daves' ring style commander hammers would look sweet on it!

Thanks for any info or help,
DAVE.45
Hawkmoon
29th May 2007, 15:29
There are two of the older electroless nickel Commanders in the local shop, and both have the old-style "short" grip safety. I'm not sure, but I suspect that by the time Colt started offering stainless Commanders they had switched to the longer, dished grip safety.

Part of the reason I suggest that is that CDNN has, in the past, offered the new style Commander grip safety in nickel ... suggesting that the style changed before the material changed. If you want or need the short style, though, I am sure you could recontour a Government grip safety. I've considered doing that to make a grip safety for a home-built M1911 (not A1).
Dave Berryhill
29th May 2007, 19:48
I'm not sure but I think Hawkmoon is right. I believe that there were no stainless steel Commanders originally - just blue and nickel plated. Maybe one of the collectors will chime in here.

You can reshape a Government Model grip safety but be warned. Some of those Colt stainless grip safeties are HARD!
Hawkmoon
29th May 2007, 21:09
You can reshape a Government Model grip safety but be warned. Some of those Colt stainless grip safeties are HARD!
Careful, Dave. To a dedicated Dremel jockey, that's just a dare.
Dave Berryhill
29th May 2007, 21:47
Dremel? Don't be a sissy. Use the belt sander! :D
wichaka
30th May 2007, 00:23
I'm still partial to the 4" angle grinder! :scared:
David Rose
30th May 2007, 05:54
Hmmm... Wichaka... That sounds like a tool that could save some setup time on the mill for dovetails!
:lh:
David - dusting off the old Makita

I'm still partial to the 4" angle grinder! :scared:
GunDiver
30th May 2007, 14:55
I'm calling the EMTs so they can be on standby! :)